I have been doing so awesome with my weight loss program. I have been on a detox program for three weeks, and lost close to 20 pounds. I have been ecstatic and have felt so good.

I got my period Friday, and gained 2.5 pounds right off the start. I said no big deal, it will come off. The following day, I weighed one pound more then the previous day. I hoped that would be the worst it would get. Today I weigh in, and I am up an additional FIVE freaking pounds from yesterday! I am having fits now.

I have to take Anaprox pills, due my my severe cramps, and they are the only way I can function. I am hoping these caused a huge rebound in my wieght, and in a couple of days, I will drop this weight. Gaining five pounds in 24 hours is something I am freaking out about. I am scared myu weight will just rebound right back up to my start weight, although I am eating right, and drinking plenty of water.

Anyone else totally balloon in weight during their cycle? I am done now, and figured my weight should be returning to normal by now. The five pounds really threw me for a bender now... Then there is the other three I gaine dat the beginning. I can't believe I am up eight pounds in less then four days. I hope it comes off just as quick as it came on, since I am beisde myself.

I really wish I never had periods anymore, they always set me back.

Yeah - they suck and make the scale crazy. My period also affects my er um bowel habits which makes everything wonky weight wise too. Ack.

I really wish I never had periods anymore, they always set me back.

I'm sure it's just water/food weight at this point! Don't panic :)

And looking at the bonescan images below, would you really want to go without your periods? I'll take temporary water weight gain and a day of irritability over turning into the Invisible Woman in the last picture any day. :tu:

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I came across the NOVA/PBS special "Dying To Be Thin (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/thin)" from the year 2000 today while researching the pressure on men and women to conform to a particular physical standard, and whether women perceived the pressure to be greater on their gender.

If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend viewing the program at the site. The entire program is available in streamed Quicktime or Realplayer format for free.

The most frightening thing I saw on the program was a comparison of bone density in three different women, one normal, one who had not had a period in 5 years, and one who had not menstruated in 15 years. Primary causes for the loss of bone mass are calcium deficiency and amenorrhea. Amenorrhea, or the loss of the normal menstrual cycle, is common in females with either low body fat or unusually high activity levels such as dancers and athletes. The combination can result in the following:

Bone density scan of a normal 25-year-old woman:
http://maggiewang.com/photos/albums/blog_archive/boneloss1.jpg

25-year-old woman who has not had a period in five years:
http://maggiewang.com/photos/albums/blog_archive/boneloss2.jpg

Woman in her 30s who has not had a period in fifteen years:
http://maggiewang.com/photos/albums/blog_archive/boneloss3.jpg

The woman in her 30s essentially has the bone density of a 70-year-old woman.

Yikes - that is really scary. Thanks for the reality check.

Those pictures are scary indeed. I wonder why these woman had no more periods...

I still hate my period though...

I hope I drop the eight pounds I gained because of it as quick as I gained it... It is mind boggling how this can happen.

I haven't had mine in about 5 months and I want it back! Can I have yours please? :) My MD assures me that since I'm doing everything right, it should come back eventually /sigh.. (Cut down cardio, upped calories to well over 2K, eat more fats, etc).

You can have the eight pounds if you want... ;)

I haven't had mine in about 5 months and I want it back! Can I have yours please? :) My MD assures me that since I'm doing everything right, it should come back eventually /sigh.. (Cut down cardio, upped calories to well over 2K, eat more fats, etc).

If it makes you feel any better, I am up 5 lbs from my cycle plus a big Saturday free day at the moment. :rolleyes: It's just one of those wacky things we have to deal with as women.

The program I pulled those images from discussed anorexia, bulimia, overexercising, and the pressure to be thin in the regular, ballet, and modeling worlds. They didn't specify where the two abnormal scans came from, but it's likely that they are from women who have suffered from eating disorders that deprived them of key nutrients or from dancers/athletes whose fear of consuming fat, high activity level, and/or perceived need to be abnormally lean/thin have caused them to cut out all natural sources of calcium while reducing their body fat to such low levels that their menstrual cycles simply shut off.

Great post maggie! Very interesting.

I am pretty low in body fat and have not lost my cycle ever. I guess after seeing those pictures, i am not going to be complaining :p

My loss was most likely due to too much cardio/chronic energy deficit, as my weight and bodyfat levels are both well within the normal range and I eat tons of calcium and a reasonable amount of healthy fats (20-25%). I love cardio and did over 1.5 hours a day of high intensity while 'dieting' on 1500 calories, not ever going below that level. (plus weight training, power walks, etc). I took my vitamins, got plenty of iron, fiber, protein, calcium, etc. My fats did drop too low for a short time but a little peanut butter and fish oil took care of that. :)

So it can happen even at a so-called 'normal' weight and BF%. I'd like to cut down for a little more definition, but I don't dare do it until the hormones kick back in. I'm a nurse and I can tell ya that osteoporosis can be uuuugly (and very inconvenient).

