By Denise Austin, world renowned health and fitness expert and author of Side Effect: Skinny
Most women with PMS experience symptoms such as irritability, sluggishness, mood swings, and food cravings during this time of the month. While there is no cure for symptoms of PMS, these nutritional and exercise solutions may help:
· Stay on the 7-Day Fat-Blast Diet because it is balanced with a variety of complex carbs (vegetables, grains, fruits) and a moderate amount of lean protein, legumes, and dairy.
· Exercise regularly—even during PMS—to reduce emotional stress and keep your body fit. Exercise may decrease PMS symptoms because of the rise of endorphins (the body’s feel-good hormones). Also, regular cardio exercise helps to decrease fluid retention and is effective in boosting mood in women with mild depression.
· Avoid alcohol during PMS each month. Alcohol is a mood- altering drug that can compound feelings of anxiety and depression. Also, many women have a decreased tolerance for alcohol prior to their menstrual period and this may cause you to get intoxicated quickly.
· Avoid caffeine before and during your menstrual period. Caffeine can exacerbate PMS symptoms, worsening the sleepless- ness and anxiety you feel.
· Reduce sodium and salt in your diet to lessen fluid retention. Sodium can lead to bloating, edema, and fluid weight gain during PMS. Reducing sodium can ease these symptoms.
· Add just a splash of lemon juice in your water for a natural diuretic.
· If you experience hypoglycemia or low blood sugar during PMS with symptoms of fatigue, dizziness, and the shakes, divide your meals on the 7-Day Fat-Blast Diet into 6 small mini-meals that are rich in complex carbs and protein and low in simple sugars.
Known as “America’s favorite fitness expert,” Denise Austin has sold over 24 million exercise videos and authored more than 12 books on health and fitness. As a worldwide fitness phenomenon, she has created a loyal audience with her two major television shows: Getting Fit, which ran for 10 years on ESPN and continued under the new name Denise Austin’s Daily Workout, and Fit & Lite, both on Lifetime.
Denise served two terms on the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. She has testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, helped launch the new food guidance system of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and was recently honored by Woman’s Day magazine and the American Heart Association with the Red Dress Award for her contributions to heart health. Married for over 25 years to Jeff Austin, they have two teenage daughters, Kelly and Katie.
Website: www.deniseaustin.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeniseAustinOnline
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DeniseAustin_
Side Effect: Skinny is available for purchase at www.thebooknook.com and everywhere books are sold