It is a burden most women have to bare this oh-so-dreaded red week.
Although it is the bodies wonderful way of making new and cushy places
for babies to grow it is something any women fears, especially when you
are trying to loose or maintain an eating regiment. This one week of PMS
and one week of constantly checking the back of your pants for stains
are no reason to stop you from loosing weight and living a healthy
lifestyle. Here are some helpful hints to get you through this tough
time.
Take in Less Sodium:
Most of the weight gain in your period is water weight. (1) Salt helps your body retain water so keep it as low as possible during this time.
Avoid Food Cravings:
It is just like when you are driving down the road after the gym and you really want that taco, just say no and keep driving. If anything have a small healthy snack put aside for those times. Your body has a slightly increased metabolism during this time which can give you a 100-200 calorie leniency. (2)
The Weight Will Go Away:
The weight gain should be only a few pounds. If you are carring more fat on your body you will gain maybe a pound or two more than normal because there are more cells for the water to collect. It is important to know that that weight will go away. If you stick strongly to your plan then you will lose the weight from the water and maybe even more.
Increase Water:
Just because you drink it does not mean you will retain it for more water weight. It has been shown to help with bloating, since you are losing tons of fluids anyway, and of course a little more water will help you more on your weight loss journey
Do A Lot of Low Impact:
If you have severe periods that give your cramps don't use it as an excuse to stop working out. It has been shown that maintaining an active lifestyle will decrease cramps! (3) I have a testament for this myself. I did not have bad cramps until after I had my first baby (which was one of the most inactive times of my life). I recommend going low impact such as the bike, swimming, and the elliptical until your severe cramps go away.
Be Prepared:
Nothing is worse then going to the gym and find that horrible red spot on your favorite pair of undies. Always be packing. If you didn't bring any or have a surprise heavy flow then ask the front desk at your gym or pop by the store quick and return to your workout. The people at the front desk are surely mature enough and have had plenty of experience with red week to assist you. This isn't high school friends, periods are part of nature and a health professional gets that.
Most importantly do not use this as an excuse to stop. That is 7 days a month of possible weight loss. If anything, you could back track. Check out this LINK for abnormalities pertaining to your period that should be checked with your doctor.
I promise you that if you work hard, get healthy and active your periods will be so much easier to manage. Your PMS will be less noticeable and it has been shown that the bleeding period in active women is shorter. (4) Make those 7 days just seem like a a normal day.
(1) http://www.everydayhealth.com/pms/weight-and-your-cycle.aspx
(2)http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=42321&sc=801
(3) http://women.webmd.com/features/exercise-eases-menstrual-cramps
(4)http://www.nytimes.com/1982/09/01/garden/personal-health-effects-of-exercise-on-menstruation.html
http://www.livestrong.com/article/156074-irregular-period-weight-gain/
Take in Less Sodium:
Most of the weight gain in your period is water weight. (1) Salt helps your body retain water so keep it as low as possible during this time.
Avoid Food Cravings:
It is just like when you are driving down the road after the gym and you really want that taco, just say no and keep driving. If anything have a small healthy snack put aside for those times. Your body has a slightly increased metabolism during this time which can give you a 100-200 calorie leniency. (2)
The Weight Will Go Away:
The weight gain should be only a few pounds. If you are carring more fat on your body you will gain maybe a pound or two more than normal because there are more cells for the water to collect. It is important to know that that weight will go away. If you stick strongly to your plan then you will lose the weight from the water and maybe even more.
Increase Water:
Just because you drink it does not mean you will retain it for more water weight. It has been shown to help with bloating, since you are losing tons of fluids anyway, and of course a little more water will help you more on your weight loss journey
Do A Lot of Low Impact:
If you have severe periods that give your cramps don't use it as an excuse to stop working out. It has been shown that maintaining an active lifestyle will decrease cramps! (3) I have a testament for this myself. I did not have bad cramps until after I had my first baby (which was one of the most inactive times of my life). I recommend going low impact such as the bike, swimming, and the elliptical until your severe cramps go away.
Be Prepared:
Nothing is worse then going to the gym and find that horrible red spot on your favorite pair of undies. Always be packing. If you didn't bring any or have a surprise heavy flow then ask the front desk at your gym or pop by the store quick and return to your workout. The people at the front desk are surely mature enough and have had plenty of experience with red week to assist you. This isn't high school friends, periods are part of nature and a health professional gets that.
Most importantly do not use this as an excuse to stop. That is 7 days a month of possible weight loss. If anything, you could back track. Check out this LINK for abnormalities pertaining to your period that should be checked with your doctor.
I promise you that if you work hard, get healthy and active your periods will be so much easier to manage. Your PMS will be less noticeable and it has been shown that the bleeding period in active women is shorter. (4) Make those 7 days just seem like a a normal day.
(1) http://www.everydayhealth.com/pms/weight-and-your-cycle.aspx
(2)http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=42321&sc=801
(3) http://women.webmd.com/features/exercise-eases-menstrual-cramps
(4)http://www.nytimes.com/1982/09/01/garden/personal-health-effects-of-exercise-on-menstruation.html
http://www.livestrong.com/article/156074-irregular-period-weight-gain/
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