WOMEN; that time of month & exercise!

yes! It happens to me almost every time. I get very tired and working out is harder. But good job on doing it anyway... I usually feel better in the cramp and mood department if I don't skip during that time.

Unless you have periods heavy enough to cause anemia, the PMS is usually worse. Bloating is making you heavier and impeding your joints and muscles. Most of us start releasing the bloat as we start menstruating, so it gets better.

It's harder to work out on those days, but I find I feel a lot better if I go work out anyway, so I make myself go.

I tough it out, and try to focus on my miles, not my pace (I'm a runner), but Day 1 is the worst for me. Day 1, unless it blissfully coincides with a rest day, all I have to do is put my shoes on, and get to the corner of the block going any speed. 99.9% of the time, I end up finishing the run. Once I had to stop and walk home, but most of the time it's ugly, and it's painful, but not as ugly and painful as NOT running.

I also figure I'm faster and stronger the rest of the month for being able to run through the misery.

I feel the same.. I usually feel more exhausted during my workout during my period, but afterwards I feel a lot better. My mood and PMS symptoms seem to lessen after working out.

And, I have no idea if it's true and haven't done any research to see if it is, but I heard that we are able to lose more weight during our period than any other time. Anyone out there know if it's true or not? I'd love to know, it gives me just that much more motivation to workout when I'm not feeling up to it!

I usually schedule my recovery week for my PMS week - lighter works outs, sometimes less frequent, but still get some movement in which usually reduces my overall symptoms. Try incorporating more controlled workouts too where you can- yoga and pilates have been great for my cramps.

I feel the same.. I usually feel more exhausted during my workout during my period, but afterwards I feel a lot better. My mood and PMS symptoms seem to lessen after working out.

And, I have no idea if it's true and haven't done any research to see if it is, but I heard that we are able to lose more weight during our period than any other time. Anyone out there know if it's true or not? I'd love to know, it gives me just that much more motivation to workout when I'm not feeling up to it!

You aren't losing more weight, per se but you may see a big(ish) jump on the scale. You gain a lot in water weight leading up to it, and your period is kind of a reset button for your body, so you tend to lose things that may have been kind of settled in your digestive tract for a while as everything settles.

Really? I usually just keep on truckin. I think some women (actually I personally know a few) use their periods as an excuse not to exercise. Sure I'm cranky and a little bloated, but I work out hard anyway. Sometimes I work out extra hard if I'm pissed off about something. It's better to take out my PMS aggression on the treadmill or weight machines than on my fiance or someone. I used to have a heavier flow and get bad cramps, but working out has actually helped a lot. I've run a couple of 5Ks and a half marathon while on my period and it didn't change my performance at all.

http://www.shape.com/lifestyle/mind-and-body/exercise-and-your-menstrual-cycle-what-your-period-means-your-workout-schedu

Your Menstrual Cycle: Your period does not hamper your performance
Top athletes don't let a little bleeding slow them down, and you don't have to either. Turkish researchers surveyed 241 elite athletes about how their menstrual cycle affected their performance. While nearly three out of four women said they felt worse just before menstruation, 63 percent said that their pain decreased during training and competition and 62.2 percent said that they believed their performance was just as good when they had their period as other times of the month. A West Virginia University study found that female runners performed equally well whether tested during the first half or second half of their menstrual cycles. The one caveat may be for women with severe premenstrual and menstrual symptoms, such as serious cramps and heavy bleeding. In one French study women who reported these symptoms performed more poorly on a broad-jump exercise during their period compared to their later in their cycle

i push though it. i cant call into work if I am having a bad period day. i take advil and more forward and teach my class.

Yeah, studies are great, and it's fabulous that olympic athletes feel better during training. I have had absolutely no correlation personally between what I feel and how hard I train. My monthy issues are just as random and inhibiting as ever.

I was running an 8 mile trail race on frigging Thanksgiving last year, cramping so hard twice I actually screamed out loud and doubled over, almost fell (thank god it was towards the end and nobody saw - mortifying!). Had a lousy time, and yes I finished, but I'll never accuse any female of using it as an excuse - for all the pain I manage to work through, there are women who have it way worse (I couldn't handle it any worse). I wouldn't think less of them for choosing to bow out.

And claiming that "Your performance is not hampered by your monthly cycle" based on a survey of top athletes is a little like claiming a survey of frat boys proves alchohol doesn't inhibit sexual performance. The people to ask is their coaches.

exercising actually helps with my cramps.
So it makes it easier for me to want to exercise specially when I cant stay away from salty things. :laugh:

Really? I usually just keep on truckin. I think some women (actually I personally know a few) use their periods as an excuse not to exercise. Sure I'm cranky and a little bloated, but I work out hard anyway. Sometimes I work out extra hard if I'm pissed off about something.

Exactly. I work out the same, regardless of what time of the month it is.

Really? I usually just keep on truckin. I think some women (actually I personally know a few) use their periods as an excuse not to exercise. Sure I'm cranky and a little bloated, but I work out hard anyway. Sometimes I work out extra hard if I'm pissed off about something. It's better to take out my PMS aggression on the treadmill or weight machines than on my fiance or someone. I used to have a heavier flow and get bad cramps, but working out has actually helped a lot. I've run a couple of 5Ks and a half marathon while on my period and it didn't change my performance at all.

Ditto - I'm 38 weeks pregnant and certainly don't have the energy to work out - I have some rough hip pain and other assorted lady part pains. But, I won't let myself use it as an excuse because I know no matter how badly I feel before the gym, I'll feel a million times better afterwards. I always promise myself "just 10 minutes" and only once have I actually stopped after 10 minutes and gone home.

I have some days where it just feels harder to work out and some days when it feels easier. These aren't associated with my cycles, tho. I think it's just reality...sometimes you're amped and sometimes you're pooped. Good on ya for hitting it anyways!!!!! It usually does make you feel better!