I don’t know about you but I hate that we women have to spend a ~week bleeding! sorry I’m blunt. I find I never want to workout on the 1st or 2nd day of my period. Since having Logan the flow is HEAVY for the first 3 days and then basically gone the last 3. I say basically because it’s not gone. That’d be too easy, wouldn’t it mother nature - wouldn’t it!
I hate cramps. <—- does anyone else’s insides feel like they’re about to have a baby?! because I could’ve sworn I wasn’t pregnant. Oh ya, that’s right…..I’m being cursed every month I’m at a reproductive age 
I hate that men will never understand our hormones or our pain.
Well here it is guys!
Ali Mc’s tips for dealing with a girl on her “.”
- everything we do is normal so stop thinking we’re crazy! it’s completely normal to smile, yell, cry and laugh all in the span of 2 mins when you’re experiencing the time of the month….so roll with it.
- when we ask you to go to the store for pads, tampons, panty liners and the like – don’t ask questions. Just GO! and you can ask the pharmacist the questions when you get there.
- don’t ever forget what kind of brand of menstrual products we use. That’s right! it’s the age of technology – get your smart phones out, raid the cabinet under the bathroom sink and start writing it out. I’m talking pain killers, tampons, everything!
- if we are a mother (to children and/or animals) it is implied that our job caring for them has ended once you arrive home and that you are to take over.
- if I want you to cuddle me but then I yell and cry and tell you to leave me alone. Leave, but make sure you return in a few minutes when my mind changes back to wanting you there AND you have chocolate <— preferably dark. Maybe ice cream too.
- Finally – never judge us during this time. We know you THINK you can relate, that you’ve had worse pain, that you believe cramps to be the same as getting kicked in the balls. Well, I’m here to tell you that’s all lies. You will never know pain like us – so smile, love us and bring chocolate.
Thanks guys 
you’re the best!
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Speedwork? ya I was loving the idea of hills. Parts of me wishing I was running them, the other more logical side saying “are you serious girl? you know you’re hemorrhaging right!?” I know lots of you hardcores must workout throughout your whole menstrual cycle but for me – I usually have a day or two in there where that just ain’t happening.
Last night was one of those days. I just couldn’t do it.
So needless to say I missed my run. Part of me was beating myself up for not going while the other part was being too positive and cheerful for my own likely. I opted for self-pity and had a hot shower and watched more Olympics while eating granola and covered in a blanket.
I feel much better today and hope to get the massive list of things that is my life done by 4pm today! wish me luck
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Questions:
1. do you get bad menstrual cramps??
They used to be way worse. So much so that I had to be on prescription drugs to counter them. However now simple advil or IBu profen works…..as long as you medicate in the small window of opportunity otherwise it’s game over.
2. is your significant other understanding??
Mine is great at 90% of things but compassion is not one of them. I think it’s because I’m so demanding and needy that he’s just given up. I keep telling him we’re married and therefore getting chocolate and tampons is a husbanly duty
3. what is the food you most crave on your period??
dark chocolate hands down!
4. who’s running today???
I’m not. I’m cycling and doing the latest ZWOW I’m excited. I’ll be running on Sunday for sure and hopefully get some hills in maybe tonight or tomorrow.
When I was volunteering for the Iron Man a few years back, most of the triathletes said they felt *better* and more fit if they had to race during their ‘week’. The biggest downer for me is usually the bloating & temporary weight gain – I’m so sensitive about my weight anyway that it just adds to the moodiness. J is understanding BUT he usually just stays away haha
This is crazy talk to me! They do say being athletic is supposed to help with this kind of thing but for me it hasn’t at all
Jenn I think you look great at your current weight! seem very proportionate to me
I can’t relate to this post at all. I never get cramps and my flow is super light. I don’t notice a difference in my life at all. My husband may differ but that’s his opinion! LOL
Rest day for me today. I’m going to ait and watch Olympics all day long. Woohoo!
That’s awesome Sam! although maybe it’s because you have super high millage?? I’ll get there if I could just stay injury free.
Enjoy your rest day
I’m afraid to say anything at all. I’ll just leave the dark chocolate near you, and go hide in another room.
Once had I to go out and get my wife a particular kind of chicken fingers and sauce from KFC. I nearly threw up in there, since I’d worked in one in high school, and that smell is a recurring nightmare. I’d sooner get “feminine products” any day. The store is clean, the products are wrapped in plastic. There is no smell. The staff will take pity on me and help out, because I look so married. All round not a bad experience at all.
hahaha I love it Keith! now if only there was a way to teleport chocolate…I’d have a bar right here
and ya, KFC is not one of the things I crave….to be honest my fast food cravings are leaving me
I feel great!!! and Colin is embarrassed I think…he didn’t want to get anything for me ;P
What gets me are the cramps and bloating, I seriously want to die with those combinations. The worst. I feel ya pain.