So be happy it's here (and be happy when those eight pounds drop right off after it leaves! :))

WEll I lost five pounds overnight, and have three more to go. I am freaking out, since I am getting married in Vegas next month. I want to be the slim, sexy bride. I was almost to goal weight, and now I feel like I took a big back slide. Hopefully when this comes off, the rest will follow. I have been living on salads, and protein drinks for the past little while. I don't mind too much, since I am never hungry anyways, and have adjusted my training accordingly. I also am using a product from Isagenics that gives you all your nutrients

I don't mind having periods aside of the fact that I have endemitriosis, and my cramps have landed me in the emergency ward a couple of times before. The meds I take for the cramps, are pretty nasty and make me sick for a few days afterwards. I am still feeling them in my system right now. However, I should be back to my old self tomorrow.

I could write a book in response to this thread lol! First let me say, I discovered this place a couple of weeks ago. What a great group! :tu:

bustmybutt, I can relate to what you're saying! I gain 5-8 lbs with my period every month and it takes 2-3 days to lose it again. I'm not familiar with anaprox. How is it? I usually take percocet the worst couple of days and mobic or motrin the rest. This is a relatively new thing for me. It started about 4 years ago and is getting worse every month. I want my old cycle back. :mad:

I had amenhorrea most of my life, until the birth of my third child and tl when I was 29. I have never had an eating disorder. I was a runner, 50+ miles a week, until I had kids. I was much thinner, but never under 10% bf, and usually higher. After I had my first two, I stayed around 20% bf, a size I was pretty happy at, and still no periods. I have no idea why I'm posting this lol except, I just want people to understand that there are some women who seem to have amenhorrea for no reason, or for reasons unrelated to diet/exercise. I would love to have those days back, especially compared to what I have now lol! Of course, I have no bone loss. I'm a calcium fiend. Long story behind that too lol.

I was going to make some smart aleck comment about using an exclamation point, but after reading the thread, I've decided to back away slowly. :whistle:

Anaprox is awesome. It is the only way I can function within reason. I do need to take as soon as I notice my period starts though. It is very nasty for side effects, but what can a girl do?

Man, I would be content at 20% BF. I am getting so close, but everytime I start getting there, my hormones kick me in the pants, and I am back to square one.

My best friend is a fitness instructor. She is not too skinny, but never has periods, since she is so active (human dynamo).

I have to wonder if those bone scans look the way they do, because these woman had eating disorders, and were malnourished. It is still something to think about though.

I could write a book in response to this thread lol! First let me say, I discovered this place a couple of weeks ago. What a great group! :tu:

bustmybutt, I can relate to what you're saying! I gain 5-8 lbs with my period every month and it takes 2-3 days to lose it again. I'm not familiar with anaprox. How is it? I usually take percocet the worst couple of days and mobic or motrin the rest. This is a relatively new thing for me. It started about 4 years ago and is getting worse every month. I want my old cycle back. :mad:

I had amenhorrea most of my life, until the birth of my third child and tl when I was 29. I have never had an eating disorder. I was a runner, 50+ miles a week, until I had kids. I was much thinner, but never under 10% bf, and usually higher. After I had my first two, I stayed around 20% bf, a size I was pretty happy at, and still no periods. I have no idea why I'm posting this lol except, I just want people to understand that there are some women who seem to have amenhorrea for no reason, or for reasons unrelated to diet/exercise. I would love to have those days back, especially compared to what I have now lol! Of course, I have no bone loss. I'm a calcium fiend. Long story behind that too lol.

I am freaking out, since I am getting married in Vegas next month. I want to be the slim, sexy bride. .

Congrats on your upcoming wedding, oh and I noticed that you are ALSO 6"0. Cool! :tu: Always like to see other tall gals on here!

Best Wishes from another 6 footer! :nod:

I LOVE being tall, aside of the set backs in the clothing department. I have a 38" inseam, and long arms. It makes shopping frustrating to say the least. I am so glad capri pants are in. ;)

Now I just need to get lean again. I gained a bunch of weight a few years ago, and could not lose it, no matter what I did. Now I am getting so very close, but my hormones always cause a rebound with my weight.

Just a few more pounds, and I know it won't be easy, since it never has been. It's like pushing a car up a slippery slope...

Good to see another tall girl. I bet you have a heck of time getting gym pants too...

I LOVE being tall, aside of the set backs in the clothing department. I have a 38" inseam, and long arms. It makes shopping frustrating to say the least. I am so glad capri pants are in. ;)

Now I just need to get lean again. I gained a bunch of weight a few years ago, and could not lose it, no matter what I did. Now I am getting so very close, but my hormones always cause a rebound with my weight.

