Does this happen to anyone else?

Posts: 75
10/24/12 8:48 P

absolutely!
hungry hungry hungry!

the cravings for sweets i can usually handle (although i did just cave to an oreo cupcake that has been staring me down for 2 days) by pre-tracking food for a few days right before my period is due...i leave lots of room in my range for the inevitable chocolate/cake/cookie

what kills me are the days when i am literally hungry from the minute i wake up until the time i go to bed. no amount of protien/fiber/veggies/water puts a dent in it!
(today has been one of those days)

when it's that bad i just roll with it! i will make up the difference over the next week of two!

current weight: 131.6

190 175.4 160.8 146.2

131.6

SparkPoints: (188,103)
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10/16/12 10:44 P

Try to plan ahead and have your snacks portioned out,
or drink water and see if the cravings pass.

188,103 SparkPoints

Posts: 2,249
10/15/12 9:28 P

Boy does it ever !
YESTERDAY in fact - almost 3,000 calories !


So today I ate VERY CAREFULLY - less than 1,000 cals


Have a Terrific Tuesday



BLESSINGS!

Pounds lost: 12.0

0 10.5 21 31.5

42

SparkPoints: (11,576)
Fitness Minutes: (14,294)
Posts: 29
10/12/12 12:20 P

I go through this every month, I have a voracious appetite at least a week before my period. The thing is, I eat whatever I am craving but I keep it within my calorie range. I have been able to lose 60 pounds since January. I am even trying to maintain now, but still losing. So my advice is to give in to the cravings because this is a lifestyle change not a diet. Just keep it within your range.

37 Maintenance Weeks

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40

Posts: 496
10/10/12 8:42 P

This has happened to me on my period quite a few times, I usually find after I satisfy my cravings, I no longer feel the urge to eat anymore sometimes it is a few days before I can get back in total control, as long as you stick to your exercise, I think you will be ok, Just remember one bad meal wont make you fat, just as one good meal wont make us skinny...You can do this

current weight: 158.0

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150

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Posts: 355
10/10/12 6:43 P

It's been a long time since i've had this particular problem, but there are still days when all I can think about is food. Unfortunately, when I'm feeling that way I usually want something warm and sweet. If a slice of lo-cal toast with cinnamon sugar (made from Splenda) doesn't do it, then I am off and running. I've been known to eat a dozen fresh warm chocolate chip cookies in one sitting. This is one of my greatest challenges on this program.

Edited by: SHARONPENNING at: 10/10/2012 (18:44)

current weight: 248.2

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150

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Posts: 17,418
10/9/12 12:20 P

SOUKICAVILL,

It's not unusual for a woman to feel hungry during her menstrual cycle. that's because most women do burn more calories when they are menstruating. How many ? This can vary from woman to woman. But I've read that some women can burn anywhere from 100-500 extra calories a day.

So, it is okay to eat a bit more during your cycle. Now, that doesn't mean go out and have a cheesecake. Try having foods that are more satisfying. Are you eating enough foods that are high in fiber ? Eating high fiber foods help keep a person full for longer. So do make sure you're eating plenty of fresh fruit and veggies, whole grain breads/cereals, beans, etc...

And if you'd like a piece of chocolate, have a piece ! When I decided I wanted to lose weight, I knew that I couldn't give up chocolate. And I didn't. I was just more mindful of the portion. I also started eating better quality chocolate. Try having a piece or two of really good dark chocolate that is at least 50-60% cocoa.

The problem with cheap chocolate is just that, it's cheap. As a result of the low cocoa content, you need to eat more to feel satisfied. Not so with good quality chocolate. one or two squares will do it. sit and slowly savor the squares. let them dissolve in your mouth. Don't inhale them like a Hoover. that's another problem. People eat too fast. when they eat too fast, they don't have time to taste their food. What happens ? They don't feel satisfied and want more.

Try buying some good quality dark chocolate. A little really does go a long way.

Posts: 2,249
10/8/12 11:45 P

Dear, there is nothing wrong with starting over.
That is the wonderful thing about each new day -
it is a chance to do a little better than the day before.

I love this quote from Martin Luther King, Jr:
"If you can't fly then run. If you can't run then walk.
If you can't walk then crawl. But whatever you do, keep moving."

