PERIOD WORKOUT; MYTH BUSTED!!!

Do your monthly hormonal shifts influence your workout?

It's a myth that exercising at, "that time of the month" is harmful for the body or as some say women are prone to injury during their periods.

Exercising during your periods is safe and acts as a natural painkiller. It releases endorphins in the body which reduces menstrual pain. It helps you to stabilise your hormonal levels. Although it's normal to feel irritable, have mood swings and food cravings, but your body knows what you can do and how much you can do.

So many women especially the ones most indulgent in sports, workout even during their periods (of course they can't choose their dates). Yes, you may feel a slight discomfort in the beginning but once you start exercising the pain fades.  However there are some women who are in excruciating pain and experience severe cramping accompanied by a heavy flow, whereas some women find the thought of exercising during their period discomforting as there are chances of soiling clothes (a tampon is best at this time or you could also look up other alternatives so that staining doesn't become an excuse for not working out) but a light workout isn't harmful unless your doctor doesn’t recommend it. If you're new to training take it easy the first couple of days.

You can include light exercising, perhaps a walk or less strenuous exercises at the gym such as stretches, or a high intensity workout if you’re feeling up to it due to the increased oestrogen level in the body, some yoga for example the camel pose or ustarasna (to relieve menstrual discomfort), Fish pose or matsyasana (to relieve fatigue, anxiety, menstrual pain, indigestion).

Add lots of fruits and vegetables such as bananas to boost your mood, whole grains to relieve cramps, yogurt to reduce muscle tension, leafy vegetables such as spinach which is a good iron source to replenish the lost blood; in fruits, avoid sugary fruit and carbonated drinks to beat bloat weight, you could make a strawberry smoothie or any smoothie of your choice to enjoy your day.

Sensitive women must listen to their body and do what's best for them, something that will put them at ease during their menstrual cycle. If you find exercise too strenuous take the week off and try a more gentle routine.

#healthy #healthyhabits #stayactive #women #zedgefitness