A question for the girls

katiekeene86
katiekeene86 Posts: 12 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Right...so this may be TMI, but hell, I'm sure all you ladies have been there.

So I started my period today and I'm soooo crampy, not to mention...flowing heavily. I can't bring myself to do the hardcore workout I usually do because..well, I just think it's a bad idea on multiple levels.

What do you guys usually do when/if you have this problem? I know I should probably get some exercise but I'm feeling just awful. I'd appreciate some advice, or even just reassurance that a cheat day is ok (haha).

Thanks!
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Replies

  • kristinaw1967
    kristinaw1967 Posts: 36
    How about some easy-yoga/stretching? That would probably relief some of the cramps.
  • CaddieMay
    CaddieMay Posts: 356 Member
    Make yourself a cup of herbal tea, curl up in the fetal position, and rest.
  • leeanneowens
    leeanneowens Posts: 319 Member
    Get some rest.
  • tommygirl15
    tommygirl15 Posts: 1,012 Member
    Exercise actually helps relieve the cramping, believe it or not. I don't let TOM stop me from working out.. it will boost your mood as well. Even just getting out for a brisk walk helps. Give it a try!
  • mumof5
    mumof5 Posts: 328 Member
    LISTEN TO YOUR BODY!!!! R E S T!!



    is this normal for you? it might be helpful to watch your daily iron intake - you might need a top up :)
  • jenbit
    jenbit Posts: 4,252 Member
    I actually discovered that lifting and working heavy when I'm on girl time makes me feel better... It seems to ease some of the cramping and such
  • MorganLeighRN
    MorganLeighRN Posts: 411 Member
    Exercise actually helps relieve the cramping, believe it or not. I don't let TOM stop me from working out.. it will boost your mood as well. Even just getting out for a brisk walk helps. Give it a try!

    Same for me! Sometimes I do take Tylenol to ease the cramps then go for a run.
  • med2017
    med2017 Posts: 192 Member
    a great day for a rest, with a good excuse ;)
  • zillah73
    zillah73 Posts: 505 Member
    I will skip the heavy workout and do something easy – walk in the park maybe. I try to listen to my body.
  • neacail
    neacail Posts: 228 Member
    A gynecologist told me, years ago, that at the first show of blood I should start popping ibuprofen (according to the instructions on the bottle). He said that not only would it drastically alleviate the pain, but it would also reduce the flow.

    In my case, he was 100% correct. The reduction in flow is significant when I follow his instructions: take it immediately. It has helped me tremendously. When I follow his instructions, I can do any activity.

    In your case, for what you're enduring right now, I think that what is most appropriate is a day of rest. Curl up with a book, and exercise your brain instead. :smile:
  • quirkytizzy
    quirkytizzy Posts: 4,052 Member
    Make yourself a cup of herbal tea, curl up in the fetal position, and rest.

    This is my advice. I can barely walk on my period, let alone exercise.
  • randoswife
    randoswife Posts: 32 Member
    As long as I can stand upright, I'll walk. Not my normal fast pace, but a comfortable 3-3.5 mph. Once I get going I feel better. That lasts about an hour afterwards then I'm hurting again, but not as bad. And I feel better knowing I got some exercise in.

    I listen to my body, if it is ok with some mild exercise, I go for it...if not, I wait it out.
  • sian_1989
    sian_1989 Posts: 33 Member
    And me, since I've been exercising more regularly, my cramps aren't half as bad as they used to be!
  • Jewelforyou
    Jewelforyou Posts: 74
    I workout the same as I normally would. I have pretty bad cramps so I have to take something for pain relief either way, and once that starts to kick in there's no reason why I can't carry on as normal (except for maybe feeling a bit "blah" but the workout actually helps me with that).
  • kriskris92
    kriskris92 Posts: 190 Member
    Make yourself a cup of herbal tea, curl up in the fetal position, and rest.

    QFT. Listen to your body.
  • ShannonBrewer07
    ShannonBrewer07 Posts: 19
    I am close to the end of my period right now and I didn't allow myself any break time this week. It was also a light, low pain cycle this time around. Listen to your body, get a little rest in and relax. Watch what you eat and stay within your calories. If you feel like doing a few minutes of exercise, then do it.
  • Cre8veLifeR
    Cre8veLifeR Posts: 1,062 Member
    Exercise actually helps relieve the cramping, believe it or not. I don't let TOM stop me from working out.. it will boost your mood as well. Even just getting out for a brisk walk helps. Give it a try!

