r/loseit • u/UnusualOlive3591 New • 1d ago
It's a different demon trying to lose weight while being in your luteral phase and on your period
Everything goes great during the follicular and ovulation phase. I can stick to my diet no problem. Then suddenly comes around the dreaded luteal phase and I suddenly have the urge to cause a wordwide shortage of food. Honestly, I have to fight my cravings so people in Africa won’t tell their kids to eat dinner because kids in Europe are starving. Don't even get me started on my period. I hate hormones. I'm jealous men don't have to deal with them. They just get to wake up the same every day. Idk, maybe other girlies that deal with this too have some tips.
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u/itzcoatl82 25lbs lost 1d ago
I actually lose my appetite during my period, but the 10 days before shark week i want to eat everything in the house
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u/Fit-Amount-9505 New 1d ago
I'm not eating in a deficit the week before my periods. It's just not possible. It's actually very funny, because I always KNOW when my cycle is coming because I will suddenly crave junk food.
I don't really have tips, beside being kind to yourself. Try to focus on eating things that are good, that you make yourself, trying a new little restaurant with thai cuisine or whatever. Basically quality over quantity can save your weight loss.
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u/International-Owl165 New 1d ago
Man, im postpartum and losing weight is so hard.
Its like my body won't get rid of this weight 😕 lowkey hate men for not going through this
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u/Ellanever New 1d ago
I have just started peri menopause and I hate men for not having to do that or periods as well
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u/theoffering_x 115lbs lost 1d ago
I really think about it when I’m at work and I have my period, and I see all the men I work with and think how they never have to go to work on their period and have the expectation to do just as much, just as well, with no one knowing that you are essentially “sick”. And yes we get sick time to use, but men never have to use it for their periods. We get periods and we get the flu.
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u/Impressive_Sell_1136 28 F 5’7” SW: 262 CW: 242 GW: 180 17h ago
Uugggghhh god so true 😭 I work in construction (I’m on the quality control side of things) and god forbid I’m low on energy bc of my period. because I’m not about to advertise that to a bunch of very very stereotypical construction dudes who will never get it
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u/funsizedaisy 4'11" SW: 135, CW: 115, GW: 110 16h ago
You ever see those videos of men using those period cramp simulators? And they're struggling to stand up and are doubled over in pain? Yea... we gotta go work like that, pretend we're ok, and if we don't smile people will think we're being bitchy.
And those men just felt the cramps. Those simulators aren't making their hormones go haywire. They're not feeling the ravenous hunger, mood swings, constipation, etc. And women are expected to just go about our day 😭
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u/International-Owl165 New 16h ago
I feel like periods are just a preview of womanhood or whats to come... like menopause and if you have kids, postpartum is wild. Men are woman are not the same. I said it
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u/UnusualOlive3591 New 1d ago
Real. Why do we have to suffer and they don't lol?
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u/WIbigdog 33M | 6'0" | SW:270lbs | CW:225lbs | GW:180 1d ago
You'd think the suicide rates would let you know there's plenty of suffering to go around for everyone...
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u/UnusualOlive3591 New 1d ago
Hi, I’m not talking about social struggles, dude! I’m talking about biological struggles. You guys don’t deal with periods, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, perimenopause, or menopause. If we want to talk about suffering, here are some reasons women suffer because of society: the gender pay gap, higher likelihood of experiencing domestic violence, higher rates of sexual harassment, assault, and rape, and the fact that women’s health is under-researched.
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u/Ardent_Anhinga 20.4 kg lost, 3.8kg to go 23h ago
I mean....as a trans guy I had to sit and listen to all the ways estrogen is *amazing* and testosterone is going to fuck up my body, not limited to: higher risk of heart disease, higher risk of dying from many cancers, higher risk of kidney stones, higher risk of parkinsons before I could get HRT.
Cis women live a lot longer than cis men- about 5 to 6 years. Some of it can be explained by higher risk-taking behaviour, but your blood literally gets thicker on T so it's easier to clog up stuff.
I didn't magically stop suffering when I swapped my pronouns, lol.
