Women Only - TTOTM

allie_00

(That time of the month)

How do you cope when you have your monthly visitor, cramps and you really don't want to work out?! For some reason mother nature has blessed me with a crazy one this month.

MissbusyLizzie

I usually find that getting myself to work out it the hardest part... but once I go it makes me feel a lot better! I just power through it and show mother nature that I am in charge!

RoniDoll

working out definatly make me feel better! Just be sure to eat alot of iron rich foods so you don't get weak

Lisa__Michelle

OMG I never knew what TOM stood for! I realize now that you said "That time of month". Honestly, my second day is ALWAYS the heaviest. I really just play it by ear. If I am REALLY heavy to where I could leak, I usually don't workout. If it is moderately heavy, I will still workout. If I am crampy, I usually push through it and workout. It really depends on the month.

HaleyAlli

Ugh, it's tough I just try not to stress and do my regular workouts, but listen to my body if I need to slow down and take it easy. It's hard though, because I tend to eat more on my period... I usually gain a little weight during my period and try to lose it right back afterwards.

Aintplayin

With me.. there were times I don't work out if it was a really bad day.. but if I was cramping and aching, the workout would minimize or eliminate it. If you just don't want to, maybe just do a mini workout. That way you won't feel guilty later.

DaniiDean

I am in the middle of my TOM and am really struggling.... just had a huge binge, not exercising either because of injury and I am miserable. This is partly hormonal because usually I am so chirpy and happy but for some reason this TOM has got me really down. I tried to fight my cravings and have ended up going over board.... don't force it.

If you need to eat sweets do it
If you don't want to exercise don't....................It is all good. Your body usually needs more fuel during the TOM so feed it and don't worry otherwise you will end up feeling guilty like me today and over doing it. Enjoy the rest and treats

tuscaroragal

Unfortunately, I just force myself to go...I can't say I always feel better afterwards, but at least I do some kind of workout. I also take it easy on those rough days....be kind to yourself....Make an attempt and understand it most likely won't be your best workout! Best of luck.....

mmelaniewalters

magic cure .. paracetamol , and positive mental attitude .. u will feel better when u have done it , just dig deep for that motivation !

bzmom

Mine is almost out but I didnt want to exercise when it appeared I pushed myself to do it and felt great afterwards I think even the cramps subsided. Try it you may feel better too.

rmhand

I get cramps in my back and I find that the back extension machine makes them work in a different direction and helps loosen them up. Also love Terma-care for heat to relax those cramped up muscles.

skinnyjeans13

To be honest, I usually skip the first two days and just really watch what I'm eating... I have way too much pain to even walk around sometimes to working out is just impossible to me. When I feel up to it, I start with some easy cardio and focus on upper body. Oh and I drink TONS of water the whole time and eat iron-rich foods!

JessPaul93016

The hardest part is getting the motivation to workout. The funny thing is that once I'm moving, it actually helps relieve most of my symptoms. Mother Nature has never been nice to me. There have been days that I almost couldn't get out of bed because of cramping, but exercising does help relieve (make them bearable) even my worst cramps.

Akaratel

I drink tons of water, believe it helps with cramps and mine go all the way down through my legs. I cannot take any NSAIDS with my medicine (THAT SUCKS, as i used to live for ibuprofen this time) so i usually take two pamprin. I also tend to eat a steak dinner because I crave the iron. But for the actual workout, I find after the first ten minutes are bad, but the exercise actually relieves them. Also if it is really really horrible, i just just take a rest day... but if i really want to work out - yoga is much better and an awesome workout. Especially the stretching of the muscles..

dawnw30

I just take a pain pill (prescribed by my Dr cause I have endometriosis and PCOS) and double up on the leakage protection and power through it. If I am super tired and in pain I may just do a shorter workout that day. I still get a workout in but don't kill myself to do it

bbauer148

Getting myself to WANT to work out is hard, but if I force myself, it actually makes me feel better. So I just think of that when I don't want to work out.

bjclaywell

In the past when I've been watching what I eat and working out, I have to force myself to work out. Sometimes doing it makes me feel better - sometimes it just makes it all worse - I always take Midol before I go, and I just take it easy. And I'll reiterate what someone else said - I make sure to get plenty of iron. I border on low iron anyway, so during TTOM I'm especially careful. You don't want to pass out on the machines.

Good luck, and I'm sorry you don't feel good...I'm there with you in about two days - I already feel it coming on.

epj78

I force myself to do something. The key is not to go in thinking you have to do this massive workout. Really, I tell myself I just have to get on the treadmill and walk. Usually, I feel better once I'm moving and do more, but sometimes that just isn't the case and I do my 1/2 hour of walking and go home! It's usually only Day 2 that is bad for me, so it's not like I'm taking a whole week off, at most a few days.

Sigra

I normally wait until the middle (the worst time) and then use my off day to get better and takes ibuprofen :x But I always watch what I eat to make sure I stay at 1200 if I do end up not working out.

fabulousfebe

Well, I usually feel sluggish, am extra bloated, however, I push through the sluggish and drowsy feeling and maybe exercise a few mins and as each day progress and start to feel in balance again which is usually day three..I'm back on my regular exercise routine. As for eating, I crave sweets during this time especially chocolate! But I make wise choices regardless...so my advice just like some of the others.. listen to your body and at the same time tell your body what it needs to do...so you don't go backwards.

Peep_chic

Having a nice good day of rest is ok just workout the next day if you feel better. Thats how I do. On Light cramps I push myself sometimes and feel better afterwards. What happened to me this TOM is that I over did my calories yesterday by 400+. I don't remember having these kind of cravings on TOM. I guess now that I log it I realize it. EVery month is different I guess.

spacecase76

I usually just suck it up and do it. I barely eat when it's TOM... I have a hard time eating more than 800 or 900 calories, especially the first 2 or 3 days.

aehartley

I must be really lucky. Mine might last three days, never had cramps or bloating. The only bad things for me is I might get some constipated but I usually take some extra fiber to deal with that. I always loose more weight when I am on my TToTM -

LoveleeB

That was exactly how I felt yesterday. I woke up w/ cramps and felt horrible but somehow I managed to drag my *kitten* out of bed and go work out for an hour. I felt so much better after. Exercise usually helps reduce cramps and bloating.... at least for me.

kelsue35

got mine this morning and i so didnt want to work out but i have a bet with my hubby and i so cant lose lol.

not that you all want to know this but i cant use tampons (when i was 17 i had tss and it could kill me if i use one again ever) so usually i wont work out when i have my period due to that "wonderful" feeling that my pad isnt going to catch it all and i will leak all over but i just went out and got a pair of workout shorts that are a lil tight to help out.

just have to push through and do it. remember your overall goal and maybe just maybe that will be motivation enough to get the workout done no matter what!

sorry for the TMI

brneydgrlie

Get outside if the weather is nice and take a long walk as your exercise. Fresh air and movement usually actually help reduce the cramping. Also, if you are home and just relaxing, put a heating pad on your stomach (yes, this really helps!).

suzycreamcheese

I do have more food cravings when its coming up to TOM but when i do work out i generally find i actually have better stamina and energy than usual for some reason.
Ive always found this

allie_00

Thanks for the advice, ladies It's strange...I never usually get cramps but every blue moon a crazy month comes out of nowhere. I'm also dealing with dreaded snow outside! Oh well, the sun just peaked through. Happy Friday, everyone. Enjoy your weekend!