Working out during your period

MommaHoff

I have found that every month when my period hits me I can barely move for the first 2-3 days. I know I should get up and go to the gym, but the cramps are killer and I have no energy at all. Am I the only one that has this problem?

BOLO4Hagtha

Not at all. My 7th grade PE teacher told me that working out actually helps with the cramps. It might be true but the first day I can barely move, so maybe going for a 20min walk might be a good idea so as to not "waste" the day.

noneya2010

Same here. I actually had horrible, 'flooding' periods until I got on thyroid meds. That has really cured that but now I do get pretty bad cramps, which I never used to get. I also get "pulling" sensations around my tube area too during my periods now. I just take some ibuprofen and take it easy on working out and just do some walking.

cari4jc1

I have energy issues during this time too, but I find that when I workout even when I feel like crap and don't want to I end up feeling even better about myself. I feel like more of a success when I make myself workout even though I REALLY don't want to. Also, exercise will probably help with the symptoms. I don't get cramps anymore, but years ago I got cramps all the time and exercise actually helped HUGELY. It even helps the fatigue and bloating too. Even if you can't do a crazy hard workout try to at least do something. It'll help and you'll probably feel better about yourself too.

brightpebbles89

i have had.. and i gave my body what it wanted rest, hot water bottle and chocolate!
3 days later, i got up felt better and worked my *kitten* of the next week. sometimes its good to give your body what its asking for, it works really hard for you

MommaHoff

I've tried working out through the cramps and they just get worse. So I curl up on the couch take some pamprin and pray the cramping stops. Some times they get so bad I just want to cry. I used to be on birth control and it helped reduce the cramping but then the bc started causing migraines so I had to stop taking it. It's so frustrating to want to go run but you are barely able to move.

stfuriada

I do cardio on those days (instead of warm up cardio and weights) until I reach my usual goal or until I can't stand the pain anymore. I generally go by what I feel. I mean it's nice to have a work out schedule, but it's not like a court mandated prison sentence that you can't change lol.

fitfreakymom

ON rough days like in the beginning I will cut back on the workout and even devide it up like right now I am resting between walking dogs, I just took out my neighbores dog and my old dog and in a few min I will take out my younger one then do a little bit of cardio then clean and then park it on the couch lol.

MyProgressISYour1Proof

I'm the crazy b that just pushes on with cramps and all!!! LMAO!

honeyandmilk

I have no energy either. If I know my period is going to start soon, I'll exercise as much as I can before it starts and usually the first day, but after that I don't bother. I have low iron and would prefer to be strong instead of killing myself at the gym.

Hellbent_Heidi

I'm the crazy b that just pushes on with cramps and all!!! LMAO!

Same here! I used to use it as an excuse to skip a few days...or a week at the gym, but then I realized I was letting it control my life, and that's just silly.

Its just a visitor and it doesn't get to call the shots in my 'house' :glasses:

By the way...thanks for calling it your "period" and not "TOM" or "Aunt Flo" or any other silly name :laugh:

WendyTerry420

I have found that every month when my period hits me I can barely move for the first 2-3 days. I know I should get up and go to the gym, but the cramps are killer and I have no energy at all. Am I the only one that has this problem?

No, don't worry about it. Lots of women claim that it helps their cramps, but I feel the same as you. I just smoke a bowl and crawl under a blanket and watch TV. There's no rule that you have to workout during your period. Don't feel guilty.

girlwithcurls2

I've tried working out through the cramps and they just get worse. So I curl up on the couch take some pamprin and pray the cramping stops. Some times they get so bad I just want to cry. I used to be on birth control and it helped reduce the cramping but then the bc started causing migraines so I had to stop taking it. It's so frustrating to want to go run but you are barely able to move.

Have you thought about a Mirena IUD? Before you get spooked by the IUD part, talk to your doctor. I had debilitating cramps in my teens and early 20s. Went on the pill and was a new person. Now I have 2 daughters (late teens) on the pill to help manage their cramps. I have had the Mirena for about 7 years (they last 5, then you need it replaced) because I no longer want children and I wanted a birth control that is not systemic. It has been great. No periods. No cramping. No bloating. No PMS.

Talk to your doctor. There is no reason in this day and age to be so miserable. I was missing school and work because of my periods. That is no way to live, especially when it is something you deal with every 21-28 days.

quirkytizzy

I absolutely do not work out on my period. Walking makes me nauseas on the rag, moving anymore than I have to would make me cry. I don't have health insurance or money for even a discounted clinic, so I just mince about in my body as carefully as I can. You're not alone.

bajoyba

I've done some heavy workouts during the worst days of my period, and I don't recall feeling any better afterward. It didn't help the cramps or the flow. I was happy I still managed to push through, but I think next time around I'll probably just go for a walk. There's nothing wrong with giving your body a rest. You burn extra calories gearing up for that time of the month, so I'm sure it all evens out!

