Being a Girl

Tuesday, August 4, 2009 by Dea.

It is so frustrating being a female trying to stick to a healthy eating plan.  If you’re also trying to lose weight, it can be downright torture.  Every month we get a nice glitch in the works.  The period.  I think we need a new name, because “period” doesn’t sound evil enough.

First, you get the lovely water retention.  I don’t know about everyone else, but I can gain up to 9 pounds of water weight in the course of a day.  Then you get the drive to eat.  And eat.  And eat.  For the first day, I’m completely ravenous.  I can’t figure that part out, because, really, what is the benefit of eating incessantly?  Finally, there’s all of the physical aspects of this time of the month.

It’s hard to drum up the energy to get on exercise equipment, or even to leave the house for fear of embarrassment!   I’m not trying to be gross, but I’m sure a lot of women can relate to that day or two where you don’t want to be further than 20 steps away from a bathroom.

It’s unfair.

I’m trying not to let myself give in to the urge to lay and eat, though.  I have weights, a swiss ball, and a spin bike at home.  I  am going to work out here, where even if the embarrassing does occur, I’m home and no one will be around to witness.  I am also trying to ignore all those nasty cravings.  It helps that I don’t really have much junk in the house right now.  I didn’t plan on that, but I’m glad it happened this way.  I think I will try to remember to set the house up this way for next month.

I guess my advice, then, is to prepare your house for days like these.  Have some hand weights and bands in the house.  Get a video or piece of aerobic equipment.  Be prepared and have some things on hand so that you have no excuses for not getting in even the quickest work out.  You don’t have to go to the gym to burn some calories.  And you’ll feel better after moving, both mentally and physically.  Working out releases endorphins, which help with cramps and headaches.  Getting your blood moving will help with blood flow and make the whole ordeal move along faster and easier.  Burning calories will help offset any cravings that win, and working out helps curb appetite.  So it is a win-win situation.

So with that advice, I should get off the computer and get on my bike.  What are your tips and tricks for dealing with that time of the month?

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