Warning: Menstrual Talk Ahead (Seriously, Guys, You've Been Warned)

I was doubled over in pain with debilitating menstrual cramps, but I dragged myself to the gym anyway. Does exercise really help period pain, or is that just wishful thinking from the internet?

Listen to the episode here…

I Could Barely Stand Up That Morning

Holy crap, you guys. I was in so much pain.

I’m talking about menstrual cramps. The debilitating kind. The kind where I literally could not stand up that morning. The kind where staying under the covers and hiding from the world sounded like the only reasonable option.

But here’s the thing. I’d been reading on the internet that working out is actually really good for menstrual cramps. Something about blood circulation and science and all that.

So even though I was running late because I could barely move, I got myself together. I got in the car. And I headed to the gym to test this theory myself.

I Recorded This in Two Parts

This episode was a little different. I did something I don’t normally do.

I recorded it in real time, in two parts. Part one was me in my car, on my way to the gym, feeling absolutely terrible. Part two was me after the gym on my way home, reporting back on whether this whole “exercise helps cramps” thing was actually true or just internet nonsense.

I was only going to make it to the second half of Zumba and hopefully all of the low impact cardio and toning class. And I gave myself permission to use lighter weights that day because I was feeling pretty weak.

Would my instructor yell at me for this choice? Maybe. But in that moment, I didn’t care.

Why I Still Went

Here’s what’s wild to me. I used to use every single excuse I could think of to avoid going to the gym.

Too tired. Too busy. Too uncomfortable. Too everything.

But now that fitness has become such an addiction for me, such a love and a passion, even on a day like that I still went. On a day when I normally would have given myself permission to just stay under the covers and hide from the world, I purposefully headed to the gym anyway.

Was I going to be late? Yes. Was I only going to make it to part of my class? Also yes. But at least I was still going. At least I was still going to get a little bit of a workout.

That’s my main goal anyway. Move my body more. I’ve said that a bajillion times on this podcast.

This Had Helped Me Before

The truth is, I did know that the last time I had menstrual cramps and went to the gym anyway, it actually did help.

It hurt a lot while I was there. The joke that day was that I was acting like a disabled person because I was really struggling to do everything. And I figured that might be the case again that morning.

But if it was going to help me, it would be worth it. Even though it was uncomfortable. Even though it hurt in that moment.

So I hoped this real talk situation of telling you what I was going through and why I was running late would be helpful for you. I hoped it would inspire you to consider that even if things in your life are not feeling very comfortable, that you consider moving anyway.

Okay, So Here’s What Happened

I normally don’t do a before and after episode. But it felt fitting that day.

Earlier when I was recording, I was on my way to the gym and not feeling very great. Not feeling good at all. But I really wanted to get there because I was hoping it would make me feel better.

And guess what? It did.

I completed the second half of Zumba. I did the low impact cardio and toning. I used a little bit lighter weights, though I tried to still switch it up and use heavier weights in between.

I was glad I went.

Let Me Be Honest With You

Was I completely cured? No. Absolutely not.

I’m not going to sit here and tell you that exercise magically fixed everything. It still hurt. But I did feel like it was the right decision to go.

I even considered going again that night because I felt like more movement was what my body was really needing. Even though it hurt and I was uncomfortable.

It was just one of those things where I guess the internet was right. I did feel better. Not great. But better.

Here’s What I Read About Exercise and Cramps

One of the things I’d been reading said that the best thing you can do is yoga. And if you can handle it, to do cardio as well.

Basically, cardio and yoga help your blood circulation. They help your blood flow better. And that can alleviate some of the pain.

Now, I know there are some very lucky women out there who never get menstrual cramps. God bless you all. But for those of us who do, and especially those of us who get debilitating ones, I encourage you to try movement of some kind.

My Message to You If You’re Struggling

If you’re having your time of the month and feeling the same issues I was feeling, I hope this inspires you to move your body anyway if you can.

Grab your heating pads. Sure. Take your ibuprofen and all that good stuff. But also try to move your body.

Even if things in your life are not feeling very comfortable, consider moving anyway. Find some way that you can keep going. Find some way that you can move onwards and upwards.