I always used the excuse of cramps for not working out turning my TOM...last month and again this month, I have worked out during my TOM, and I've actually noticed that my cramps are not as bad throughout the week when I am working out. Just thought I'd share that tidbit, if you're like me, and avoided it for so long, try working out, and let me know if it helped at all. Also, has anyone else noticed this?

I think you're right. I don't stop working out because of TOM. That would just be too much time off from it. And, I agree that you actually feel better.

I have noticed that. And they also tend to lessen if I just ignore them and carry on with WHATEVER I am doing. Be it housework, errands or working out.

I am on the tail-end of my TOM right now and for the past couple of months I have noticed that my cramps, which ever since I was 14 have been really bad on the first day, are not so mind-numbingly painful anymore. I have cut down to just 1-2 motrin on the first day whereas before I would easily have to take 4 or 5. My cramps used to make me shaky, throw up, pale and clammy. I am hoping to be able to cut the motrin out entirely within the next couple of months. In fact, having less painful cramps is one of the reasons I am losing weight, as they were taking away from my quality of life.

Incidentally, I have also exercised every single day (at least a 2 mile walk/jog), including during my TOM, for the past few months so I'm thinking that there is a correlation between exercising and less painful cramps during TOM. Not sure what the scientific reasoning is behind that correlation, but I will continue to exercise daily!

Exercise and activity does help with cramping during TOM for most women. When you exercise it can relax your muscles and you release beta-endorphins which helps calm your pain. Exercise can also affect your mood and fatigue levels as well even before you start your period.

Some experts suggest walking as the best form of exercise, while others say aerobic. I dunno, I tend to just do a combination of both. This is just from what I've read in my PMDD and PMS research etc.

I do both walking and aerobic, but sometimes I can't go as far as I usually do because of cramping and/or fatigue. However, after wards I do feel better for a time period.

Though now I just started a new birth control pill, so who knows what my monthly is going to be like now haha.

yes! yes! yes!

I have always had really bad cramps. I know for me I try not to do a hardcore workout but I keep walking through that time of month and it makes a huge difference.

Yes. When I was a teenager, my mother talked about the debilitating craps she got during her TOM (my sister too). I never got them (still don't get them) and my mother said it was due to my activity level.

Oh yes. I don't even have to take anything anymore--between my nutrition and exercise, I am perfectly fine..maybe a wee bit uncomfortable for a couple of hours but nothing more

OK now I really feel like a freak of nature, mine are worse, maybe it is just a premenopause thing instead of directly related

yeap....if I stay on my regular exercise schedule it certainly helps. Plus it helps keep me in a good mood!

Yep, I have noticed this.