I Thought Exercise Was Supposed to Make You Feel Good?

[Christine]

Admittedly, I am a 46 y/o couch potato. I lead a very sedentary life between my desk job, commute, and watching Dexter and The Office.

I have a treadmill that I used but not regularly.

Anyway, I decided the other day that I needed to get back on the exercise wagon because sitting around doesn't make me feel good either.

So, I've been on the treadmill for a few days but just an easy pace as I work back into things.

Last night, I decided to do Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. I did Level 1 and probably had to "rest" through a third of it. By the end of the tape, the cardio was getting easier (as I got more warmed up) but the strength training and abs were rough.

I was expectedly sore this morning. By 10:00 a.m. I started to feel like a cripple at my desk. By 11:30 I had such a wave of fatigue and exhaustion come over me. It was incredible. Fortunately, they let us out of work early today and I came home and laid on the couch for a hour trying to recover from the fatigue. Obviously, Jillian and I aren't getting together tonight.

But seriously, is this normal. I've had this happen before a few years ago when I was iron deficient but I don't believe that I am deficient now. And I realize I'm not 20 anymore either. But geez. I'm looking for that "energetic" feeling I'm supposed to get.

 

[FireDancer]

Yes, that is normal. When you start using muscles in new ways (or more often) there is a bit of a pain cure. It isn't after the first or second workout that you really feel it but usually after about 5. It plateaus and then goes away.

The soreness and pain that comes from a good workout, whether in the gym, on a treadmill, or on a bike, does feel good in a sense of accomplishment kind of way. Once you are more into the routine of working out it will not be so bad. Even after a marathon I am not crippled though that is from months of training and hundreds of miles on the road.

The most important thing to remember is that you don't get out of shape in a day or a week so you won't get into shape that quickly either. Pace yourself at first and don't do too much too soon. All that will do is cause an injury and set you back further. Take it a little easier for the next few workouts while your body adjusts and then start to ramp it up. As much as you don't want to push too hard too quick you also don't want to do the same workout at the same intensity for 8 months.

 

[Christine]

Yes, that is normal. When you start using muscles in new ways (or more often) there is a bit of a pain cure. It isn't after the first or second workout that you really feel it but usually after about 5. It plateaus and then goes away.

The soreness and pain that comes from a good workout, whether in the gym, on a treadmill, or on a bike, does feel good in a sense of accomplishment kind of way. Once you are more into the routine of working out it will not be so bad. Even after a marathon I am not crippled though that is from months of training and hundreds of miles on the road.

The most important thing to remember is that you don't get out of shape in a day or a week so you won't get into shape that quickly either. Pace yourself at first and don't do too much too soon. All that will do is cause an injury and set you back further. Take it a little easier for the next few workouts while your body adjusts and then start to ramp it up. As much as you don't want to push too hard too quick you also don't want to do the same workout at the same intensity for 8 months.

Thanks!

You know, the actual muscle pain that I have feels like what I would expect from being out of shape and it does feel kind of "good" in an odd way. It's the fatigue that hit me midday that really threw me for a loop. It was/is really bad. I could hardly keep my eyes open and physically I felt like I had no energy left. I didn't feel this way when I first got up this morning. It's actually pretty bad. That was something that never happened when I was younger and it doesn't seem to happen to most of my friends that are my age when the start some exercise regimen. I have a clean bill of health from doctor so I'm not overly concerned that something sinister is going on but the fatigue is actually quite bothersome.

 

[cepmom]

it gets better!! I started Jillian's 30 day shred a few weeks ago and it seriously kicked my butt the first few times! I advanced too quickly into level 2 though and now my knee hurts so I haven't done any exercise for 2 weeks. It was then that I realized how much better I feel when I do exercise regularly. I've been so sluggish and cranky for 2 weeks...I can't stand it! As much as I love not getting up and exercising on these cold mornings, I need to get back to it soon.

