Last month, I had a week where my brain was locked on emptycarbsemptycarbsemptycarbs. Protein fell off the menu and I found myself pushing it and eating more than I could comfortably get down. I discovered the following week that all of that was likely hormonal, because the once Aunt Flo arrived, I was back to normal and following the rules with no problems.

This week, I found myself thinking "screw the protein, I want some Pasta or some graham crackers instead." (Graham crackers + lite cool whip = bad idea.)It's making me a little mental because I've never been terribly regular when it comes to girly stuff. How do I know if this is a hormone thing that will pass in a few days, or if this is the beginning of a major backslide?

I'm not bingeing, since that's no longer possible, but I can pack away an entire plateful of pasta and I'm making poor choices and so that really throws a wrench in my weight loss. I'm also freaking out a bit because I've been banded for over two months now and have been losing at a good pace and I know that sooner or later that will end. Probably sooner. I'm sure there's a huge plateau on the horizon and I'm dreading it, so every time I screw up with my eating, I find myself back in that same place I was before I got banded - hating myself for my lack of control.

Does anyone else have to deal with it? And do you have any ideas or coping strategies?

For me its a day a month and i just give into it. It doesnt stop me losing weight.

I eat carbs all the time too, no high Protein diets around here. I had Pasta for lunch yesterday AND I had pasta for dinner last night becuase I went out, lol.

It wont hurt you. YOu burn more calories in the lead up to your period anyway.

I dont go wild, but I have a little of what I fancy.

those hormones are a nuisance aren't they? I crave carbs and sugary things for a few days around my period every month. If I give into them, I put on weight (after already having put on for the monthly Water retention). It is hard work to get through this and you'll need to find what is your way. Some it's to exercise like crazy and those endorphins overtake the cravings....for me it's bury your head in a pillow and bite on a hard stick to stop myself eating the wrong stuff!!

Good luck...it aint easy being a woman...even harder being a banded one!!!

A few times I tried Evening Primrose Oil around the time of my period, and it helped curb cravings and moodiness. I don't know why I stopped taking it.

How do I handle it? I just give in...have what your body is craving...we all know it's the hormones. It's totally okay to be a slave to them a few days a month.

The upshot, for me, is that I lose a TON of weight twice a month...during ovulation and the few days leading up to my period. I could suck on a stick of lard and lose 4 lbs during those times. It's the other 2.5 weeks I have to be careful about. *sniff*

I go work out in the garage.

Oops, you meant the women... this is what I do when it is the wife's TOM.

Sorry, forget I was here.

I am going through the same thing now. But I also give in and have something sweet. I have founf these low carb ice cream bars thought that make me feel like I am eating totally bad. But they are really low in carbs and made with splenda. It will take away you sugar craving. But as far as a high protien diet. I really just eat what I want only in me 4 ounce amounts and have not had a problem yet. Good luck to you. Oh and the ice cream I loke is made by Breyers.