Exercise NOT making you feel better?

I hear so much about how much better you're supposed to feel when you exercise, but that's not the case for me. I exercise 3 times a week with 30 minutes minimum cardio and an additional 10-15 minutes of weights/strength training. I honestly do not feel any more energy since starting an exercise program (started 4 months ago and am faithful) than I did when I didn't exercise at all. Is anyone else like this?

Sat. Sep 1, 1:04pm

Are you working out harder than you need to? Wearing a heart rate monitor helps stop this-sometimes you don't realize that you can take it down a notch or two and burn lots of calories still. If you are working out harder than you need to, you're going to deplete your glycogen stores fast (where we get our energy for workouts) and not going to have more energy.

Also-are you eating properly? Are you eating enough? Are you filling up on good nutritious foods or are you eating lots of sugar and white starches? Proper nutrition really has a huge effect on how we feel.

Are you staying hydrated before and after your workout? Are you getting enough sleep?

Are you just a little overweight or very overweight? I found that when I was my heaviest I was more tired after exercise, and as I got smaller and my fitness increased and the stress level I was putting on my body was decreased, my energy continued to increase.

Also, are you on any medications or have recently started or stopped a medication? Meds can have a hug affect on our energy levels!

Ask yourself all of these questions and if you still don't come up with something that seems like the answer, I would suggest getting a full physical with your doctor to make sure you don't have any underlying medical problems that could be causing this. Good luck!! And don't give up!!

Saturday, September 1, 2007, 2:01 PM

Thanks for your input OP here. I"m sure I'm not "over doing it" in the work out department. I work out approximately 3 times a week for an average of 45 mins. I do both cardio and strength training. I eat very healthy foods, mostly lean meats and fruits and vegetables. I have never felt better from working out and have always marveled at how people say : "oh, I have so much energy and I feel so much better". I am significanly overweight (about 60 lbs) and I take no medications whatsoever - never have. My sleep is normal (8 hour/night) and I drink plenty of water. I have been to the doctors (more than a couple) many times over my weight and the only thing they tell me "just keep after it, the weight will come off". I'm so jealous of the benefits that some people seem to derive from exercise and want to know how I can jump on that train.

Wednesday, September 5, 2007, 12:21 PM

There's an article in the NYT about stress and difficulty conceiving. I was interested to see that apart from the part about having kids, if a woman is under chronic stress then exercise makes it worse, rather than better. The physician discussing this phenomenon remarked that it was ironic, since most people started exercising to relieve stress. I guess if you are REALLY stressed out, it doesn't work that way.

Wednesday, September 5, 2007, 4:56 PM

Not to be bad but I say give it more time. If you are significantly overweight as you say then that is probably what is zapping your energy. My husband gave me this analogy when I was bummed about losing 'just 5 lbs' he pulled out 5 1lb hamburger rolls from the freezer and said this is the 'just 5lbs' that you lost. now think about putting 60 of those rolls in a backpack and carting it around all day... sounds tiring to me. As you lose the weight you will notice an increase in energy. I have lost my 45 hamburger rolls and feel so much better. I didn't know if it was really the exercise or just the weight loss. Well I recently sprained my ankle and can't do much exercise and let me tell you in general I just feel like I have no energy at all. So I know that while I never felt an 'ah-ha' the exercise is giving me energy moment now that it's been taken away I can definately feel all that extra exercise energy zapping away.

Wednesday, September 5, 2007, 7:03 PM

I'm normally not a big fan of working out at a supposedly perfect time of day, but I've gone through phases of doing it all over the clock. I do notice that there is an energy bonus when I work out early in the day, meaning anytime before lunch - psychologically there's a feeling of accomplishment followed by the thought "wow, I've done so much and it's only 9am". When I do it late at night, it helps me sleep more deeply. Anywhere in between is tricky - sometimes it wears me out and makes me want a nap, other times it gives me a second wind.

Another thing - you don't mention complex carbohydrates as a significant part of your diet. Most people on low-carb diets (under 100g, like South Beach) have a problem sustaining aerobic exercise, which is a nice way of saying they turn into lifeless zombies during or immediately after working out. So if you're currently limiting that food group, consider revising that plan.

Wednesday, September 5, 2007, 7:26 PM

If something is not making you feel good, don't do it. Here is some science on how to exercise in a way that will make you feel better:

How To Train Your Body To Burn Fat

-PEERtrainer

Thursday, February 14, 2013, 9:27 AM

Re:

I don't think so because in today's fast life everyone busy in their activities and not having enough time to relax their mind and body as well. So Exercise is the most important part of human life. It keeps us fresh for whole day and fit our body too.

Friday, February 22, 2013, 2:21 AM

Well I work out approximately five times, a week for an average of 31 minutes. I do both aerobic, and weight training. I eat very healthy food mostly foods, and fruits and veggies.

Link

Tuesday, March 5, 2013, 1:23 AM

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