Girls Only but if you want to answer that's fine too
crosslife15
Posts: 8 Member
Um...so I haven't worked out in...i think 2 days because my thighs were hurting badly. And I was going to work out tonight, but my menstrual cycle started. So how do you still work out when the menstrual cycle starts with all the cramping and stuff?
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Depends, sometimes I re-arrange my work out days if it's super bad, go for a walk instead of the gym for example. I usually skip ab work completely when I have cramps.
I'm pretty lucky though, my cramps are manageable with normal pain meds.0 -
Am probably wrong person to answer this as I neither get periods nor work out - but if the cramps and such are a regular thing then maybe build that into your routine - ie give yourself a few days off per month and just do light activity like walking on those days. ( or none)
From a weight loss point of view no different to people giving themselves a few days off per month for other reasons - work schedules etc
And of course adjust calories in accordingly.7 -
I just do. It usually makes me feel a bit better and if not, then at least I was distracted for a while.9
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I find working out helps my cramps. Or maybe working out just makes me so uncomfortable I don't even notice my cramps anymore? I definitely find that getting really sweaty at the gym helps me un-bloat my retained water.7
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It really depends. Mild cramps I just take something for the pain. However I also can get cramps that are bad enough for me to faint and hormonal migraines when not on BC in which case workouts are the last thing on my mind.2
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I swim because it keeps me reasonably cool (I overheat easy when I'm on) and low impact on those bits which are not in the mood.2
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I get weak the first couple days of my period, so I take a break from my usual workout to prevent injury. Just walking and gentle yoga for me.3
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I continue my same workout routine. If cramps are especially bad, I may take ibuprofen or something for it. If I'm not feeling 100%, I may also do a lighter intensity. But I don't skip a workout because of my period.1
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I usually just take off the first two days if it's a week day. TMI here, but I use a menstrual cup, which is GREAT, except when I already have limited time in the morning before work and I have to take several minutes to deal with that business before I can even get dressed, and sometimes there's a mess if I've slept longer than 6 hours, etc. I only cramp the first maybe 6 hours so that's not really an issue I face with regard to workouts. I just plan to take those two days off every month. If I really want to work out, I will, I just go by how I feel.0
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Exercise usually helps with my cramps so I try to force myself to at least walk.1
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My wife usually skips the first day or two of her period becuase of the cramps. However she is at a pretty beginner stage with her workouts. Like most things, as you go further along in your workouts, you may be able to push through on certain days that you wouldn't have been able to in the beginning. But ultimately, it's okay to take days off if you are not feeling up to it. A couple of days off will not throw you off your progress. So listen to your body if it's telling you not to go a certain day.5
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My wife usually skips the first day or two of her period becuase of the cramps. However she is at a pretty beginner stage with her workouts. Like most things, as you go further along in your workouts, you may be able to push through on certain days that you wouldn't have been able to in the beginning. But ultimately, it's okay to take days off if you are not feeling up to it. A couple of days off will not throw you off your progress. So listen to your body if it's telling you not to go a certain day.
I think it is good to learn about the issues of the opposite sex, haha. Helps with sympathy and knowing when to help and when to back off.7 -
Exercise has always helped with the cramps. It's tough to get started, but once I do I feel better and continue to feel better for the rest of the day.1
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If they are mild cramps, I take ibuprofen and push through. In general I find that cramps can inhibit my weight lifting but I'm ok doing cardio. If they are the cramps that have me doubled over moaning in pain and sweating, exercise is the last thing I could care about.0
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Cramps aren't much of an issue for me. I would take ibuprofen and exercise, which are included in the suggestions from the Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menstrual-cramps/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20374944
I do, however, have very heavy bleeding and between the blood loss and being woken up a few times at night I just take it easy on my two heavy days and until I feel that I have bounced back.1 -
I am thankful I don't have this issue any more, but when I did, I took it easy for a couple of days, not only because I felt like crap but because I didn't want to deal with over-flow issues while out and unable to deal with it.1
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i crawl up with a blanket and warm fluids and pain killers and sit on the couch for a day or 2 eating at maintenance0
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I usually have very light periods with minimal cramping ever since I got an IUD. If it were more uncomfortable than usual I'd take a Midol and still continue doing my work outs.0
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crosslife15 wrote: »Um...so I haven't worked out in...i think 2 days because my thighs were hurting badly. And I was going to work out tonight, but my menstrual cycle started. So how do you still work out when the menstrual cycle starts with all the cramping and stuff?
