How does your period affect your training?

[superqt4u2nv]

Yeah this month my side effects not so bad last month I could barely make it through my workouts!

 

[Pamela]

It depends on month to month.

I have a lot of energy most of the time.
But after it's over I get a little more fatigue.

 

[Brenna8b]

For me depends month to month....This month, yesterday actually I was wiped out completely!!! Took the day off all together

 

[Sassy69]

Depends month to month. Sometimes nasty cramping, sometimes, just another day at the gym. I usually get really wild mood swings a day or two before - these are definitely the best times for me to hit the gym to help deal w/the moodiness. Something about good physical exertion that will kick up the phermones & get you back in a non-bitch-on-wheels state of mind

 

[MandieG]

I can barely get out of bed. I usually take the 4 days off, I know it's not good, but with being so light headed I don't want to pass out at the gym..

 

[senorita_lifts_alot]

Thats how i am too...really heavy periods....im weak as hell on those dreadful days...

 

[gingernuts]

i try and convince myself that the extra water retention which starts about 7 days away from menstruation has the same effect as creatine does - increasing water around the muscle cells. Don't know if it has that effect but it makes me try to lift heavier.

 

[senorita_lifts_alot]

i think the only thing i cant really do is legs on those days....and wouldn't cha now it! it usually starts on the day im gonna do legs! doh!!

 

[WalkingBeast]

I too can relate.....

 

[FigureSkater]

I think my years of competitive sports and not having the option of skipping/decreasing workouts during those few days each month (because coaches, especially male ones, don't give a crap) have made me not really notice it's effects on my workout. However, the bloating sucks and the breast soreness/swelling (especially when running!! ouch!!!) is horrible.

While we're on this topic, any advice on the pill? I'm on Orthotricyclen-Lo, which I recently went on after being off the pill for a while. Even with the lower estrogen level, any thoughts on whether this will cause weight gain/retention? (On the other hand...I guess I'd have to choose making losing body fat more of a pain over having kids any day...)

And has anyone on the pill ever skipped the placebos and started a new pack right away (after the "real pills" are done) to skip periods? Does doing so make you feel any different (or would your estrogen level cause you to gain/hang on to fat and water weight)? I've heard it's ok to do a few times here and there, and also that it's not good to do at all. Just curious.