I hear you! who wants cramps and bloating?? …FYI no one!
Perfect timing on this post
My Dad is hands down, the most understanding person I know when it comes to girly problems! He is a retired GYN Oncologist (and just loves the ladies haha) so that’s probably why. When I was a kid, it was common to talk about our periods (I’m one of 4 daughters) which I hated-but now, I can ALWAYS call him when I’m PMSing and he’s the best at listening and empathizing!
That sounds like one awesome girl dad you have! Must be quite a different story for other all girl children dads who have no clue
I’ll just call your dad next time ;P
Ohh my gosh story of my life! Haha, heres a picture I think you’ll like: http://www.google.de/imgres?um=1&hl=de&sa=N&biw=1508&bih=985&tbm=isch&tbnid=VoWY-oWyLptkVM:&imgrefurl=http://9gag.com/gag/1907590&docid=fxigpbAFbYkDMM&imgurl=http://d24w6bsrhbeh9d.cloudfront.net/photo/1907590_700b.jpg&w=500&h=386&ei=f-gbUPmpEM3Aswac8YCQAg&zoom=1
the link didn’t work
booooo
Try http://d24w6bsrhbeh9d.cloudfront.net/photo/1907590_700b.jpg
So funny, yet so true:( I do get cramps, but the lack of energy is the worst part for me. No my husband is not understanding. He thinks I should just stay hopped up on Midol the whole time and be a happy camper. I crave everything bad for me and I am going to force myself to run today no matter what!
I wish men could have a period for one day….then they’d shut up
It’s really the hormones that make us emotional and unhappy. I hope you love your run. I’m forcing myself to clean the house and finish my workouts too! we got this!
This may be TMI – but Peter tends to get more excited for me when I have my period and it DRIVES ME EFFING BONKERS!! I always cringe and say I wish guys bleed through their little holes once a month to know the agony.
Women are more prone to injury when they are on the rag – so it is better to eb careful than sorry!
Don’t hate me cuz I”m crampless. I got that instead of 6-pack abs I think. I am so with you on the PMS dark chocolate.
No run today. I’m feeling a tinge of a cold and am saving up for this weekend’s 20 miler…oh and evil of all evil MIL is in town….talk about cramps…
I don’t get cramps but my boobs hurt so much. I tell my husband not to even look at them
My periods have changed after each of my pregnancies. They were much lighter after I had my oldest and got a bit heavier after my youngest. I was also blessed with insane hormonal acne after my youngest was born. That time of the month = looking like a teenager and I’m really self-conscious about it. Being pregnant means hormone city so my face has been a mess for months. Not cool. I am lucky in that I don’t usually crave anything or get moody or anything like that. And, my husband is very understand so that’s a plus.
No running for me yet. I’m planning on trying running in a couple of weeks. If the weather holds out, I’ll probably take the kids for a walk later to burn some of their overabundance of energy.
Karly!!!!!!!!! I was just thinking about you today. I saw “running trek” pop up as I was making my facebook link ups. I hope you are feeling ok it must be crazy being pregnant and having kids to run around after. I love having one kid
I don’t know that I’d ever have more except that Logan and Colin want more ;P
that sucks about your skin but if it makes you feel better I look like a teenager everyday. People are always shocked I’ll be 30 this year and I always think it must be b/c my pimples make me look like I’m 13….b/c my facial expression lines and wrinkles sure don’t
lol
Now that I have my acid reflux under control with meds (thank you, Purple Pill!) and, as long as I eat something every 2 hours (seriously), I usually feel well enough to function. It sucks having to perform my “mom duties” when I’m feeling particularly tired and/or sick but it’s all part of the package.
I would guess people think I’m younger than I am; which is both annoying and kind of a compliment, I guess. I think my face has aged a bit since I had my kids but I wonder if I still look like a teenage mother to some people. lol
Running on your period makes everything away – cramps, bloating and even the flow will end sooner. Seriously – try it.
I ran 6.5k today and will do 29k tomorrow and then on to the taper for Midsummer Night’s Dream!
