Finding Your Fitness During the Not-So Fun Time of the Month

Today’s post is sponsored by U by Kotex® FITNESS* and encourages you to find ways to stay fit during your period. As always, all thoughts and opinions remain my own!

That moment when you’re in a group setting, you feel like everyone is watching you (they’re not), and you need another tampon (whenever it’s least convenient). It’s always awkward. I know I’m not the only girl who has hidden them up jacket sleeves, in my sports bra, or even clinched one to my phone, hoping nobody stops me on my mission to be discreet.

Periods are funny. They’re taboo to talk about, yet normal enough that most of you reading this experience the wrath that comes along with the dreaded cycle a dozen times a year.

I’ve never been one to shy away from sharing my thoughts on subjects that might cause a blush rush to the cheeks, so if you’re not into discussing how to get past a case of the downs during your period, no worries. For everyone else, here goes!

I’ve learned a great deal about my body over the years. It’s been through a bundle of ups and downs, specifically on our last two-and-a-half-year journey of trying to grow our family.

More than anything, I’ve come to realize that our bodies can handle a lot. If you add up all of the days that include dealing with a period, it’s an average of what — five days a month, twelve months a year, for decades? That’s a lot.

Cycles have varied over the last few years for me, as my body is still trying to figure itself out. One thing that I can always count on, however, is a hot mess of emotions and cramps that come along with them. I’m usually all over the map with my feelings (and let’s be real, actions) and can’t predict what I will feel like or experience each time.

I go through waves of being completely fine to sad and mad at everything in the world. I feel relief. I feel anger. And most of all, I usually feel pretty crappy. But, life must go on and so do days, schedules, and everyday activities on our periods.

While everyone is different, here are a handful of ways that I stay active and, in turn, sane during that not-so fun time of the month!

• long power walks or easy jogs

If I’m not feeling life myself, a good mile or two around the park or neighborhood will usually get me out of a temporary funk. Fresh air never hurts anyone, and I know Roadie appreciates the extra time outdoors, too.

If I’m feeling extra adventurous, I’ll opt for my running shoes and throw on a motivational playlist. Who knows … you might even get a run out of it!

• yoga

I don’t practice nearly as often as I should. It’s great for stretching, strengthening the core, and the meditation that comes along with shavasana at the end of class is life. There are many different styles and levels of classes that range from simply stretching to an all out power hour in a heated room, and you never know what style fits your needs the best until you try ’em out.

Personally, I prefer a good slow vinyasa flow. It’s somewhere in the middle of unwinding and stretching for an hour that works on your focus and strength. If I’m feeling a bit crampy, slow and steady movement usually helps.

• at-home workouts

I’ve been an advocate for workouts I can do at home for years, and this is for multiple reasons. They’re cheap, they’re quick, and they can be really effective. I’ve shared plenty of them and even some of my favorite YouTube workouts that I go to on the regular.

The best part of working out at home when you’re not feeling one hundred percent like yourself is that you can stop or skip over the circuits that focus on your abs at any time. Even twenty minutes is better than nothing at all!

• barre classes

Barre is and will always be one of my favorite ways to move, burn, and tone. Maybe it’s the dancer in me, or maybe it’s the fact that I love a good low-impact sweat that shows serious results. If you’ve never tried a barre workout before (think of a killer mix between ballet, yoga, and Pilates), you should.

There are a ton of different styles out there, and no need to have previous dance experience to attend. (Check out my tips to take to your first barre class, too!)

• walking around the City

If you really can’t wrap around the thought of your less-than-awesome-feeling body working out, don’t underestimate the benefits of getting out and exploring your surroundings for a day or even an afternoon.

Research new things to check out in your city and explore them. Attend outdoor events and walk around museums, festivals, and markets. Plan a day out! You’ll be surprised how quickly you can log in miles and feel more like yourself.

Finding your FITNESS* Giveaway

Every woman defines fitness in their own way. I’d love to hear about how you conquer the period blues, too!

Today’s post is sponsored by U by Kotex® FITNESS*, and I only have great things to say about their new line of products I was recently able to test out.

• New U by Kotex® FITNESS* Tampons come with a plastic FITPAK* so you can protect your protection. No more worn down packaging and runaway tampons in backpacks and purses. The worst, right?
• New U by Kotex® FITNESS* Liners have DualFlex Zones* that move with you to keep protection where you need it. It’s never a bad idea to have a few of these guys ready and waiting on-the-go.
• New U by Kotex® FITNESS* Ultra Thin Pads are shaped to fit and move with your body, so everything stays in place. I’m also loving the drawstring pull tops of the packaging to make it easy to take anything you need with you!

Show how you’re not letting periods get you down by joining the conversation and sharing your own stories using the #FindYourFITNESS hashtag. Get in on the goods and order your own free samples at !

We’re also raffling off a variety pack of the new products to one LIL reader!

The winner will receive:

To enter, leave a comment on this blog post describing one healthy habit that you keep during all times of the month. The giveaway will run until Midnight EST, Sunday 4/30. A winner will randomly be selected from the comments and will be contacted directly by the brand!

Questions of the Day

• What are some of your tips to stay fit when you’re not feeling like yourself?
• What activities help you find your own fitness?