Whether
you’re a lucky light-girl, or a cursed-cramper, your period is wrecking havoc on all your body goals.
Your period starts messing with your weight as much as 10 days before you start your period
While bloating is usually a given during the week of your period, many of us fail to realize the chaos on the scale that can ensue much earlier.
Fluctuations in how our bodies retain water, cravings for salt and sugar, and hormonal fluctuations all lead to a rough couple of weeks. Being aware of these changes can not only help your sanity, but improve your odds of sticking it out when it comes to your diet.
You eat on average 1,000 calories more PER DAY during PMS than the rest of the month
(Yes. I had to re-read it too. 1,000 calories per day. )
PMS is another super big hitter in terms of the fun your period brings each month, and one you should definitely pay attention to. It is NOT your imagination. You feel more emotionally vulnerable, and your body actually CRAVES more junk food during that week. Pain and irritability can cause cravings, as well as emotional factors and, of course, stress.
Fatigue also tends to be higher during this time, which can make us feel vulnerable to boosting foods like simple carbs and sugar.
All is not lost, however, if you plan ahead:
- Strongly consider delaying the beginning of a new diet or making a new diet change until AFTER your pms/your period week. A fresh start to your diet goes well with a fresh start to your cycle.
- Have safe go-to foods on hand that you know you can turn to (because unfortunately it’s probably inevitable that you will)
- Consider forgoing alcohol that week, or at least cutting down on it to prevent feeling even more vulnerable to poor diet choices (not to mention discouraging bloat).
- Keep your prospective: If you start to feel a craving or the impulse to emotionally eat, consider the fact that these cravings are temporary. Your willpower will return! (And in the meantime, an occasional hiccup is not worth compromising your self esteem. You’ve got this!)
If you really need a Snicker’s bar that day, for heaven’s sake have one (just maybe try compromising on a fun-size?)
RELATED POST: HOW TO KNOW IF YOU’RE WEIGHING YOURSELF WRONG (YOU’RE ACTUALLY SKINNER, I PROMISE)
Your cramps can make you want to beg out of all your workout goals
For many of us, the worst part about our periods is cramps.
If your period’s cramps are holding you back, there are ways to fight back.
- Consider trying Cyclese (which can be found HERE) . These simple tablets melt under your tongue in just seconds and do not interfere with any known drug, supplement, or prescription.
If you’re feeling tempted to beg out of a workout, try these three things:
- Don’t drink alcohol while on your period (or at least try not to drink it the night before your workout)
- Put your focus on good sleep (part of why you should consider giving up alcohol the night before your workout)
- Be sure you are well hydrated (especially in terms of electrolytes)
Over simplified as these suggestions might seem, the truth is that your body is working over time to make extra blood, and your liver is working over time to sort through all the extra hormones (and probably junk you’ve been eating on PMS week). So….give yourself every advantage. If you take care of your body, it will take care of you.
Migraines are real
I don’t recall who made the suggestion to me that my migraines might be “cyclical”, but I do recall what a major breakthrough that was for me.
Having been a chronic migraine sufferer for years, I’ve tried everything under the sun including magnets, chiropractic Treatments, cleanses, liver detoxes, omega 3’s, and more.
The migraine I can ALWAYS count on, is the one that comes with my period.
It’s the same day of my cycle every month, and I literally can plan on it now.
If you are a migraine sufferer (or just have “a bad headache about once per month”), consider looking into this. If nothing else, knowing when it’s coming can help you plan, and also remind you to avoid things like soy and alcohol which may make it wayyyyy worse.
There’s power in knowledge:
Being aware of these factors, and paying attention to your body each month and how it behaves gives you an edge up. It keeps you ahead of the game, on top of your strategies for coping, and most of all the awareness that sometimes you just need to give yourself a break: Not all diet days are created equal.
Cheers to Great Health!
XoXo,
*Health advice disclaimer: While I am a prior certified NSCA personal trainer, the thoughts, opinions, and advice I supply on this site are merely my personal opinions, and do not necessarily reflect the professional advice of Doctors, Nutritionists, or other certified Health Providers as they may pertain to you and your health needs. Please consult a Doctor or Certified Medical Professional before taking any action in your health or lifestyle changes. Your health may depend on it!!! For more information, you can visit our legal section here.*
