Exercise and uterine cramps?

TMWood1980
TMWood1980 Posts: 16 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hey everyone! I am back at this again after a couple years. Due to a back injury I have been pretty sedentary and now sadly weight 304. Depressing I know but ready to work the weight off. I am fired up and ready to put in the work but knowing I needed to start off slow I have been walking. At first just to the end of my street and back and then yesterday (5 days after starting) I walked a half mile in 12 minutes. If not for back spasms I could have went longer but that stopped me.

Anyway I have noticed that anytime I walk briskly I end up with pretty significant uterine/ovarian cramps that have lasted an entire day. I no longer have periods/cramps due to an ablation so there would be no reason for the cramps other than my new walking routine. I haven't tried any other exercise yet but plan to very soon, depending of course if I can stop this cramping.

Anyone else deal with this issue?

Replies

  • concordancia
    concordancia Posts: 5,320 Member
    You are likely stressing your core muscles in new ways, thus your abdominal muscles are reacting.
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    Congrats on getting a new routine. I started at 301 and now have been maintaining at 155 for 1 1/2 yrs. it CAN be done with dedication. If the uterine cramps continue for longer than s couple weeks, I suggest you get it checked out by doctor in case there’s another underlying problem.
  • try2again
    try2again Posts: 3,562 Member
    Following. Same sort of issue, but mine started after having been working out regularly (low-impact aerobics) for quite a long while and having gotten into fairly decent shape. A visit to the OB/GYN didn't find anything, but anytime I try to reintroduce jarring workouts, it seems to be an issue. :(
  • generallyme2
    generallyme2 Posts: 403 Member
    Mine have started doing that- I've recently focused on strength training so I figured that was it. It's probably the new routine and engaging your core more. Mine kind of radiated from my thighs up into my uterus so that's why I thought it was the workout :smiley:

    Not sure if you still ovulate but sometimes I get cramps when I ovulate and that could be contributing.
  • TMWood1980
    TMWood1980 Posts: 16 Member
    I didn't have an issue until I pushed myself to up my pace. Once I started to do that then here comes the pain. I think I am going to try a stationary bike at a slow pace tomorrow and see how I do with that and slow walking.
  • try2again
    try2again Posts: 3,562 Member
    TMWood1980 wrote: »
    I didn't have an issue until I pushed myself to up my pace. Once I started to do that then here comes the pain. I think I am going to try a stationary bike at a slow pace tomorrow and see how I do with that and slow walking.

    Yes, having reread your post, 5 days is not a lot of time to be ramping things up ;) I bet you will have a better outcome if you slow things down for a while. When I started 7 years or so ago, I was 275 and for several weeks only aimed for a time or two around the block at a slow pace. I also used (and still use) a recumbent stationary bike. While physical activity is desirable, we don't want to push too hard and make things harder on ourselves, especially if you are coming off an injury. At such a high weight, our bodies have to work hard just to haul themselves around, so we still burn plenty of calories. The main thing at this time is to get comfortable with your calorie allowance & hone your logging skills. :)
  • TMWood1980
    TMWood1980 Posts: 16 Member
    try2again wrote: »
    TMWood1980 wrote: »
    I didn't have an issue until I pushed myself to up my pace. Once I started to do that then here comes the pain. I think I am going to try a stationary bike at a slow pace tomorrow and see how I do with that and slow walking.

    Yes, having reread your post, 5 days is not a lot of time to be ramping things up ;) I bet you will have a better outcome if you slow things down for a while. When I started 7 years or so ago, I was 275 and for several weeks only aimed for a time or two around the block at a slow pace. I also used (and still use) a recumbent stationary bike. While physical activity is desirable, we don't want to push too hard and make things harder on ourselves, especially if you are coming off an injury. At such a high weight, our bodies have to work hard just to haul themselves around, so we still burn plenty of calories. The main thing at this time is to get comfortable with your calorie allowance & hone your logging skills. :)

    Yeah, I think I got a little too excited to get started and am going beyond what I am ready for. It is just hard especially when just a few short years ago I was able to run an 8 minute mile and now I can't even walk 1/2 a mile in that time. I will get back to that eventually. Thanks!
  • 1BlueAurora
    1BlueAurora Posts: 439 Member
    It's easy to be overenthusiastic at the beginning of any exercise program, for sure! Like others have said, slow down and don't walk as far yet. It's infuriating to not yet be able to go full speed ahead, I know. But when I've started out too fast I end up injuring myself and then I have to quit exercising for a week or so to recuperate and heal. Do yourself a favor and cut back. Two weeks from now, go a little further OR a little faster, not both. You'll eventually be able to read your body enough to avoid pushing yourself too much.

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