SO my normal range of calorie intake is anywhere from high 1300's too 1500's I aim for 1400-1500 but don't shoot myself if I get up to 1600..lol anyways I"m about a week away from TOM and I am constantly hungry! Like I have this feeling like I can never get full... Well all week with the exception of the past two days I gained weight! almost 4 lbs to be exact!and I was OP, making good healthy choices and exercising - well for the past two days I have went OVER my normal limits first day I ate 1680 cals and the other day I had 1761- and I've finally started losing that weight I gained Now I'm only 1.5 away from where I started... I got to thinking maybe My body needs the extra calories right before TOM? I feel much better when I eat the higher calories granted I could still least a lot more!!! but I've been keeping myself some what in check.. and I started taking off some of the weight I put on... I am not even on TOM yet it's about 7-10 days away still... Is it normal to get all these symptoms so far ahead...... the hungriness, the weight gain, headaches, moodiness?


anyways I was wondering if any of you allow your self more calories during that time? because if so I' think I'll just budget in a higher limit around that time each month- especially if it won't affect my weight loss after it's done..

Being that you are 284 lbs you SHOULD be eating around 1700-1800! I'm eating 1700 average daily at just over 300 and losing weight well. I say go for it

I've been thinking about that... If I can eat more and still loose the same amount of weight I might as well..LOL....Some days I feel stuffed at 1300 but other days I would really love to eat 1700-1800... like now... I'm just scared it will stall my weight loss if I up it now since I'm already a month and a half into my diet..


and wow... when you said I was 284.. I was like why does she think I'm 284? I still think of myself at being in the 300's..lol It just hit me I don't weigh over 300 any more! WOW!!! that sounds so awesome!!!!!!!!!!


and about on average how many pounds a month are you losing off of 1700 cals?

I eat 1800 a day and I've lost 2lbs this week. I'll probably lower it to 1700 once I get under 200. I wouldn't worry too much about your weight stalling if you ate more. I was eating 1500 for a while and when I increased it, there was a week with no change, but it's back to normal. I always get ridiculously hungry when I'm coming down with the girl-flu but I think thats just part of it, like cramps and water retention.

Not sure about calorie increase, but the week of my Tom I have to eat more often. I also have to eat more carbs, like potatoes and bananas. So I eat a morning and an afternoon snack, and it helps a lot with the urge to eat. TOM is really a booger.

I agree....you should probably increase your calories. I'd suggest bumping up to 1700-1800 for the next few weeks and see how that goes. Make sure to keep the calories all healthy choices. Don't just add extra calories of junk...but I'm sure you wouldn't do that. I started at 340 eating 1800 calories per day. I'm now 251 and still eat 1700-1800 calories per day and have been consistenly losing for 6 months.

As for TOM...I definately find myself feeling hungry and snacky for a couple days. I don't increase my calories, but I do really think about what I'm eating, make sure I'm getting enough protein and mentally push myself through it. The symptoms you mention sound fairly normal although I will say that the further I get into this healthy lifestyle journey the better the symptoms get - headaches and cramps are almost competely gone. I still get moody and emotional, but not as bad as I used to. For me the PMS stuff usually starts 3-5 days before.

Barb

I call that the "bottomless pit syndrome" I get it every month, brutally hungry right before TOM, to the point of sometimes not being able to control it. It's not as bad now that I'm on the pill, so I truly believe it's hormonal, maybe it's in the genes as part of some sort of ancient, self-preservaation thing.

When TOM comes around, your calorie requirements are increased by 300 calories

I eat more if I get more hungry before or during TOM. I just don't think it's humane not to, assuming you actually listen to your physical hunger. But I don't consider it a reason to go off plan - I just eat more of the same healthy foods, and I don't stuff myself.

I have to eat more for about three days right before my period. I am ravenous. If I don't, I will binge in the evening. So I just add about 200-300 calories a day...usually by adding a second morning and second afternoon snack. it doesn't make the hunger completely go away, but it makes it manageable. And I figure eating more for three or four days a month is not going to throw off my whole weight maintenance plan...and I did the same during my weight loss with no ill effects. To some extent, I think it is important to listen to our bodies...how I feel right before my period is absolutely REAL hunger not just boredom, etc.

I'm losing around 15 lbs a month... sometimes more, sometimes a bit less.

I usually eat more during TOM....cause I just have the cravings....

wow what great advice!- I too think it's our bodies way of saying hey I need a little extra boost here give it to me! LOL.... I think I will allow myself an extra 200 calories for those few day I feel ravenous... we do loose blood so it makes sense that we need more iron and protein to compensate for that loss.. I think I'm going to up my calories to 1700 and see what that does.. I might as well eat more food if I still have the same loss! plus I noticed when I eat more The weight does seem to come off faster... I think I will just eat bigger portions of the healthy foods I do eat... Some times I cut my serving sizes in half like when I eat peanut butter maybe I will let my self have the full serving and things like that.. Maybe I will get a higher calorie bread instead of 40 cal bread.. and just get the 70 calorie whole grain version... and getting the longer bananas at the store instead of the smaller ones... I bet I'll feel a lot better. you guys are awesome! I'm so glad I found this place the advice has been so beneficial too me!

and on a happy note I finally lost the weight I had gained back plus and extra 6 ounces so I'm at 23.5 lbs lost now! thank god!

and cfmama 15 lbs a month! wow that's great! I aim for about 8-10 a month!

I feel so ravenous right now. I'm trying to stay in my calories. I am honestly not sure how many calories I had today. I had my usual egg & cheese on English muffin, 1 cup tea 2 tbs honey, 1 small banana. I know the calorie counts for those. Then I had a chicken and vegetable bowl from Magic Wok. I don't think the bowl was that big. It's smaller than all the bowls I have at home. Still, I ate the whole thing and I honestly don't know how many calories are in (not listed on their site). For dinner, I stuck to two serving veggies (stir fry) and chicken. Still was hungry so I had another cup of tea with honey. I was still feeling hungry so I got another banana. I also had one of those little cups of organic apple sauce. I feel like I have eaten a lot. In fact, more than what I have been eating but I am still hungry. I have that hungry stomach up to your head feeling. Honestly, I just want a Snickers bar but I have resisted the urge to call hubby and ask him to pick up one. My period should be coming on soon so I think that this the cause of this. I also felt really really hungry all day yesterday. So I'm trying to figure out if I should listen to my body and eat something else or just chuck it up and go to bed soon.

I actually read somewhere that we burn more calories during TOM because of extra body functions going on, so it would make sense to eat a little more, or not and lose extra that week!