Ladies only, I have a personal question.

Pomoch325

Can't wait until I lose enough weight to actually have this problem. I miss you, Aunt Flo

virginiawebbjr

Hi have also found that a workout (lighter for me because I also cramp bad) is helpful to make my flow stop sooner & although I would not say my cramps hurt less I will say they are easier for me to deal with.
I did want to mention something NOT to scare but to inform. There were a few ladies who mentioned that they are having lighter flows or minimal cramps & almost no monthly to speak of...A pregnancy test maybe something to invest in. Women who loose weight after being heavy (mostly obese women) have a higher chance of pregnancy. My midwife, Doula, Doctor & mother (nurse) warned me to be extra careful if I don't want to become pregnant right away. Even a loss of only 10 lbs or so can cause an obese woman to "throw" an egg. Fat has hormones & hormones control the eggs...lol.
A "light" flow or shortned flow can be a sign of pregnancy as well as improved health. I had a light flow my first 3 months of pregnancy. Just food for thought.

thelovelyLIZ

Honestly, my periods have improved since I got healthy. I went on birth control to lessen my cramps and lighten my period several years back, but it was still fairly heavy and I still got less painful cramps from time to time. But since I started exercising and eating right, I almost never get moody, have cramps, have food cravings, and my period is lighter and shorter. Honestly, now my period doesn't even effect my workouts. I start my period on Mondays, which also happen to be my long run days. I ran seven miles this Monday, when I started, and it wasn't even a big deal.

I think a lot of it is mental, honestly. We expect to have cramps, mood swings, or cravings, and so we do, or use it as an excuse. Obviously that's not always true (I know, I used to get killer cramps), but I think getting over that hurdle and just sucking it up and working out anyway is a hugely important step.

SarLem81

Wow. I don't get cramps that bad, so my TOM doesn't affect my workout much. It's harder to get started, but once I'm going I'm fine. Maybe you should try a lot of good stretching before getting into a workout to help work the area before you push your body altogether in a workout?

bulbadoof

I get really bad cramps, so I just walk on my period.

Granted, I walk pretty often anyway, but I definitely wouldn't cycle, do crunches, or swim. :grumble:

shannashannabobana

Exercise usually helps cramps

This is what I've found. If I can get myself to workout (sometimes I just want to prop my feet up until the pain dies down!) I always feel better. I especially find doing situps/crunches makes it feel better.

aproc

I sometimes have to take it light. If I'm just feeling too horrible and know the workout isn't going to go well then I just take a forced rest day and let my body recover from my previous workouts since I don't take enough rest days anyways.