PMS-ing while on my FIP is interesting.
(If you don't know what FIP is, please kindly refer to my immediate previous posts.)
Because I am trying to be as natural as possible - as in no nonsensical or extraordinary, high-maintenance "diets"... and so that my FIP fits into my family life, etc - I was wondering what I should do when the extraordinary food cravings kick in and my affinity towards junk-carbs (literally) greatly increase.
Last night, I stayed up late working... and my stomach felt like a bottomless pit. Having consumed this larger-than-average bean cake (tau sar pneah) near to midnight just because I felt like it and hence the sweet-cravings having been appeased... the PMS-ing part in me was beginning to salivate at the thought of salty... Tried to ignore the cravings for a while, but my stomach growled ominously and I was a goner. After rummaging in my kitchen cupboard for some sort of relief, I found Ben's 3-quarters-eaten tin of Thai prawn crackers. BINGO! The crunchiness of the crackers, the finger-lickin'-good salt and the wonderful aroma of prawn crackers (which evoked some happy childhood memories) - had me on a junkfood-high. I didn't finish all the crackers only because Ben loves it and we don't get to eat this brand very often, unless a friend/relative visits Thailand. After the crackers, I was deciding whether to continue eating or to go to sleep. It was difficult, but I chose sleep.
Woke up early this morning, with a crazy appetite for breakfast .... and then I decided that my PMS had begun. Duh...
This is what I have decided to do throughout my PMS, while on my FIP: (1) No skipping meals, no matter how fat I feel. Gotta maintain my 3 main meals and 1-2 light snacks, so that I don't binge in the middle of the night. (2) Eat more substantial main meals with a lot more vegetables, protein and good fats than I usually eat. The protein and good fats will keep me nicely full until my next meal - as well as help with the hormonal changes. The vegetables will provide me the fiber I need to keep my bowels moving. (3) Maintain an hour of exercise (a combination of cardio/stretching and light-weights) a day to keep the endorphins flowing and the mood-swings to a minimal-minimum. (4) Allow myself an extra (low-sugar preferably) meal at night, especially if I work late. The meal should not be overly heavy that I cannot fall asleep - but should fill me up sufficiently that I don't go to sleep with a growling stomach or wake up feeling like my stomach is digesting itself. More protein if possible. My usual chocolate soy protein shake is good. (5) Go out more (yeah... and indulge in good coffee at least once that week) to keep myself from feeling fat and depressed at home, especially when the much-dreaded water-retention happens...coz I can be quite good at bloating. My seminary-mates have gotten used to me coming to school one week looking like I've put on 5kg and then looking like I've shed 5kg after 1-2 weeks. My drastic weight-fluctuations is a standing joke, actually. Furthermore, when I bloat, I need to remind myself that I may be on the puffy side... but as our metabolism is higher than usual during PMS, everything balances up perfectly. Don't you just love how God made our bodies? :) Thank You, Lord! (6) Lastly, allow myself a little more flexibility in the week's junk-food quota, haha. (I've been looking forward to this... so I'm so gonna enjoy my privileges!)
I will let you know if the PMS-plan for FIP works! :)
No comments:
Post a Comment