A question for the ladys?

[Samandmom]

Ok men I warned you.

How do you deal with TOM. I get sooo hungry and I all I want to do is eat all the unhealthy stuff. (McDonald's, Chinese, desserts and so on) I did NOT miss him at all. I just got him for the first time last month. I had not gotten him for 18 months prior. (pregnant and breastfeeding) For lunch I had a chicken grinder from a pizza place with fries and for dinner a fish filet, cheeseburger and fries. (Can you tell I love fries?)
Any tips?

 

[lulu201]

Ooh, good topic! I'm one of those people really affected by TOM--cravings, extreme fatigue, irritability. Every month I seem to struggle! I have the tiredness and grumpiness pretty much under control these days, but the cravings. . .well, they happen no matter what. Words of advice came to me from my WISH friend, Castillo Mom: "you know it's going to happen, so plan for it." Before she said that, I always was kind of surprised each month (go figure???), but now I really do plan. I look at my calendar, know when I'm going to be vulnerable, and try to increase my own self-care. I drink more water, try to maintain my exercise routine, take my vitamins, and CUT MYSELF SOME SLACK! That means if I'm going to need some fries, I give myself some points for those (I'm doing WW on my own right now). A little chocolate here and there to take the edge off, too. Most importantly, though, I don't panic. Other months I would feel those cravings and go over the edge! I'd diet for two and a half weeks, lose a few pounds and when TOM came, I'd fall off the wagon and binge. I'd feel like I was weak and incapable. I'd wonder why I had no self control and was unable to lead the healthy life I wanted. Now I know better!

I hope this helps. . .

Good luck!
Erin

 

[DoeWDW]

Oh boy, do I know THAT feeling!! Now that my teenaged daughter and I are on the same cycle, we joke about all the food we could go through the week before TOM!

I wish I knew the answer. I eat low-carb so I try to make sure I stay full on low-carb foods and have legal treats around, like sugar-free jello and whipped cream.

Come on ladies! There have to be others out there who have tamed this beast!!

 

[DoeWDW]

Double post - OOPS!

 

[JessicaR]

I would love to hear any ideas for taming the beast too! All I wanted to do was eat chocolate and carbs! I cant believe how strong my desire for anything bad was just prior to my TOM! Since I'm doing Atkins I also ate the sugerfree jello and added an Atkins chocolate bar. It helped with the sweet craving. However when my son pulled out the bag of potato chips I had to run away and hide! I wanted those chips bad! I didnt give in to it and thankfully the desire only lasted a couple days.

 

[tlgoblue]

UGH! What do I do? Suffer mostly. (My family suffers worse than I, however. ) I usually take a Stress vitamin starting a week before and continue throughout. It REALLY helps. I also plan for it by simply not having the offending foods in the house. I also made a promise to myself not to eat food hot out of the bag, box, wrapper, whatever. If it has a drive-thru, I dont give it my patronage. And I also don't beat myself up if I cave. And last but not least, I may have a second glass of wine. That could be a problem if you dont drink, but it works for me.

Keep the Faith!
Tracy

 

[Tiggerlover91]

Last month, (nov) was the first time this year I've had a real period. I have fibroids and the only type of bleeding I was having was from the fibroids. My doctor put me on birthcontrol pills and I've been regular since.
So anyway, I've been on Atkins since July and the only problem I seem to have from TOM is moodiness!! The cravings just aren't there...thank goodness. The Atkins chocolate really helps out a lot and I think because I eat it so much, it helps.
I've come a long way because my cravings were burgers, fries, popcorn and chocolate back before Atkins and it was in the extreme let me tell you. I think McDonald's and Burger King knew me by name.
Just hang in there ladies, TOM is only for 4-5 days at a time about every 21 days or so! As Barney Fife used to say...."NIP IT....IN THE BUD!"

 

[geetey]

Funny you should mention this! I recently read an article (in SELF or SHAPE) that said a woman's body burns 300 more calories per day the week before TOM and that is the reason we get these cravings. It was their recommendation to plan an extra 300 calorie treat per day during that time, so that you feed the craving but don't go overboard and end up binging. I haven't had a chance to test this theory however.

 

[DoeWDW]

Terry, I've never heard that! Can I use it to justify "junk" calories??? I supose I should add in 300 "good" calories, but any excuse for chocolate around that time......

 

[Samandmom]

Originally posted by Tiggerlover91
Just hang in there ladies, TOM is only for 4-5 days at a time about every 21 days or so! As Barney Fife used to say...."NIP IT....IN THE BUD!"

UGHHHHHHHH I am unfournate and get it for 6-7 days.

I had a slice of oreo cookie pie today. I just hate that I have been doing so great and I am doing so bad now. Thanks for the advice everyone I am glad I am not the only one in this situation.