What happened to my Endorphins? Are they Broken?

[fitfoxie]

Okay I figured you guys would understand...no one else would get this. The past month or so, it's like my endorphins have taken a hike. There's been no endorphin flow whatsoever. Now granted, I was sick and then it turned into a sinus infection, (which I'm now on antibiotics for) but I've tried everything.
I made sure to rest, tried lighter workouts and I even pulled out a Body Max 2 cardio premix, thinking maybe I haven't been working out hard enough, but still no endorphins Instead it felt like I had a hard time breathing and my face hurt (due to the sinus infection). Finally the beginning of this week I went for a couple of runs which felt pretty good, but by Wednesday my PF started acting up and I paid for it when I continued to exercise on it anyways. So I just did upper body yesterday, and felt okay today, so I did an IClimb on the Elliptical at the gym, thought maybe a change would be good. Plus Keith usually cheers me up, but still NOTHING not one single endorphin. I felt good that I finished b/c I didn't really feel like doing it to begin with, but I've lost that wonderful exercise high! It's just really depressing I guess. Help me out here...what should I do???
Lisa

 

[crazystepr]

Sounds like you need a rest. This has happened to me once or twice when my body is just really, really run down and it's had enough. You're trying to battle an illness and your PF is acting up so you're not getting much out of your workouts. Take a week and let your body heal and rejuvinate. If you have some nice weather, talk a walk. Do some stretching.

I can pretty much promise you that after that week, you'll be feeling better and you'll be excited to start working out (hard) again. It just might be enough to pull those endorphins out of hiding.

Take it easy on yourself. Working out is supposed to be fun and make us feel better. If it's not doing that, take a couple days off and see what happens.

Good luck and feel better soon!

 

[teddy16410]

Sounds to me like either over training signs and/or just fighting that infection- either way I say dont push it... Resting your body is a GOOD thing!

 

[fitfoxie]

Thanks Allison, your words really hit home for me. My DH has been telling me my body is sending the message it wants a break to take a week or so, but I figured one rest day here and there was good enough. That is sooo true though that working out is supposed to be fun and make us feel good. I guess I was just afraid of taking a whole week off. It's nice to know I'm not the only one this has happened to and that I will come back stronger, very comforting. I tried just going for a walk outside on Sat. w/ my mom (we had beautiful weather here) and suprisingly I felt great. I guess I'll just keep it low key for the next seven days and see if I feel better.
Thank you also Teddy, for the reminder that resting is a good thing, I'm sure my body wants the energy to fight off the sinus infection. Thanks again, your advice helped! Lisa

 

[eaglobo]

Lisa,

For two weeks every year I go to Walt Disney World for my vacation. The first couple of years, I was feeling guilty about not getting my workouts in, but as I discovered with each passing year, the feelings of guilt became less and less obvious, when I learned that proper rest is just as important as my fitness routine.

Before I started to get serious about my health, I used to come back from Florida feeling depressed that my vacation was over. Now I look forward to resuming my workouts with a fresh attitude towards them, makes all the difference in the world to me!!

Your body will thank you for it..those endorphins are still there, they're just crying for a vacation!

Take care,

Jerry