Woot!
hahaha this post couldnt have come at a better time considering i just started mine yesterday
I have terrible cramps and the first two days i’m so sluggish and dont feel like doing anything…I always work out but maybe slightly modified. case in point, i woke up this morning and even though i usually do spinning on fridays, no freakin way i wanted to be on a bike hardcore for an hour so just did other cardio..and i have 16 miles to run tomorrow so thats great…haha. ahhh, but kevin is pretty understanding..I’m mostly hormonal the week before my cycle..during I mostly want to curl up in a ball and die, thats all 
You crack me up! This is a great post and gave me the laugh I *really* needed. I hate to sound so irresponsible, but I have always jumped for joy when I started my period, and embraced those horrible cramps with relief that I wasn’t actually having (or going to have) a baby. I’m actually just finishing up mine and have been craving NOTHING but water. I’ve been going through more sh!t and it’s clear my body does not like food when I’m a wreck.
I might go running later, but no promises. I’m actually hoping to go SUP with my cousin somewhere:)
<3
Love the pics with the captions. I think the one of your hubby is great, then the one with the whole blogging world will know I didn’t run. Yep…totally relate-able. Even my period is “cray”. One month my cramps are bad the next are non-existent. “Usually” the week or two before my period I lose all motivation for life. It lasts a few days and then I’m back to semi-normal. I’m not on Birth control either. So many factors so little patience to figure it out.
Mine used to be bad when I was younger, but after having my girls and going off the pill and lifting heavy the cramps are basically gone for the most part. I do have a weird cycle sometimes (I use the iP free app on my ipod for tracking purposes..just like the old calender method but easier nowadays) were is might be spotting for 3 days before, than maybe 3 days of flow than it’s a couple more days spotting. I hate when it’s like that because it goes on FOREVER. I am just glad the cramps are basically gone.
great post! and it couldn’t come at a more perfect time! LOL yesterday my period started and i was in cramps HELL!!! i used to have a prescription for pain killers as well (essentially a much stronger version of aleve) which i don’t have anymore… i finally had some relief yesterday after 2 aleve’s and 2 advils! ugh… and i’m so sluggish too and not wanting to do anything ugh…. trying to convince myself to go and work my horse tonight after work but it’s oh so hot out there!!!
You are so funny! I love the period tips. Thinking of printing them off for my husband. ESPECIALLY about the dark chocolate. Have you tried dark chocolate covered pomegranate? It’s like crack! I also hate to inform you that mother nature has shittier things in store. I’m 48 and although I’m busting with plenty of hormones, my periods are still regular – mother nature thinks it’s hilarious to keep a little something going all almost all month long. Panty liners were made for the premenstrual. Sorry. No one told me and I’m still bitter about that.
Running today? Maybe. I picked up last minute overtime last night and unless the temperature goes down a little then probably not. I want to though…new shoes!!!
Ooooh I remember those days. They SUCKED! I’m on continuous birth control now so I don’t have to deal with it anymore.
I highly recommend it!
My goodness your period sounds like it’s on steroids
Before my period just decided to be non existant, they would only last 3 days TOP. However, I did have the worst cramps the night before & I always got this one zit on my chin every month. It was so weird, haha. Love your tips! I don’t usually crave too much chocolate, just a lot of smoothies, and frozen yogurt. Which is hard to imagine because I eat them everydayyy!! I’m running 7 miles & doing the Men’s Health 5×25 @ home Circuit.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND
lol Ali you’re too funny! My period can be pretty brutal too and Ryan can def be understanding, but he hates anything involving it. If he has to touch a tampon box (like pick one up at the store) he freaks out. I’m like, “Ryan, it’s a box!” Have a good weekend, girly!
My periods are terrible. Heavy with lots of cramping- BUT the heavy flow/cramping only lasts for one day and the whole period is only 3 days.
My husband is pretty awesome about the whole thing. He has no problem buying feminine products and will get me whatever I am craving- which varies from salty to sweet… every 5 minutes.
My cramps are usually manageable, although this month it felt like my insides were turning inside out…
I’m a big convert to the Diva Cup. While I’m sure Rick would be understanding, having the Diva Cup means neither he nor I will never have to go buy any more products again! Most other female eco bloggers have blogged about it, I suppose I should do the same!
As I got older my cramps got worse and worse to the point where if I didn’t have ibuprofen every four hours for two days I’d be throwing up. And I’d been told that they’d improve after having children – whoever told me that was a LIAR! And then I found out I had fibroids (happens to about 50% of the female population over 40) and I went on the pill and I really don’t have periods at all. No pain, no moods, no bleeding, not weight gain. I love synthetic hormones!
Oh man I love these tips! I think I’m going to have to be sending them to my boy…haha Especially that leave me alone, but do come back shortly with treats deal!
Oh I would deal with the bleeding and pain if it wasn’t for the cosmic shift in my moods, I hate feeling like a crazy every month, they’ll never understand! It’s torture!!!
I always miss my workout day one of my period, I feel gross, disgusting and exhausted there is no way I’m going to move and jump around! ha