7 Tips for Staying Healthy During Your Period
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“That time of the month” is always coming at us women no matter what (well unless you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or postmenopausal). So how come it always shocks us when it arrives, we give into the hormones and gain weight? Is it inevitable that these days of the month are just going to suck?! I don’t think so and I have some great tips to help you to make “that” time of the month the BEST time of the month!
1. Hydrate excessively. I always feel so much better during that time when I’m drinking water! It also helps me beat my monthly spike in carb and sugar cravings and combat bloat. I try to drink 3 quarts (96 ounces) of water a day. I love this glass water bottle–it makes my water taste fresh and I can use essential oils in it! Hot herbal teas (peppermint is my favorite!) also feel very soothing to me if I’m dealing with cramps and they count towards your water intake too!
2. Eat nutritious foods. It’s crazy hard to eat healthy when your hormones are raging and you feel like crap, but it’s vital for your health that you continue eating great things like green leafy veggies, salmon, lean meats, dairy, and nuts that are filled with the extra calcium, iron, protein, essential fats  your body needs during this time.
3. Add an omega 3 pill to your daily vitamin.  In a double blind study (that’s the good kind!) essential fatty acids actually help lower incidences of PMS symptoms which is totally awesome! I’m still using my Omegaplex from Advocare for my fatty acid supplement. (This should be in addition to all the good fats you’re getting from fish, almonds, walnuts, avocados and other whole food sources!)
4. Continue workouts, but decrease intensity as needed. Being active sends you a rush of the “happy hormone” dopamine and increases your seratonin hormone which combats stress and anxiety. So if you are feeling frumpy, blue or bummed out and you just want to lay on the couch watching reruns of Friends, getting up and going for a run, lifting dumbbells in your living room, or taking spin class will make you happier and decrease your stress. If you’re not up for your regular high-intensity workout it’s okay to cut back to an easy yoga class or outdoor walk.
5. Be prepared. This may be a little dumb, but most of us know when “that time of the month” is coming and yet are still caught of guard when it actually arrives. So get prepared…..prep that healthy food, be sure your house is free of junk, throw an extra healthy meal in the freezer, and stock up on feminine products. It is literally the worst when you reach into the cupboard to grab a tampon only to discover you’re out! My favorite brand is Playtex Sport (yes, it was my favorite before this post!). No matter what workout I’m doing I love using Playtex Sport because I KNOW that things are under control–so I can rock my workout or just my crazy toddler-mom life in confidence.
NEW! Playtex® Sport® now available in Pads, Liners and Combo Packs at Walmart! Now Sport Level Protectionâ„¢ pads, liners and combo packs with Flexfitâ„¢ design to twist and turn with your body. Don’t let your period get in the way. PlayOn!
I recently went to Wal-Mart and stocked up on Playtex’s new two in one pack that contains both the sport tampons and pantiliners together. Genius! (I found them near the pharmacy in a special display area–not back with the regular feminie products, just FYI.) Don’t get caught unprepared, go out and stock up at Walmart!
6. Destress and take time for yourself. Use yoga, journaling or meditation to get the *ahem* crazies under control. I’m definitely more irritable and anxious around my time of the month so if I can get up a little earlier and spend some time reading my Bible, praying, and addressing my own “stuff” I’m better prepared for everything that inevitably comes up during the day. I love reading Jesus Calling every morning; it’s short and sweet, yet encouraging and convicting.
7. Don’t let this be an excuse. Life goes on no matter what time of the month it is and as my mother always told me growing up “You control your attitude, even during your period.” I have used the “I’m on my period so I’m definitely going to gain weight” as an excuse to derail my progress, but the past few months I have successfully LOST weight each time I’m on my monthly cycle. I don’t let it be my excuse for stuffing my face with chocolate and watching Pride & Prejudice instead of hustling at the gym!
So choose to make the best of your monthly cycle and use these tips so your healthy lifestyle and weight loss goals aren’t derailed every month because it was “that time of the month”! There’s no excuse for it not to be the best time of the month for you!
[tweetthis]Choose to make the best of your monthly cycle & use these tips so your healthy goals aren’t derailed! [/tweetthis]
I’m not a doctor and this advice is not meant to cure, treat or prevent any illness. If your PMS symptoms are severe and/or interfere with your work, relationships or daily life functions please consult with your physician.
How do you stay on track with working out and eating healthy during your period?Â
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Great tips. I just want to crawl into a hole and hide during “that time”- I force myself to stay active but it totally sucks!
Ugh! It does suck, but staying active helps me stay sane too!
Great tips! It’s hard to stay motivated during “that time,” but I make myself stay active by taking things down a notch. As long as I’m moving, I’m happy! 🙂
That’s a great approach! It doesn’t have to be as intense as normal, just do something!
This is the perfect day to be reading this. I need to put down the Twix!! Haha. Thanks for sharing!
Lol! MMMM Chocolate!! I definitely did not take my own advice and caved to the most scrumptious cheesecake brownie earlier this week. But not having that stuff in the house during that week or so is KEY for me. If it’s there I will eat. it. all.
Great tips! I find that workouts definitely help with moodiness and actually keep my flow from being too heavy. Is that TMI? OH well!!
Haha! I agree. The more I move and hydrate the better my cramps are too! And my husband is all for me working out my “crazies” at the gym. lol!
I always try to stay moving during my period. I find that continuing to exercise helps me to better cope with the effects.
Yes! It is so important to just do something.
This post is great and super inspiring! I ALWAYS use the excuse ‘oh im on my period’ as I scarf down an unhealthy and shocking amount of chocolate… I really need to be more accountable! “You control your attitude, even during your period” is a great way to remember it
Thanks Beverley! My mama is one smart cookie!
Sticking to my workout and drinking lots of water really helps me during that time. Nice post
Thanks Deborah! I’m just realizing how important water consumption is to making that time of the month go more smoothly!
I’m pregnant and haven’t missed having that time of the month one bit! BUT the hormonal rollercoaster of pregnancy does present similar challenges to the period hormone crazies. Spending time in God’s Word and prayer AND continuing to workout are key for me! And drinking a whole lot of water, too 🙂
Yeah, those pregnancy hormones are a special type of crazy-town! I needed LOTS of Jesus-time to combat them too. I did enjoy how much money I saved not buying feminine products!
Great tips! I’m perpetually not hydrated enough, so the first tip would be especially helpful for me! Amen on continuing to work out!
Me too! I’m not sure why it is so hard for me to remember to just have a drink! 😛
DONT GO TO SUSHI the week of your period, LOL!!!! No one needs the sodium to bloat even more 😉
Haha! That is totally true–staying away from high sodium foods is helpful.
These are all great tips and why is it that we are always caught off guard when the period arrives? These combo packs are a great way to stock up! #client
Running out is AWFUL!
Great tips! I hadn’t heard of adding in an omega-3 supplement, but I’ll def look into it 🙂
The research for adding that is really solid, so I’m definitely on board!
These are all such great tips! Especially the water drinking tip. Which I find excuses not to do during that time because it’s a pain, but you are right it helps with bloating and feeling miserable
Great tip to stay hydrated – I also love peppermint tea!
Great tips Katie! Definitely staying active can help you to feel great at this time of the month.
great tips! I try to drink plenty of water. I actually use those same mason jars and lids. I love them!
They are soo great! My husband got them for me for Christmas!
Great info Katie. Staying active is one I remind my daughter of often and she grumbles but she always agrees later.
Mama knows best! 😀
These are great tips! I will have to work on hydrating better and avoiding all the junk food that I crave during that time of the month! Good to know about the Omega 3 fatty acids too!
You control your attitude. So true!!!