 

[Micca]

The best part of excercise is when you're done for the day and it's a whole 24 hours before you have to start again.

 

[Christine]

it gets better!! I started Jillian's 30 day shred a few weeks ago and it seriously kicked my butt the first few times! I advanced too quickly into level 2 though and now my knee hurts so I haven't done any exercise for 2 weeks. It was then that I realized how much better I feel when I do exercise regularly. I've been so sluggish and cranky for 2 weeks...I can't stand it! As much as I love not getting up and exercising on these cold mornings, I need to get back to it soon.

Were you just sore or did you get exhausted?

Getting to Level 2 is great. My friend is an AVID exerciser. In very good shape. She's attempted Level 2 a few times and can't do it well. Her friend, who's well into her 50s, energetically gets through Level 3!

I had GREAT intentions of doing this again tonight but there is no way. I *have* to go to work tomorrow and actually do some work and I just can't risk having this put me in some fatigue state. I thought I'd walk the dog but I am literally exhausted. I'm even having a rough time climbing the stairs in my house. Not due to muscle pain, I just feel really tired.

 

[Pakey]

Jillian's shred kicked my butt so badly (I'm in my 50's) that I have decided to use my treadmill with some mild strength training for awhile before I go back to her workout. That way I can watch tv on my iphone while I treadmill and I don't have to spend my exercise time thinking about how bad I hate Jillian. I'm much more motivated to exercise daily if I don't spend that time with her.

 

[Wall-E1]

Ooh.. Jillian Michaels. You must really want to torture yourself. I use the Bob Harper DVD's. He is so much more pleasant while torturing my out of shape body.

Exercising wil be unpleasant for the first few days if your body is not used to it. But trust me, as you get into shape, you are going to feel so much better after exercising. You'll have more energy. You'll feel healthier. It's a great feeling.

 

[honugirl]

Exercise hits me really hard, but that's because I've got Cushing's Disease and it's supposed to do that. I get really fatigued afterward, even when I start slow, but that's because of the mechanics of what happens chemically and hormonally in your body when you exercise.

Anyway, as a former athlete, start slow. Work up to where you want to be. If you need to rest, rest. There's no shame in that. It's better to make it through part of a workout then none at all. Push yourself a little bit farther every day though. You can also try to do small increments throughout the day.

Good luck!

 

[minkydog]

The best part of excercise is when you're done for the day and it's a whole 24 hours before you have to start again.

That's exactly how I feel about it. If there were a paved road from the kitchen to the bedroom, I'd drive it. I hate exercise. But I'm doing it. I started my program before Christmas and surprisingly, it's not kicking my butt. I feel sweaty and winded at the end, but not in a bad way. I have been quite sedentary for many many years. There is no way I could launch right into anything Jillian does--I could have a heart attack or something!

My weight circuit is simple--leg presses, chest presses, rowing, crunches. I start my workout with 20min on the treadmill and end it with 10 min on the recumbent bike. The whole thing takes me about 45 min. The best thing about it is that I haven't injured myself! In the past it always seemed like I would start up great guns, then get a foot or knee injury and I was down for the count. This time my workout is very reasonable and I don't dread it. For now my goal is to be in the gym twice a week. That may not seem like much but it's 200% more than I was doing at Thanksgiving.

 

[minkydog]

Jillian's shred kicked my butt so badly (I'm in my 50's) that I have decided to use my treadmill with some mild strength training for awhile before I go back to her workout. That way I can watch tv on my iphone while I treadmill and I don't have to spend my exercise time thinking about how bad I hate Jillian. I'm much more motivated to exercise daily if I don't spend that time with her.

You know, that is the greatest thing, being able to watch your shows while you work out. It makes me feel slightly less guilty about watching World's Dumbest Criminals if i can do it a 2.8 mph.

 

[jaminmd]

Admittedly, I am a 46 y/o couch potato. I lead a very sedentary life between my desk job, commute, and watching Dexter and The Office.

