Question for those that exercise??

[gshoemate]

After you exercise, how do you feel? When I get done at the gym, I need to come home and take a nap (good thing DS falls asleep on the way home). I think I am either working out to much or not eating enough to keep my energy up. My weekly workout goes like this.

Monday - weight circuit, hour of cardio
Tuesday - 60 minutes of yoga, about 45 minutes of cardio
Wed - weight circuit, hour of cardio
Thursday - 60 minutes of intense yoga, 45 minutes of cardio
Friday - weight circuit, hour of cardio

On the weekend, if I find time I will work 30 minutes of cardio in but if I can't, I don't stress about it.

According to the trainers at the gym, I have exceeded my goals that were set up for me over 3 months ago. So I know I am working out alot. I just can't figure out why I am so tired. I would of thought adding in all the exercise, I would have more energy.

Any insight??

 

[ZerasPride]

I don't have any words of wisdom for you. Sorry. I do want to say that I am so impressed with your exercise schedule. Here I thought I was doing something with my 30-40 minutes of using the FIRM work out videos per day. But wow your schedule is impressive.

I'm not sure why you feel tired. I always feel so energized after my work outs and the feeling stays with me through most of the day. I hope you can get some insights into why you feel this way.

 

[vfb2girls]

Your body may be telling you to slow down some. I did the same thing a few years ago where I worked out at least 2 hours every single day, in the beginning I felt great but as time passed I started to feel wore down, and my immune system started to weaken. I ended up pulling a ham string muscle which forced me to take it easy and to ease up on my exercise program. I now try to work out about a hour 3-4 times a week and I feel so much better. So maybe you need to take a look at your program and adjust it so that you feel better.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I have many thoughts running through me right now.
How much sleep do you get a night? I am wondering if this is connected with "good" eating habits as in balanced meals, at least 3 per day, more in smaller portions if possible.
Exercising 5X a week I don't think is bad if you are varying your routine. If you started at this high intensity, your body may not have had much "recovery" time. You might try cutting back just a slight bit on the cardio on various days that you do your strength training for a time.

Are you cross training with your cardio workouts?

 

[gshoemate]

Originally posted by Tiger Lily 03
I have many thoughts running through me right now.
How much sleep do you get a night? I am wondering if this is connected with "good" eating habits as in balanced meals, at least 3 per day, more in smaller portions if possible.
Exercising 5X a week I don't think is bad if you are varying your routine. If you started at this high intensity, your body may not have had much "recovery" time. You might try cutting back just a slight bit on the cardio on various days that you do your strength training for a time.

Are you cross training with your cardio workouts?

Sleep could be an issue, I go to bed at midnight, up at 6:10 to get DD off to school. Sometimes I go back to bed from 7:30 to 9:00 and sometimes I go right to the gym. But either way you look at it, I'm not getting solid good sleep. Meals are a problem also, I started on Atkins, adjusted it to fit me, and then totally went off the program.

My cardio is either treadmill or eppitical. I have been having problems with pain in my lower legs so the last few days have taken some time off the treadmill. I stared exercising at the beginning of January and started out slow. We just reevaluted my program at the gym and increased things because I was exceeding in the goals that were set up, so my body should be used to it.

I think what I will try to do is get back onto Atkins (starting today), taking my vitamins everyday, try getting to bed a little earlier (school is almost over then it will be better) and use the protein powder like my trainer suggested (boy the stuff is terrible). See if that makes a differance.

Thanks everyone for replying!

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Good luck and let us know how things work for you.

 

[HappyMommy2]

Do you feel like you need a nap only immediately after you exercise, or do you feel like you need a nap other times too?

I always feel sleepy for a little while after a good workout (sometimes I feel like I HAVE to take a nap but my two little guys won't permit that!). I remember even back in college when I was in great shape and got adequate sleep, after I worked out I would always go back to the dorm and take a nap. Sleepiness is just the way my body responds to a workout, I guess--but I've found that if I just stay active after working out (I try to run errands or take the kids to the playground, or whatever) the sleepiness goes away after a bit and I will start feeling energetic.

I've tried increasing my sleep, decreasing my workouts, drinking more water, eating at different times before/after workouts, etc. but still I'm always sleepy after workouts.

Just my two cents

 

[HappyMommy2]

You know, I looked at your workout routine again and that does look pretty demanding--it's certainly possible that you need to eat more and rest more to give your body the energy to keep up with such a rigorous routine. Congrats on all your hard work!