Ladies - How do you exercise during that time of the month?

FindingMyPerfection

With a cup.

SwedishMel

don't fret about what everybody else is up to.
figure out what works for you.

This. Some people find exercise makes them better. Some people worse. Some people find a certain type of exercise works better others can just stick with the same. There's no right answer.

For me I'm quite lucky. Nothing too severe just tiredness and general lethargy. So generally I keep it the same except I usually skip swimming (which I generally do daily) for a day or two, especially in winter. For some reason during those first couple of days of my period I seem much more sensitive to the cold and getting in a pool at 6:30am which isn't overly warm is really unappealing. Normally it takes me about 15 laps before I stop feeling unpleasantly cold - when I have my period I sometimes finish the whole 60 laps and still feel chilled.

But it depends on the month.

I find working out makes my flow heavier (i'm on meds for heavy flow too. we're talking tsunami), makes my back ache worse and exhausts me. plus I've found i'm far more likely to injure myself.

the world doesn't end if I skip it. I don't suddenly balloon 20 pounds and lose all my stamina. after my period i'm still the same relatively healthy person I was before my period.

I don't see why some people feel the need to make others feel like they're quitters or failures or letting themselves down just because they do things differently.

You seem to be taking other people's words of encouragement to the OP as offensive towards you. It's cool if you don't like/want/can workout during your period. No one will fault you, or even really care. Just don't get on here and start spewing negativity. No one wants to hear that. The OP was asking what to do and how to control her situation...which probably means she doesn't want to sit around and veg out. So unless you can help the situation, and give some advice or encouragement, silence yourself.

Naomi0504

I don't do anything differently, workouts are still the same.

fbmandy55

Because exercise helps relieve PMS symptoms. Especially cramps.

DaniMarie180

Whenever I get my period, I get the worst cramps and back pain, and just have no energy. Any suggestions for what to do? I also get extreme cravings and find myself eating all day. I don't want to gain! How should I control this?

I am the very same way, and have been this way since I was 13. I Regarding cramping and back pain (which I too get) I've found that once I get myself to the gym that I DO feel better when I finish than if I stayed home on the couch curled up. Not gonna lie--it's hard sometimes! I really listen to my body and know when to back off a bit or to modify my routine.

For cravings, I know of nothing other than just powering through the crave knowing it's going to be just 1 day. Maybe 2. The crave battle is my biggest hurdle.

Hang in there, Moon Sister! :flowerforyou:

drangonfly2323

Unless I have a migraine I continue to keep to my routine. However, I also try not to be too hard on myself if during that time I dont run as fast as I normally would or need to take a few more breaks for water. The most important thing for me is getting out there and doing it. I do find that while getting motivated during that time is difficult, I almost always feel better once I get my workout in. As for the food that's a hard one for me because I end up craving a lot of sweets during that time. Lately I have been snacking on grapes to help.

socomary

I pop ibuprofen and go for a good walk, and I make time for it because I owe it to myself to be mindful of me and my needs. It's hard to find the energy sometimes, but once I get moving, I feel so much better. If the weather is crappy, I also have easy access to an elliptical trainer - I'll find an interesting podcast, plop on the headphones, and just go for it!

Sunitagt

I am/was the same way, but I am definitely one who has found working out through the cramps has made them generally more bearable. Cravings I give in to a bit, sometimes I can balance them out in my day, not always, but then we move forward. But as others have said, you just have to find out what works for you, whether or not that is exercising, or moving about, or just lounging until they are over and going back to your routine afterwards.

dumb_blondes_rock

I do it with a pearl tampon...not sure about anyone else

glovepuppet

don't fret about what everybody else is up to.
figure out what works for you.

This. Some people find exercise makes them better. Some people worse. Some people find a certain type of exercise works better others can just stick with the same. There's no right answer.

For me I'm quite lucky. Nothing too severe just tiredness and general lethargy. So generally I keep it the same except I usually skip swimming (which I generally do daily) for a day or two, especially in winter. For some reason during those first couple of days of my period I seem much more sensitive to the cold and getting in a pool at 6:30am which isn't overly warm is really unappealing. Normally it takes me about 15 laps before I stop feeling unpleasantly cold - when I have my period I sometimes finish the whole 60 laps and still feel chilled.

But it depends on the month.

I find working out makes my flow heavier (i'm on meds for heavy flow too. we're talking tsunami), makes my back ache worse and exhausts me. plus I've found i'm far more likely to injure myself.

the world doesn't end if I skip it. I don't suddenly balloon 20 pounds and lose all my stamina. after my period i'm still the same relatively healthy person I was before my period.

I don't see why some people feel the need to make others feel like they're quitters or failures or letting themselves down just because they do things differently.

You seem to be taking other people's words of encouragement to the OP as offensive towards you. It's cool if you don't like/want/can workout during your period. No one will fault you, or even really care. Just don't get on here and start spewing negativity. No one wants to hear that. The OP was asking what to do and how to control her situation...which probably means she doesn't want to sit around and veg out. So unless you can help the situation, and give some advice or encouragement, silence yourself.

no, i'm taking some of these words exactly as they're typed. blanket statements help nobody.
the op asked what others do, but that doesn't mean she's up to doing the same (or not up to doing the same). she could be feeling guilty about not working out when she's feeling dire, or she could just be feeling a bit grotty and wondering if others get through it. plus, this thread will be opened by other women with similar questions.

it's great to encourage, as long as it's done by using encouraging terms. if it's done with undertones of guilt tripping and failure labels then it's unhealthy. they are spewing negativity under a guise of positivity. aren't we already made to feel guilty enough? I consider my counterpoint to be encouraging and helpful... women don't need to beat themselves up over this stuff.

so I won't be silencing myself on this issue. she needs to do what is right for her. feel free not to read my expressions of free speech if they offend you.

FrnkLft

If I may, just want to mention something that might help you overall. Weight loss is a marathon not a sprint. If once a week you eat maintenance, or if one day you blow your goals... who cares. Just pick it up the next day.

Spend some time considering the math behind calories in vs. calories out, and what you need to eat to gain, maintain, or loose. Even if you overeat by 1000 calories in a day, that's only 500 calories surplus... not something that's going to set you back more than maybe 24 hours.

Thinking critically and understanding this stuff helps you keep a level head as the numbers move around.

cafeaulait7

For 2 days I can't walk and must have a heating pad on my belly or my back (endometriosis), so there isn't much exercise going on, no. But it's never messed up my routine. Taking 2 days off is nothing, really.

I used to just get bad cramps, and I liked yoga for them back then. Even the poses you aren't supposed to do during your TOM I think getting the blood flowing (no pun intended!) is good for most inflammation. OTOH, with something like endo or fibroids, everything is so inflamed and swollen the movement can make it more painful. You'll know the difference once you try it once or twice

A heated pool might be lovely. I never had access to one, but if you do, that's the first thing I'd try after yoga or a nice walk

mamma_nee

I count those days as recovery days ! Lay in bed snuggled under a blankie most of the day. I have zero energy and its so heavy I am afraid to move around much.

archaichoney

Lol, I got mine the second I stepped into the gym today. While I get some lower back pain and cramps, I pop a Motrin and hit it like a beast.