That time of the month...an excuse or legitimate?

Do you workout a lot?
I found that it's getting easier when you workout consistantly. I had crazy symptoms and painful cramps for the longest time. Since I started losing weight and seriously workout, I haven't.
I do feel weaker and sluggish around that time but nothing compared to what I went through years ago. I just see it as a challenge to work harder.

Any advice for not falling off the bandwagon for a week every month?

Exercise! That's my advice.

To address the rest of your post, I'm at an age where this beginning to be less of a problem, but I know exactly the feelings you mean, and no, I do not always exercise during TOM, and yes, sometimes I overeat during TOM.

BUT, I found that regular exercise lessens the symptoms. It lessens cramps somewhat and definitely improves mood, which keeps me from wanting to kill people, and sometimes lessens the chocolate cravings. And, on the occasions where I did eat an entire 10 pack of full size Reece's cups (or something similar) in 10 min, it made me feel a little less guilty.

I have no energy during my period. I usually feel horrible, have insanely bad cramps and want to do nothing but sleep and eat. (Although I don't eat anymore during my period! Now I just sleep...lol) It's not just an excuse for me, it's legit. I seriously get so sick during my period... It sucks

Yes, I exercise through it. But if I feel particularly bad, I'll do an "easier" exercise (one that doesn't make me quite as miserable), like a taking a long walk.

Ditto the above advice about the scale – pay it no mind!

Take Aleve/ibuprofen the day before your period starts...cramps wont come or be nearly as bad...it's about being proactive!

And wear your frumpiest workout clothes, preferably black

Getting up and moving usually helps any of my symptoms during my period. Like Rae said, mine lasts 4-7 days, I can't and don't want to take off that time... mostly because moving more means I get to eat more food. I usually have one extremely painful lower back cramp day where I pop ibuprofen like tic tacs and will try to move my squat/deadlift workouts around to avoid doing it on my crampy days.

Most women can track their periods so you should have a pretty good idea of when it's going to happen and if you feel your mood and appetite change, check the calendar and if you're period is almost there, adjust and plan accordingly.

I suck it up and deal with it..If you added that up in a year how many days you'd miss b/c of aunt flow.. Naw, not taking those days off..too many days for me! I find trying to distract myself from the cramping helps, once I get moving along. I have a high no excuses mentality though.

I am the same exact way! Its before my period thats worse than my actual period time lol.

My issue isn't while I'm bleeding- it's the 7-10 days beforehand. I get cranky, emotional, irritable and crave every salty and sweet thing in sight. The moment aunt flo gets here, I'm good. I know this, it's been this way since my teens, and what makes it more bearable is working out. I don't often get cramps, but when I do, exercising is what seems to help most, even more than a heating pad.

Exercise helps me with the cramps and uncontrollable b*tchiness, thus the need to commit serious bodily harm to others. I used to stay in my house because my temper was so bad. And I used to eat those 1lb bad of peanut butter flavored M&M's each day of my period but now I can control that as well. I will actually exercise more. Drinking more water helps with the cramps and bloating also.

Yes I exercise. It actually helps alleviate the cramps. Even if I just go for a long walk in the neighborhood it helps. I also notice that while I might want sugar and other things, it actually makes cramps and headaches worse. Best diet for me (not that I always follow it) is higher protein and veggies and fewer sugar/carbs.

Also, try telling yourself it isn't that bad and distract yourself by doing things. It is amazing how much worse a pain can get if you focus on it and tell yourself it is bad. I am not saying that you do not really hurt - I believe you do - but I know that for me if I give in to it the pains are worse than if I try to ignore it and do what I can.

Excuse. And this is coming from someone who used to get cramps so bad I'd literally pass out from the pain.

Exercise helps improve mood issues and a lot of the physical side effects of menstruation. If you're feeling down or uncomfortable exercise is probably actually what will help alleviate that--not the other way around.

I have severe endometriosis (confirmed with surgery), which as I'm sure you know causes extremely painful periods. Sometimes I get a cramp so bad that I literally "freeze" in place and cannot move it is so excruciating. TMI...it feels like my uterus is turning itself inside out. Can make for a really ackward moment if I'm at work or walking around walmart. I've mastered the "I'm just going to stop and look at this soooo interesting item on the shelf" move while trying not to groan. This has gotten somewhat better after my recent surgery, but it is just a matter of time before it is back to that level. The best advice for cramps is what my gychocologist/surgeon told me. Get ahead of the pain. Do not wait for the cramping to start or it is too late. I was told to start dosing myself with NSAIDS (Ibupropen, naproxen) two days before my period ideally or as soon as possible if you're irregular. Then continue on with the pain meds as needed.

As for exercising, I stick to walking during the worst days. I find that walking 45 minutes or as long as I can seems to help with the pain. I couldn't do heavy exercise as it would be too painful, but I find walking to be doable and beneficial. Now there have been a few days where it was impossible for me to even do that, so I just lower my calories that day to compensate. I cannot comment on food cravings, as I'm normally so nauseous from the pain. I actually tend to not want anything extra to eat on a bad day. I really hope this helps you, and I can totally understand.

I popped up some advil and exercised as soon as it worked.

Notice the past tense... My period has been way better since I lost weight.

Try minimal exercises. Instead of an intense cardio work out try like taking a walk around a park or track or (when the weather warms up) swimming. They're both feel very small but can make an impact either way on weight loss. That way you're still exercising for those matter of days and when those days are up; you can just go back to the gym or whatever!

As for food cravings; I've found it easier to just indulge yourself but not over do it. Like portion out everything. Last week I was talking myself out of Skittles for days and those days I was going over in calories so finally I just gave myself a 1/8 of a cup of skittles (not even a full serving) and I've been under my goal every day since.

You can try other things like if you're just craving something SWEET try something like (stated before) Nutella. But for those specific things; Just give yourself them in small amounts (or even the full amount) and count the calories. Odds are you aren't going to crave it the next day.

I've found that exercising actually helps relieve the symptoms.


A lot of women use it as an excuse. For a few women, it's legitimate (but they should really be seeking a doctor's help, if the pain is that bad. Srs. It's not 'normal' to be in that much pain.)