Do you exercise during your period?

chubbygirl253

I always exercise during mine. I rarely get stomach cramping but my lower back hurts so bad with my period and often have a headache. Ibuprofen helps. So does Midol. I just can't let myself skip unless I'm really really sick. I have to exercise a bit more to make for any junk I might not be able to resist eating. And I have to drink double the water or I might retain some pounds if I don't. Keeping really hydrated usually ensures I won't gain during my monthly.

RubyRubixcube

HEY LADIES! Heaps of info, support and suggestions on getting through all aspects of your period in this group;

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/8450-totm

jenilla1

Definately. I'm one of the lucky ones. My period is only a slight annoyance to me. I don't really suffer at all and it doesn't stop me from my activities. In fact, the rare times I might have cramps, exercise makes them go away and improves my mood. :drinker:

norcal_yogi

yes

emtjmac

I try not to make a habit of it. I usually use that time to just curl up on the couch in my well-worn terry cloth bathrobe with a good book, my overweight cat, a pint of ben and jerry's and some old romance movies.

jpe71

My cramps are so bad for the first 2-3 days that I have collapsed in stores crying in pain and sat on the bathroom floor clutching my stomach practically wishing I'd die. I can't take narcotics and I haven't found anything that works otherwise so no I don't work out during my period. The last 3 days of my period aren't as painful but I'm so exhausted from barely sleeping and being in constant excruciating pain for 3 days that I don't have any energy to work out and normally have to spend that time catching up on all the work I missed while sick with my period. My Doc just put me on a new pill that's basically supposed to stop your period from coming more then a couple times a year so hopefully that helps cos I go through complete hell every month

I hope that works for you. I can completely sympathize. Mine ultimately got bad enough that after three endometriosis surgeries, I had a hysterectomy this year. I'm not going to recommend that last, as while it's been a godsend, it's a personal decision, and some things are worth the pain. Until I was sure I was done having kids, it wasn't worth it to me. However, I will suggest that if you find this new medication doesn't bring relief, do consider surgery from an endometriosis specialist. Message me if you want help finding someone.

For exercise, I also found that doing at least a gentle walk helped - if I could manage it. I couldn't manage even that much in the last several years. All I could manage was getting a bath and curling up on my heating pad. On days I had to be functional, those disposable heat wraps enabled me to function. Basically, short of narcotics, heat was the only thing that dulled the pain, so I kept a source of warmth close to the pain at all times. Experiment if you can, and see what works for you.

marywilsoncline

Nope.

I don't get one anymore! :laugh: <---laughing gleefully!

Me either :bigsmile: I'm smiling all the time now!

rextcat

NO the "gushing" feeling is just to creepy.

desireepr123

I try not to make a habit of it. I usually use that time to just curl up on the couch in my well-worn terry cloth bathrobe with a good book, my overweight cat, a pint of ben and jerry's and some old romance movies.

Seriously, that's hilarious!!!! Classic. :laugh: (in case you missed it, the quote was from a guy) and there are times I do that!

bub_snig

This is probably going to sound weird but I like working out when it is that time of the month. i feel the more icky and pissed off I am helps me get the most out of my workout. Thats when I usually book my boxing classes so I can really kick *kitten*!!!!

TyFit08

Funny thing is I have had my workout clothes on all day, but haven't done a thing. Oh yeah TOM is visiting. I guess that answers it, in spite of my best intentions I generally don't. Either I'm in too much pain from the cramps or nauseated during the first few days or my energy level is just too low. I really hate how TOM ruins my routine and sometimes I really beat myself up about it, but now seeing how many others don't workout during their period, I feel better.

Farburnfred

Yes as it really helps, but not on the day when it feels like my insides are falling out and my period is so hgeavy I don't dare move this is ususally the 2nd/3rd day so I just count it as a rest day

WendyTerry420

I am trying to exercise during my period but it seemlike I get super bad cramps. I was thinking of taking the week off. Do anybody else not exercise during their periods?

