Do you work out on your period?

1235

Replies

  • KANGOOJUMPS
    KANGOOJUMPS Posts: 6,474 Member
    well duh?
    huh?
    yeah,
    duh?
    huh?
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    I do continue to workout but I might do something less strenuous on those days if I'm feeling worn out. If pushed, I will get very whiney - thankfully my gym buddy knows this and puts up with it quite well. :bigsmile:
  • footiechick82
    footiechick82 Posts: 1,203 Member
    absolutely - it helps me with the cramping and makes me feel more 'cleansed'
  • Penfoldsplace
    Penfoldsplace Posts: 159
    no. the entire world ceases to exist when I have my period.

    I know your comment was sarcastic, but some of the women on this thread seem to be dead serious about this sentiment. It's completely bizarre to me. I have never met someone like that in real life.

    Some people have different experiences to you. For those who have it tough, why push your body and potentially make yourself worse when a couple of easier days will help?
  • MissKitty9
    MissKitty9 Posts: 224 Member
    Not on day #1--- I'm usually too crampy & fatigued. By day 2 or 3, I can pop an ibuprofen & be okay, but the first day totally wipes me out.
  • FizikallyFit
    FizikallyFit Posts: 180 Member
    I work out! Take a midol about 20 minutes before hand, do some stretches for that area and hit it!

    For running I read short intense burst are better then long runs during your monthly.

    I actually ran one day with cramps and they went away about 5 minutes into it. So for me it was a double +
  • salgalruns
    salgalruns Posts: 83 Member
    Yes, I do, but I am usually dragging. Always feel better afterwards. I get super bad cramps on one of the days and the stretching that comes with working out actually seems to help.
  • SoDamnHungry
    SoDamnHungry Posts: 6,998 Member
    If I feel like a sluggish piece of crampy crap, I skip working out. If I feel ok, I go ahead and work out. See how you feel rather than just deciding you'll skip working out simply because you're menstruating.
  • InForBacon
    InForBacon Posts: 1,508 Member
    No, I'm afraid my uterus will fall out.
  • SailorKnightWing
    SailorKnightWing Posts: 875 Member
    no. the entire world ceases to exist when I have my period.

    I know your comment was sarcastic, but some of the women on this thread seem to be dead serious about this sentiment. It's completely bizarre to me. I have never met someone like that in real life.
    My doctor put me on Rx pain killers just so I can get to sleep when I'm on my period. When I was in school I had to miss two days a month because getting out of bed hurt so much I would vomit. I've undergone all kinds of tests and there's nothing apparently wrong with me, I just have one of the heaviest periods my gyno has ever seen.

    There. Now you've met someone.
  • annie7hudds
    annie7hudds Posts: 199 Member
    If you have a standard, regular, normal menstrual cycle there is no medical reason to stop working out.

    Yoga instructors may recommend you not do 1 or 2 poses, but otherwise, there's no medical reason why not.

    If you feel like crap, take a day off, or take a pain reliever and power through.

    I find my cramps are better after a good run.

    This ^
  • BL_Coleman
    BL_Coleman Posts: 324 Member
    Instead of going for the gym for an hour I go for a walk. I get about 3 miles in, not the greatest workout but something...and since i'm out in the sunshine it generally makes me feel better emotionally...This is for the first few days after that back to normal..but if i'm randomingly hurting I dont stress myself...
  • BadKittie05
    BadKittie05 Posts: 157 Member
    I just went through my first one since starting my journey on MFP and I found that pushing through it ended up making it lighter and I wasn't as "PMS-y" with my husband because I had enough endorphins raging through my body to make up for the "go to hell" mood LOL!
  • BlueBombers
    BlueBombers Posts: 4,064 Member
    Yes I do, I just pop a few Tylenol ahead of time so I'm not dying.
  • Aviendha_RJ
    Aviendha_RJ Posts: 600 Member
    Yes, yes I do. I've run a 10k on my period. Ten minutes slower than usual... but I've run it.

    I have endometriosis (sorry if that's TMI) and it's actually right BEFORE my cycle that kills me. When it starts... it's kind of like... coming down from enormous discomfort. It still hurts but it feels... "better"?

