Keeping the Pounds Off During Your Menstrual Cycle

Scales should be banned from homes during a woman’s menstrual cycle. When the step on during this lovely week many receive a rather nasty surprise. Suddenly there are 5-10 pounds there that weren’t there a few days ago. There are two possible explanations for this. The first is that it is water retention, which is completely normal. The second, you body may be reacting to all of the sugar you have been taking in to settle those cravings. In this article, we will look at the reasons why our bodies put on weight at this time of the month and what we can do about it.

The first instance, water retention isn’t so bad. This is a very natural part of the menstrual process and usually goes away quite quickly after the menstrual cycle ends. However, still every month women push the panic button. They either exercise furiously or stop drinking water all together. Your body holds water during this time because it needs it. When your exercise furiously or drink less water, your body will start to panic. It then starts looking for the water wherever it can. The end result is it retains even more and hangs onto it longer. This can cause even more weight gain. During your menstrual cycle, drink plenty of water. Your body will expel what it doesn’t need. This will also help flush your system and could speed things up. Exercise as normal and make sure you drink plenty of liquid. Remember, this is temporary and will go away in a few days.

The second instance is a bit harder. When we start to get close to our menstrual cycle, our bodies start to crave things. Importunely these things are not exactly good for us. IT all begins with our brain. The human brain accounts for 20 percent of the energy needed to run the human body. When it doesn’t get enough, it doesn’t function properly. The brain gets its energy through Glucose. Glucose is created from sugar which the body creates through insulin. PMS throws the whole system out of balance.

In order to make insulin, the body needs a substance called red celled magnesium. During PMS, the body’s red celled magnesium levels drop starting a chain reaction that sends us running for the chocolate fudge. Without the red celled magnesium, insulin cannot be produced, without insulin, glucose cannot be made and the brain cannot get fed properly. A hungry brain is a dangerous thing. It then sends out a panic signal to the entire body telling it that it needs sugar. The end result is we eat more sugar and the pounds start to pile on.

In order to stop this from happening, you could try taking magnesium supplements during you PMS time. They don’t taste nearly as nice as a slice of chocolate cake, but you won’t have to lie down to get your jeans on.

Weight gain during ones menstrual cycle is quite common. If it is water retention then don’t panic. You’ll soon be back to normal. IF it is the result of a sugar crash then try the magnesium supplements. With these simple modifications you should get through just fine.