Serena_Kitty

I usually do something relaxing on those days, like yoga or light cardio.

ajhugz

I have found that every month when my period hits me I can barely move for the first 2-3 days. I know I should get up and go to the gym, but the cramps are killer and I have no energy at all. Am I the only one that has this problem?

No, don't worry about it. Lots of women claim that it helps their cramps, but I feel the same as you. I just smoke a bowl and crawl under a blanket and watch TV. There's no rule that you have to workout during your period. Don't feel guilty.

A bowl definitely helps and I don't workout durning my period either. If I do its minimal. The days leading up to it I will workout and drink more water and sometimes that helps.

RobfromLakewood

My wife skips the gyms on those days, but goes with me when I walk the dogs to get a little something going. Not so much pain, but just a basic uncomfortable feeling.

AuddAlise

I am with you on this. My first two days are so heavy I am wiped; no energy. Plus I feel like someone has kicked me in the vag about 20 times. I just skip those days and stay home.

SilverLotusGirl

I get that sometimes. I'll usually belly dance or do yoga those days. For me, at least, the movements help but so does a mug of chamomile tea and my favorite movies. If you don't have the energy to move then have that be a rest day.

Have you looked into things to you do to help with your cramps? For me, hot teas and evening primrose pills help me out a LOT. A good heating pad is great too.

krisiepoo

(I'm not a doctor) but my good friend works for an OB/GYN who suggests all her patients with these issues take B6. She swears by it. i just started, hoping it helps!

Obviously check with your doctor/your situation to make sure ths would not interfere with any med issues you might have

mrs_schultz2012

I work out during mine, it seems to help

MightyDomo

I get intense pain during that time of the month and definitely know what you mean. But a good way to fight the pain is to eat well and exercise as it does help

greenmeena

I absolutely rest during my period. I think we haven't left ourselves any room to do so in our hustle bustle society. It's good for you and totally ok to take a rest! It's what your body wants, and it's never bad to listen to yourself and your intuition. A lot of holistic practitioners caution women to take it easy during their period, even avoiding certain yoga poses that invert the body. A couple days rest every month- that's a beautiful thing! I honor that. I wish our society did, that we could absolutely have that few days of rest. I don't know about you but I get pretty damn clumsy during that time. Not the greatest time to lift anything heavy! I find too that if I'm going to injure myself, that's when it will be. I think the hormones play with the elasticity of your tissues/ tendons etc. Take your rest, enjoy!

by the by- I used to get terrible cramps and started getting acupuncture. Now I can tell if I haven't had acupuncture in a while, it really makes a huge difference.

Fit_Vixen1

I ignore the pain, and I get my bloated water retaining TOM *kitten* to the gym.

SarahCW1979

I used rest until I got so stressed out one month I just went hell for leather. It didnt help with the cramps but it didnt make them any worse either. Kinda figured why waste a day unless I have a migraine... they are the workout stopper for me:grumble:

chocolate_barbell

I have PMDD, so with that comes horrible cramps. I find, that by working out regularly, and during TOTM, this lessens the cramps.

xaMErica

I have the same problem!! I hate it. This is actually my 2nd month on birth control.. I am really hoping it helps. Mine was so heavy and hurt so bad for the first 36-48 hours. I couldn't do anything. =( If nothing else.. just try to do some stretching. Mine would make me sick to my stomach so I wouldn't even eat.. try taking ibuprofen if you can.. as soon as you feel it coming that should help a little.

raiderzara

Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor, so take my comment with a grain of salt...not as medical advice.

I have the WORST menstrual cramps ever. As a teenager, I used to miss school because I was laying in bed crying...while my mom looked on and wished she could do something. I tried all kinds of medications, including the 800 mg Motrin. Nothing really worked.

And then, about 12 years ago, my sister-in-law told me the best tip!! Calcium! I take 3 Cal-Mag-Zinc pills (for a total dosage of 1,000 mg of Calcium), and BOOM!!! Cramps are GONE! It works every.single.time. Like a miracle! I can work out or do whatever and my cramps no longer hinder my life for 1-3 days every month. Now if I could just do something about the periodic anemia that comes along with it, that would be awesome.

Obviously, this might not be a good option for folks with kidney stones or gallstone problems...But seriously, try it.

For reference:

http://calciumtreatment.blogspot.com/2008/07/calcium-prevent-menstrual-cramps.html

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/menstrual-pain-000052.htm (calcium AND magnesium are mentioned here)

http://www.calmnatural.com/pms-menstrual-cramps

http://goaskalice.columbia.edu/foods-minimize-menstrual-cramps

dixiewhiskey

I used to.. I workout anyway.. I find working out actually alleviated any cramping and shortened my period from 5 days to 3 days!

rushikareddy

Hey! I don't know about everyone else but during my period working out helps a LOT! Before I started working out my cramps were so bad I couldn't move! But going to the gym doing back exercises and jogging or doing the elliptical trainer helps me a lot! I just avoid doing stomach crunches during this time! Try it and see for yourself