Oh Ladies Oh Ladies

I am definitely praying that I lose this few pounds that I have retained pre-cycle...  haha, I feel like I literally grab everything in site to eat too... grrr.  haha So glad we aren't alone in this. :)

you are not alone,  this weekend( Thursday evening) i began just eating like crazy( all the bad stuff esp. chocolate) and i got to the point where i said tht i was going to do the 5 day pouch test to get back on track..well yesterday i did my shoping for day 1 and day 2 before i went to bed i grabbed my birth control pills as i do everynite and it hit me.. my lady is about to visit..i hate this time of month coz am scared of the weight gain...i really try to keep away and stay focus  but its so so hard.. thanks for asking this question..maybe someone will help us out. Be blessed.

Hi jcurry, I too sympathize with the fear of weight gain... I really worry about that and even with gaining before my cycle, I still frizz out a bit. I am so thankful for all the support from this wonderful group. :) Thank you!

Hi, CutiePie.  I can totally relate to what you're experiencing.  About 10-12 days before my period starts, it feels like my appetite goes through the roof!  My solution is that I just give in and eat more.  The increased hunger lasts for about 4-6 days and during that time I consume 300-600 calories more per day than usual.  If I make myself stick to my exercise routine, I don't always gain, but sometimes the scale goes up a pound or two.  But my appetite goes back to normal a day or so before my period starts, and my weight goes back down when it's over.   I've read a couple medical articles that suggest our energy needs actually increase in connection with our menstrual cycle.  I think the idea is that our body is using more energy as it prepares the uterus to welcome an implantation that usually doesn't happen.  So our body is using energy to line our uterus, move the egg along, then empty the uterus, etc.  Of course, it's very difficult to study this because appetite is somewhat subjective, and it's difficult to calculate actual energy needs on a daily basis.  But based on my experience, I tend to believe there's some truth to this.   So for me, I just choose to eat a bit more when I'm really feeling hungry during the time leading up to my period.  I still eat things that are good for me, I just eat more often.  Also, I get super, super cranky and I just can't handle being evil-cranky and extra hungry.  So I handle the hunger and do my best to modulate the crankiness.. And no, you are definitely not insane - hormones can just really mess with some of us!!! Good luck on your continuing journey -  Kellie

Thank you so much Kellie, I am soooo glad to know I am not alone and going crazy.  I too have had to give in to eating a bit more, if I don't, I want to binge on all the bad stuff.  I do wish all of us didn't have to go through the really awful symptoms that comes along with a natural process. Thank you again. *hugs* ~Shannon