Men, you have been warned. I'm just wondering if any other women have the problem of not being able to skate at all during that time of the month. Every time I try, my balance is always off, I get dizzy much easier, and for some reason, nothing works. Since I've started birth control, I don't really get cramps, so I dont think that might be throwing me off. My right foot also swells for some reason, not my left just my right, and so my foot doesn't really fit so well in my boot either. Anyone else have a few days a month when no matter what, they just can't skate even if they try?

I noticed that I lose whatever spinning ability I have (not much to start with... LOL) about 1 week before af is due through the first couple of days.

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--renatele

Maybe it's due to water retention. I recently had a bout of labrynthitis which is fluid buildup in the inner ear (where your balance center is) so maybe the extra fluid buildup affects that part of the body also. It's worth blaming that!

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Skate@Delaware
Ah, show skating!!! I do it for the glitter!

I'm past menopause and on HRT, so things aren't as cyclic as they used to be but I still find my feet are fatter some times than others - go figger! How easily I get dizzy seems to have more to do with how well rested I am. (Didn't skate from age 19 to 56, so can't comment further.)

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Dianne
(A.O.S.S.? Got it BAD! )

If you are also dizzy, the heavy blood loss is definitely partly to blame, especially if you are anemic (as I am...)

In my case, I have totally zapped by Day 3!!! No energy!!! I'm lucky that I can even skate, b/c I lost so much iron that I'm drained...

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Cheers,
jazzpants

11-04-2006: Shredded "Pre-Bronze FS for Life" Club Membership card!!!
Silver Moves is the next "Mission Impossible"
(Dare I try for Championship Adult Gold someday???)

Thank you for the support, you guys!!!

I'm just more likely to desolve into tears when it dos'nt go right

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Level one Field Moves......PASSED 05.06.08
Level one Free dance.....PASSED 02.10.08

GOALS FOR 2009

• Level One Compulsary dances.......PASSED 19.02.09
• Level One Elements.....................PASSED 10.07.09
• Level Two Free dance.................PASSED 19.02.09
• Level One Free...........................
• Level Two compulsory dances.......

Loving it, Loving it, Loving it!!!!!

I'm exhausted for 2-3 days UNTIL mine begins. Then my energy returns.

My OB/GYN has me take Vitamin B12 (?) daily, which has helped somewhat.
(I'm terribly out of shape.)

I get more clutzy than usual, but my spins don't suffer - just the footwork (haha) and jumps. More often, I get frustrated and have to leave early.

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One of the skating moms at our rink is an OB/GYN. She said that the hormonal imbalance that occurs monthly has a known effect on balance and depth perception, regardless of water retention or other factors.

I used to not be able to skate at all the first day of my period. Like others said, just clutzy and bit off balence, but it was only that one day. I finally learned not to have my lesson on that day.

I've now had the "plumbing" removed, so I don't have that problem any more...woohoo!

I find that if I go on the ice, during the second day, I'm totally drained and feel like a wet noodle. However, I also find that if I push myself through this feeling and skate that not only does this feeling go away rather quickly, but the cramps completely go away, too! Skating does have it's advantages

My coach always knows it's my time of the month when I start crying in lessons.

Oh I had a big problem when I used to ski. Balance, everything. I had some of my worst falls skiing actually.......due to a strange clumsiness! But now I don't have to worry about it anymore. When I first started skating I did, and it wasn't fun, as I felt "off", but now....YIPPEEEE! No longer have that worry!

I really feel lousy on the first day, but like lovepairs I have found that skating eases the discomfort. Even if I don't attempt any moves, just stroking helps.

I am dreading the day it and when coincides with a skating-dress-wearing occasion....

S xxx

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There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness"

Nice to know I'm not crazy, and that there actually is something that affects everything.

My mom had it on her wedding day. Of course, she was wearing layers and layers of skirt, so nothing came through teh front, but I can imagine in a skirt. Which is why I will never be seen in a skirt around that time.

Although I am considering practicing in a skirt because I've gotten my skates caught in my pants after I've fallen trying to get up too many times. So imagine if you will I fall, try to get up, but my toepick is caught in my pants, so I end up falling again.

It took some time but like several of the others I'll feel out of balance but if I push through it will make me feel better in the end. It did take some time, having currently lost about 10 lbs of serious lean muscle I currently have serious back pain for several days during "that time" combined with 50% of my normal strength makes skating very difficult.

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Who me? Couldn't be....
http://www.youtube.com/bouldersk8r

Yes I am worthless on the ice the day before, and probably the first day as well but I don't think I've ever skated on the first day of my period. I hope I never have to!

I always get it on the morning of a competition--never fails! It's like winning the negative lottery.

I am having my seamstress put extra lining you know where, becaue I know it's going to happen, again...never fails. Always, on important days, and never on days when I'm just home doin no-thing!

The week leading up to my period, I have no patience, get discouraged and frustrated easily, and sometimes just feel like plopping myself down on the ice for a good cry. I always warn my coach.
The day before, I have a surge of energy which can either help or hurt my skating (since it doesn't come with an extra surge of control).
The first two days of my period, I have cramps and am tired, especially in my core muscles. That's how I pulled a back muscle a few months ago, skating my program on the first day of my period.
My cramps weren't as bad when I religiously took my calcium and Omega 3/fish oil every day. . . Hmm. . .that reminds me. . . (reaching for my calcium and fish oil capsules!).

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"You don't have to put an age limit on your dreams." - Dara Torres, 41, after her 2nd medal at the 2008 Olympics

That happens to me all the time!

I never feel a negative effect on my skating though. Maybe I'm lucky. I even had a coach who said with everyone else there was a noticable different with skating and mood but with me nothing. I guess I'm lucky.

For me it's happened not once, but three times. Auntie decided to accompany me to two out of three competitions last season- arriving on the first day of events.
What happens to me is strange. A few days before, I can center spins like mad! Last week, the monthly occaision stole my sitspin, and forward perimeter stroking, but let me keep power threes and jumps.

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Adult Nationals, 2009 "The Time of My Life"

..............................

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~~~~~~~~~~~~~
People dream of flying, birds dream of skating.

all you're allowed to say is

"I'm sorry, everything must be my fault. I'm sorry, everything must be my fault, I'm sorry, everything must be my fault" Repeat as needed.


Back to topic, I do know that my joints feel different during my cycle, there is always a couple of really painful days before aunt flow visits, and about a week later, evyerthing feels absolutely great. I'm hoping test day is going to land on a non-puffy, painless joint day. I'm planning on wearing the black skirt though, because I don't get that kind of luck.

Only if you have a death wish!!!

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Cheers,
jazzpants

11-04-2006: Shredded "Pre-Bronze FS for Life" Club Membership card!!!
Silver Moves is the next "Mission Impossible"
(Dare I try for Championship Adult Gold someday???)

Thank you for the support, you guys!!!

Ditto here. The first day is completely disabling. (*weeping from emotional/hormonal turmoil, she folds in half with a heating pad, downs 6 Ibuprofen and turns out the light for a long 4 hour nap*). ... and bring on the carbs and lots of ice cream!


I have won the negative lottery too! 3 times

Lovepairs: I am sure that in your skating discipline this manifests other unique umm... circumstances . ??? (NO pairs practice for a week until its over! )

ROFLMAO!!!!

Years ago, when I was still married, a bunch of us (men and women) were talking and one of the women mentioned PMS. I said I never had PMS - the look my husband gave me would peel paint! Ok, I was never bothered by it.

Do you really want to comment Tim? It is worth it?

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Dianne
(A.O.S.S.? Got it BAD! )