I have been exercising and eating right for 3 weeks now. Ive lost about 10 pounds and I feel great. But here comes my big test. TOM is upon me and since I was young I know it is coming because 3 days before it starts I start binging. I began my diet the Monday after my last cycle ended so I wouldn't be tempted to eat everything in sight. I usually go strong until this few days of binging then I give up on my diet. I do not want to give up, but the urge is way to strong right now. When I have a terrible craving I am trying to eat something like fruit, pretzels or popcorn. But when I get to work (I am a cook with lots of greasy yucky stuff that tastes SO good, plus Ice cream....mmmm) It is going to be so much harder for me to resist. I am trying to exercise to get my mind off of food, I am also trying to keep busy with house work. I am going to try running after work, but my walking/running partners are not really into it these days.

The difference with this diet is I am enjoying my food, watching my Calories and not freaking out when I do eat. I just stay within my calorie range. I enjoy my workouts and I have a free week that I am using at Curves. I think that will get me through the 3 days of food **** by at least burning the extra calories that I am consuming.

Try finding a semi low cal food that you really love that is an alternative for your favorite thing. Bring it to work. Quacamole dip (I make it lower) is delicious (have to only bring so much). I love chocolate around TOM so I discovered Russel Stovers Sugar Free (chocolate covered) Toffee. I allow myself 1 serving per day. Do you have a snowcone maker you could bring? Yum! Be creative. Bring foods that are treats to you. Make everything a 1 serving rule.

Since the TOM has such a big influence on your diet/appetite, would it help to take some of the pressure off by tweaking your diet a little bit during these weeks? Maybe being a little more flexible so you're not telling yourself "no, no no". Like a predetermined portioned snack each day? So for example, if you know you're getting your period on sunday, say "I'll have one ice cream sunday" or something like that, if you really crave ice cream sundays. I know it's not in line with what you're trying to do the rest of the month, but would it help you to loosen your cravings a little bit? And that way if you decide to do it ahead of time, you might feel more in control, like you're CHOOSING to have that treat that day instead of going off track and bingeing.

I don't know if that's helpful or not. I know for some people all it takes is one bite to trigger a binge but for others, that one bite is enough to not feel deprived and that can lead to not bingeing.

Whatever you do, try to remember how hard you've been working these last three weeks and use that as something to be proud of Be gentle and understanding with yourself... we can't perform miracles but we can try - and often that is enough

I look at TOM as an opportunity to lose weight even faster, since metabolism tends to increase the week before.

Since I have cut out most processed foods, I rarely get food cravings except during TOM. But when I do occasionally get the TOM "munchies", I eat fresh salsa with tortilla chips. I found a good brand that is unsalted and doesn't have much fat, and no preservaties.

How about chewing gum...gives you the flavor without the cal...especially while you are working and tempted to taste everything?

I think the only thing that will work for me is a "premeditated" indulgence. I am going to increase my calorie intake for a week by 200-250 calories, then I will add an extra vigorous workout. Then next week I will go back to my original calorie consuption, and take out the second vigorous workout. Last night I changed my 30 minute walk to a 20 minute walk/10 minute Jog. I am going to take a couple of cups of popcorn with me tonight. My biggest problem is ICE CREAM the last two nights I have had a small sundae. By small I mean 3 oz of ice cream with a dribble of choc. syrup. my friend found a low calorie choc syrup which I am going to buy and keep at work for my cravings. I am not going to eat the deep fried food that we serve, I take my own dinner. I am trying to set a good example for my co-workers who are trying to lose weight with me (we call ourselves the DD's). So I at least will get my extra calories (well most of them) from fruit.
Oh and I have problems chewing gum because I talk too much!