*maniacal laughter*

[stiletto_mom]

https://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m6rtl0weWR1qjlshs.gif

I have no idea what my body is doing.

I have no idea why we can't conceive when everything checks out perfectly fine so far. My cycles are irregular and I've just been going down the list of symptoms and causes and trying to rule them out one by one. My latest one? Exercise.

Right before we started to TTC, I started a workout routine. Since then, I've upped my routine intensity but cut down on workout days.

I'm currently doing HIIT (high intensity interval training) three times a week. My heartrate gets up to 170bpm. I'm usually profusely overheated and exhausted when I'm done. I work out until I feel like I'm dying basically. I only do this three times a week and I started to lose weight which motivated me to continue.

But my irregular cycles just kept going. UGH! So now I think I just maybe one of those people who get really sensitive to physical stress and exercise. I eat healthy, I do not smoke or drink (occasional glass of wine at a social gathering maybe), I'm a healthy weight and BMI. I don't feel more stressed than usual.

I'm thinking that my exercise is interfering with my hormone levels and causing me to have irregular periods.

So this week, I've reduced the intensity of my workouts. I still excersize three times a week, but I only allow my heart-rate to go up to 150 and I take more frequent breaks. BUT, I want to know, is this STILL TOO MUCH?

Websites say not to overheat, and not to exhaust yourself... but what is that limit?! Some say "If you're running 5 times a week, cut it down to 3". Or "Stop yourself from overheating"... Well, what exactly is "overheating"?! Is a heartrate of 150 still too high? I'm still sweating with a red face at the end of my work-out... but I don't feel like I'm dying. Is that still overheating?

If I don't work up a sweat or bring my heartrate up, I'd feel like I didn't exercise at all!!

So yes, this is me slowly going nuts and as you can see, my chart is just batshit right now.

... Although I maybe feeling grumpy right now, I can't tell if it's just a sign of AF on the way. I have no idea.

 

[1nceUponATime]

I think the only way to tell if the workouts are affecting your AF is to get testing done, but I can tell you that there's plenty of people that conceive who have vigorous workouts. I think the only real danger of it interfering is if your BMI is too low or too high. However, I can tell you if your doing fertility treatments, my RE did recommend switching to yoga, weight lifting, etc instead of high intensity workouts, but that's more so you don't damage the ovaries (like during IVF)..... And yoga and weight lifting is still great for your body and losing weight.

 

[cochy115]

Hello stiletto_mom!

What a frustrating ordeal! Like you, I really enjoy exercising and had a pretty tough routine going with weight lifting and cardio. I did an IVF cycle in September and backed off. Since then, I've tried to "take it easy." I also suffered an early miscarriage.

In the book "Making Babies," they discuss exercise. They say how your routine should be different at different parts of your cycle. For example, you can go balls to the wall during your period. After your period, cardio is still great, but once you approach ovulation, you need to scale that back. Low intensity exercise from ovulation on to the 2WW (yoga, walking, light jogging). I'm giving this a try going forward.

When I did acupuncture (fertility specialist), she said to not go over 140 bpm during ovulation and during the 2WW if that helps. The reasoning she said was to not overheat your body and keep the sperm alive and then help with implantation thereafter.

 

[stiletto_mom]

Thank you so much.

And I suppose that is that. The witch finally showed today which means I ovulated on CD 28 (which was not detected by Fertility Friend). Good thing my LP is pretty consistent (12 days), but O-day is not (ugh!)

I really appreciate the advice about changing my workouts throughout the course of my cycle. Doesn't make me feel as bad.