Sometimes I go ahead and do it. For me, it's normally just one or two days of bad cramps. Sometimes naproxen sodium will get rid of the pain, and I can go ahead and do it.

WendyTerry420

NO the "gushing" feeling is just to creepy.

OMG! Totally this ^^^

I feel the same way. Like when you are sitting for a long time, then you stand up....eww! :laugh:

slimmermomma

I do - I find it makes me feel better overall, relieves the cramps and boosts my mood.

littlebuddy84

I sure do. I find exercising really helps with cramps!

Nillia2

i dont in my first two days especially...I have this thing where i feel totally disgusting if i even move lol

yea, dont think I will ever get out of that stage lol

busymomto5PA

Yes usually I do. I am preggo now so haven't had one for a little while. Exercise usually helps with cramping, I have taken ibuprophen before exercising during my menstrual cycle. Although I think if you are running you are not supposed to take ibuprophen first take tylenol. Something about it interfering with your body somehow. Maybe someone else know for sure but I can't remember read it in a running mag before.

RockinSkiBunny

I usually do. I get severe pms and cramps and I feel it helps both with my mood and to feel better. The day before it arrives though I am really drained so I might not. I take extra iron during that time.

al369

I swear my cramps are worse after working out, but I do it anyway. To each their own, but I don't like taking a whole week of exercising.

Amberonamission

Yup! Cuz when i get it i want to eat eat eat so I exercise even more

This exactly. I eat approx 400 cal more a day when I am at my TOM. So I burn up the workouts. I am not prone to cramps but, I do get insanely moody. Sweating seem to leech the B itch right out of me.

3foldchord

I rarely got cramps- just horrible fatigue- like where I can barely lift my limbs to get out of bed some days. The most I would exercise is a short bike ride if I had the energy.

(had my uterus removed and found out I was very anemic- which explains the extreme fatigue)

Bean615

i make sure i workout extra hard when i have mine bc it makes me feel better mentally and physically and i it definately relieves my cramps!

supergirl6

Yes and no. Usually I work out during my period but sometimes, usualy the first or second day, I feel so run down and sick that I'll give myself the day off. I don't want to hate working out and I already schedule 2 off days into my week so I just switch up the "off" day with the day I need a break.

My cramps do tend to feel better afterwards, so I don't let those stop me. It's usually just when I feel so rotten that I can't get my head into the game mentally and I know I won't have a good workout anyway.

mariposa224

Yes. It actually helps.

Fit_Vixen

Yes I do. It helps with the cramps. I ignore the lower back pain, lol.

LorinaLynn

At the risk of sounding like a Tampax commercial... I did Warrior Dash during my period.

If I could scale walls, crawl through mud, run through a forest, and leap fire, you can exercise.

alicia0416

I workout during my tom.... It seems to ease the cramps.. and Keeps me from eating too much lol.. I used to cramp HORRIBLE but ever since I have been working out NADA!!!!! Its nice......

jlbeals

I do my workout 6 days/week no matter what. Always.

If I let myself lapse for anything, then it gets easier to make an excuse next time and before I know it, I've fallen off the exercise wagon. I have fairly horrendous cycles, and working out absolutely does NOT make me feel better. I feel absolutely miserable pretty much during the entire workout the first three days I'm on my period, and I probably don't get much out of it anyway because it's hard to put in my usual effort, but even going through the motions keeps me from letting myself fall out of the habit. I just have to uncurl myself from the heating pad and half-heartedly get my butt in gear to get it over with so I can curl back up with the heating pad again afterwards. Gotta push through it - it's definitely worth it.

I've never regretted doing a workout, but I've often later regretted a workout a didn't do.

hellohappylisa

Swimming is really good for cramps, or you could just take a bath haha. I don't get cramps while on the pill so I don't have to worry about that anymore (thank god!!).

However, I'm usually a bit grumpy and lazy so I don't exercise as much.