For Girls Only (FGO) :)!!!!!!!!!!!

ok. what gets you motivated to exercise during TTOM?

i never want to run during this time and it drives me crazy! i want to but i dont if you know what i mean.

I am not even kidding when I say I put a Twinkie about a yard in front of my stationary bike.

Edit to add: I don't even like Twinkies.  I blame what little PMS I do get on that craving.

thanks good idea......however, i have no chocolate in my house to bribe myself with.

Making myself exercise on the first day of my period is always the hardest...however, after the first day it's easier to make me do it because exercising actually does relieve some of my cramping. So, me, personally, I tell myself that I KNOW I'm going to feel better once I'm done. :-)

Honestly I dont! I know shame on me LOL But I dont like the feeling of thinking (TMI) "Ok is that sweat or blood." Im sorry im no help LOL

i know....today is my second day but i still don't feel like it. hopefully it will be better tomorrow.

Hahaha, I imagine putting something else in front of you, like a picture of lunch, would be dandy, too.

If I'm generally feeling sluggish and not wanting to make exercise a habit, I have a great boy lurking around to make sure I spend at least half an hour on the bike and half an hour doing other things.  But when he's not home to motivate me I at least sit on the bike.  Then I convince myself that since I'm already on it, I might as well peddle for a little bit.  And a little bit turns into my half hour or full hour.

You've really got to force yourself to start.  And exercise does help with cramping from what I'm told.  It'll also feel pretty nice to soak in the tub or take a looooong hot shower after you're done.

Maybe start off with walking.  Once you walk for a while, maybe you'll want to run.  If not, hey, at least you walked.

thanks so so so much!!!!!!!!! I guess i just have to fight it and go ahead and run!

I find that if I work out especially on the eliptical or if I ride my bike alot during TTOM it ends sooner than if I am lazy like I want to be.  I don't know if everyone is the same but it is motivation enough for me!

Exercising releases endorphins which help with pain - such as cramping and headaches. So, if you work out and are active, your body will feel better later, such as natural painkillers. Plus, it helps relieve some of the water weight. 

I know I'm the kind of person who has a lot of trouble with self motivation so I joined a gym with great classes.  I know this isn't for everyone but for me it really gets me going knowing that I have a fun class like zumba to look forward to or kick boxing.  And during the class I'll adjust how active I am so at least I'm doing something active but maybe not leaping around as I would usually.... and of course the endorphines at the end make it all worth it :) So I would suggest that either join a class or try the excercise videos you like best for this time.  Just a thought, and enjoy!

It never ceases to amaze me how someone will ask a question right at the time I need to see everyone's answers.  Yesterday I did let the cramps and crumminess keep me from excersising.  It was also a Monday from Hell at work, so I had very little motivation by the end of the day.  I did okay calorie wise and lost 2.4 lbs of the water weight I gained over a PMS & vacation combo.  Today I will do better.

Although, I do have a hard time figuring out when to work out sometimes...  Tonight I have to go grocery shopping after work, can I count that ? LOL!!! (I actually do because I have myself listed as sedentary, which I'm probably not anymore.)

I convince myself that I'm only going to exercise for like 10mins, and then I will give myself permission to stop if i want too...it really works as it gets me to the gym and on the ski machine, and i've never wanted to stop after just 10mins...

This topic has been posted so many times but I have the same problem. The first day is 50/50 because sometimes my cramps are overwhelming and sometimes they are not. I was going to take BC to stop my periods but I haven't started yet because I'm afraid of gaining weight. But I would love to just workout for 4 weeks continuously instead of having to stop for a freakin period. Day 2 is usually too heavy and painful and day 3 can be the same and day 4 for that matter. I tend to clot a lot, maybe that's tmi but hell we are talking about periods and that's part of it. Day 5 is the day that I can get back into the gym but by then I will have lost 3-4 days of calorie burning and I hate that!!! Damn these periods to hell!!

Original Post by j-fizz:

I convince myself that I'm only going to exercise for like 10mins, and then I will give myself permission to stop if i want too...it really works as it gets me to the gym and on the ski machine, and i've never wanted to stop after just 10mins...

I do this too!  It's hard, because I'll start convincing myself, "oh, it's not worth it to drive to the gym and change for just 10 minutes..."  But, if I push through that, then give myself permission to do much lower intensity for 10 minutes tops, I usually get going and feel great and don't want to stop.  (Don't feel bad if you do, though!  There have been several occasions for me where after 10 minutes I wanted to go home, so I did -- and at least I walked for 10 minutes!)

I never feel like excercising when I'm on my period.  I have always had a major problems with cramps that make me want to curl up and die.  However, I have found that when I excercise on my period, even if it is just walking the track, my body feels better and I feel better emotionally too.

Basically, you just have to force yourself because you know it makes you feel better in the long run once you do it.

thanks so much you guys! i guess i just need to overcome my cramps and sluggishness and go exercise even though it is hard. thanks for all of the great tips and advice. the 10 minute thing is a great idea! mainly, i just have to have the will power. :)

Something else I do is just take it in five minute intervals--today, for example, I really did NOT want to work out, so I got on the treadmill and made myself jog for ten minutes...then said 'I might as well go to fifteen, it's only five more'...then to twenty...I ended up jogging for thirty-five minutes, plus a four minute cooldown. If I keep telling myself 'just five minutes more!' it helps me get through it. :-)

Question: I think it fits this topic...I have been training pretty hard the last few months and stopped having my period. This is my 3rd month without it. I have cut my body fat percentage from about 26% to about 18% which is still healthy and i feel great so its nothing drastic. (Im 5'5" and 125...this week maybe closer to 130) The wierd part is that although i stopped having my period, i am still getting my pre period munchies and it has caused me to want to eat everything in the house that i would not normally touch. Has anybody else had that happen? Why cant all the bad side effects just go away too! =)

Just remind yourself that if you get on that machine for at least 15 minutes, you wont feel fat even if you feel bloated because you know you exercised.  Also working out helps with cramps for me. I usually don't run during that time but instead use the elliptical (I use that mostly anyway) because it's a pain free ride. Your legs won't hurt afterwards and after working out, you feel more energized and not so moody. Just push yourself to make it to the gym... and take it from there.

Ever since I went on the pill i've had the same energy and motivation for exercise all month round - certainly not the solution for everyone but I'm amazed at how different I feel and I've not had the slightest period pain, cramp or felt bloated at all!