It definitely gets INTENSE the week before my period. Like CLOCKWORK. And every month I think this is the end, I’m going to gain back all the weight, lol. What I do is open my fasting window (like you did today), eat higher fat, make sure I’m hitting all my nutrients, and if I’m still dying for a specific food I have it and I enjoy the heck out of it. I’ve given up on trying to eat fake ice creams and bake weird low calorie desserts. I have small amounts of the real items I’m craving while PMSing and it helps. I also keep in mind that duing those few days I’m insatiable like….no matter what I eat it wont truly satiate me.
Periods are so rude.
(I feel like) I am STARVING for like 3 days before my period. I stay busy and out of the house and lengthen my window a few hours and eat a good late breakfast. That helps curve me a bit.
But really honestly, I often fail and crush some chips at midnight once a month. But 🤷🏻♀️. As long as I can get back in the IF train, I’m not beating myself up.
14 hours is still great!
Some times I forget about fasting but watch my calories, other times I will stick with the fast but eat pure junk within my eating window, sometimes no fast & no calorie counting and sometimes I have a “good” period so I stick to the plan!
I’ve been doing okay so far in my first period since starting IF. In the beginning, I am always bloated and a bit nauseous, so I have less of a desire to eat. I get intense chocolate cravings the few days leading up, but I was able to hold off til my eating window, just chugged some water to distract myself. I think fasting in general has helped me control my cravings, as I find it easier to tell myself no when I’m not in my eating window.
Literally me thinking this today. I noticed that my appetite is insane on my second day. Finding myself wanting to eat everything. lol I usually have pretty good control. I moved my eating window up. Instead of 4-8, on my period, 2-6 is so much better for me. I get hungrier earlier and for some reason, at nights, the appetite stays away.
These hacks can help.
“Before our period, the same food can create a bigger glucose spikes in our body. Big glucose spikes can lead to big drops, creating cravings where there weren’t before! In this phase of our cycle, make the hacks your best friends to help”
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Chr7J4boub-/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Honestly I eat what I want in small Portions and aim for shorter length fasts even like 12 hours is something!i take it however I want bc it’s for life so even if for one month I’m 16:8 on my period but another month 12:12, I go with how I feel.
Before my period, I may end up opening my window early but I still tend to only have 1 meal. Maybe have too many desserts though.
I eat less once I get it. If I am feeling good I might launch into a 2 or 3 day fast once I get my period since it is much easier to do then.
Right there with you sister! I am only 3rd day into my cycle but I’ve been eating everything in sight for 5 days straight now. Sometimes your body just wants a break so have a little goldfish but be kind to yourself don’t stress over it. If you must hop back onto the horse and the mental hurdles are too hard to get over then I recommend drinking one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar mixed with hot water,a dash of salt and white pepper. It won’t break your fast but the mixture will help curb your cravings. ACV is also an appetite suppressant. I drink it whenever I need a little bit more physical will power 😂Another thing some people find helpful is watching mom bang on YouTube. When you watch someone eat, your brain experiences the same pleasure chemicals. This only work for some people so try it out and see if it works for you !
Before I had my mini-pills, I used to eat my PMS and period cravings instead of normal meals during my eating window.
Granted, waiting 16 hours to eat them was torture, but I kept thinking that I’ll have time to enjoy them later on. I know it wasn’t a healthy way to cope, as most of my cravings were potato chips and chocolate, but it kept me disciplined.
If all else fails, just eat the snacks, forgive yourself and try again tomorrow.
It’s really hard having these weird hormones. Good luck and I wish you lots of patience and endurance.
When I ovulate is when my hunger gets the best of me. On my period I pick one small dessert in my eating window. I am really picky about how I spend my calories now (used to eat anything sweet just because it was there) so if I indulge I make sure it’s worth it.
Omg mine started yesterday…. i made peanut butter cookies for my son and in the middle of the night i broke my fast and wolfed down 3 of them ughhhhh
Its my first period since starting IF and i want to eat EVERYTHING
Honestly, get all that shit out of the house. For me, it is out of sight, out of mind. Don’t put your self in an atmosphere that will trigger your addiction. If you have to DRIVE somewhere and purchase it, most of the time the craving will go away by the time you get there. If it doesn’t, eat. Then start over.
I relax my fasting on my period and give in to cravings. So instead of fasting 20 hours, I’ll drop to 18 and allow myself some sweets.
I work out 4 to 5 days per week, but I read the week before your period, your body needs to rest. So I will take it easy.
I tried pushing through my periods early on and found myself doing exactly what I’m doing now. The difference is I no longer get mad at myself for honoring what my body needs.
I found that after a while, the cravings went down dramatically. Don’t get me wrong, they’re still there, but they’re very manageable now.
Idk if it’s because I lost weights (my PMS in general has gotten a lot better) or IF, or if it’s a psychological effect, but now I can resist without problems.
Edit: I also avoid buying stuff that I know is hard to resist, so even if the cravings start, I can’t eat the thing. The silver lining of living alone lol.
I find the first few days before my period the hardest. If I need to break a fast an hour or 2 early, I just do it. I even have black tea with my regular sugar (so fast-breaking) if I’m particularly miserable. Still doing well.