Strange questions that much touch on the side of TMI, but here we go...So to all the Ladies out there who workout - Do you work out while on your period? If so. do you work out throughout the entire "visit" or do you take a day off on the 1st day or last day? How long are your periods, and do you have some sort of workout regime that you will do while on your period vs. off?
Here's a little background info on me: I am 37 with 6 children (7 if you count the hubby ;-) ), and fulltime job; I usually get my period for appr. 7-10 days give or day 1-2 days (yes I know...and my cycle is religious in timing to day the least!). I tend to workout heaviest the week before my period, especially the day before; then once my "visit" has arrived, I will usually take a break until I'm on my final day. Sometimes I have a down day (where I don't have my period for that day) and will workout on the day, but otherwise no. Then I am back to my regular workout once my period is gone.
I'm just really looking to see what other Ladies have experienced, and what works for them...Any help/advice/insight is greatly appreciated!
~Ogoddess~
Thank you Ladies for all your insight!!! It is Appreciated!!
I truly just wanted to know what others go through with their periods...My periods have been like this for over 20 years, and I am so use to it now. My doctors and I are aware of my situation - I ovulate from both sides every month (usually women only ovulate from 1 egg every month and it tends to alternate from side to side) which is why I have long periods (my cycle consists of 2 heavy days 1 medium 1 non-period day then 2 heavy 2 medium and 1 light day).
My work out schedule is usually 3-4 days during the week of alternating cardio, weights, abs and walking. I don't always take a week off, however when I am at my heaviest I will not work out...way to uncomfortable and worrisome that I will have some type of "accident" during my workouts...and that is usally for just a day or 2 depending on what day of the week it is. I usually don't work out on the weekends as my schedule doesn't permit it, and as I said before my period is on a religious schedule, so when I'm on my heaviest days it usually coincides with the my weekends, which works out for me.
Thanks again for your response!
~Ogoddess~
I have never ever ever changed my schedule for anything at all ever because of my period. I thought that went away in the 1950s.
The only time my period ever kept me from exercise (or any other normal activity) was if it was unusually heavy and/or I had really bad cramps.
I never adjust my exercise schedule due to my period unless I have a major headache which is rare. I have been a runner and a tri athlete so you just have to train and perform when the training schedule or event is taking place. I now power walk, do ZUMBA,swim and bike. All of these are very manageable no matter the day of my cycle.
I find exercise helps with the cramps, irritability, moodiness, bloating,fatigue etc.
Yay you for having 6 kids!! I love,love,love big families. I'd say finding the time to work out while having 6 kids would be harder than working out due to my period. That is awesome that you are finding the time to take care of YOU :)
Sometimes I'd be active through it - if the cramps weren't too bad.
Once I followed a girlfriends advice and tried to work through the pain (went on a hike) - ugh! never again! - being that physically active when I was already hurting made me nauseous and I felt even worse than before.
Menopause has been great and I'm totally loving it that all that is behind me now!
I don't work out...mainly because my period does make me feel like cap and I couldn't imagine trying to move much while on it....doing the minimum I need to and curling up on bed....I asked my obgyn..and got a non answer..that if it was normal for me it was normal and not to worry
I workout 6 days/week, rain, shine, period, cold...whatever. I'll be 38 in June with 2 kids.
Doing the math...you take a full rest week every 3 weeks? There's no way I'd be able to maintain my fitness levels doing that.
I never changed any of my routines because of my period. I looked at it as a part of life and you keep going.
My 20yr old daughter does not change her routine when she is on her period unless it is one of those episodes that puts her in the bed for a couple of days which happens about once every 6 months or so.
Thankfully, I have not experienced any periods in about 12 years due to a complete hysterectomy that was the best gift I ever had!!
No, I don't. If anything, the workout releases hormones that aid in pain relief and mood. But if your routine works for you, what does it matter what others do? I've heard people say you shouldn't do yoga when you have your period, but I think those kinds of recommendations are absolutely ridiculous BS. If you want to work out, work out. If you want to take a day off, take it off. Everyone is different. Can't imagine what others' routines have to do with yours.
There are days when I have had to skip, because my flow was so heavy, nothing could contain it for more than 45 minutes.. And I mean NOTHING.. And 45 minutes is pushing it.
Otherwise I follow my own routine.
I do the same workout , regardless of my period( run, elliptical, and weights).I do drink more water that week. It helps with the cramping. That's it.