    I like to run because it helps with the cramping. Sure... I'll end up sitting on the conveyor in the middle of the treadmill holding my water bottle behind my neck sometimes because of the dizziness... but that's just what you have to go through sometimes if you love running. I just make sure that those are days that I use a treadmill instead of run outside. I don't want to be stranded in the middle of no where with no energy and dizzy spells. That would suck.
  • acruelscholar
    acruelscholar Posts: 17
    Of course. I think it would be ridiculous not to. Those of you who say your cramps are so painful that you literally cannot do physical activity, go to the doctor! That's not normal.

    If I had a week I couldn't begin to tell you all the things that are wrong with that statement.
    Edited to add: Those of you who are saying, "But in ye olden times, women could not do anything during their periods," that was because of *sexism*, not biology.

    Actually it wasn't sexism at all. What the other posters are talking about, assuming they actually mean that women weren't ALLOWED to do things, mostly occurred in extremely religious cultures. They would often be excluded from household activities as they were considered, spiritually speaking, unclean.

    But that was only SOME religious cultures. For example, some Hindu cultures considered a woman's menstruation was something worthy of celebration. Girls were given presents and thrown parties when they began menstruation.

    So it wasn't sexism at all. It was religious exclusion based on biological factors and it was accepted as a way of life.

    Might be an idea to do some research before you throw out arguments like that in future.

    Are you seriously telling me that *religions cannot be sexist*? That's...hilarious! Perhaps *you* should do some research. One of the primary purposes of religion (no, not all of them, but certainly the major ones) is to keep women subordinate to men.

    Don't put words in my mouth. I said that it wasn't sexism for it's own sake as we understand sexism today. It was religious exclusion. There is a difference.

    What I was saying and the point the other posters were making, was that due to centuries and centuries of tradition based on religious fervor women were not ALLOWED to do these things. It wasn't right and it wasn't fair and by today's standards it WAS sexist, but BACK THEN it was the way things were. BACK THEN it wasn't sexist because they had no concept of sexism. It was just the way life was.
  • fbmandy55
    fbmandy55 Posts: 5,263 Member
    For the record, working out can actually help relieve cramps. It's good to work out while on your period.
  • fbmandy55
    fbmandy55 Posts: 5,263 Member
    no. the entire world ceases to exist when I have my period.

    I know your comment was sarcastic, but some of the women on this thread seem to be dead serious about this sentiment. It's completely bizarre to me. I have never met someone like that in real life.
    My doctor put me on Rx pain killers just so I can get to sleep when I'm on my period. When I was in school I had to miss two days a month because getting out of bed hurt so much I would vomit. I've undergone all kinds of tests and there's nothing apparently wrong with me, I just have one of the heaviest periods my gyno has ever seen.

    There. Now you've met someone.

    Did your doctor recommend medication or a procedure like a D&C to ease this?
  • JingleMuffin
    JingleMuffin Posts: 543 Member
    I dont take any medicine for it but I do work out the first few days for sure when I feel the worst.
    it makes the pain go away - makes me feel better too. so its a good deal ;)
  • Aviendha_RJ
    Aviendha_RJ Posts: 600 Member
    Edited to add: Those of you who are saying, "But in ye olden times, women could not do anything during their periods," that was because of *sexism*, not biology.

    Actually it wasn't sexism at all. What the other posters are talking about, assuming they actually mean that women weren't ALLOWED to do things, mostly occurred in extremely religious cultures. They would often be excluded from household activities as they were considered, spiritually speaking, unclean.

    But that was only SOME religious cultures. For example, some Hindu cultures considered a woman's menstruation was something worthy of celebration. Girls were given presents and thrown parties when they began menstruation.

    So it wasn't sexism at all. It was religious exclusion based on biological factors and it was accepted as a way of life.

    Might be an idea to do some research before you throw out arguments like that in future.

    I'm part Native American. One of our most sacred ceremonies is the Strawberry Ceremony. If a girl/woman is on her period, she can sit in the circle, but cannot have a strawberry, as she is in the midst of what is considered another sacred ritual: that of creation.

    Am I embarrassed to sit in that circle and pass up a strawberry? No. Because the elders will smile and wink at me, and the women will give me hugs when the ceremony ends. It's purely cultural.
  • amyoliver85
    amyoliver85 Posts: 353 Member
    Although it can be uncomfortable, research shows that if you work out while on your period it does two things: (a) relieves the symptoms of the menstrual cycle and PMS, and (2) burns up to 25% more calories, although it's difficult to account for those calories because your HRM won't tell you that. I enjoy working out all the time, when I'm actually doing it.

