Girl Only Question

ashleydanib
ashleydanib Posts: 24 Member
edited November 21 in Fitness and Exercise
I was wondering what are some good exercises to do when you are on your period. I am currently on mine and want to exercise but I know I can't do the usual cardio exercises I usually do.

I should also say I have endometriosis so I have very painful and heavy periods. So I'm very limited in what I can do workout wise when I'm on my period.
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Replies

  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    You can do the same exercises during your period that you do the rest of the month. Some women find that they have a dip in strength at the beginning of their periods, or just beforehand, but that doesn't mean you can't exercise.
  • redperphexion
    redperphexion Posts: 193 Member
    edited July 2015
    I usually take it easy on my abs and lower back - so low-impact, no inversions in yoga, no tough jogs. (Usually yoga, biking, walking.) Otherwise - go for it, girl!
  • TheVirgoddess
    TheVirgoddess Posts: 4,535 Member
    It really depends on how you feel honestly. Most months I do what I always do. Some months are particularly bad, and I either take a break entirely or just yoga.
  • Ilovebaking13
    Ilovebaking13 Posts: 10 Member
    edited July 2015
    Currently on mine right now too. I feel I can usually do the same workouts just on a lighter scale. So instead of running 6 miles I'll walk at a very brisk pace for just as long or run at a lighter pace for a shorter amount of time. For strength training I do something similar like less weight or reps or even just a fewer exercises if I'm very crampy or tired.
    And stretching or yoga is always nice!
    But I will say definitely try to workout on your period, it always helps me with cramps and falling asleep when I'm uncomfortable at night.
  • jendiaz9732
    jendiaz9732 Posts: 285 Member
    I do my workouts as normal, it tends to ease my cramping pains :)
  • sistrsprkl
    sistrsprkl Posts: 1,010 Member
    Anything is fine but no yoga inversions as pp said. I don't stay away from high impact: running, HIIT, etc...
  • ashleydanib
    ashleydanib Posts: 24 Member
    I guess I should also say that I have endometriosis and have very painful and heavy periods, so I'm very limited in what I can do workout wise when I'm on my period.
  • litsy3
    litsy3 Posts: 783 Member
    I raced a half marathon while on my period last month!
  • _lyndseybrooke_
    _lyndseybrooke_ Posts: 2,561 Member
    I do exactly the same workouts on my period as I do off my period. Women have been getting their periods for a very, very long time. At this point we should just be able to go about our lives as normal during that week. This, of course, doesn't apply to people that have medical problems that make their periods really awful.

    Edit: Aaaaaand I just saw that you have endometriosis. That would've been helpful information from the beginning. In that case, how about a nice long walk? Or even a short walk. Or yoga. Do whatever you can. If that's nothing, so be it.
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    ashleydanib wrote: »
    I guess I should also say that I have endometriosis and have very painful and heavy periods, so I'm very limited in what I can do workout wise when I'm on my period.

    Well then you would know better than strangers would what you can/can't do. Your initial question is phrased in a way that implies that exercise must be limited/changed for women in general during menstruation.
  • sistrsprkl
    sistrsprkl Posts: 1,010 Member
    ashleydanib wrote: »
    I guess I should also say that I have endometriosis and have very painful and heavy periods, so I'm very limited in what I can do workout wise when I'm on my period.

    Well in that case, what does your doctor recommend?
  • demoiselle2014
    demoiselle2014 Posts: 474 Member
    edited July 2015
    ashleydanib wrote: »
    I was wondering what are some good exercises to do when you are on your period. I am currently on mine and want to exercise but I know I can't do the usual cardio exercises I usually do.

    I should also say I have endometriosis so I have very painful and heavy periods. So I'm very limited in what I can do workout wise when I'm on my period.

    I do exactly the same exercises as I would normally do. From what I've read, there really isn't too much to support the idea that you shouldn't do yoga inversions during one's period.
  • emzywemzy86
    emzywemzy86 Posts: 13 Member
    I have painful periods, I usually just do what I can manage tbh, even if I have a week break, sometimes I find the break has done me good and keeps me motivated
  • smotheredincheese
    smotheredincheese Posts: 559 Member
    Even if you have painful periods, surely exercising would help with the pain? Only you really know what you're capable of at that time of the month though.
  • sarahhlostt
    sarahhlostt Posts: 9 Member
    ashleydanib wrote: »
    I was wondering what are some good exercises to do when you are on your period. I am currently on mine and want to exercise but I know I can't do the usual cardio exercises I usually do.

