One can never resolve the dilemma if it is bad to workout on your period or exercise during period could actually safe. Of course, hitting gym and burning calories is some the least of our worries in periods. The annoying dampened feeling, the irritation, the intolerance towards almost anything and everything, food craving and the worst of all that abdominal pain. All of it vanishes the sweet dreams of bikini body. The only thing one yearns is to lie down and watch her favorite movies and series. What we tend to look over is we eat out body weight instead of shedding it.
The thought of exercise during period seems horrible as if someone just pulled a gun on your head and asked you to be calm. Periods are painful and we usually shut down the thought of hitting the gym, owing to the thoughts that constantly fool us to believe that we will feel more pain and exhausted. Well, guess what? It’s quite obverse.
If you manage to exercise during period, you will feel productive and it will add a little feel-good factor to your self-loathing process. Curling on your bed makes you sad, however, the endorphin rush after exercising will ease your cramps, and improve your mood.
So, How To Make Your Period Workout Routine Easier? Here Are Some Tips That Can Help!
1. Think Of Taking A Pain Relief Medicine.
If that pain is killing your drive to get out of bed and hit the gym, you should take a paracetamol or any other painkiller 30 minutes before you exercise. It will help you feel calm and your stomach would not hurt much with period cramps.
2. Don’t Dress To Impress.
If you are a diva who can never step a foot inside gym without tight leggings and sports bra combo, then you might need a reality check. You are afraid that you might get a stain, hence you are refraining from exercise. If you really want to continue exercise during period then get in your comfortable wear such as longer t-shirts or loose pajamas. You can also add layers in bottom wear. Also, do change tampon/pad before you go.
3. First Day Of Period? Go For High-Intensity Workout.
The first of period makes your body more prone to store carbs and fat due to the rapid drop in estrogen and progesterone. Make sure you are hitting a vigorous exercise routine on the first day. Go for boxing or CrossFit. You will feel amazing.
4. Hydrate All You Can!
You may not like gulping water down your throat on period but that is the best thing you can do. Less water will cause drowsiness and nausea. You need to drink more water on periods so that you can detoxify your body and keep it’s functioning normally. Just keep a low intake of salt and caffeine.
5. Stretch And Stretch More.
You can join yoga classes or stretch after a workout, the choice is yours. Those tense muscles will be relaxed and save you from cramps. That exercise during period may make you exhausted but stretching afterward will make it up. And if you are not ready for yoga or post-workout stretch, you can ask your partner to help you out in that.
All said to help you exercise during workout but remember it’s your body and you know it’s limitations. You can try all these tips but if you still don’t feel like going with it, just relax, 3-5 days won’t make an irreparable damage.
1 December 2017
Avni S. Singh