Working out when on the rag (obviously, TMI)

[Anonymous]

My boss just announced he will pay for a gym membership for anyone who wants it. As a fattie, I want it. I need to lose about 85 pounds (I weigh 235 and am 5'4").

A friend was telling me yesterday that the key to going to the gym is getting into a routine and sticking to it. I see his point, but wonder, for those of you who are heavy bleeders and bleed like a stuck pig, do you just take a few days off from the gym during your period and then get right back to it? Working out does NOT make me feel better, and quite frankly, will make me bleed a lot more. So I'd rather just skip it for the 3 or 4 heaviest flow days.

Can you talk to me about this?

[Anonymous]

I feel terrible when i gave my period. so bloated, so tired, so gross, but I still try to go. I at least walk for 20 minutes. I'm like you, I don't feel any better, but it's still good for me to go.

[Anonymous]

Stick a tampon up there and stick on a pad too. You do not have to do a heavy work out, but not sure why you would opt out of it. You are not working out with your vagina. Unless you are in pain while on your period, major cramps, back aches, headache, etc just go and use the bathroom often. Working out actually helps with the cramps.

[Anonymous]

Pp here. The week before I start my period I feel amazing. So, maybe try to schedule harder workouts and then have the 3-4 days when you feel terrible be recovery days.

You really should get a membership and not let the few days a month detract from losing the weight.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the pp who said to pad up and get in there, even for a light, 20 minute work-out. A trainer once advised me that the habit of going to the gym is more important than what you do there. He said that even if all I did was go and sit in the sauna, it would still be better than not going at all.

OP, it's a really good idea for you to get a couple of sessions with a trainer. S/he will help you develop a work-out plan that is realistic. That includes scheduling light days when you already know it's going to be hard. I highly recommend it.

FWIW - my girlfriend was also over 200 at 5'4". She just hit goal weight this month! (Hooray!) She's lost 90 lbs and is currently training for a triathlon. It took about three years for her to get that fit, but she lost fat immediately. I lost 60 lbs 15 years ago and until very recently when we started TTC and I went through a series of miscarriages, I kept it off. I have about 20lbs to lose now but it can be done. We can both do this!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree with the pp who said to pad up and get in there, even for a light, 20 minute work-out. A trainer once advised me that the habit of going to the gym is more important than what you do there. He said that even if all I did was go and sit in the sauna, it would still be better than not going at all.

OP, it's a really good idea for you to get a couple of sessions with a trainer. S/he will help you develop a work-out plan that is realistic. That includes scheduling light days when you already know it's going to be hard. I highly recommend it.

FWIW - my girlfriend was also over 200 at 5'4". She just hit goal weight this month! (Hooray!) She's lost 90 lbs and is currently training for a triathlon. It took about three years for her to get that fit, but she lost fat immediately. I lost 60 lbs 15 years ago and until very recently when we started TTC and I went through a series of miscarriages, I kept it off. I have about 20lbs to lose now but it can be done. We can both do this!

OP here. Thank you. I understand your point about making and keeping the habit of going to the gym, even if I don't work out. Luckily for my body, I walk a mile to and from work each day so get cardio that way, but what you said really makes sense and I will plan to go gym it up even on the rag. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

How do you know it will make you bleed more? I have had 4 kids, you don't want to know what my periods are like. I still workout though because if I don't I will slide back. If your boss is paying for the gym then maybe you could pay for a trainer once a week.

I don't bleed more when I workout -- I do advanced boot camp which would make you cry. I doubt you will be at that level for a while so just go with it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How do you know it will make you bleed more? I have had 4 kids, you don't want to know what my periods are like. I still workout though because if I don't I will slide back. If your boss is paying for the gym then maybe you could pay for a trainer once a week.

I don't bleed more when I workout -- I do advanced boot camp which would make you cry. I doubt you will be at that level for a while so just go with it.

This is 12:46. My doc explained this from my miscarriages. Something about your capillaries being more open when you are shedding your uterine lining and the increased blow flow to the area as a result of increased heart rate can make you bleed more. At least, I think that's how it went. I definitely notice this same issue too. But, at least for me it can be managed with a combination of feminine products. I know some people have other issues that make them bleed more (e.g., fibroids). In any case, it's real.

Good luck OP!!!!

[Anonymous]

My periods actually got lighter after I'd been working out regularly for a couple of months. I've got a paraguard so I usually have a couple of hellish heavy days too.

[Anonymous]

Double up on products, wear black pants, and just ride the bike and watch TV for 20 minutes.

[Anonymous]

It sounds to me as if you are just making up excuses before you start. Just go and stop all your made up worrying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It sounds to me as if you are just making up excuses before you start. Just go and stop all your made up worrying.

I agree. I remember doing the same thing when I started going to the gym. And I found excuse after excuse, and now sit here on my fat tuches, hearing myself in your comments. (Except for calling it OTR...I hate that crude phrase.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It sounds to me as if you are just making up excuses before you start. Just go and stop all your made up worrying.

OP here. I understand why you might think that or see it that way. While this will be my first time being a gym member, it won't be my first time signing up for something. I did a thing where you pay $90 for 90 days of yoga, and each month when my period came around I'd stop going, and then it'd take me a week to get up the gumption to walk back in. I also lived in an apartment complex in my 20's that had a gym and also did it then. So I know where my pitfalls are and asked to try to avoid them. The poster who explained about being in the habit of just going even if it's only to use the sauna made a lot of sense, and that's now my plan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It sounds to me as if you are just making up excuses before you start. Just go and stop all your made up worrying.

OP here. I understand why you might think that or see it that way. While this will be my first time being a gym member, it won't be my first time signing up for something. I did a thing where you pay $90 for 90 days of yoga, and each month when my period came around I'd stop going, and then it'd take me a week to get up the gumption to walk back in. I also lived in an apartment complex in my 20's that had a gym and also did it then. So I know where my pitfalls are and asked to try to avoid them. The poster who explained about being in the habit of just going even if it's only to use the sauna made a lot of sense, and that's now my plan.

Then don't stop going. But that isn't your problem now. Your problem now is that you are all talk and excuses and no action. Go.

[Anonymous]

19:29 again. To actually answer your question, I have very heavy periods with horrible, debilitating cramps. I will occasionally skip one day, but never two. If in pain, I don't push myself. My goal is to survive whatever call I can make it to. Pushing is for other times. But, of course I go. It keeps me in the routine, doesnt hurt me any, and it makes me feel proud of myself. This is also why I weigh 120. Go now and keep going and stop thinking about why you might not go some day. If you find yourself having not been for a day or two, don't stop to ask questions, just get your ass back at it and take care of yourself.