I've never worked out, but I didn't change my highly physical lifestyle unless I was cramping hard.
And since I usually got horny as a room full of moose, sex during my period was often on the agenda.
I do, every day. I usually have the heaviest flow on day 2 and 3, but I don't stop working out because of it. I do have pretty intense cramping, but working out can actually help with that for me.
I never paid that much attention to my period with regard to working out. Nor does anyone I know!
I am 55, post menopausal, and 7 kiddos.
I had periods from hell...but never did it keep me from a workout - period.
My 3 daughters have difficult menses. It does NOT deter them -period!
I did find out (when I was pregnant with my first child) that I had a cyst on one ovary. They removed that during the emergency c section though. Not sure if that contributed to my long and painful periods...and now that is a moot point since I am FREE!!
I suggest that any menstrual concerns that keep you from normal activities need to be addressed with your doctor.
Best!
i had heavy periods with severe cramping. i still worked out on those days just a simpler easier routine. when not heavy/cramping i did my normal routine (i also get migrains w/ my period so i would lighten the workout due to that too)
once on a bcp that fixed that i kept the same routine no matter what.
now that i am on lo-loestrin i get 2 days of spotting instead of a full on period, and the migrains are minimal so i do my regular routine. (i am 33 with 2 kids)
If I had really bad cramps and was feeling lousy, I might skip it, however I wouldn't skip my exercise just because I have my period. Then again, swimming is my consistent exercise, and I'm perfectly comfortable getting in the water regardless. If I did running or exercise machine a lot, I imagine it might bring on cramps or general feeling lousy during my period, so I might skip it then.
I noticed one post about yoga and not doing it during one's period. Actually, I have heard instructors tell us is that women should not do inversions (headstand, shoulder stand, any position where the pelvis is above the chest/head for a substantial time) during their period. I have never asked what would happen, however I imagine that inverting the uterus during menstruation would mess up the menstrual process. Any other yoga positions are fine, and I have done yoga lots of times during my period with no problems.
I'm 46, and except for my two pregnancies, have had a regular period since I was a young teen. Normal for me means it lasts anywhere from 5-9 days. While on the pill, it tends to be about 5, with a bit of spotting maybe on day 6 or sometimes day 7.
I have rarely, if ever, let it change my working out. I might have had to plan better (if I was going to swim, for example), but I've never had an issue with continuing my workout on whatever schedule I was doing already.
If I was working out routinely on M, W, F and Sat, then I'd continue that schedule during my period.
I really don't see any reason not to. Even when, as I've aged, I have begun to sometimes have headaches the first few days of it, I still do whatever I was planning. Often, (running, for example) the exercise helps the headache go away. At least for the duration of the exercise session.
I wouldn't swim on day 1 or 2.. but other than that .. I can do anything.. I certainly don't have to take 7-10 days off..
I'd be rather concerned over a period that lasts 10 days! Eff that business!
Mine usually lasts 5. 1 heavy day, 1 medium day, and 3 light days. I work out for all of it. Consider looking into a menstrual cup, like Lunette, Mooncup, Diva, or similar, and you might find woking out on your period to be much more enjoyable.
Luck!
I feel worse around my period, so I get where you might not feel like exercising - although you don't mention why you take the week break.
If you have an underlying condition, sometimes hormones can worsen it. I know some women get migraines and other symptoms around the start of their periods for example.
I have low hemoglobin and feel pretty exhausted during mine. I just take it easy. I still walk and do light reps.
Mine doesn't last quite that long - and I went on an IUD (not for contraception) so mine are not near as bad as they were.
I have friends who's periods are so heavy it totally impacts how they live during that week. If that's the case, there are options - just talk to your doctor.
Ive been skipping the second day of my period. It's too uncomfortable for me. My flow is so heavy....it just doesn't work. This is new for me. I'm 43, three kids, had my last two years ago. Until recently, it made no difference, but in the past few months, I've found myself stopping working out because I was so uncomfortable.
Wow, I don't know anybody that doesn't workout due to having their period! I truly wouldn't see a reason for it unless you have extremely heavy periods. If that is the case talk to your doctor because having your period shouldn't "tie" you down.
the only time i'd skip a workout was if the flow was bothersomely heavy or the cramps were bad. no way could i take a week off!
khairete
S.
I never made any adjustments during my periods unless I had a ton of cramping. There's no reason you can't do all your normal routines when you are menstruating unless you are in a lot of pain.
