That dreaded 'time of the month'....

ajwall3

Okay Ladies... I have been working out 6 days a week for 50 minutes. Staying under my calorie goal... and now it's that 'time of the month'. :grumble: My question for you is what do you do during that time to work-out if you have bad cramps like I do?? (Medicine takes the edge off... but when I'm active and my heart gets pumping - I hurt more) I really don't want to get behind in my work-outs and lose my momentum... but I feel like garbage I'm not having any food cravings (in fact I don't want to eat at all) which is fantastic. Ideas? Tips? Personal experience? Thanks!!:sad:

rhondajean43

How about a nice 'Hot Yoga" class (my personal fave) or pilates? Still a very good workout, but no "pounding". We certainly need to listen to our bodies. Hope this helps!

Janelle3927

Ughh lucky you, no cravings?? I just walked aimlessly around around my house whining "I'm hungry!" "Dieting sucks!" literally on the verge of tears. As for exercise about just a light walk or yoga? You don't have to kill yourself just stay active!

RochelleBlack

Try some stretching and light weight training, just to keep yourself on track and your metabolism up. I agree-listen to your body. I am not looking forward to getting that back once nursing is done. I've been without for 18 months now. I'd like to keep it that way

tsaunders01

On day 1 I admit it's a struggle to do anything. However I try Yoga, or a slower level of Tae-Bo (My favorite). At minimum, I will walk on the treadmill a little longer (60 minutes) and slower pace vs. a normal treadmill day (30 minutes) at a brisk pace + 40 minutes Tae- Bo.

catcrazy

I'm so glad someone else suffers more when exercising! I'm not glad you're suffering obviously but most people look at me like i'm a bloomin liar when I say that it makes me worse. The pain increases, its like a giant excruciating pulse. I've tried pushing thru it several times resulting in either more pain, serious flooding (sorry if tmi) or fainting. So now I simply dont, its hot water bottle, max painkillers and bed.

Sorry I can be any help but you are not alone.

naidanueva

Last time I was "fighting the red dragon" as I put it, I forced myself onto the treadmill and went on a brisk walk, then a bit of jogging. At first I was hurting, but you have to keep at it, because if you work out hard enough, you'll hit the top of the mountain, so to speak, when all the endorphins are released and your pain goes away.
At least that was my personal experience, but yes, it did suck to have to be on the treadmill with pain at the beginning.

Here's a good article that talks about what I'm explaining: http://women.webmd.com/features/exercise-eases-menstrual-cramps

cclala

I drag my sorry self to yoga. I go in feeling bloated, cranky, hungry, and crampy, and I leave feeling sweaty, calm, light, and as if someone has kneaded out most of my cramps. It's the going that's hard, once you're there it will most likely get better.

ajwall3

Thanks Ladies! Glad to know I'm not alone!! Guys have it so good sometimes Yes I totally understand about the 'flooding' if working out or being too active during that time - Nothing is TMI for me

I will definitely try the yoga/stretching suggestion! It's freezing here so walking outside isn't an option and our treadmill is busted So that's out... stretching and resistance training sounds good to as someone said "keep my metabolism up"... I just can't imagine going from working out 6 days a week to doing absolutely nothing! I'm scared I'll get so behind.

I appreciate all the encouragement and advice! I usually have my crazy-cravings before my period... (chocolate!!! Salt!!) during it, I feel so horrible even eating anything doesn't feel good!:ohwell:

Thanks again Ladies! Anyone have anymore tips/suggestions keep em rollin!

ajwall3

Last time I was "fighting the red dragon" as I put it, I forced myself onto the treadmill and went on a brisk walk, then a bit of jogging. At first I was hurting, but you have to keep at it, because if you work out hard enough, you'll hit the top of the mountain, so to speak, when all the endorphins are released and your pain goes away.
At least that was my personal experience, but yes, it did suck to have to be on the treadmill with pain at the beginning.

Here's a good article that talks about what I'm explaining: http://women.webmd.com/features/exercise-eases-menstrual-cramps

Haha I like that euphemism! Thanks for the link!! :flowerforyou:

ajwall3

I'm so glad someone else suffers more when exercising! I'm not glad you're suffering obviously but most people look at me like i'm a bloomin liar when I say that it makes me worse. The pain increases, its like a giant excruciating pulse. I've tried pushing thru it several times resulting in either more pain, serious flooding (sorry if tmi) or fainting. So now I simply dont, its hot water bottle, max painkillers and bed.

Sorry I can be any help but you are not alone.

Totally the same feeling I get! It's way better though than before I had my daughter... before I had her it was like death visited me each month... the pain was excruciating!

ajwall3

Try some stretching and light weight training, just to keep yourself on track and your metabolism up. I agree-listen to your body. I am not looking forward to getting that back once nursing is done. I've been without for 18 months now. I'd like to keep it that way

Lucky!! I wasn't so blessed! :ohwell: I think I'll definitely take your advice... Thanks!! :flowerforyou:

aneajo

Wow, when I get there (which I am now), I can't do any sort of exercise. I can hardly get on the floor to fold clothes. And the cravings. OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Annabelle2602

ditto with the cravings, in fact i think im borderline murderous becos of them today so im going home to lock myself in a dark room lolll

weigh in day for me 2moro and after years of dieting i still cant fathom out how much the TOTM effects my weight!

Dobsaya

My Yoga video expressly says do not attempt any yoga poses while menstruating. Since they single that out, I would look into it before practicing yoga.

stephanielynn76

Last time I was "fighting the red dragon" as I put it, I forced myself onto the treadmill and went on a brisk walk, then a bit of jogging. At first I was hurting, but you have to keep at it, because if you work out hard enough, you'll hit the top of the mountain, so to speak, when all the endorphins are released and your pain goes away.
At least that was my personal experience, but yes, it did suck to have to be on the treadmill with pain at the beginning.

Here's a good article that talks about what I'm explaining: http://women.webmd.com/features/exercise-eases-menstrual-cramps

Haha I like that euphemism! Thanks for the link!! :flowerforyou:

haha... like that euphemism too! I can attest to that from personal experience! If I push through the pain/cramps the endorphins take over and I don't feel the pain... until some point after the workout is over... then I'm doubled over on the toilet in the gym bathroom.... yeah... that was my morning...

audreybeaner

Have you tried swimming? My cramps seem to just go away if I jump in the water. It's a really good strength/cardio workout if you use weights etc etc You could always try water aerobics as well.

ETA: This is a consideration if your flo stops like mine does when I'm in water. If it doesn't then this suggestion might just flat out suck lol

swashbucklingsally

I'd say just hop on the elliptical! I get cramps and pms and all that fun stuff and the only that really helps is heating pads or hot showers 70/80% dark chocolate squares and extreme cardio. Hot yoga isn't for everyone and I had my little bout with it but eventually the heat was just too much! Yoga can sometimes be too slow and uncomfortable around t.o.m. but vinyasa in a darker room is SO amazing. Also, visiting your local herb shop or getting some tea for cramps really works wonders and this is coming from someone who has cried countless days in the past from feeling emotional and crampy! And one last thing that I just recently started using last month is a sublingual PMS natural remedy by Hyland's. You can probably find it at any health food store, I found it at whole foods. It's just called "pms"