[1Bluerose68]

For me its a REAL nightmare, like a roller coaster going way up a steep incline when I didn't even choose to enter the ride. All month long I exercise and try and eat my fruits n veggies and lean tv dinners when i do eat them. But monthly before my period, about 1 week prior, I gain and bloat so badly that I feel and look pregnant. I feel miserable and its depressing too. Then I try and fast and exercise to make up for such a devastating change in my body and then I end up feeling exhausted, moody, and like passing out most days. I have lost only 20 Lbs since late August of this past Summer. Now am having to work harder at losing 20 more Lbs. my goal weight is 150 and am about 185 currently. During Summer I plan to drop about 20 as have 2 months off as a sub teacher and plan to swim 3x a week and gym at night. Any ideas?????

[ennay]

The best course is to NOT try and make up for it. You fast and over exercise, which makes your whole system out of whack and puts you on an even crazier rollercoaster. Honestly you are probably making the situation worse by fighting it so drastically

Just power through, stick to the same plan and learn to accept - not love- but accept water weight as part of your cycle. It isn't weight that matters in the long run. If you want to try and control it a little bit, you can try certain things like a few days before your cycle reduce sodium, eat more veggies (cucumbers are good for bloat) and protein and a little less carbs, but really overall you will do better if you just learn what is normal for you and try to not be thrown by it.

TV dinners are exceptionally high in sodium usually, so making a transition to less processed food, at least for that week might help a little. Make sure you are drinking adequate water, dehydration makes water retention worse.

[Swinella]

Most women experience the bloat. Since it's universal, there's likely a very good biological reason for it. Drink a little extra water, and wait for the potty runs.


EDIT: I'm currently up 8 lbs. It happens to us all. Life will go on.

[dietcokehead98]

There's nothing you can do. It's water, pure and simple. Watch your sodium intake and drink plenty of fluids. Green tea may help.
Isn't being a woman is fun?! (It really is)