    I would like to point out for the posters having the argument about religion that this is neither the time nor the place for that type of discussion. Especially since trying to convince someone that their opinion on religion is wrong or a misunderstanding will only serve to strengthen their resolve. This is a place to talk about whether or not individual women workout on their periods or not, and whether it is helpful to them in their resolve to lose weight.

    For some women, this is simply not possible. Some women have menorrhagia. Other get extreme cramping or severe headaches during their menstrual cycles. Other women become feverish or extremely tired. If you are experiencing these symptoms, cut down your exercise or do something more simple, like taking a walk. For women who become extremely fatigued or have menorrhagia, a visit to the gynecologist or general practitioner is in order, as these women may be experiencing cycle-related anemia.

    However, in general, if you are healthy and do not experience severe symptoms, at least a 20 minute walk will probably help.
  • IouliaN
    IouliaN Posts: 16
    I do exercise during my period and don't really change much in my routine, except avoid too much ab work and inversions in yoga. That said my regular routing is not super strenious. I exercise every day but only for ~45 minutes a day, alternating jogging and vinyasa yoga.
  • torie079
    torie079 Posts: 179 Member
    Its good to do light work outs when you are on your period.
  • acruelscholar
    acruelscholar Posts: 17
    I would like to point out for the posters having the argument about religion that this is neither the time nor the place for that type of discussion. Especially since trying to convince someone that their opinion on religion is wrong or a misunderstanding will only serve to strengthen their resolve. This is a place to talk about whether or not individual women workout on their periods or not, and whether it is helpful to them in their resolve to lose weight.

    Personally I think discussing how different cultures, historical and present day, address the issue of menstruation as it relates to whether or not a woman can be/is active during their period is relevant.

    The argument over religion and sexism however, is not, I agree. I'll cut it out for my part.
  • WeepingAngel81
    WeepingAngel81 Posts: 2,232 Member
    no. the entire world ceases to exist when I have my period.

    I know your comment was sarcastic, but some of the women on this thread seem to be dead serious about this sentiment. It's completely bizarre to me. I have never met someone like that in real life.

    Some people have different experiences to you. For those who have it tough, why push your body and potentially make yourself worse when a couple of easier days will help?

    ^ This! I am really surprised at the bashing women do to each other. I shouldn't be, but I am. I have been on both sides of the period fence as mentioned in my first response to this thread. I would have never known what an ablation was because I thought it was just normal to have such a heavy period. I only found out by accident when I had a cancer scare (which ended up not being cancer thank goodness!) and ended up having an ovary removed. This wasn't something was was discussed in my house growing up. My mom wasn't afraid to talk periods with my sisters and I but she never made a big deal out of the fact that mine was heavy. I also heard that your period symptoms can change after child birth, so again, I thought it was normal. I think it's easier to understand when you've been there.
    This was a legit question in reference to what different women do. If you work out, GREAT! If not, that's fine too. The best part of being a woman is that we are all different from the next. If you have never had a period that isn't awful, then you are so lucky but it doesn't give you the right to make those that do have horrible periods feel even worse because they need a few days to rest.
  • runnermama81
    runnermama81 Posts: 388 Member
    I have actually run some if my best times while on it. Maybe I am weird?
  • SharonCMach
    SharonCMach Posts: 305 Member
    Yes I still workout. I take a Midol if I need it.
  • shannashannabobana
    shannashannabobana Posts: 625 Member
    I have actually run some if my best times while on it. Maybe I am weird?
    I read somewhere that there are certain days you might have increased endurance.
  • snshnkty11
    snshnkty11 Posts: 12
    the 1st day or two no b/c i usually have bad cramps & feel blah. nothing wrong with working out during your period, doesn't affect anything. it just depends on how you feel. if you're popping pain pills & have a heating pad on, then skip it that day :)
  • jcnew27
    jcnew27 Posts: 12 Member
    yeah definitely, why wouldn't I? Haha, it actually makes me feel better. Plus my father's an OB/GYN... he says it decreases cramping and it's true!

Categories