I had the same thing last week...I felt bloated and lethargic and I didn't really stick to plan like I should have. I just kept telling myself there was a rational explanation to why this was happening (not losing / retaining water) and that it was only temporary. I felt so much better Monday when it was over! I've accepted that I will probably just have to alter my plan a little during my cycle and to not be so hard on myself. Personally, just having one every month is a fairly exciting thing!

You just accept the fluctuation and keep going maybe give yourself an extra 100 calories per day if needed for cravings. I find if I don't have my snack I get really cranky, but a healthy snack. And don't dwell on the scale.




I realize I posted in a group I dont post in, but I hope my advice helps some

I just noticed your screen name - I love Buffy!

Once you know your cycle it is easier to deal with. I swear I am part camel because I can retain water like crazy (my father has problems with this too, so it seems to be partly genetic). Knowing that I can easily go up five pounds from overdoing it on salt makes it way easier to take when it happens. I recommend tracking it for awhile so you can see your cycles.

I think its just a case of getting to realise that hormones will do that, cause fluctuations and focus on the overall pattern (which is hopefully of weight loss) during those times.

Also, love your handle.

Hi slw,

You are right, it is just a case of getting used to my bodies ups and downs when it's that time of the month. I have to take into account that i will weigh
heavier around that time and put it down to water retention, bloating etc etc.
I will get used to it after a few months.

I'm anxious about this. When I started at 386, I was not having periods on my own. Had to take medication and that did not cause the bloating I experience now that I don't need the medication.

I've noted that I bloat twice a month - around ovulation and around menses. It definitely takes more patience when you have almost two weeks of the month that the scale is a lie. And I was a person who weighed every day.

I weigh every day, and if something like that happens (I take my pill packs back to back) or if I KNOW FOR 100% SURE why my weight is up, I make a note on my weight chart. If it's up because I was naughty, I put a sad face.

I struggle with insane hormonal hunger several days before and into TOM, and even if I miraculously don't fall off-plan, I still can gain up to 10 lbs overnight just with water-weight (and even more at my heaviest).

I weigh daily, and first and foremost, I focus on and celebrate "not gaining" even over and above losing. And even when I gain, I celebrate what I've kept off. I keep a health diary, and start my day with this format (I don't number the entries, I just numbered them for convenience in explaining.

Wednesday, May 8, 2013
300 lbs
1. 6 lb gain from yesterday (TOM due tomorrow)
2. 94 lbs lost from highest weight
3. 50 lbs to Goal weight (When I reach 250 lbs, I'll set goal weight to 200)
4. 156 lbs to Ideal Weight (250 lbs lost)

Even if I gain, I still get to celebrate #2.
If I lose a pound tomorrow, I'll not only celebrate #2, I'll also get to celebrate #1 as well (even though I'm still "up" 5 lbs.

Setting goal weight (#3) by 50 lb increments, helps make the task seem doable. Losing 156 more pounds feels impossible, but losing 50 more (when I've lost and kept off 94) seems achievable.

Another thing I do is keep a sticker chart with a box for every pound I want to lose.When I gain a pound I don't rip off any stickers, I just don't get a new sticker until I've earned it. Each box has two numbers - the number of pounds lost, and what I have to weigh to make that loss. For example, my lowest weight since beginning the chart was 284. So the next sticker will go into the box with 283 written in one corner and 111 in the opposite, and I'll earn my next sticker when I get to 283 and I'll have lost 111 lbs from my highest weight.

I also have an inexpensive pandora (donut bead) style bracelet I wear, with each bead representing 5 lbs I've lost. When I lose 5 lbs I buy a new bead. If I gain, I give myself a month to get the weight back off before removing the bead or beads representing the weight I gained.

Motivation is a huge issue for me, so I always have to keep creating ways to make weight loss fun, interesting and positive. I lose all motivation the instant I stop feeling good about my progress. That's why I have to put "not gaining" at the top of my goals - not only because it's the hardest, most important part of successful weight loss, but also because I get to succeed a lot more often than when I define only losses as success.

Howdy,

I think that motivation to stay on target for goals can easily be lost in the face of a minute defeat or set back. I feel that a secondary motivation might come in handy here - another reason to keep on fighting to move forward no matter what stands in your way.

I've heard my entire life that changes (in whatever) should be made for oneself and no one else. I do believe, whole-heartedly, that someone shouldn't change for the sole benefit of someone else; as the change may not be what you particularly desire. With that being said, I started this journey because someone helped me find faith and belief in myself that I can do anything I want to do; anything I set my mind to do.

This man is the reason I moved from FL to MN. He is my secondary motivation to continue forward no matter the set backs. He is the love of my life. He's also not a big guy at all. He's 5'7" and he is toned and well defined. He loves me, as I am and accepts me as I am. He hasn't, ever, asked me to change. But I want to be the good looking woman he has on his arm and at his side. Whenever I feel like I'm loosing sight or slipping from my goals, I just have to look at him.. see his smile.. and know that I won't fail.

It might seem a bit sappy or sentimental. Or in the worst case scenario - what if he and I didn't work out? Would I slip backwards? We took a break before I moved out here and the only thing it did was prove to motivate me more into the changes I want to make - because of how he changed my life.

If you have a hard time staying focused for your own #1 reason; then find another that gives you strength when you need it most - whatever it may be. It will keep you on your path, lift you when you're down and it will remind you every day - there is a great goal you're striving for and the end result *will* be worth it.

Jessie