I have a treadmill that I used but not regularly.

Anyway, I decided the other day that I needed to get back on the exercise wagon because sitting around doesn't make me feel good either.

So, I've been on the treadmill for a few days but just an easy pace as I work back into things.

Last night, I decided to do Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. I did Level 1 and probably had to "rest" through a third of it. By the end of the tape, the cardio was getting easier (as I got more warmed up) but the strength training and abs were rough.

I was expectedly sore this morning. By 10:00 a.m. I started to feel like a cripple at my desk. By 11:30 I had such a wave of fatigue and exhaustion come over me. It was incredible. Fortunately, they let us out of work early today and I came home and laid on the couch for a hour trying to recover from the fatigue. Obviously, Jillian and I aren't getting together tonight.

But seriously, is this normal. I've had this happen before a few years ago when I was iron deficient but I don't believe that I am deficient now. And I realize I'm not 20 anymore either. But geez. I'm looking for that "energetic" feeling I'm supposed to get.

You may feel fatigued for a few weeks, actually. If you've been sedentary for a long time, don't try to do it all at once. That's how injuries occur and that's also how people get turned off to exercise.

Find something you like and slowly build up to it. You won't feel as fatigued & won't end up hating exercise so much. I'd be turned off if I had to listen to Jillian Michaels. Sorry, I just can't stand her voice - like nails on a chalkboard.

If you stick to an exercise regimen that a) you enjoy and b) you can stick with, that fatigue will go away and be replaced by energy. I'm a daily exerciser and I can honestly say it makes all the difference in the world to me. I don't feel right if I don't exercise.

Good luck & I hope you find a routine you enjoy.

 

[Wall-E1]

You know, that is the greatest thing, being able to watch your shows while you work out. It makes me feel slightly less guilty about watching World's Dumbest Criminals if i can do it a 2.8 mph.

2.8mph. You can go faster than that. Don't just phone it in. And don't you dare touch those bars. I'm watching. Don't!!! Okay, start over!

Disclaimer - The preceding has been a presentation of Master Jillian Michael's Theatre.

 

[Christine]

You may feel fatigued for a few weeks, actually. If you've been sedentary for a long time, don't try to do it all at once. That's how injuries occur and that's also how people get turned off to exercise.

Find something you like and slowly build up to it. You won't feel as fatigued & won't end up hating exercise so much. I'd be turned off if I had to listen to Jillian Michaels. Sorry, I just can't stand her voice - like nails on a chalkboard.

If you stick to an exercise regimen that a) you enjoy and b) you can stick with, that fatigue will go away and be replaced by energy. I'm a daily exerciser and I can honestly say it makes all the difference in the world to me. I don't feel right if I don't exercise.

Good luck & I hope you find a routine you enjoy.

While I've never been overweight, I've never, ever been fit. I'm not an athlete, was never into sports and have just never been active. I've spent my 20s and 30s in and out of cardio classes but I never got truly fit. I have a very nice treadmill that I have used off and on for the past 3 years. I like the exercise on the treadmill, especially listening to my music, but again, I never feel like I really get anywhere on it. I can't run much due to my knees and feet, so I only get so far with fitness on it. At my age, I really want to do something that adds in strength training as I do know that my muscle mass has declined--hence, bringing Jillian into my life!

Now, her voice hasn't really bothered me at all and I watched the Level 1 workout that lasts a whole 20 minutes and, to be honest, it doesn't *look* that bad. But it is. The cardio didn't get me to bad. What got me was the squats coupled with the arm work. That just absolutely got me. My heart rate got SO high while I was doing it that I had to stop (this never happens on the treadmill and I've had a full cardiac workup so I know I'm okay).

I'm just trying to figure out how I can get this strength training in my life that's really going to make a difference. What I've been doing has really gotten me nowhere, but when I push myself, it's awful.

