Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards

That is a really impressive accomplishment!

I've given up running and weight lifting altogether. I find yoga and just plain walking much more helpful. What's really been amazing is that I find going to a yoga class to actually help reduce menstrual cramps, which were one of my biggest IBS triggers. Running and weight lifting (and any other exercise) helped to prevent cramps, but once I had my period I was stuck. Going running or lifting would not only make the cramps much worse, they'd sometimes bring them on when I was stable. So I was just stuck not knowing what to do once the cramps hit.

But, I've found that yoga not only works really well to prevent the cramps in the first place, it actually makes them completely disappear once they hit. It's like I get a little grace period during practice - no cramps at all for that hour or two, and the cramps come back gradually in the hours afterward. Yoga is the only exercise that has ever done this for me.

And, biggest bonus ever - yoga has totally eliminated my IBS-touchiness during my period. It took several months for this to happen, and it was gradual. But one day I realized that my IBS never goes off during my period any more, and it was from the yoga. I do still get menstrual cramps, but they're better than ever, and at least they're now a stand alone problem instead of being a double whammy with the IBS on top of everything.

So, running and lifting are off my list, and yoga is at the top!

- H

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Heather is the Administrator of the IBS Message Boards. She is the author of Eating for IBS and The First Year: IBS, and the CEO of Heather's Tummy Care. Join her IBS Newsletter. Meet Heather on Facebook!

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