These "monthly" cravings are KILLING me!

[Crystalicequeen123]

I'm serious guys...I get some really major cravings during "that time" of the month. :nono: It seems like even if I were to really start a rigorous exercise program, all of my work would be for nothing when that "time" hits and I start eating everything in sight.

I'm telling you, I get really ravenous! And for all the wrong foods too! Of course, my cravings couldn't be for broccoli, carrots, or any other healthy foods/snacks. NO WAY! :rolleyes: I seriously crave anything sweet. Chocolate (my obsesssion), sugar, candy, desserts, etc...you name it! :lol: Even if I tell myself that I'll only have just a "little bit" or a "little taste" of some sugar-fied foods during this time, my willpower is so LOW, that I'll end up eating the "taste" and then some! lol

How do you ladies do it??? How do you keep your diet in moderation during that time of the month?? Is there some deficiency in my system that keeps me craving sweets?? Is it my diet?? What is it? :confused:

Seriously, I'm thinking about just giving up and not starting my exercise regimen again since it seems I always seem to fall back a few steps during this time. :(

[Arcadian]

I don't diet,unless I was training for contests, for my normal daily eating habits, I made serious lifestyle changes in 1994. That really included changing my eating habits. I think that people need to make that sort of commitment to themselves in their minds otherwise, dietary changes don't stick.

Having one day of the week where you can have whatever you want is a good idea. For me, it made the changeover much easier, and it was a reward for me not falling off the wagon. (I also worked out during this changeover period which was the year before I started bodybuilding...lol)

I also made 2 lists; taking one thing on the bad listOUT of my diet every week (literally forever), adding in one thing from the GOOD list every week (likewise). I've not been inside of a Mcdonalds since 1996, and I really don't like the taste of fried foods anymore.

By doing this it served two purposes: I didn't shock my body drastically with crazy changes that can lead to falling off the wagon and severe cravings, and I eventually lost my craving for sweets and high glycemic carbs especially when I saw what my body was turning into! I'm haven't been small since 9th grade. before I made the switched over I was well over 200lbs and wearing a size 18.

I'm still a "big" girl, according to the scale(currently 160lbs) but, I look better, feel better, have a six pack and wear single digit size clothes. (essetially, I wear the same size I did in the 9th grade).:lol:

So go ahead and have your chocolate. In fact, dark chocolate is very good for you as long as its in moderation. :) Just don't stop working out and write your goals down and keep them where you can see them every day (you'd be amazed how much that can help)



-A

[metro_qt]

I'm serious guys...I get some really major cravings during "that time" of the month. :nono: It seems like even if I were to really start a rigorous exercise program, all of my work would be for nothing when that "time" hits and I start eating everything in sight.

I'm telling you, I get really ravenous! And for all the wrong foods too! Of course, my cravings couldn't be for broccoli, carrots, or any other healthy foods/snacks. NO WAY! :rolleyes: I seriously crave anything sweet. Chocolate (my obsesssion), sugar, candy, desserts, etc...you name it! :lol: Even if I tell myself that I'll only have just a "little bit" or a "little taste" of some sugar-fied foods during this time, my willpower is so LOW, that I'll end up eating the "taste" and then some! lol

How do you ladies do it??? How do you keep your diet in moderation during that time of the month?? Is there some deficiency in my system that keeps me craving sweets?? Is it my diet?? What is it? :confused:

Seriously, I'm thinking about just giving up and not starting my exercise regimen again since it seems I always seem to fall back a few steps during this time. :(

Y'know what? people fall off the wagon all the time.
*I* fall off the wagon all the time. (I had cookies for supper yesterday. many cookies :look: )

But like i've read here, just brush yourself off and get back on your regimen. You'll feel good when you do. And find something that motivates you.


I figure, you're doing better than me if you only fall off your wagon for 7 days out of 30, and yea. if you take a taste, or a chomp of something for one meal a day, and the other 2 meals you were really vigilant,
then who cares!!!

Did you know that you get extra hungry at those times because your body has an increased need for nutrients? Instead of requiring 1200 to 1600 calories.. your body jumps up to needing 1800 cals..
so that's why you're feeling extra hungry.

I'd say at those times, eat with moderation if you can help it.
if you can't. EAT. don't beat yourself up.
and then make up for it another day.
you'll get better and better as each month comes.

Practice makes perfect, right?

(heh. all coming from a girl who ate cookies for supper yesterday. but you know what? I ain't mad... :lol: )

[mermaid]

my monthly cravings come the week before- during the PMS time if I'm gonna have PMS, my cravings are salty and potato, so potato chips and french fries are usually eaten waaayy too much!
I'm not on any actual diet, but I try to be aware what I eat and how much of it and that salty week just is too much trouble to keep track of.

[Crystalicequeen123]

Thanks for the advice and encouragement ladies! :up: I'll take them to heart.

I guess I should clear up though by my meaning of "diet". I'm not actually on any special diet either (I don't diet), but when I say "diet", I mean like the types of foods I eat everyday. Like, maybe there is something in my diet that is causing me to crave more of these sweet foods. LOL* I don't know. I have stayed away from sweets before, and found that I actually didn't crave them as often as I used to. I would look at a candy bar in the store and honestly not even be tempted to buy it. In fact, it would literally turn me off. hehe...

But now that I've stopped being so "watchful" over all the foods I eat, I find myself craving "the bad stuff" even more. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I probably won't EVER get rid of sweets and "bad foods" completely from my diet, but I would like to eat healthier in general (for my physique and my hair health...hello! LOL), and maintain willpower when it comes to just gorging sweets.

Is it better to go slowly and gradually lessen the amount of sweets eaten daily?? Or is it better to first "shock" your body by having zero sweets (you know..."extra" sweets like candy, desserts, etc) for about a week, and then slowly allowing yourself SOME sweets?

[HoneyDew]

I have the same problem. I just really have to watch what I eat most times so that the PMS cravings don't hurt. Magnesium has helped with the chocolate cravings. Adding more protien around that time helps me as well. Whole wheat/Fiber snacks like Whole wheat toast and jam helps me.

[Arcadian]

Its quite proven that when you start lowering your sugar and your high carb intake slowly you're less hungry than if you do it all at one time. Its also less likely to shock your body (make you feel tired, grouchy, etc)

I use the glycemic index which has been very helpful in figuring out what I can or can't have. I think of it as the personal version of weight watchers..lol

SO I had to figure out what I could have for myself. Anything above 55 on the scale, I leave alone, below that, I can have it (and there's plenty below 55 you can have!)

those numbers go out the window is on cheat day:lol:


http://www.glycemicindex.com/ Here you can read about what the GI is all about and what it really means. Its possible you could be eating something that is driving the craving as well. The site is a little slow but really informative. I would tell anyone you have to find what really works for you, and to rule out anything wrong, get your blood sugar checked. I'm hypoglycemic btw, so if you use my numbers you may pass out.

That salt thing...well :look: I don't have a normal time of the month anymore but I still have an ovary, but "auntie flo" dont come visiting. I produce plenty of estrogen to go through everything else though.

Back in the day I would crave Super HOT stuff, and it had to be salty. Last night me and the boyfriend went out to a vietmanese place for dinner. I love pho. Anyway, He's never seen me eat the super hot stuff sauce before but last night I used A LOT of it. He looked at me like I lost my mind.:lol:

-A