dellievdn's Journal, 31 May 2017

Hi there. I know the struggle I suffer from PMS like real bad and after many many struggles the following is helping me so much. I use HMT's 5-HTP and Cortisol blocker. You can read up on it. I did a lot of research but they both are normal suppliments that help with the regulation of your cortisol and seritonan that gets released. If you crave sweet stuff like I do the likelyhood is your cortisol spiked and your seritonin went down. If you crave salty and fatty stuff the opposite is the case of the two hormones. It won't let you lose weight but for some lucky people it does, but it will help you with the cravings. Read up specifically about those two hormones as they go hand in hand out of wack when your period comes along  

Oh my goodness Helena, you are a life saver! Thank you so much for this info! xxx 

I was told that the iron level in the body drops at that time and that's why we crave sweet stuff chocolates, you do get tables but speak to your GP or call to advise.  

Your most welcome. My other thing I also started to do is start making healthy snack low in calories so that I still help with my sweet tooth, as I have sugar cravings like mad week before and during. One of my favourite easy ones is I take two scoops of my whey protein (HMT Strawberry) and put in either double cream or fat free dependent on what you allowed and mix it up. Leave it in the fridge for two minutes and take out and be blown away. Super healthy and super easy and very very very yummy. I sometimes eat it as dinner as I'm not always hungry after my gym session in the evening.  

very good advice, thank you Saige and Helena, I will give it a go!  

Regular exercise....lots of omega 3.....avoiding sugar and processed carbs as it can cause very erratic blood sugar levels..in severe cases insulin resistance which can cause PCOS.....get plenty of sleep... avoid stress which can release cortisol and adrenaline. Deep breaths and sometimes....a good cry is just what the doctor ordered :) 

Is Your hormonal imbalance from an under or over active gland? What did Your blood work say? Which hormones are out? 

Hey MattWest, my thyroid is normal apparently. The imbalance is between my Estrogen and Progesterone. I'm not sure in what way they are out of balance, but I think I have too much Estrogen, as I got sick from my previous contraceptives and I am now on the mini pill which doesn't contain any estrogen at all. 

Thinking of you - hormones are horrible things for us girls! I had a mirena put in just under a year ago and rocketed up 8kg. Everything about it is great, except for the ballooning weight gain... Argh! 

It's such a pain! I already have clinical depression and one week every month, I am completely down and out, making the eating even worse. Not to mention the anti-depressants ALSO causing weight gain! 

Anti-depressants are awful! I'm working full time and studying part time, so am literally burnt out! Always tired, get down really easily, constantly stressed. A GP suggested Venlor, but due to a previous experience and 4kg that I've never been able to lose again, I opted against it. My homeopath suggested B5 and omega 3. It has helped tremendously! I am feeling a lot better, even though the energy levels are still low due to long hours. My focus is better and my mood is definitely improved. Any chance you can get off the anti-depressants? They do have a use and are sometimes needed, but not if they're making you feel worse! Tried seeing a homeopath? 

I do agree they really are the worst. I have however suffered from depression my whole life and because my parents never noticed, I only recently started a road to "recovery" (or shall I say, "maintenance") when my doctor got me on Serdep. Serdep really changed my life and I see things more clearly now than I use to, so I don't really want to go without it for now (it helps me cope with my mind while I sort out the rest of my life hehe). At least when I battle to loose weight, I am not THAT sad about it lol ;) I will eventually consider alternatives as I really want to live healthy, but one thing at a time hey :) Shame Annelize, it's not easy studying AND working, I tip my hat to you. I am glad to hear the B5 and Omega helped for you, I will also give it a try. The main problem is that my contraceptives clash with my anti-depressants (not sure if that is possible, but it sure feels that way) causing a heavy low point a few days every month. For now, I'd rather battle with that, than going back to my former depro self. Hang in there girly! 

If you want to douse the hunger fire try cutting out carbohydrates as they are the culprits that keep making you hungry. There are plenty of lovely foods you can have without carbs. For example an omelette made with bacon and cheese, pan fried with coconut oil and sauteed with herbs is delicious and contains very few carbs. Try it and other carb-less recipes - your hunger pangs will drop to manageable levels. 

Thank you John :) 

Its bad carbs that make you hungry, however good carbs like veggies will keep you full. I am a vegan and do not eat any animal products at all, I eat only carbs and strugggle with overeating when eating the BAD carbs. If I eat sweets and cakes and chips then I will eat all day. I follow a low fat/high carb diet and it works well for weight maintenance. I can eat as much veggies and avos, rice and potatoes as I want and not gain weight, however if I add any type of animal product to my diet, milk, butter, cheese, eggs or meat, I start gaining weight....just thought I would share my experience with food here, having been on many diets my whole life and now finally found something that I can live with and be happy about my weight. IF you are eating meat or meat products as mentioned above then you need to cut the rice and potatoes and wheat out...