Eating so badly - anyone had similar?

[Finbar]

I mean really eating rubbish. Biscuits, chocolate, anything sugary and in large quantities. What is going on?
I like my sweet stuff but never like this normally.
I've got my hot flushes badge. Is this another symptom?

[ShebaQueen]

I'm exactly the same! I don't seem to be able to stop eating rubbish - has to be sweet.

Hot flushes too and some weird aches and pains and very stroppy sometimes.

I've been like this for about a year now, I'm 51. I'm thinking of trying low carbing to get my blood sugar stable and to try to lose some weight. I also think exercise will help as I feel so sluggish so had been planning to start walking as soon as the clocks changed but haven't done anything about it yet.

[Finbar]

I've had weird aches too- didn't realise they might be A Thing until I discovers these threads!
Am going to walk to work tomorrow. But I almost know I'll find some rubbish to eat at some point. I've never been as our if control as this. Last year I low carbed really well. This time I can't make it to lunch!

[ShebaQueen]

Have you tried any supplements Finbar? I often see them recommended on here but haven't tried them myself.

[Finbar]

Not yet. Already take iron and vit B12 plus extra Vit D, but they were all due to other things ( vegetarian diet etc)

I just need to be at least a mile away from any packet of biscuits!

[ShebaQueen]

I know what you mean, I can literally hear them calling me from the cupboard!

[Frostycake]

I had this at the start of last year. Terrible sweating, bad mood and food cravings.

The only thing that worked for me was starting to exercise regularly and cutting out all sugar, eating healthily, sleeping properly and taking multi-vitamins (esp. B Vits). It sounds so tired and overused but after six weeks I felt amazing and the meno-symptoms stopped.

They came back a few weeks ago as I'd stopped all the healthy living though. It really does make a difference at our age.

I don't buy ANY processed food now (otherwise I'll scoff it).

[ShebaQueen]

Interesting, thanks Frosty, seems that I need to get on with low carbing and exercise, might work for me too.

[StuntBunny]

Oh gosh, this is exactly what I'm experiencing. Lost nearly 2 stone on Slimming World 18 months ago and I've put it all back on in the space of about six months. While before I found SW really easy to stick to, now I just can't stop bingeing and it's mostly sweet things. I tell myself I'll only have one biscuit but then can't stop. I've never binged like this before and I'm disgusted with myself but the craving is overwhelming. I'm not great at exercise so maybe I'll give that a go and see if it helps to reduce the cravings.

[Stitchintime1]

I've always craved sugar when I'm menstruating and when I have weirdy menopausal periods (ie two this month) I eat lots of chocolate. Is there an alternative? I don't binge exactly. I just eat stuff I don't normally eat.

[FinallyHere]

Joining in to agree that going cold turkey on sugar is the only way forward. I used to eat sweet things all.the.time. A couple of days after cutting out sugar, including grains and eating lots of leafy veg., good quality protein and good fats, those cravings just dropped away. I have chocolate , the dark stuff, occasionally now but its not a craving, like it used to be.

Give it a go, what is the worst that could happen?

It takes a bit of planning, to ensure you have good things to eat available to stop you just grabbing stuff when you are hungary.

[ShebaQueen]

I'm writing a shopping list for tomorrow, planning to stock up on protein and veg plus some good fats so that I'm prepared. Any suggestions for breakfast? Was thinking eggs for the weekend, but I commute and don't have time for cooking on weekday mornings, normally I have weetabix.

[Underthesurface]

Oh me too , I've been desperate the past few days and eating a huge amount of crap. Going to try this out too and start walking every day.

[Frostycake]

It's tragic isnt it?

I LOVE sweet foods but i can feel the effect they have on me.

Now, for a treat, I have 0% fat greek yoghurt with nuts, berries or (flavoured) protein powder mixed in. It's not a Cadburys cream egg but its still lovely.

Its terrifying how addictive sugar is and its effects on hormones.

[abidraper]

I have been feeling exact same the same I've got to the point now where I'm feeling disgusted with myself for butting weight on I feel horrible and moody getting aches and pains in places I never thought of and greasy skin!! last night I got a bike and I went out for a few hours now if I think of having some chocolate I think that them few hours would of been wasted!! Any one got any diet tips?? x

[Finbar]

So, inspired by you all
I am going to low carb again properly AND get past the first day!
I will walk to work
I will take my vits
Because this bingeing is unsustainable and making me feel terrible about myself.
Lets go!

[Frostycake]

I used to do Go Lower/Natural Ketosis. They do lovely low carb snacks. Expensive effective though

Good low carb snacks are boiled eggs, protein shakes, natural yoghurt, three or four berries, pork scratchings (low carb/low fat version).

I take cruidites & dip to work then have chicken/fish with green salad or brocolli for dinner.

Gone are the days of cereal/museli for breakfast, sandwich for lunch & chips and pudding for dinner! < grieves >

[TheGingerTree]

Yes! The summer of 2012 I just went beserk on sugar. Endless bars of chocolate. Junk food. More chocolate. If it was crap then I ate it.

It was in the Autumn of 2013 that my peri menopause symptoms started of much lighter periods closer together and random insomnia, low mood and anxiety. Usually just for a couple of weeks each month.

Last year I cut out most sugar and all chocolate for about 3 months. Lost quite a bit of weight too. But no fun.

At the moment a clear sign ofy mood becoming anxious or low is the fact I start avoiding anything sugary. The thought of a bar of chocolate bizarrely makes me feel a bit panicky (instead of the usual 'come to Mama' response).

Not sure but this might be my subconscious warning me that sugary junk is just going to increase my anxiety andow mood?

Alternatively when I'm having a good couple of weeks then I tend to eat chocolate most days, but just a small bar nothing like the amount I used to.

[OvertiredandConfused]

Thank goodness I'm not going mad!

Like StuntBunny I lost over 3.5st with SW almost three years ago. managed to keep 3st off until about six weeks ago. My cravings and self-control have just gone. Hate how it makes me look and feel. Desperate to get back control - and get back to clothes fitting!

Not sure if it is peri as I'm "only" 45. Do have all the symptoms expect hot flushes though. And my younger sister is already on HRT

[muzzymenomum]

I am just the same, some days I am so hungry nothing seems to help. I mostly eat healthily during the day but keep having wine, crisps and choc in the evening.Finally and Frosty- Do you drink alcohol and coffee, I have read that they r off the list as well in peri-m.Seems like a punishment.