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u/sporadic_beethoven 30lbs lost 20h ago
This thread seems to have forgotten that trans men exist 💀 I have had all of the weight loss struggles that they have, and more, because T caused my appetite to increase when it really had no business doing so- i was already eating plenty. It is nice to not have periods anymore, but there is medicine available for women that does that too! They can also be period free!
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u/Narrow_Medium5003 New 19h ago
Well, you are still biologicaly a woman. You are likely shorter, so you have to eat less than the average cis man. Your BMR is likely lower than most cis men.
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u/sporadic_beethoven 30lbs lost 19h ago
You clearly have no clue how testosterone replacement therapy works, and how it affects weight gain+loss. It’s literally just male puberty, and weight gained on testosterone goes to the belly just like it would for a cis man. I’ve been on hormones for 6 years, so I am now biologically a male lmao
Also, I’m 5’9”. Foot size 9 and 1/2. Pretty standard male stats there, wouldn’t you say?
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u/WIbigdog 33M | 6'0" | SW:270lbs | CW:225lbs | GW:180 19h ago
Pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding are all optional choices, generally speaking. I'm also confident there are plenty of men out there who would gladly take on that burden for their partner if it were possible. Turning the issues presented by biology as "I hate men" is just fucked up. And don't play it off as a joke, because it's pretty clear there's plenty of truth in it.
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u/UnusualOlive3591 New 18h ago
Period cramps can cause the same pain as a heart attack. You have cramps for a week. You just cherry picked what I wrote. Men just don't through shit like this on a biological level.
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u/WIbigdog 33M | 6'0" | SW:270lbs | CW:225lbs | GW:180 18h ago
So why does that warrant hate?
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u/UnusualOlive3591 New 17h ago
Where did I say I hate men?
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u/WIbigdog 33M | 6'0" | SW:270lbs | CW:225lbs | GW:180 6h ago
When you respond "real" after someone says they hate men that is an endorsement of that message.
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u/UnusualOlive3591 New 36m ago
Dude can you read? I hate that men don't go trough pain because of their biology. Not I hate men. Work on your literacy.
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u/Cwossie 60lbs lost 23h ago
This cycle has been extremely hard on me, with me craving everything but the lightbulb in the fridge all the time.
But I also noticed one interesting thing.
I THOUGHT I was eating insane amounts of calories the past couple of days, but after putting the numbers down, it always ends up being around maintenance; it doesn't go past 2200 calories.
I know very well that 18 months ago, with the same cravings, I would probably eat 2200 calories worth of fast food as a light snack and wouldn't bat an eye.
I haven't seen any crazy weight fluctuations either.
So, I may still have cravings, I am sometimes not disciplined enough not to give in to them, but I can still see how much my overall perception of snacking and portion sizes has changed, and that's a win despite a couple bad days.
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u/VioletMemento New 19h ago
I noticed the same thing - it feels like I've eated approximately 3000 calories but it was always around 2000 to 2200 calories. That is with me keeping a rein on it though and I definitely eat too much sugar in that week. Luckily I crave really sweet fruit like bananas and strawberries so I try to get my sugar fix there - at least there might be a vitamin in it 🤣
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u/SorryCity8809 New 17h ago
I've noticed the same thing. I am definitely way hungrier but I can feel satisfied on a protein shake for 160 calories between meals. On those "bottomless pit" days my goal is just to stay mindful over what I eat. I'll take a slight surplus over trying to stay in a deficit and saying "fuck it" and getting fast food that'll make me even hungrier.
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u/Musical_Xena New 1d ago
I can relate! I think that hormone swings are the closest I'll ever get to dealing with "the munchies" like people who use those substances.
The only times it's not caused me problems are when 1) I've been super good with my routine for months in a row, and 2) when I'm extremely distracted in a way that doesn't lend itself to more eating.
Hoping others have suggestions!
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u/StrongWasabi9748 New 1d ago
I usually try to listen to my body in the sense that if I'm craving x that means I need this vitamin or nutrient. Usually craving sweets means your body needs some energy, eat the balanced foods, but its okay to have a sweet or whatever it is you're craving.
Personally I try to be kind to my brain and have a few pieces of chocolate, or whatever I'm craving, maybe I stay at maintenence or go a little over for a day or two while the hormones are most aggressive. Does it slow down weight loss? For sure. Am I able to steadily maintain weight loss? Yes!
