JadestoneDoll, they usually keep them in the office on the other side of campus at my job. So if I want one I have to walk and get them. I also don't carry cash anymore that way I'm not tempted to go to the snack machine!

UGH! i get EXTREMELY anxious-all of the sudden any LITTLE thing is a HUGE thing. i get overwhelmed. i see every spec of dirt in the house and i don't sit down for a minute. i am sure i could get diagnosed with PMDD but i refuse to go on anti depressents for a few bad days a month. Besides, SOME months it's not as bad. If i could only figure out why those months aren't as bad (or maybe there is no reason!!!). But it's so annoying.

i suppose on the bright side since losing some weight i am extremely regular. yay.

-fm

sorry for going off-topic, but i saw on modern family that if you put a pinch of salt in your chocolate milk, it brings out the flavor. lol. thought it was appropriate to add that here..haha

I always fluctuate during my period. It sucks but sometimes my hormones take control of me, thank goodness its only 5 days.

I did do myself a favor though, I make sure there is nothing threatening around me during my period. lol

I track my period on mymonthlycycles.com.

It has helped a lot in recognizing all of the symptoms- I used to think that just the headaches, cramps, and cravings were associated with my period, but I've found it's so much more. I always get warning cramps that are pretty severe a couple of days beforehand (that last into the first 3 days ugh), so I've always known when it's coming but seeing it on a calendar helps me prepare how to deal with it. I'll buy some dove dark chocolate and eat 2 of the little squares to help curb cravings, etc. And, when I step on the scale and see I'm up 3 pounds, I know it's due to water weight, not fat gain.

It's given me a lot more peace of mind!

I just experienced this and looked for a thread about it, so thanks for posting!

I eat intuitively and my TOM wrecks havoc on my eating habits :(. One day, I'm eating healthy and reasonable amounts of food.. the next, I'm craving all things chocolate and salty. And it seems to take longer for my body to recognize fullness.. if it does at all.

For cravings, I eat bite-size portions of dark chocolate and small handfuls of nuts. I also drink a lot of water.. and try not to get too depressed over scale numbers.

It makes me feel better knowing other ladies experience this, though :).

Ack! I was bad this morning...and am blaming it on my period. Funny how I found this thread yesterday and I get whacked today.

Well, I don't have my usual little chocolates to snack on (I like to get the dark chocolates-healthier and satisfies cravings quicker) and I'm at work. My co-worker had brought in easter candy yesterday. So what did I do this morning? I ate about a dozen of those tiny hershey's extra creamy eggs ("oh, they're small!" says I...yikes), 4 or so mini peanut butter cups and then I had to get in to some lemon cookies, followed by cheese crackers and then some whole wheat bread with butter.

How quickly things can get out of control. I'm feeling really ****ty about it too now...but I feel better now that I've fessed up to it! Honestly, not too bad of a binge, so I'm happy I didn't demolish all chocolate in sight. Now I'm drinking a ton of water...and foresee veggies for the rest of my meals today, ha.

Yup. I'm there with everyone else.

I've been craving homemade chicken salad for several days. (non-TOM related) I'm doing lower carb, so it's permissible. I picked up pork skins and small thing of dip with 2 g of carbs per serving.

I got home, decided to have that as a snack...and I had to *make* myself stop eating. Two quarts of water and an hour later...and my mouth still wants crunchy stuff. I know how much salt is in it, and I know I'll be up 5 lbs tomorrow if I eat the rest of the bag. *sigh*

EDIT: ...and I failed. I ate the whole thing of dip. 3/4 bag of pork skins. Why? Because I wanted them and they were within my caloric and carb intake allowances. Pathetic.

Wow- i feel everyones pain. I agree that PMA should be official. Every month I HATE my boyfriend. Its so terrible. Im mean to him and I question my love for him and I always forget that its just hormones and hes annoying me and im totally being irrational. How can I forget if i get it every month!!!
Bingeing during TOM is bad for me too. Usually its the sweet stuff...and im detoxing from sugar and staying low carb so it will be especially difficult for me. But after my body gets done with these withdrawals and its time for PMS again, I am curious to see if anything changes. I hope for the better...Being a girl can really suck at time.

Oh, I completely understand how everyone feels! I got my period yesterday and last week I was terrible with bingeing. I went to Pick n Save and bought 4 slices of cake and a box of cookies over the course of the week. Better than eating it all in one day for me, but still. I always think I'm over that and then BAM! I want cake so bad. Grrr, even though I know what happens I still eat it.

LOL. Like clockwork. I should be done with my period by Sunday.

The PMS monster is gone, and I'm completely apathetic about food again. I'm sure there's a biological reason that it happens, but sheesh, c'mon already.

Found an interesting article regarding this phenomenon:

http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/i...ging-your-diet

It just gives some scientific background to it. Basically the advice they give to overcome the binges/cravings is exercise more, make healthier food choices, and take a daily vitamin supplement. Being conscious of the fact that you know you'll get those random cravings and urges to binge around that TOM can help avoid it too. When you get the urges take a step back and say, "Do I actually need this [insert random junk food item]? Or do my hormones just THINK I need this?" I am easily susceptible to mood/stress related cravings and binging, so I definitely understand where a lot of you are coming from on this topic.

What you should be getting out of this is who is in control of what you eat: Your hormones or you? Are you going to continue to allow your hormones to win every month when you have your health and weight loss in mind? All of you are strong women and have it in your power to say no!

Let's all make this next cycle the cycle to change the normal flow of things. *Pun intended*

*sigh* Man, I am all over this. I ate everything in site last week/this weekend and NOW it makes sense. Thanks Mother Nature. Every month, I want to do nothing but eat chips (the salt is what I crave >_<) and cheese for a week (and considering those are the last things I need ugh) before my period. It stinks.

I am soooooo feeling this thread today. TOM is supposed to start tomorrow and I've eaten like crap today. I can't get enough food into my body! I also go through the phase of "my husband is irritating as ****, my house is always effing messed up, I'm so tired I can't even think straight, and whyyyyy meeeee (in a very whiny voice)"...it does suck being a girl sometimes.

I am going through this right now These last few days since I started my TOM I have been eating non stop. And I know all of it is crap, and that I don't need it (or really want it) but it is like I HAVE to have it! I can't just not eat it. I feel so bloated and sick and wish I could find the strength to just say no.

I also know that when I am PMSing, my mood is really awful. I am irritable and anxious and sad and just really blah the entire time. I know that eating better during this time will not only help my weight loss, but my mood as well. But even that is not enough to stop the cravings and the binges.

I am going to try and use some of the suggestions here and see if I can stop giving in to these negative actions.