    True for me as well - plus it helps my....attitude. :)
  • tj1376
    tj1376 Posts: 1,402 Member
    If you absolutely cant stand the idea of not doing anything, then I would suggest stretching - you can do a half hour of stretching, working all different muscle groups, and it will still be beneficial.
  • RosalindSutch
    RosalindSutch Posts: 5
    just rest or go for a walk. your body gets stronger when you rest ....(assumes you are resting from having worked out at some point of course)
  • BoomstickChick
    BoomstickChick Posts: 428 Member
    I didn't work out when I felt that way.
  • MonicaT1972
    MonicaT1972 Posts: 512
    I do it anyhow...to me the workout you least want to do is the one you need the most. I always feel better and thank myself for it after!!!

    Be thankful you don't work with a male trainer like I do who watches your every move...now that really takes the old tom and icky feelings to a whole other level!!!
  • jacque1129
    jacque1129 Posts: 113 Member
    Exercise actually helps relieve the cramping, believe it or not. I don't let TOM stop me from working out.. it will boost your mood as well. Even just getting out for a brisk walk helps. Give it a try!

    this, definitely. if i'm too weak i won't work out but if it's just bad cramps i'll hop on the stationary bike and pedal for 15-20 minutes, it really helps with cramps. and all along i thought my gym teacher was lying to me when she told me exercise helps.
  • missymakayla
    missymakayla Posts: 309 Member
    I find that sometimes it helps w/ cramps to do light exercises , maybe stretching, or walking.
  • redvelvetlady
    redvelvetlady Posts: 3
    I would treat it the same as you would as a postpartum mother. Don't do too much until the bleeding ends. If you do want to do something walking is fairly low impact and even a 10 min. walk is better than nothing.It may help you feel like your doing at least something.
  • katiekeene86
    katiekeene86 Posts: 12 Member
    Thanks everyone for your responses! I'm gonna see how it goes today (it's still early, after all) and see how I'm feeling.

    Glad I could get some female perspective. I asked my go-to guy (keyword: guy) for exercise advice and he was like "Uh..I've never had a period. Do whatever you want." Thanks, buddy!
  • 70arly43
    70arly43 Posts: 1
    I like the reply of drinking some herbal tea and curling up in the fetal position. Or you could lie on your back and put your legs in the air one at a time and do some leg stretches. Hope you feel better soon. Grandma
  • aklisbaby
    aklisbaby Posts: 4 Member
    When I used to have periods I found that taking ibuprofen before the pain got bad really helped too. And then just played it by ear on what to do afterwards. Love ya sweetie :)
  • FlaxMilk
    FlaxMilk Posts: 3,452 Member
    I think it's ok to take a rest day. It can be really hard for people with a heavy flow to feel ok on the bad days. A couple of days out of the month won't hurt your progress. If you really want to do something, do something with limited torso and hip movement. (Seated bicep curls or other seated arm exercises.)
  • majope
    majope Posts: 1,325 Member
    I'll still exercise on heavy flow days because it makes me feel better, but have to make some adjustments. My most common exercise is running, and have learned the hard way (sadly, the tights weren't even black...) that running is not a good idea on those days. So I go to the gym and hit the recumbent--not upright, for reasons of position--exercise bike instead. Then I can wear a pad for backup (which is too uncomfortable for running), and am close to a bathroom if I need to go change things.
  • dandandee
    dandandee Posts: 301 Member
    Make yourself a cup of herbal tea, curl up in the fetal position, and rest.

    This is my advice. I can barely walk on my period, let alone exercise.

    I second this. Sure, exercise/stretching can help with the cramps and mood usually, but sometimes we're just too weak to get up and start. Some day I'll get up and exercise anyways, but on others (especially the day before and the first day) I have a date with my bed and a hot pad on my belly/back.

    Rest if that is what you need. later on, if you're feeling kinda better stretch out your abdomen and lower back. Workks wonders for me

    edited to add that tylenol, advil or mydol all help too!

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