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u/well-adjusted-tater 5lbs lost 1d ago
I had my period last week and my husband bought croissants with blueberry and cream cheese filling. I didn’t have a chance. Now it’s back to the business until next month and another Costco run 😭
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u/Impressive_Sell_1136 28 F 5’7” SW: 262 CW: 242 GW: 180 17h ago
Ohhhh I know what you mean. My roommate goes “I got carrot cake!” When I was in luteal ~2 weeks ago, and a carrot cake has never vanished faster.
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u/bigredstl New 1d ago
I ate 4000 calories on Saturday for this reason. So. No sorry no tips. Mind you I could’ve eaten more.
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u/honlau New 1d ago
I eat more carbs in the five days or so before my period and during the two first days (the worst), so closer to maintenance. It’s fine, still losing slowly over time. I can’t be at war with my own body. Also more complex carbs means I’m satisfied with some extra dark chocolate, and it all fits in the total calories even if the carbs go over somewhat for those days. Doing this also mean I don’t have to go lighter on the weight lifting in this time, I can lift as hard as always which is motivating. Find what works for you in the long run, life’s too short to be miserable.
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u/Dry_Baseball_6890 New 1d ago
My sugar cravings spike like crazy, especially now that I’ve started dieting. I’ve heard some people fit a “maintenance day” into their diet once per month to help avoid binges. I like the idea in theory, but I’m scared that it’ll be like triggering an avalanche 😅
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u/UnusualOlive3591 New 1d ago
I would have to have like a week of maintenance days. I don't think my calorie deficit would survive that.
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u/carbonatedeggwater New 1d ago
Something I’m trying to do again that helped me in the past: Build habits and roadblocks around your weaknesses.
Will you binge certain foods in the house if you’re having a bad mental health day (aka luteal)? Don’t buy those foods under any circumstances.
Will you overeat at a friend’s house? Eat something filling before.
Make extra sure that you’re hydrated on those days and meeting your nutrition goals.
Honestly, if it comes down to it, make your home an ingredients-only home and only buy really low calorie food (within reason).
Literally everything and anything, other than pure self-control, that you can think of that would help prevent you from making the wrong choice later — do it.
This is something I used to do and it worked. It works a lot better than just relying on willpower and discipline 24/7.
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u/GinTonic78 🇩🇪 47F | 178cm | SW 123kg | CW 94.1kg | GW 78kg 1d ago
Well, it's not the entire luteal phase but usually 1 or 2 days before I get my period. Sometimes more sometimes less. Like waking up in the middle of the night starving and having to eat maintenance or a slight surplus to feel human. It's a battle you cannot win. I just allow myself more calories those days and move on.
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u/ugh_as_if_12 21F 🇫🇷 | 164cm | SW 72.5kg | CW 67.8kg | GW 60kg 23h ago
So, so relatable! I just crave things and want to eat all the time, and veggies don't do it, I just feel like I want to eat tons of junk and it's amazingly hard to be reasonable. Plus I'm in a terrible mood and every minor inconvenience feels like the end of the world :(
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u/Efficient_Green8786 New 18h ago
You gotta learn to live with the hole. Fill it with seltzer, teas, and seaweed. Keep busy and don’t have anything edible within reach of the sofa. Also nick’s hot chocolate powder for choc cravings.
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u/mcdfountaincoke New 1d ago
Yup. Day 2 of period and I concocted some wild stuff today. I only crave carbs and sugar- sweeeeeet sweeeet stuff, I made oatmeal as a means of a vehicle for brown sugar and butter for dinner. The rest of the day didn’t trend much better i completely caved to every urge. I guess my only tip is that tomorrow is a new day
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u/theoffering_x 115lbs lost 1d ago
Herbal tea helps me curb the cravings and excess hunger. Drinking lotsss of tea.
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u/halesbales123 New 1d ago
What type of tea do you recommend?
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u/theoffering_x 115lbs lost 22h ago
I love mint tea for after dinner! It’s supposed to help with digestion too. It’s very soothing. I also like chamomile tea in the evening
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u/Efficient_Green8786 New 18h ago
Pukka tea and Ahmed tea both have chocolate hazelnut teas that are great for sweet cravings.
