Conference rocks::weight_control

    I, too, have always gained weight right before the onset of my friendly
    terror... :-)  I sometimes gain up to 10 pounds (usually water or
    so my gynecologist tells me) and since I've only been going to Weight
    Watchers for 2 1/2 weeks, and the terror is upon me, I'm almost
    afraid to weigh in on Saturday.  I would most likely have a relatively
    good weight loss the following week, but like Holly said, it is
    a bit of emotional setback.
    
    I wish I knew the answers to your questions, Holly, but I don't.
    I wanted you to know that you aren't alone in the
    pre-menstrual/menstrual weight gain...
    
    						*** Kristy ***

    Don't feel like the lone ranger!  I get this way too and may just
    bring it up at the next WW meeting.  One thing that our leader
    mentioned is that cravings, whenever they are, happen because we
    are not eating right.  But I wonder if it is because of the imbalance
    of the fluid.  Then again, our leader read us an article this past
    week on water retention.  My interpretation is that water retention
    happens because we are not taking in enough water to begin with
    so that extra fat cells retain water or something like this; similar
    to the way a cactus retains water (but it is supposed to).  It sounds
    logical to me.  There are also other reasons too but I can't remember
    exactly what they are.  Anyway, I too gain a week before but not
    alot, maybe about half a pound.  The craving is maybe like 2 nites
    or days in a row during this week for salty and cheesy things. 
    Again, this does not help me with the water retention unless I drink
    plenty and only water.  The week of, I can loose about 3 more pounds
    but it is a hassle for me too.  I'll be sure to ask at the next
    class or call my doctor on this.
    
    Joy
    

    Water retention at that "that time of the month" is normal for most
    women.  A woman's body is getting ready to discard fluids and therefore
    it wants extra to replace what is lost.  The cravings for salt maybe
    because she is not taking in enough to compensate.  
    
    Another craving at that time is for chocolate.  The reason for this
    one is that there is a chemical in chocolate that produces a feeling
    of euphoria (an antidepressant) which counteracts the hormonal mood
    swings that also occur.
    
    Something that might be helpful when dieting is to keep records
    so that you know when you will be "due".  If in the days before
    you have a gain or plateau at that time, it won't appear so
    discouraging if you know that it is most likely water that will
    go in a few days.
    

I've been keeping track of which weeks I'm menstruating on the same chart that
records my weekly weight.  I've found that the week before I start usually
showed a relatively small loss, and the week that I start (weigh-in is a day
or two after my period starts) shows a relatively large loss.  I'd consider it
statistically valid results for me, and it keeps me from panicking to know in
advance what the scales might say.  For me, none of the numbers have ever been
really large; I've only lost a pound or so a week max, and the monthly variance 
is smaller.  I also don't get very heavy periods, which I'm sure would tend to
make drastic spikes in a plot.  I believe it is almost all due to water
retention (the reasons listed previously by others sound good to me :-)), so
you should be even more careful than usual to drink plenty of water, which
will tell your body that it's ok to drop the water it is holding (or so I've
read).

And speaking of water...see you later :-)

Jill

    
    Weight grain from water retension just before your cycle is normal.
    It is not PMS to my knowledge.  I tended to gain between 5 and 7 lbs
    the week before and lose it the week after.  Lately I've been changing
    my diet during that time and find I don't gain as much, only 1-2
    lbs.  
    
    	I can't remember who told me to make the change but it worked
    for me.  I drastically reduce the amout of red meat and high salt
    foods in my diet.  That means no soup, cold cuts, and Chinese food
    during that time and go easy on the spicy Italian stuff.  Another 
    thing I did recently is almost eliminate caffeine in my diet.  

    	I feel a lot better during that time now and I don't tand to
    crave any particular foods.
    
    	When I was pregnant with my 1st child I didn't have any cravings.
    I asked my doctor why I didn't and he said told me when a person
    eats a well balanced diet they won't have cravings.  Have you ever
    noticed when you do crave something and you eat it, it most times
    won't satisfy your craving anyway.  
    
    
    Linda 

re large weight gains associated with your cycle:

I read the other day that your weight itself has an effect on how much weight
you gain during this period.  I'm sorry, I don't have the details or article
anymore.

So, if you're still a way from your goal, you might be able to look forward to
less cyclic deviation...

Jill

    re .6
    
    True, true.  Before I started WW last January, I would regularly
    gain about 5 lbs. each month just before "start date", and then
    I would lose it the following week.
    
    Now, 40 pounds lighter, I still gain every month, but it's rarely
    more than 2 lbs.

    I just spent 12 months participating in a PMS study at MIT.  The
    investigators are trying to deterime just what causes those ungodly
    cravings to eat that many women report before their periods, the
    kind of cravings that have destroyed more than one balanced eating
    plan.
    
    To date, nobody knows for sure. However, it's suspected that changing
    levels of menstrual chemicals in the blood may play a role and I,
    along with many others, underwent lots of blood tests to help find
    out.
    
    I also took a prescription drug as part of the study.  The drug, while
    not yet available in the U.S., is prescribed as an anti-depressant
    in Europe. It affects the chemistry of the nervous system.  We were
    asked to take the drug from ovulation through the start of menstrual
    flow.  The result for many of us was much reduced cravings for
    carbohydrates and sugars.
    
    The net result was that I am less hard on myself if I feel a strong
    desire to eat something I don't normally consider good for me. 
    I may give in to the craving or I may resist it, but it doesn't
    mean I'm totally lacking in discipline or lacking a spiritual
    foundation.
    
    Joyful Annie
    
    
    

    I just wanted to mention that I had read an article, I can't  remember
    where, but it suggested that you drink more water prior to your
    period.  It considered 8 8oz of water per day to be the average
    and 10 8oz of water the week before.  I have a hard time drinking
    all the water.  If I am at work, I hate to run back and forth to
    the bathroom and if I do it in the evening I spend half the night
    up going to the bathroom.  There's got to be a happy medium some where!
    
    I also suffer from "hungry horrors" the week before.  I would love
    to figure a way to be able to get home a fix supper without pick,
    pick, picking.  I usually can get through it, but it is very difficult
    the week before.  Right now I am experimenting with having a peice
    of fruit right after work.  I usually eat it in the car on the way
    home.  So far it seems to keep the "horror" away.
    
    Bye
    eb
    

    I have always been a sufferer of PMS and cyclical weight gain (4-6
    pounds usually).  My doctor suggested that before we try a prescription
    of a water pill, we should try a combination of B-6, 100 ml and
    Zinc, 50 ml each day for a week before my period or at the beginning
    of PMS mood swings.  It works - Beside the obvious benefit of lessening
    the water weight gain, it reduced the cravings and mood swings to
    almost not noticeable difference.  My teen daughter (also a PMS
    and migraine sufferer) has taken to the same routine, and it is
    working for her.

    What if you took those vitamins all of the time rather than just
    before your period, Would you have the same effect?
    
    Linda B