Ugh! Can I just tell you how horrible this weekend has been for my eating and exercise! First I went out and spent the day with a friend touring. Innocent enough, when it was time for dinner I was starving. I ate nearly a whole basket of bread w/ oil at this Italian rest. which was amazing, but how horrible is that. I don't even think I've ever done that. I eat nearly 4 pieces of bread, and didn't even hesitate on adding that oil. Then I ordered a personal pizza, it was delicious but not that good. I didn't even particularly enjoy eating it, but it didn't stop me from finishing the whole thing and I was hungry, but definitely not THAT hungry. But I just couldn't stop

Then came Superbowl Sunday, which is a big event at my house. I had not only cake, but I had cake as the first thing I ate today. Probably 3 slices. Then I had a hot dog, too many BBQ/ and Buffalo wings, a slice of pizza and more soda than I should've.


I haven't worked out, at all either. I've been doing so great for the past two weeks, I don't know why I just went crazy these past two days. I was totally conscious of it to. It was just like I didn't care. My mom and female friends said, oh is because the time of the month. But, I don't know. Is that true? Does our period really cause us to turn into garbage disposals, or is it is mind over matter? I probably have about 2-3 more days of this beautiful "gift" us ladies get, and I'm determined to not repeat that last two days!

Boo!

I tend to crave a lot more (and eat more) around that time -- I think it's the hormonal change triggering reactions, personally. Maybe temporary shifts in nutritional needs, I don't know. But I definitely notice it. I'm at the tail-end of PMS right now (due to start in a day or two) and having a heck of a time tonight.

Thanks for your response! Good luck, don't let it through you off like it totally did me! Blah, stupid periods. Although I typically don't mind it. Just isn't the most fun with dieting and a busy schedule.

I think that we could blame all our weight gain on our body chemistry if we wanted. We are built for survival in times of starvation and that means that we crave food even in times of plenty. Sure, it might be a bit more intense during our periods. But in the end it does boil down to willpower. I try to think of TOM or any other tempting time as a trial or test. I need to overcome those times especially. I strive to have healthy alternatives, so if I do "over do" it's with food that won't kill me to have extra. And if I fall I try not to beat myself up and use it as an excuse to give in. I've done that too many times. If I'm going to be fit I need to move on from each failure and build up more successes.

Karma

It's also normal for me to wanna eat junk food when it's that time of the month. I'm not sure why, maybe because we're losing fluids?? Don't think that's the answer but that's reason enough for me to break my diet for a couple of days. Just make sure that you use that as an excuse to go off your diet and excercise regimen all together. A couple of days isn't too bad. Just think of them as a reward to all the hard work you are putting in!

Thanks, all such wonderful feedback.

I don't think I can pinpoint one thing thats bothering me, sometimes it feels like there is always something. Don't get me wrong, I've learned or experienced rather that I'm quite the emotional eater. I think I've felt out of control the past 2 years of my life. I'm trying to take control by the diet and exercise as well as trying to work out other things in my life. Thank you for sharing your experience FiestyRoo! Its very helpful to read.

Feisty - the soapbox is a better way of getting it all out than the donuts, so well done!

I have PCOS so no regular cycles, and one of the few warning signs that TOM is on the way, for me, is the sudden urge to eat choclate - lots of it. It's worse with PCOS as not only are all your hormones going crazy (sometimes I've had a 'TOY', time of the YEAR, forget months!), but also you're never quite sure if it is really about to happen. Since losing some weight, I'm now getting a *TOESW* (Time of Every Six Weeks), which for me is great! It's not entirely regular or reliable, even so. But even when I start to get that urge to eat rubbish, I'm never sure if I can put it down to that - which makes it worse. So console yourselves at least with a recognisable cycle, you know it's just your body doing what it does! With PCOS, you cvan get all the symptoms (including cravings), only for the thing to then go away again, so the water retention continues another month or two....

I'm also finding the more weight I lost, the longer I stall now and that there really is NO chance of losing any weight in the final 2-3 weeks of a cycle. But it's only the last few days that I really want to binge. I've found eating little and often, and with some regard to the GI of foods helps with cravings. I've also found a few low cal/low fat treats (see other thread!) Also, I do ease up on myself so the day before and the first day, although I broadly stick to my way of eating, I do allow myself a few more treats. A little bit can prevent a binge. If nothing is *banned* then it has less allure! At this time I've also found having one glass of wine in the evening good as it relaxes me, and I'm less likely to binge.

Exercise is great too as that gives your brain the dopamine rush without having to eat food. It does it more efficiently and you're losing not gaining, weight by doing it!

Don't ever blame yourself, though, it's normal to get the munchies. Be kind to yourself and as someone else said, give yourself a day or two off, if necessary. Trust yourself to get back on track!

We all fall off the wagon. The only losers in this situation are those of us who don't hop back on fast!