Quote:
Originally Posted by desiresdestiny
Why do we try to fight TOM bloat and weight gain and get upset when
1. We know its temporary
2. It happens monthly?
Thoughts?
I thought this would be a fun thread and so do this too
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TMI warning - some of my comments are a bit graphic.
I don't think all of us do fight it or get upset about it, and even those of us who do fight it, may do it only because we were taught to, and others of us may fight it for different reasons.
I used to fight it and would get upset because I was taught to. Everyone I knew got upset about it, so I got upset about it too, and didn't really question why. It's just what you were supposed to do.
Now I don't get upset by it, but I do still fight it a little, but not usually because of the weight or swelling itself. I do "fight it" somewhat because I've discovered that uncontrolled bloating also tends to drastically increase the amount of pain I experience with my period. I often get such terrible cramps that sometimes even narcotic pain meds do not do much for them. My IBS symptoms also tend to flare (severe and embarassing gas pain as well as sudden and severe diarrhea episodes).
By keeping bloating and swelling to a minimum, I can also decrease the amount of pain and intestinal symptoms.
I've found that eating very low-carb tends to decrease my weight gain and even more importantly tends to decrease the painful and embarassing side effects of my period. It also tends to reduce the out-of-control appetite that I call "rabid hunger," that I experience during pms/period time.
For me, it's all about "damage control." Keeping annoying and painful symptoms to a minimum, and keeping hunger at bay so that the temporary weight gain doesn't become true weight gain.
Vanity is a part of the equation, because the swelling in my abdomen and face is severe enough to be noticeable (hubby will even sometimes remark that my face looks puffy or swollen, and I tease "yeah, thanks for pointing that out). So if I'm plainning to be going out for a dress up occasion during PMS/TOM I tend to be even more careful with the carbs, so that I don't feel like Jaba the Hut.