Just a few more pounds, and I know it won't be easy, since it never has been. It's like pushing a car up a slippery slope...

Good to see another tall girl. I bet you have a heck of time getting gym pants too...

LOL- Yes, I for one an glad that capri pants are in fashion also. I tend to stick with Old Navy tall stretch jeans, and wear them low, they work alright. Shrink a little after I wash them, so the hem is a bit short, but oh well.

ALL of my workout pants are like capri yoga pants. I don't tend to wear shorts as my legs look so goofy because they are so long and WHITE, WHITE, WHITE!!!
I love having long arms also. It really is an advantedge in boxing having a long reach, so I am all for that. long sleeve shirts are not always easy to find that fit, but once again, I usually can find stuff that is long enough if I stick with Old Navy or The Gap.

Good luck with meeting your goals! SOunds like you are making some good progress. :tu:

When I wash pants, I hang them to dry. I NEVER put them in the dryer, or they are wrecked. I have really long reach, but I don't box. My reach is handy for me to grab things on tall shelfs. It is also good for me to get the odd jab at future hubby, since he is shorter then me, and can't get at me.

I noticed that you weigh under 150 pounds and need to lose more weight. That is brutal. I look awesome at about 160-170, and would not really want to be any lighter. I have tons of muscle on my body, and have a larger frame. I am not a sumo wrestler or anything, I have broader shoulders, and larger bone structure.

Congrats on the boxing. I myself, would never voluntarily get into a ring and have the chance of getting my head beat in. You sure are brave.

I am down an additonal 1.6 pounds, and have to lose another 1.6 to get back to my pre period weight. It is so frustrating to be set back about a week due to stupid female bodily functions.

Just more sympathy for you girl. Yes, I also gain a boatload of weight every cycle. But I know for a fact it is mostly water because I also feel and look water bloated and it comes on and off way to fast to be anything else. Hormones. Gotta love 'em.

Hang in there, and congrats on the 'nups!

I must confess I am looking forward to no more periods but the natural way - menopause. Bet that will bring a whole new level of fitness challenges, though. :d_tongue:

When I wash pants, I hang them to dry. I NEVER put them in the dryer, or they are wrecked. I have really long reach, but I don't box. My reach is handy for me to grab things on tall shelfs. It is also good for me to get the odd jab at future hubby, since he is shorter then me, and can't get at me.

I noticed that you weigh under 150 pounds and need to lose more weight. That is brutal. I look awesome at about 160-170, and would not really want to be any lighter. I have tons of muscle on my body, and have a larger frame. I am not a sumo wrestler or anything, I have broader shoulders, and larger bone structure.

Congrats on the boxing. I myself, would never voluntarily get into a ring and have the chance of getting my head beat in. You sure are brave.

I am down an additonal 1.6 pounds, and have to lose another 1.6 to get back to my pre period weight. It is so frustrating to be set back about a week due to stupid female bodily functions.

I shouldn't dry my jeans, but I get lazy and I don't like "crunchy" air dried jeans. :D
I don't really have to lose anymore weight. I had a talk with my trainer a few weeks ago and told him it is going to be impossible for me to get down to 139 like he wanted me too. You would see me checking into a rehab center for eating disorders. :lol: He agreed as I have been leaning out more, but the weight isn't going anywhere. I was briefly at 142 for about a week. Today I weighed in at about 145. I have a medium bone/skeletal frame. However, I have some localized pockets of fat that I would love to get rid of, as well as some loose skin from two pregnancies. But overall I feel like I am in pretty good shape.

As for boxing, you usually are "eased into sparring." It isn't usually a free for all the first time you get in the ring. It just gets progressively harder and harder and the trainer hits just a little bit harder each time, so you get used to it gradually. :lol: It is fun though and DARN challenging.

However, I have some localized pockets of fat that I would love to get rid of, as well as some loose skin from two pregnancies. But overall I feel like I am in pretty good shape.

As for boxing, you usually are "eased into sparring." It isn't usually a free for all the first time you get in the ring. It just gets progressively harder and harder and the trainer hits just a little bit harder each time, so you get used to it gradually. :lol: It is fun though and DARN challenging.

At your weight, I can't see where the fat would be. My husband called me a greyhound when I was 165 pounds. I think we all see stuff we are not happy about, and tend to obsess about them. I am sure if I saw your fat, I would laugh myself silly, and think you are insane.

As for the boxing, I am pretty sure once someone hit me hard enough to piss me off, it would be on. There would be no sparring anymore. I playfight with future hubby and he is a 225 bodybuilder. Once he hurts me, I spaze out, and kick his ass. Usually because he is laughing way too hard to defend himself. :rolleyes: