Written by *Disclaimer* Sorry fellas, this post is strictly for females. I mean, you can read if you want but we’re going to be talking about menstruation. Your choice.
So what sparked the idea for this post was this old picture I found:
What? No swings??
Can I just point out I think it’s funny that whoever made this sign felt that it was necessary to tell young women that it was ok to bathe ? (????!!!!)
I wish I actually had a sign like this.
Alright, so you’re on your period. Should you train? Short answer: yes. I know you feel crappy, bloated, tired, crampy, headache-y and just blah. But what better way to defenestrate those feelings with some good ol’ KB swings? *NOTE* I know there are some women who suffer extreme PMS symptoms (my sympathies) but I think for the most part, working out can still be an option.
While I can’t find any studies that say training/working out during one’s period actually improves symptoms of our lovely monthly occurrence, I think it does. My theory is that all those endorphins help counteract the I’m-Pissed-Off-At-The-World-ins.
This is why we need to lift weights...
Anyway, this week I am currently menstruating and I thought this would be a good time to talk about training during our favorite time. What did my training look like?
This week was a deload week (I took my volume and weights down in order to let my body rest a bit from the current training cycle). I actually planned that, so there is one thing you can do. I was still able to train I just take it a bit easier during my week of menses. If you’re like me, it usually the first 2-3 days that I feel a bit drained and icky, so those days are lighter and then I can get back into the swing of things later on in the week.
Swings: I’m also convinced that swings cure everything including period-induced bloating and cramping. I felt really great after I swung for a bit.
Sled Pushes: Oooo it felt good to get my agression out by shoving a sled around. I was able to get a good cardiovascular challenge without too much stress to my joints and muscles. (I tend to be more achy during my period so I stay away from high impact stuff).
Pull ups/Push ups: like I wrote about on Wednesday, I still did my pull ups and push ups. Did they feel harder than usual? Yes, but I know it’s temporary and that I’ll feel better next week (and I won’t backtrack in my pull up progress for lack of doing pull ups).
The point of this post is to encourage all you women who, upon realizing you period has come yet again, that training through it will make you feel better. Don’t throw in the tampon just because you’re on your period; train and work out and you’ll feel better (and be stronger for it! I swear, if one more teenage boy tells me he’s too “tired” to train, I’m going to tell him try lifting when your life blood is draining from your body. THEN we’ll talk.)
Another reason to lift while on my period: safe release of aggression
this made me laugh.. thanks girl!