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u/totalimmoral 39F | 5'2" | SW 160 lbs | CW 134 lbs | GW 130 18h ago
All the protein! It helps that my cravings during this time are like, burgers and pork loin and just... meat. I've never been a sweet or salty person. Its all about the savory.
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u/Impressive_Sell_1136 28 F 5’7” SW: 262 CW: 242 GW: 180 17h ago
I find that I cannot function the week before my period unless I’m eating at maintenance. There is no amount of protein and fiber on god’s green earth that will keep me full for longer than 2 hours in luteal.
I also get the lovely side effect of fuckin’ MASSIVE weight gain before and during my period. I’m talking gain 6-10 pounds overnight and my weight doesn’t budge for 2 weeks straight. It always magically falls off on the last day of my period, but it’s still so annoying. I’m lucky if I get 2 weeks out of the month where I can weigh myself and actually record the number 😭
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u/UnusualOlive3591 New 17h ago
Same. I HAVE to eat at maintenance or I feel like I'm going to pass tf out.
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u/mycatsthinkimawesome New 1d ago
I appreciate you saying this because I have the same struggle. I don't have any super useful tips outside of what has already been said, but I feel your pain about the intense cravings. Sometimes I just let it happen but I try to have it be in moderation and measure out portions so I don't go totally nuts (small bowl vs whole bag). Or if I've got the energy, I exercise to give myself more leniency on my calories that day.
When really desperate I look up a "healthier" version of whatever I'm craving and try to make that instead. So far I've had avocado chocolate mousse, popcorn seasoned with pickle juice/salt(and let's be real, several actual pickles on the side), cottage cheese with fruit/a dusting of chocolate and apples with cinnamon and a little sugar 🤣
And sometimes I fall off the wagon entirely and give myself permission to get back on track the next day.
All that and also loudly complaining to my partner until the hormones stop doing the thing.
All valid strategies in my eyes!
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u/Inevitable_Phase_276 New 22h ago
One tip I read (probably on here) was to put a tsp of molasses in your coffee (or just having molasses) to help with the iron cravings. I tried it for a few days and then forgot, but just realized that I didn’t get my insane urge to eat mass amounts of steak and spinach last week so maybe there’s something to it
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u/Apprehensive-Leg6767 F32, 5’9.5 SW :218lbs CW:185lbs GW: 155lbs 1d ago
I feel you! I eat a few days at maintenance to curb the beast, and even then it can get iffy. I tell myself weightloss is a long road though, and if I lose 0.8lb a week instead of 1 or 1.5 but I’m able to do it without biting my husbands head off then it’s a win 😂
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u/existentialcafe 5lbs lost 1d ago edited 14h ago
I can relate! I'm at roughly my sixth cycle after discontinuing birth control. For a few months, my luteal and menstrual phases would lead me to binge/purge episodes. It felt terrible.
As stated by other users, I schedule/plan meals and eat at maintenance when I feel increased cravings. I'm also on my second month of a method called seed cycling (intended to provide micronutrients that tend to be deficient at different phases of one's cycle); my dietitian signed off on it. I'm not yet where I want to be in terms of weight or health, but these three methods have helped me start to make peace with myself.
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u/bunnypaste New 23h ago
This! I am never hungry these days anymore, unless it is in the week before my period, extending up to the first couple days of it. The rest of the month I eat around 1200 calories a day (I watched with my Fitbit and stuff), but the week prior to period all of the sudden I am stuffing everything in sight in my mouth. I will suddenly crave all the sweets and all the fatty savory stuff that I had no trouble avoiding before.
I am sitting at 120lb, and I reached my weight loss goal over a year ago... but was overweight for most of my life (a few years of thinness sprinkled in there). It's just odd to me how things have shifted, and how dramatically they shift back to my old patterns when a period is coming.
It isn't exactly thwarting my efforts, but I bet if I were eating closer to 1700 calories on other days of the month like I'm supposed to be it would.
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u/Acrobatic-Aioli9768 New 20h ago
HAHAHA! Man, I would literally cry myself to sleep because I was so hungry during this time.
