Is the exercise worth crawling out of bed? Did you ever think of skipping the gym on when you hit the lower abdomen cramps? Working out on your period should be Nobel Prize-worthy, as with all the cramps and bleeding, mood swings, and typically an emotional mess. You know it the time of the month when crawling out of bed would be an achievement. But what you need to know is the menstruating women tend to feel more comfortable if they work out.
I know, doesn't sound so believable especially when you feel you are about to die. But let's enlighten your way of working out on your period.
Working out on your period means better control over PMS
If anyone ever asks to define PMS, it should be three things;
- Eat the food
- Get mad at people
- Cry about all the things
- The workout just to get a kick from it!
The first three are true however the working out part may take some time. So it’s time you learn some basic pointers. Exercising may be the last thing on your mind but the more active you are the better your periods are. It means less cramping, less heavy flow, and a good mood.
One thing to remember is during working out on your periods, your body can dehydrate easily, so keep drinking water and fluids. It will relieve any bloating too.
Say hello to endorphins
Just like once, Elle Wood, from Legally Blonde quoted, “exercise gives your endorphins and endorphins make you happy”. This is totally true by the way, working out does improves your foul mood.
Also, do not forget it improves your feelings and emotions. Exercising during periods releases mood-boosting endorphins which take off your mind from the pain and discomfort. It’s a common PMS symptom but hey, if chocolate can help prevent you from going over the edge of craziness, then so can sweating in the gym.
Consider it like this, endorphins are the natural pain reliever, so try workouts instead.
Try high-intensity interval training
Where to begin a workout on your period? Trainers indulge their clients in HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) because usually, estrogen and progesterone level drops during periods.
This brings the benefit of exercise for women; they can reach the carbs/glycogen that helps to lose fat during the exercise. If you are looking for smart goals for weight loss, this might be the answer to your weight gain.
Before you can hit high-intensity interval training, you need to start with a regular gym exercise routine. Add it as your fitness goal to maintain a healthy life. It’s time you make yourself proud of bringing change and fighting cramps.
Avoid yoga or strenuous exercises
What did you just say? We should avoid yoga??? That sounds absurd but truth be told, it's not. Most of you may not know this that exercising for a prolonged time can actually do more harm than good. Your body is already debating against the blood loss, pain, and hormonal changes and to put yourself through crucial exercise will suck any energy left. Not to forget the abdominal pains during periods are plain nasty.
You can still do yoga, but avoid any inversion-type poses (in which uterus is pulled towards the head) it can cause harm physiologically.
Some of you may also be prone to nausea during heavy flow, and if such a case is with you, then avoid exercising. Otherwise, it all adds more discomfort in your physical state and lower your blood pressure too. And you need to learn when to subscribe to the idea “no pain, no gain” for the right time.
Aerobic exercise is life-saving
Instead of going for strength training (a poor choice during your menstruation), choose aerobic exercises. Research has shown the more aerobic exercise you do the PMS symptoms go down. Because your body temperature is already lower, thanks to the bleeding, you need to focus on not passing out or dwell yourself in overly loaded exercises.
Fitness goals can be achieved during periods with a walk or jogging. Remember not to exhaust yourself, so you can do a few sprints and stretch (which will feel so good!) and enjoy a protein shake.
But will doing aerobic exercises lighten your flow? Sorry ladies, it won’t. If you think exercising your way is the solution to control your flow then you are not going on the right track. Hit regular exercise and a healthy diet during your periods, which will add to the weight loss momentum.
Focus on intimate hygiene during working out on your period
Personal hygiene has a vital role in your fitness too. Workout may increase this concern for some individuals. So when you get a taste of a routine that your love for the harbor just follows some basic rules.
- Choose the right feminine products to be comfortable during your workout. You can even choose a tampon if you are comfortable.
- Or you may opt for menstrual cups or discs, but if you haven’t tried any before, don’t go exploring.
- It is smart to carry extra feminine products with you to the gym and store in your locker (if provided) in case your periods start earlier than expected. It's common to have irregular periods when you start a workout routine.
After you are done sweating and burning calories it’s time to follow a cleanliness ritual too:
- Take a bath/shower using the wash products
- Change of undergarments is necessary. Best yet keep a different pair when working out on your period.
- Always use a fresh pad or tampon afterward.
- Of course, change your pair of clothing as well.
Bottom Line
You’ve got the power to make yourself comfortable during your periods. Stay on the right course of workouts plus healthy diets. There’s no scientific reasoning to not workout during your period. You can and you must stay in great shape mentally and physically. But if you are still in doubt due to some specific condition, then always ask your gyno about it.
