Menstrual=weight gain=no motivation

Blah, I feel horrible right now.. I've been eating approx 13-1500 cals a day and exercising approx three days a week burning from 400-1000 cals.. but i'm getting my cycle and i've gained like five pounds and I just feel like a blob. How long til this bloat and extra weight goes away?? I've never paid attention to any weight gained on my cycle until I started weighing myself the past few weeks and man is it de-motivating...

I can totally relate to how you are feeling. I just started that TTOM too. BLAH!

I'm not sure how long the bloating and whatnot lasts, but I find cutting back on salty foods and drinking more water helps a little. And I do allow myself some chocolate if I feel like it - even a tiny piece can make me feel loads better. Just keep reminding yourself that it will all be over in a week. That's what I tell myself when even the chocolate doesn't seem to work. :)

Oh, I almost forgot to add: Try not to peek at the scale during that time! I say what you don't know won't hurt you, hehe.

I have been avoiding the scale like it's the plague! If I get on it I know it will not be good and it might crush all motivation I have left lol. But, I did have a little bit of chocolate this evening so it made me feel better :) Thanks!

I feel like a salty blob too..and my TOM is a week or so away...I feel motivated to eat...and that's about it. I am going to force myself to work out tomorrow. And eat salad instead of garbage. I hate being female for this reason, I feel like my goals are on hiatus until the pms is over.

I don't now how helpful it is but i know if you drink extra water lower salt that helps, also taking an over the counter P.M.S. pill like midol also helps with cramps and bloating i think its a mild diuretic specifically for water retention, helps me a little

Water weight due to period will go away pretty soon and here is a good news; the best timing to lose weight is actually after your period (this is hormone related). So don't get discouraged!!

70% of my monthly weight loss tends to happen for 10 days right after my period. I think I do lose weight before period but it is kind of hidden due to water weight gain. So 70% for 10 days after TOM, 30% for the next 10 days, and nothing for the last 10 days (around TOM).

I totally feel your pain! I agree with everyone, don't look at the scale for a week or so. I get the worst hunger cravings too, and have been upping my calories a few hundred too. Does anyone else do that?

I just went through what you did. Only I was out of town helping my daughter and son-in-law move. I didn't count calories during that time but tried to watch what I ate. We did do a 4 mile mountain hike, but other than that, the only exercise was loading boxes and unpacking. When I weighed myself for the first time yesterday after about 10 days, I was hoping to lose one pound. I lost 5.6 pounds!! I drink at least 64 ounces of water a day and limit sodium to less than 2300 mg/day. I knew if I weighed myself earlier, I'd be discouraged. I'm so glad I waited.

WOW, congrats, rnemt!!!  I am soooooooooooo jealous!!  5.6 lbs!!  That is so great.