Good morning FitFeat friends! Happy Friday-Eve!
Has anyone else had a weird week this week? Mine has been just been “off”. Is there a full moon or something?
I got some feedback that some of you ladies wanted me to proceed with a “You Know You’re PMS-ing When…” post. Fellas out there, hope you don’t mind. Maybe this will shed some light on the female(s) in your life. But if you men want to sign off now for this one, I don’t blame you! 
I’ll tell ya right now, this post falls under the “TMI” category, but I think it will be helpful to create a discussion where we can all feel comfortable sharing our experiences and symptoms.
We all know the standard symptoms like the emotional rollercoaster and chocolate cravings. But I get some other weird ones in addition. Here is the list of the “other” PMS symptoms I’ve kept track of and now know to expect.
1.) Digestion and elimination: these slow way down for almost a full week leading up to the first day of my cycle. The two days before we are talking serious traffic jam. Almost ZERO movement. Then on the first day of my period, exact opposite. We’re talking Audobon now in lieu of traffic jam. Bizarre. I know now to expect it and that’s a part of why in the Spring Slimdown I haven’t been bothered this past week by the lack of ‘weight loss’ because I knew what the ‘hold-up’ was.
2.) Sleep: usually one or two nights during my PMS I either have trouble falling asleep or trouble staying asleep.
3.) Creativity:I tend to have two or three days prior to my cycle where my mind is just GOING. Tons of ideas running through my head, many of which seem to come to my during that night that I can’t get to sleep!
4.) Motivation swings: along with the creative juices, I get a HUGE motivation boost where I want to ACT on all those great ideas and I feel like I am superwoman and can conquer the world. (Hmm, did I agree to marathon training during a PMS phase?) Unfortunately this boost is followed by a dip where I feel like getting out of bed is just tough, let alone tackling things like exercise, cooking or implementing great ideas. This usually is a day or two, and doesn’t necessarily always coincide with the night or two of poor sleep. But I have to be really careful about making decisions during this ‘cycle’. I think I’ve quit a few jobs during this ‘timeframe’ in the past, not to mention taken on new crazy projects.
5.) Body temperature swings: normally I run really cold anyway but I’m especially cold the day before and 2-3 days into my cycle. During PMS time though, I experience a few moments where I’m actually WARM (and this month even had a few nights where I woke up REALLY hot and sweaty… which got me wondering if I’m headed toward hot flashes soon.) I rather like the WARMTH after being so cold all the time.
6.) Hollow-leg syndrome: this is less about cravings and more about just being plain ol’ HUNGRY! Sometimes during PMS it’s like my ‘full-switch’ is broken. I can eat a bunch and still not feel hungry. Hopefully what I’ve heard about the body burning around 100 more calories a day during our periods is true, because I could use the help burning off all the excess calories I must be consuming!
How about you? I’d love to know if others have some of the same (or different) issues I run into. If you don’t feel comfortable posting directly to the comments section about this topic, feel free to email me and I’ll put out an “anonymous” post for you. I think we can all benefit from sharing our experiences.
Also how long does your PMS last? Mine is a whopping 9 days like clockwork! Luckily my actual cycle is MUCH shorter – usually only 3-4 days.
Thanks for giving me the green light to run this post! I really appreciate the input I receive from you all!
Let the conversation begin!
***
Spring Slimdown is updated with Day 16 and Day 17. Check out the yummy vegan burrito MSP brought home for me last night! And the weight is finally past the 2 lb loss mark! YAY!
Have a TERRIFIC Thursday! See you next time!
– Shari B. =)
PS: Have you watched FOOD REVOLUTION yet? Signed Jamie’s petition for better school lunches?
#1 by Shari B. on April 9, 2010 - 5:03 pm
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Joan, great to hear that the migraines going away was a bright side to MPS!
Oh man, facial hair and eyebrows. That doesn’t sound fun!
I agree that two weeks out of the month is unfair to us (and our significant others) — I feel the same way! That means we spend basically HALF our LIVES dealing w/ PMS in some capacity or another. Ugh.
Thank you so much for commenting on this topic!
#2 by Joan on April 9, 2010 - 5:36 pm
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well on the bright side, only half of your pmsing life…then you get to trade one set of symptoms for another set…
like Roseanne Roseannadanna said “if it’s not one thing it’s another”
.-= Joan´s last blog ..On A More Personal Note =-.
#3 by Joan on April 10, 2010 - 12:00 pm
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ok writers remorse gnawing at me here…no I don’t call hubby ‘dope’. poor hubby. ok I’ll stop talking now.
.-= Joan´s last blog ..On A More Personal Note =-.
#4 by Fallon on April 8, 2010 - 7:37 pm
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I know what you mean about the hollow leg problem. It happens at least once a month for me.
When I ovulate, I crave sugar like ice cream or chocolate, but once my period comes I don’t want any of it anymore!
I get very quiet the days leading up to my period. It not that I’m depressed or upset, I just like quiet and prefer not to really have any conversation with anyone. Of course I still talk but I usually like to mind my own business. Weird huh?
Lately my cramps and flow have been really bad. So I started tracking my food with a journal. So far in March my period was less heavy and no cramps, except a minor headache. So something I was eating too much of I think it was fruit and a overload of bread, that caused me to have bad cramps and heavy period.
I always feel bloated no matter what and everyone says I still look the same, but I feel like a house.
.-= Fallon´s last blog ..Kodiak Cakes =-.
#5 by Shari B. on April 9, 2010 - 5:01 pm
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Hi Fallon!
Thank you so much for prompting me to write this post, and for chiming in! I appreciate hearing your feedback!
Hollow leg is weird, huh? Some months it’s nothing at all. Other months (like this one) I’m just famished all the time, even after I actually start!!
Good to know on the fruit / bread – do you think that you may have had excess candida and that made a difference? Mine vary too, some months heavy flow, other months light. The months with the heavy flow always have BAD cramps. I know for a fact this month I’ve had more sugar than probably the three prior months combined, so maybe that’s why the heavy flow. Damn sugar! It’s the devil! Why does it tempt me so????
Have a great weekend!
Shari
#6 by Cindy on April 8, 2010 - 11:11 am
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I think it’s great to share because sometimes you just feel like “you’re the only one” kinda thing.
but mostly, i have a shorter wick. back aches, of course I have the hollow-leg thing too and TIRED TIRED TIRED.
as soon as my period comes….energy vitality, like the flood gates open..oh yeah and CALM
but lately I have had so much much less pms that it often sneaks up on me.
i just say “hey, no wonder I HAD to have that peep” or no wonder i just felt a tad off
instead of a week of who the heck am i.
so it’s nicer.
the more constant excercise and cleaner diet REALLY helps me.
thanks for sharing !!!
love girl chats!
.-= Cindy´s last blog ..little moments =-.
#7 by Shari B. on April 9, 2010 - 5:05 pm
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Cindy, wow that’s interesting that you get a lot of energy as soon as your cycle starts. I’m usually zapped the first day or two. This week’s been rough, I have ZERO energy. I thought I was going to fall asleep at work today!!
I’ve noticed that SOME of my symptoms are milder w/ better eating, but they are all still there and noticeable.