Female Diet Issues

[MMA Girl]

Hi Everyone.

I'm looking for some seriously girly advice... I've finally got back into training properly and have sorted my diet etc and have been really happy... until this week! Its getting around to 'that time of the month' and I've found that my great diet is slipping fast into crazy sugar and carb cravings. I knew I always had this problem but put it down to bad diet in general that got worse around this time but I've been totally clean for a good couple of week, no cheats at all then the sugar cravings kicked in. Does anyone else get this? How do you manage to not cave when in training? Is there any supplements/substitutes you use to help get rid of them?

Thanks for any help in advance

Leigh, just to get in before you, I'd appreciate you not hijacking with your trolling. Thanks

[Lou]

Yep, I get that and it really annoys me,particularly when everything is generally going well. In the past I have read about Evening Primrose being a good supplement but not sure of the details. I tend to just accept it's going to happen but I haven't found a good way to defeat it yet.

Or is it a good idea to listen to our bodies and just "give in" for a couple of days?

[David Swann]

Not that I am a girl... so dont flame me for this.

But I know the feeling over the last three weeks or so my diet has changed 100% to a very strict food set and I too sometimes have these cravings, I think this means we are addicted to sugar- not in a crazy way but your body craves it because we are so used to it.

My thoughts are a lot of this is down to your brain and thought processes.
I eat nuts and appreciate their natural sugars and other natural foods.
I think you need to train your brain, so almost starve yourself of sugar, then when you are eating clean, you will appreciate the natural sugars in food, but it is down to your sub concinous (sp) to remind yourself how sweet and enjoyable that exerience is. All of the food that we love comes down to emotions and experiences, so you need to train your brain into what is sweet and how good it tastes, keep reminding yourself out loud and with happy feelings.

I know I baffled on there, but I hope you get the gist.
It is about being mentally strong- perhaps using NLP techniques to train your brain.

It should only take 7 food hits for your brain to be programmed that you like something.

I hope this can help????? I am also keen to hear peoples thoughts on my waffle- I think it makes sense.

[Lou]

Good points. Do you think hormones can interfere with that,specifically in women? (and no, I'm not just looking for an excuse to eat cake )

[David Swann]

Yes, I think they really effect it all, Guys have hormones too! we ae similar and have our own time of the month I am sure, but this is where your inner strength must play its part or at least meet in the middle

PS, Cake is good, but it has been too long.

[MMA Girl]

I think thats a good way to try combat it Dave, it does work to some extent but I still get the cravings and I'm only giving in minimally but I was hoping there was some complete solution as I don't think its just sugar addiction as its like clockwork every time at this month. My theory is that a woman's body prepares for pregnancy and ideally has a higher body fat percentage than an athlete or someone who trains a lot to have more in store for the baby should a period where you cannot get food comes along (not likely to happen these days but still built into us). The cravings go away completely once that time is over, and I can predict it to the day.

I have wondered if guys have some kind of monthly cycle before...

[MMA Girl]

I also have to add that a lot of the time, I don't want chocolate for the taste of it and really don't want to eat it but my mood goes crazy if I don't listen to my body.

[David Swann]

very interesting stuff ladies

[Femme-ma]

I crave caffiene, alcohol and sex too. It was pointed out to me in the past that it may be more to do with brain chemistry than calories.

Hrmm. Rereading that, it sounds like sugar is a far healthier craving!!!!

[MMA Girl]

lol, I think so!!! I have to admit though I'm totally the same with sex but caffiene and alcohol I've managed to get shut of.