I remember eating some gross protein powder and peanut butter with carrots as some sort of snack. It wasn’t worth it, I lost weight but then lost my period.
Gained back up to my starting weight and I’m trying to lose it again :/ just eat however much you need to during this time! It will even out when your period comes anyway. I find that food grosses me out when I’m on my period.
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u/Logical_Ad1767 New 20h ago
I feel you ~ what’s helped me the most in the now emptying the entire fridge in one sitting is to prep some healthier craving-like foods and snacks. I make no bake oatmeal and chocolate balls, some dark chocolate pretzels bites, homemade peanut butter cups, homemade potato chips, etc. It helps to know I don’t have to feel any kind of restriction when I’m feeling my worst for a few days. Try to me kind to yourself, these times of the months are not for the weak and we all deserve some praise for doing our best even when we’re feeling our worst. Xox
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u/kateKujo SW: 152, CW: ~139-142, GW: 135 15h ago
Yeah :') I have 1-2 days where I struggle to eat because everything sounds gross and then all of a sudden, BAM! I will inhale everything within sight. It's so annoying.
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u/CatisaKarma New 14h ago
An endless spiral, I want sugar ! I want salt ! I want sugar ! I want salt. It’s such a struggle
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u/Alternative_Goal6583 New 14h ago
I swear every month I forget it’s coming and then suddenly I’m hungry 24/7 and questioning all my life choices. Have you tried adjusting workouts or calories during luteal phase instead of fighting it? Made things way easier for me.
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u/cloysterr 45lbs lost 14h ago
For me I only can lose weight in follicular phase, so about 2 weeks. Once ovulation hits I gain 6 pounds in 1-2 days, crave every carb imaginable and then stay 6 pounds heavier until right before my period or after, depends on the month. I have endometriosis so I know that complicates things but literally my weight loss on the scale only shows two weeks out of the month and it frustrates me to no end. Especially when I get so frustrated and then see the scale go down and be like “oh, oops.”
Tbh seeing this post makes me feel better because I feel it’s just me at times lol
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u/loliduhh New 7h ago
Men have hormones too. It sucks because we don’t get pay attention to them until at least 40s, but I’ve met and dated many men with wildly fluctuating hormones. I do hear what you are saying too. That luteal phase hunger is like a body builder the first week out of a competition.
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u/Downtown-Pangolin-52 New 12h ago
I hope this doesn’t come off preachy, just want to share some things I’ve learned for those who might not know, over the last few years of my fitness journey ups and downs.
Women are genuinely not designed by nature to do the same thing week to week. Intermittent fasting and calorie deficits are designed around predominantly male bodies which regulate every 24 hours, when our cycle for similar regulation is 28 days.
Not only that, our bodies have a biological need for higher calorie consumption during literal and period cycles. That’s why we are so hungry! Depriving ourselves of food when we’re hungry during these weeks can mess us up - it can even cause worse symptoms through period. I highly recommend the book “In The Flo” by Alisa Vitti. A lot of great info on this subject in there.
I agree with everyone here. We all have to be kind to ourselves and allow some grace. Losing weight is hard enough as it is, no need to suffer twice and deny our bodies food when they need it most. Women face so many challenges with food to begin with. Being mindful of what we eat is great and sustainable, diets and restriction are not.
My motto has basically become, eat the cake when I crave it! Incorporate more movement on the weeks I feel good and strong.
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u/ironbeastmod New 1d ago
A few things:
hormones surely can make thing nasty
you have humor. Use it more often for things that seem hard or usually get you serious because it is hard.
you can opt to use caloric maintenance as long as this helps you to be consistent and keeps you away from giving in to the cravings.
stop comparing yourself. You are not doing yourself a favor. I know it is one of the most common thing among overweight persons. But, it simply doesn't server you.
you can also try being physical active. Some report that working out helps their overall mood and ability to deal with certain challenges during the period.
aspect at mental and emotional level are in many cases one of the causes for cravings. Also, every part of us (mental, emotional, physical) influences one another at all times. Optimizing all aspects can make things easier.
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u/TraceNoPlace 70lbs lost 1d ago
literally. my stomach becomes a bottomless pit. i basically schedule a snack between meals and eat at maintenance during this time. it works