I'm on my cycle as I type this. I have EXTREMELY heavy periods. I work out 4x/week period or not. I just change the focus. They say movement helps with cramps. I don't have cramps per se, I just feel gross and don't like moving when I'm on my cycle.
I just change my focus for the workout that week. Like I definitely won't do squats, I just do more upper body exercises and then walking/stair master. And I run to the bathroom like a million times which is beyond annoying.1 -
I work out as usual with my period. If I have cramps that are really bothersome, I take ibuprofen. Working out usually helps my cramps.
There is research to suggest the hormone profile during the first week of your cycle (when you are on your period) is optimal for lifting heavy, so I never miss the chance to train during that week.
I use a menstrual cup, flow is never a problem. I did have some leaking issues but finding a better fitting cup solved that.
I used to have really bad cramps, like in bed with a heating blanket unable to function. Then I had kids. Something about it seemed to really help, I've had nothing but mild cramps since.1 -
I find that once I get moving, I feel better.... there's days it's just rough being a girl. Advil & plenty of water generally get me thru it. I don't modify my daily routine.0
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I work out with my period. If it's in full Texas Chainsaw Massacre mode I will just do a brisk walk instead of lift, and I definitely don't do leg days on the heaviest days, i'll stick to upper body.
I don't get cramps anymore and found that working out helped in that aspect - as in - I USED to have cramps, but the longer I have worked out the less the cramps got. Occasionally I might get a bit uncomfortable in the lower back, but that's about it.
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crosslife15 wrote: »Um...so I haven't worked out in...i think 2 days because my thighs were hurting badly. And I was going to work out tonight, but my menstrual cycle started. So how do you still work out when the menstrual cycle starts with all the cramping and stuff?
The first day of my period is when I feel dizzy, I find that being active actually helps the cramps but because I feel so dizzy I just can’t. I don’t stress about it. After the first day I’m ok.0 -
I'd skip the workout for a day or two. I always found exercise made cramps and other symptoms much worse and sometimes I'd end up fainting. Also, I was always so hot with such sticky skin the first day of my period, the thought of adding sweat to that was just horrifying.0
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When I did get periods, I think the only time I didn't workout was when the cramps were bad enough that I also couldn't go to school. Working out consisted of rock climbing 3 or 4 days a week, so 8 plus hours of exercise a week. I certainly didn't enjoy it, but I, enjoyed nothing relating to doing anything (existing included) while having my period. Needless to say, you have my sympathy.0
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Dear posters,
Although the OP chose the word "girls" in the thread title, please try to stay on topic with the question at hand and not get hung up on one word.
As best I can tell, OP chose the title to hint to the guys that the thread might contain TMI they didn't want to read, not to cause a stir.
Thanks for your cooperation! :flowerforyou:
Sugar
MFP Moderator1 -
I find that when my cramps are bad, it's very difficult to get to the gym to lift, get outside in my running clothes, or get up to the barn to ride. But once I begin my activity, the cramps disappear. I think it's partly ignoring the pain to focus on something else and partly using my core muscles to loosen the cramping. So it depends on what works for you, but I always make myself do my regularly scheduled workout. It always helps me.0
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I can workout through cramps no problem! It is the flow that might stop me. I have just had surgery to hopefully reduce that and make me more “normal” and then I am hoping my gym schedule won’t get derailed for a week out of every month. Running and heavy cardio was usually a no go just due to fatigue and whatnot; but lifting is really no problem through cramps and if I happen to have a low flow day. Start small and maybe you will find you get a decent workout in anyway.0
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I don't, but I don't do a stop week with my pill for about 3 strips. Thus no problems in general.0
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