Here is another good one
“Success is failing 99 times and getting up 100” (or something like that)



Please keep us posted

BLESSINGS !




PS - Today I emptied a Chips Ahoy bag -
7 cookies. Forgive yourself and move on

Pounds lost: 12.0

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Posts: 1,486
10/5/12 4:45 P

Happens to me every month. I stopped fighting it and then it became more manageable. I eat some chocolate and I look at it as a medicine, not the forbidden fruit.

current weight: 145.0

147 142.25 137.5 132.75

128

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Fitness Minutes: (545)
Posts: 122
10/5/12 4:11 P

I feel your pain. It is the same for both my sister and I. I just try and work out a little extra during the week to make up for eating more during that time of the month.

current weight: 180.6

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130

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Posts: 11,803
10/5/12 5:18 A

don't even sweat it.

OK, you ate 1600+ calories. What is your spark range? the lowest available is 1200-1550, which means that you're a grand total of ~50-300 calories over your range. That is so small a blip on the radar it isn't worth spending another moment worrying about. It takes 3500 calories over your maintenance to gain a pound. If your Spark range is higher, you're probably not even over..just on the higher end..that's why you have a RANGE rather than 1 number to hit.

10 Days until:  Niagara Falls Women''s HM

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0

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Posts: 3
10/4/12 10:39 P

Start by brushing your teeth. It seems to help, I don't really know why. Then, slowly drink three glasses of water and sit on your sofa and think about why you REALLY don't want to go down that road. Think about all the sacrifice you put forth on a daily basis when you don't give in to your cravings. Think about how much of that sacrifice would be wasted. Then call a friend and tell him/her about why you really want to dig into a candy bar, you'll feel better when it's out of your head and in the open, it seems to take some of the rightnow! potency out of the cravings.
That should do it, remember, what you enjoy for two minutes, you'll have to work off for weeks/months. An indulgence is fine, but you're too far along to travel down the slippery sweets slope!

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Posts: 17,359
10/4/12 10:32 P

That problem for me is now WELL behind me, but I do have strong memories of this happening to me, too. It WAS the only time I had a sweet tooth, and I could pig out like nothing else at those times. BUT I did learn a good trick to help reduce it happening.

I would get some good chocolate (high cocao %) and take a piece, smell it and enjoy that sense, nibble a bit off and suck on it in my mouth, enjoying those flavours, texture etc., then swallow it. I would repeat a few times. Sometimes that 1 piece was all I needed, but sometimes I needed a couple more. I would only buy LITTLE bars so I wasn't tempted to scoff it all.

The other thing is to ensure that you are eating enough protein throughout the day - especially when you are working out - because it helps to keep you fuller for longer.

Factoring in some little nibbles/snacks during the day also helps - things like nuts, dried dates, pieces of fruit etc. are really helpful.

Take note that this journey is about moderation and lifestyle - not deprivation. Those who forbid themselves the occasional treat often do themselves more harm than good, because ultimately they fall off the wagon and stay off.

I would suggest that most of the time you should consider eating toward the lower end of your range, taking into account your exercise regime etc., and this allows you to be more flexible at those other times. I actually often suggest to people that they allow themselves one day per every two weeks to eat whatever they want (without going too crazy) because it really does help with reducing that deprivation/boredom feeling. I practice what I preach, and had no problems reaching my goals. I DO know that it doesn't work for everyone, but for most it would and I strongly suspect that you would be one of those people it would work well for :-)

Take care, and don't go beating yourself up. What you did is actually quite normal for a lot of people.

Kris

Edited by: SLIMMERKIWI at: 10/5/2012 (05:39)

current weight: 151.0

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151

Posts: 61
10/4/12 10:18 P

I've been on my period for the past two days and I have been ravenous- literally, I've eaten meal after meal and rarely felt satisfied. Yesterday I ate over 1,600 calories (but not 2,000) and today I've eaten about 1,500 calories. Any idea how to get back on track (although in fairness today I worked out)? I'm afraid that since I've allowed myself to eat my sweet cravings, I won't be able to ignore them anymore and will simply continue indulging! Please, if this has happened to you, let me know how you were able to fight it!