 

[Christine]

2.8mph. You can go faster than that. Don't just phone it in. And don't you dare touch those bars. I'm watching. Don't!!! Okay, start over!

Disclaimer - The preceding has been a presentation of Master Jillian Michael's Theatre.

Funny! I heard "phone it in" a few times last night.

Now, you see, I do an interval mix on my treadmill that, at is slowest is 3.4 mph and then I go up to 4.6 mph. If I've been on the treadmill awhile, I take it up a notch and do the 5.2 mph. I cannot do that any longer than a minute or my knees and feet start screaming, but I can do it at intervals. And I don't feel like I'm going to collapse the next day.

 

[Wall-E1]

Funny! I heard "phone it in" a few times last night.

Now, you see, I do an interval mix on my treadmill that, at is slowest is 3.4 mph and then I go up to 4.6 mph. If I've been on the treadmill awhile, I take it up a notch and do the 5.2 mph. I cannot do that any longer than a minute or my knees and feet start screaming, but I can do it at intervals. And I don't feel like I'm going to collapse the next day.

You might want to switch to a stationary bike if you are having knee pain. The bike will not put as much pressure and force on your knees and ankles.

 

[jaminmd]

While I've never been overweight, I've never, ever been fit. I'm not an athlete, was never into sports and have just never been active. I've spent my 20s and 30s in and out of cardio classes but I never got truly fit. I have a very nice treadmill that I have used off and on for the past 3 years. I like the exercise on the treadmill, especially listening to my music, but again, I never feel like I really get anywhere on it. I can't run much due to my knees and feet, so I only get so far with fitness on it. At my age, I really want to do something that adds in strength training as I do know that my muscle mass has declined--hence, bringing Jillian into my life!

Now, her voice hasn't really bothered me at all and I watched the Level 1 workout that lasts a whole 20 minutes and, to be honest, it doesn't *look* that bad. But it is. The cardio didn't get me to bad. What got me was the squats coupled with the arm work. That just absolutely got me. My heart rate got SO high while I was doing it that I had to stop (this never happens on the treadmill and I've had a full cardiac workup so I know I'm okay).

I'm just trying to figure out how I can get this strength training in my life that's really going to make a difference. What I've been doing has really gotten me nowhere, but when I push myself, it's awful.

Have you tried making your own routine? For example, I do squats, lunges, crunches & push ups. I also use free weights for bicep curls, shoulder press, triceps, etc. There are many web sites that explain proper form & number of reps.

You could start out doing a set of each & slowly work up to about 20 minutes, 3x/week. It really will make a difference. And you could start out with just 5 lb. weights. This way, you are doing it at your own pace, allowing you to gain strength & avoid injury. HTH!

 

[HunnyPots]

Another thing to remember is to stay hydrated - WELL hydrated! If you are feeling that much fatigue and it's been several hours since your workout, I'm betting you're dehydrated.

 

[Christine]

Have you tried making your own routine? For example, I do squats, lunges, crunches & push ups. I also use free weights for bicep curls, shoulder press, triceps, etc. There are many web sites that explain proper form & number of reps.

You could start out doing a set of each & slowly work up to about 20 minutes, 3x/week. It really will make a difference. And you could start out with just 5 lb. weights. This way, you are doing it at your own pace, allowing you to gain strength & avoid injury. HTH!

Yeah, I have tried that and stuck with it only a little. I have found that I need to be coached--I do better. I'm probably a perfect candidate for a personal trainer, yet I really don't have the time or money for that. That's why I tried the DVD.

I'll be the first to admit that I'm a slacker and lazy to boot. When working on my own I tend to not make the most of it.

 

[Coffee Maker]

Sounds like your "couch potato" muscles got a shock of their lives -- what are we doing on a treadmill, aren't we suppose to be on the couch? Anyway, don't give up now! Remember No pain, No gain. If you keep it up, you won't feel sore at all, and you can just keep on excercising without feeling tired and sore. Keep up the good work! Good for you!