PMS is killin' me!

Hey everyone, Am I the only one who struggles with PMS every month?  Specifically, with feeling like I could eat the door off the refrigerator for a day or two?  It makes me so angry that I have to deal with this issue, but there it is.  I'll be losing weight and doing and feeling great, and then one day I'll notice that nothing, absolutely nothing, is satisftying me.  Then I'll go try something else.  I try to be good and go for protein.  Usually I have it around, but sometimes it's crackers, or apple bread (today) or something else equally damaging and sickening.  My tummy hurts right now because of this.  Then I look at the calendar, and sure enough, it's PMS week.  That explains it. Any tips for dealing with this?  Anyone else going through it?  Help! Steph

Oh Yeah, I go thru this BIG time too!!! I usually complain to my husband b/c I could (and sometimes do) eat everything in sight during that time!!!!! Thankfully a few days after my period I drop back down those few pounds, but it feels terrible at the time!!! I'm not sure what the answer is? I too have tried to stick with high protein, but I always seem to lose that battle. It's really terrible!!!! I'll check back to see if anyone else has some insight into this or some good advice!

Hi Tracy,  Well, at least I'm not alone in my frustration!  I hope that we both get some good advice.  I remember some nutritionals company had a pms formula vitamin that I used to take. I'll have to go to the health food store and see if I see that anymore.  Maybe it's worth a shot to try it.  Anything to stop eating like a maniac, right?

OMG yes!  I think we're in sync.  I have eaten like a crazy person today.  Including several pieces of See's chocolate fudge that left me dizzy with a sugar headache and the shakes, then 2 pieces of rebound pizza because I had the shakes from all the sugar.  I never eat like this except for when I'm PMSing.  It's like someone else has hijacked my controls and I'm powerless to resist.  On top of that, I'm a raving lunatic.  I'm sure the crap I'm eating isn't helping my mood.  I would love to get some advice if anyone has some on how to head this off at the pass before it hits.  I usually eat really well, so I don't think my diet is causing it.  Anyway, I feel your pain!

 

 

Oh goodness, I can imagine what you felt like after you ate that fudge!!  I hate those shakes that come after eating like that.  Or diarrhea, which I am sometimes "blessed" with.  LOL  It totally is like someone else has taken over my body, you're so right!  Ugh!  Sometimes I get really irritable, or depressed, or whatever, too.  But always with the food cravings.  Always.  I hate that! Please, someone, tell us you've found a cure! 

PMS is such a difficult time in so many ways!  Sounds like you track it in some way... on the calendar? It might be a good idea to be prepared for it in advance... if there is anything "good" about PMS, it's that it rears its ugly head around the same time every month. Even though it seems to take you by surprise, you can beat it by being prepared for it! Make yourself a "PMS Survival Kit" of sorts... it's like taking extra steps to prepare for those days when you feel out of sorts and more drawn to food. Reaching out to friends will be especially important at that time. Plan what you are going to eat for the day and stick to the plan. When you feel like eating things that are not on your plan, get busy doing something productive and healthy.  Also - talk with your physician about your symptoms. He or she may have some suggestions as well. It's great that you have asked others on OH for advice!  Keep up the great work!

Connie, thanks for your input!  You're right, I should keep my eye on the calendar and have a plan.  I know it's going to happen, so I might as well gear up for it, mentally speaking. This morning I feel much more in control.  It may be that this time I'll have only ONE day of that empty, unsatisfied, weird feeling.  I hope so!  Another good thing is that I have support group tonight, and after support group, a smaller group of us goes to Starbucks and spends an hour talking over these issues.  I really consider that a huge part of my success.  These girls are amazing and inspirational to me! Thanks again, Steph 

I have a differant problem MENEPAUSE!! I am just starting and you get all the symtoms of your period along with the weight gain, then no period. The last 4 months now I have gained 1-2 pounds each month and with no period so it doesnt come back off. Its been a real struggle. I would like to call my Dr to see if he could perscribe something  but then they  want ou to come in to run a bunch of test first. Any suggestions out there, Debra

Hey Steph... I'm with you girls!   I can actually handle more sugar and more food. (Or is it an excuse to eat because I'm having cravings???)  That's what I'm trying to figure out.  I thought that maybe I was having cravings for something my body needs during that time, but somehow I don't see any nutritional value in cupcakes and cinnamon buns. My husband just shakes his head at me when he sees me on the couch in a ball!  But as soon as the pain is gone...Back to the pantry. I never gain anything but temporary water retention...But if I eat like that on non-cycle times...I gain and have to sweat it off. I'm making a huge bowl of SF jello (filling!!) and eat it a different way each night!  With cottage cheese and crushed SF sweetened raspberries sprinkled with ground flax;  With plain Greek yogurt and strawberries and banana... Or cottage cheese with SF hot caramel with nuts and dried cherries. Prepare for those "sweet" days...and if you have to have chocolate...just have it and don't sneak it...Just allow it as a small treat and look forward to it. I know if I do it this way...I feel less guilt and less inclined to over eat on it...Plus I buy something REALLY decadant .  Like a small expensive Almond Roca or Godiva and cut it up to last a few days. Treat yourself RIGHT!  And with dignity! LOL This way when you're::: tooting::: and a hollering...It will have been worth it! :::evil grin:::: I'll tell you what though. Since I have cut 90% of bad carbs out of my diet for 3 weeks, I have had so little trouble with anything! No cravings, no severe hunger pangs, I eat less at meals, no gas...Well...very little...and not the deadly, clear a room kind or the kind that scares my dog awake from a dead sleep... LOL  I almost can't wait to see what happens my next cycle. Good luck and if you find a cure....POST IT!!! Pleeeeaase!  Hugs Anita

A day or two?  My increased appetite w/ the PMS sometimes goes on for 4-5 days!  And no, you are definitely not alone!!!  During those 4-5 days, I tend to eat 600-800 calories per day more than usual, which puts me into the 2400-2600 calories a day range!  Sometimes it causes me to gain a few pounds, some times it doesn't, especially if I'm diligent about sticking to my exercise routine.  I recently read a medical journal article that suggests our metabolic rate may actually increase in relation to our menstrual cycle.  There wasn't a lot of solid evidence because of the difficulty w/ objectively measuring increased appetite, but it was an interesting article and a new idea for me.  I always thought the cravings were simply related to the raging hormones, but the thought that there may an underlying physiological increase in my energy needs is somehow comforting.  Anyway, I track my cycle and my increased appetite, as well as my daily food intake and daily weight (compulsive, yes, I know, but it keeps me on track).  So I plan to be more attentive to how this seems to work for me.  I sort of like the idea that for 4-5 days a month I can actually eat more calories because my body really needs them.  Just have to be careful not to get carried away... As far as tips for dealing with it, even when I'm eating more, I stick to things I would normally eat and try to stay away from old trigger foods (processed carbs, ice cream, etc.)  When I do go for something sweet, I aim for dark chocolate because I'm usually satisified with a small portion.  And finally, I don't panic because I've learned that the increased appetite goes away after a few days.   Good luck finding something that works for you!!!! Kellie