Feeling bad after workout

P

PamHurley

Cathlete
I have been doing Cathe workdouts now for about 4 months. I have the Rhythmic Step/MIC/IMAX and Cross Train Xpress. I love both DVDs and find them more challenging mentally and physically than anything I've ever used. My problem is that about and hour or so after I am done working out, I start to feel totally wiped out usually until the end of the day. I am lagging mentally and could probably lay down for a 2 hour nap. I work out when my kids nap, about an hour after lunch. I feel that I hydrate sufficiently, before and after, and I always have a snack after I workout too. I do not want to give up working out with Cathe, but I do not want to feel this way anymore. I would appreciate any suggestions you might toss in my direction! Thanks a lot, Pam:)
 
Make sure that your "snacks" have sufficient protein, good carbs, and a little fat. Sounds like you might not be gettiing enough calories for your activity level?
 
I have a feeling that must be the problem, but where can I find out how many calories I need to be taking in? I am not really trying to lose weight, but I have some saddlebags I would like to get rid of.
 
It does sound like a diet issue to me. Make sure your carbs are "good" carbs because the bad ones (sugar, white flour) can make you feel tired and unable to complete a thought.

After a tough round with Cathe, I shower up (can stand sweat sticking around) and eat an apple with string cheese or something of that nature, just to take the edge off until meal time.
 
If a change in your diet isn't working then you might want to incorporate other less intense workouts into your rotation. I know that when I do all Cathe, all the time, I begin to get that "wiped out" feeling afterwards that leaves me feeling pretty useless the rest of the day. A break from Cathe may be necessary! I find that even just a week off can make a big difference. I go back to Cathe feeling refreshed and more energized.
 
Pam,
I almost always finish my workouts with a whole glass of water and then a whey protein drink mixed with 8 oz. milk or water. I've found this keeps me from feeling wiped out hours later. I also try to have good carbs, whole grains bread or crackers with peanut butter, cottage cheese with flarored Triscuits, etc. Also, the time you work out during the day could affect how you feel during and afterwards. Are you a morning, afternoon, or evening exerciser? Once I switched to afternoons I found I have a lot more energy. In the mornings I felt like I was forcing myself through the workouts and then kind of draggy afterwards. A shower, if you can sqeeze even a quick one in also does wonders.
Make some changes and see if anything helps.
Good luck,
Mattea

I also wanted to add that there are daily calorie intake calculators and formulas all over the internet. Look for one that takes into account your height, weight, age, and activity level.
 
I'm no expert, but I went through the same thing when my kids were small. I'm willing to bet that it just has to do with being on the go all day and chasing kids around. I remember just being exhausted after I worked out. Once they began sleeping regularly through the night and playing by themselves more often, my workouts got much easier and I felt less fatigued.
 
My 2 cents:

Eat when your body tells you to eat, and don't subscribe to some hard and fast rule of sticking to a certain number of calories.

I work out after work (start my workouts a little before 6:00)...and I usually get a great night's sleep afterward. It's natural for your body to "come down" about an hour after a workout. The exercise de-stresses you, relaxing your mind and your body. Additionally, as your body cools after exercise, it slows down, making you tired. This is why my sleeping patterns have improved so much since I started working out.

Also, maybe you aren't getting enough quality sleep at night. Are you going to bed about the same time every night? Are you getting a good 7-8 hours of sleep? Or maybe you're sleeping too much. They say that too much sleep makes a person feel worse than too little sleep. If your sleep patterns aren't good, this will affect how you recover from exercise.
 
Since you have only been working out with Cathe for 4 months, it is still pretty new to you. Your body isn't as used to it as you might think it is. Your blood using some oxgyen to get you through your workout, this is what might cause you to be very tired after working out. Once your bloodstream gets used to having to distribute more oxgyen than usual you might suffer from fatigue. However when your body gets used to it (that is if you are workingout on a constant basis) you will no longer feel tired an hour after your workouts, and start to feel much more energized.
I am not an expert by any means, but I have been workingout for 4 years and research about it constantly. I have heard this problem so many times with the same solution. Hope that helps you!
 
I felt that way at first when I made the jump from easier workouts to Cathe. I feel much better now. I eat 5 small meals, all with some amount of protein. I think some of it is just getting used to the demands. You might rotate the intermediate workouts into your mix until you are feeling better. (Like 3 advanced, 2 intermediate, and one "play it by ear" workout.) See if that helps you!
 
You may also consider taking one additional rest day per week. Sometimes the fatigue you're feeling may be diet, but it could also be a sign of overtraining and that could lead to injury.
 
I know somebody said that you should eat only good (ie complex) carbs, but I actually find that after a really intense cardio workout, having a sports (sugar) drink straight afterwards stops me feeling wiped out later. I agree though that good carbs are best the rest of the time. You might need to experiment to see what works.

As well as thinking about diet, you may also need extra sleep.
 
Are you sweating a lot? When I started spinning, I felt like I had a hangover for the rest of the day. It would also happen if I went roller blading on a hot, humid day, despite drinking quite a bit of water during the activity. The only thing that works for me? Gatorade. I have one during my spin along with water, and I haven't had that run-down feeling since. You might just need to replenish your electrolytes lost through sweating (which is what the sports drinks do.) Just my 2 cents.
 
Sounds like your kids are still little. If this is the case, IF you are breastfeeding you need to eat more. If not, I can understand how taking care of little kids plus exercising with Cathe wipes you out!
Again, I'm just guessing from what you posted.

Good luck

Mariela
 
Yes!, I get the same thing. My muscles are weak and I feel a little shaky. I eat a power bar before Cathe's workouts. I think it has something to do with lactic acid and the physiologic changes occurring during the workout. I think gatorade is good too and am thinking of incorporating that during my workouts. Right now I drink crystal light before, during and after my workout, because I'm trying to burn calories, not take in more with Gatorade, but I feel it probably is necessary. I have a 2 year old and a 5 year old, so I am chasing them around during the day to. But now I have a routine down. I work 3pm to 11:30pm at a hospital. I workout after I get home from work-I usually start my workout at 12:30 am. It's great, the kids are sleeping and I don't get interupted during my workouts, like I usually do. Then I usually get to be about 2 am. Wake-up at 7:15-get my 5 year old off to school, the 2 year old off to day care, shower, take a nap and go into work and start again. It really helps that I do my exercising right before bedtime, because I get some well deserved sleep and the kids are sleeping. I think it also helps keeps the metabolism up while I'm sleeping. Little Kids do wear you down though.
Eva
 
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