    I should also say I have endometriosis so I have very painful and heavy periods. So I'm very limited in what I can do workout wise when I'm on my period.

    I haven't read the previous responses but I also have endometriosis. Luckily, it means I skip most periods but when they do come it's a whole lot of pain and not a lot of energy. I try to drink extra water and foods that will help with energy. I also don't go extreme on my cardio and try more weights for that week. I'm training for a race so instead of running 3 miles I may do a speed workout at the track for as long as I can handle it, or a walk/ run. No lie, that first or second day I sometimes don't have the strength or energy to workout so I use them as rest days and like I said, increase my water intake. I also ignore the scale those days. Haha. Good luck!!
  • sarahhlostt
    sarahhlostt Posts: 9 Member
    PS, some people do not understand the pain that comes with endemetrosis. It's nauseating for me and I'm usually getting sick with it. Those are the days that I just focus on staying hydrating and catching up on my workouts after. Good luck again!
  • MonkeyMel21
    MonkeyMel21 Posts: 2,396 Member
    I skip on the first, maybe also the second day, just because I prefer to sulk. And then I resume normally after that. Just nothing that involves inverting (like some yoga poses) as that has been linked to cervical cancer.
  • MonkeyMel21
    MonkeyMel21 Posts: 2,396 Member
    Also, the only reason I clicked when I saw "Girl's only" was to see if OP was getting bashed for sexism, lol. Touche op ;)
  • mbaker566
    mbaker566 Posts: 11,233 Member
    i just try to do what I normally do. sometimes it's fine and other times, I have to scale back.
    you might try a heat patch on your front side to ease the cramping and pain a bit. I've had to use it in the past
    linky

    I totally invert in my yoga during my period. from what I understand, there was concern about blood going back in and that being unclean and bad. it's fine and nothing to worry about imho.
  • jaga13
    jaga13 Posts: 1,149 Member
    I am able to continue with my normal routine, but I don't have endometriosis. I remember an old roommate had it, and she was in devastating pain, so I can only imagine how tough it is for you. I hope you are working on getting relief. I would say do what feels ok and listen to your body.
  • Organicgasm
    Organicgasm Posts: 592 Member
    Yoga. There are a lot of asanas that really help relieve cramps. And if you aren't in pain, I'd say do whatever you normally do.
  • kathyk519
    kathyk519 Posts: 197 Member
    I find that doing my regular routine works, and helps to make me stop bleeding as heavy faster than if I don't do anything at all.
  • leannems
    leannems Posts: 516 Member
    jendiaz9732 wrote: »
    I do my workouts as normal, it tends to ease my cramping pains :)

    This, although sometimes I'm not able to life quite as heavy.

    I'm not sure how it might be different for someone with endometriosis. That's a tough break, so maybe check with your doc?
  • mbaker566
    mbaker566 Posts: 11,233 Member
    edited July 2015
    i'll be honest, I have NEVER found exercise to help ease my cramps. never. because i am a special snowflake :wink: I just stay with some nsaids or whatever the dr has prescribed and keep going to the best of my ability
  • FitPhillygirl
    FitPhillygirl Posts: 7,124 Member
    I always take the first day off from heavy Exercise. If I have the energy I'll do a 5 mile moderate pace walk instead.
  • shrinkingletters
    shrinkingletters Posts: 1,008 Member
    edited July 2015
    Any of the exercises you'd normally do. Unless you're in severe pain, there's no need to complicate things with special menstration routines.

    Edit: I'm an ***hole and didn't read all the way through your post. I apologize, sorry you deal with so much pain. :\
  • Katzedernacht
    Katzedernacht Posts: 266 Member
    If it's the heaviest day, I won't do leg day cos honestly it's gross,with so much coming out, but I can train all the upper part :D
    Also dunno about cardio, I don't do much hehe
  • noclady1995
    noclady1995 Posts: 452 Member
    I usually have a couple of pretty heavy days, although I don't usually get bad cramps. So those heavy days I don't do any kind of cardio (hate it anyway), and yeah, it's harder to work on my legs. But I still train my upper body. And like someone else mentioned, I do notice a dip in my strength.
  • MillyFleurs
    MillyFleurs Posts: 57 Member
    My main problem during my period is fatigue and heavy cramps. I usually do HIIT for cardio and some strength training, but if it's a BAD day I'll go for a brisk, hour-long walk. Gets my heart going, I find the trail soothing, a good sweat relaxing, and I don't crap out because I'm feeling weak.
  • antennachick
    antennachick Posts: 464 Member
    Yoga and Pilates....could do active rest days likr walking, light cardio
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