If you have recently lost a few pounds, chances are that you're willing to do just about anything to keep off weight. This can be very difficult while you're menstruating. However, you can do just this by keeping some basic guidelines in mind.

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Avoid Highly Caloric Foods

One of the most effective ways to keep off weight that you have lost while menstruating is by avoiding highly caloric foods. In order to understand why this is important, you first must understand the basics of calories and your body. In one pound of weight, there is approximately 3,500 calories. This means that over the course of your period (which typically runs about seven days for most women), if you overeat by only 500 calories, you can gain one pound. While 500 calories may seem like a high amount, it actually is not difficult to eat this amount of food, especially when menstruating. Typically, women who are menstruating are craving highly caloric foods, such as ice cream, chocolate and pizza. These foods can easily contain 500 calories in one serving. By avoiding these foods, you will be decreasing the chances of regaining the weight that you have lost during your period.

Exercise

Another way to keep off weight that you have lost during your menstrual period is through exercise. Exercising at a moderate intensity for 60 minutes per day can burn around 600 calories. This means that you can eat what you want, and still end up even on the food-in versus calories-out balance. For best results, try to participate in cardiovascular exercise, such as walking, swimming or biking. Research has found that this type of exercise is the best at helping to keep weight off.

The Verdict

So what is the best way to keep off weight that you have lost while menstruating? There is no one best way, but rather a combination of different methods, which explains why there are two different techniques mentioned. While avoiding highly caloric foods is important, research has found that women subconsciously eat more calories during their period than when they are not menstruating, possibly due to the ingrained need to feed their children. While you may avoid snacking, chances are that you're eating more food during the main meals, and therefore increasing your calorie consumption for the day. Similarly, you can exercise all you want, but if you're pigging out on snack foods, you can't be sure that your calorie burn is greater than your calorie intake. By watching what you eat and exercising on a regular basis, you can be sure that you keep the weight off that you have lost during the menstrual cycle.