Is This Normal? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

*Pleasant Tomorrow* · 01-25-2009, 11:19 PM

For one, yes I am extremely out of shape. Depressed, anxious. It's very hard for me to find motivation to do anything a lot of the time, let alone exercise. But this past week, I've been trying to. I've tried in the past and it only lasted about a week...but this time I really want to keep at it. My psychiatrist told what I've always known: for anxious, depressed people like me both medicine and exercise helped boost endorphin activity. I know that. So I'm trying.

The problem is that whenever I exercise (and it's usually for no more than 20 minutes), I feel sick afterwards. Drained, headaches, nausea, weird feelings in my chest,shaky...and this is only going on an elliptical for 20 minutes or just doing crunches and jumping jacks for 20 minutes. I know I'm out of shape, but should I really be feeling this way after a work-out? Once, about a year ago, I worked out for about an hour (stupid, stupid idea for out of shape people) and was so sick afterward that I barely left bed the next day and missed all of my classes. It almost makes me afraid to work out period. I don't know if this is a factor, but my heart rate is a bit higher than most...but really not significantly. I'm just curious as to if this sounds bad, or just normal for out of shape people? I'm kind of getting a little freaked out. Thanks.

catlover79 · 01-25-2009, 11:25 PM

Ashlee, I suffer from anxiety/depression myself. I'm no doctor, but the symptoms you described sounds like a panic attack. Just to be on the safe side, I'd call the doctor, just to make sure the problem is not physical. If you need to talk to anyone, PM me - anytime!!

Waterston_Fan · 01-25-2009, 11:31 PM

I'm thinking maybe you should start slowly. Like if you do jumping jacks, instead of doing 20, maybe do 10 or 5. Start slow and maybe stretch first then maybe start for five minutes and see how you feel.

That being said, I don't have any depression or anxiety problems so..

*Pleasant Tomorrow* · 01-25-2009, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Ashlee, I suffer from anxiety/depression myself. I'm no doctor, but the symptoms you described sounds like a panic attack. Just to be on the safe side, I'd call the doctor, just to make sure the problem is not physical. If you need to talk to anyone, PM me - anytime!!

Hmm, I've never thought of that. I certainly have had my fair share of panic attacks, and I guess maybe it's similar to what I'm feeling now. It's just strange to me that exercise could make that happen...

Thanks, though.

*Pleasant Tomorrow* · 01-25-2009, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waterston_Fan

I'm thinking maybe you should start slowly. Like if you do jumping jacks, instead of doing 20, maybe do 10 or 5. Start slow and maybe stretch first then maybe start for five minutes and see how you feel.

That being said, I don't have any depression or anxiety problems so..

Yeah, maybe even what I've been doing is too much for me. I really don't know. :/

catlover79 · 01-25-2009, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *Pleasant Tomorrow*

Hmm, I've never thought of that. I certainly have had my fair share of panic attacks, and I guess maybe it's similar to what I'm feeling now. It's just strange to me that exercise could make that happen...

Thanks, though.

My pleasure. Though I do agree with Waterston Fan that taking exercise slowly is a good idea, too. Feel free to talk anytime if you need to.

*Pleasant Tomorrow* · 01-25-2009, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

My pleasure. Though I do agree with Waterston Fan that taking exercise slowly is a good idea, too. Feel free to talk anytime if you need to.

Thanks

You guys are absolutely right. I had thought I WAS taking it slowly with only 20 minutes.

TripperFan · 01-25-2009, 11:54 PM

It's quite normal at first. You should be starting out only long enough to get your heart rate up (and they say it is supposed to be at least 20 minutes). Also, you SHOULD sweat. For me, believe it or not, that's the part I find so difficult. I HATE sweating. Anyway, it is normal to feel slightly lightheaded afterwards, and maybe even a slight headache, but it should go away in a short period. If it doesn't then you're over doing it. Cut back a bit but keep it up. It's consistency at this point that's so important for you.

Once you find that you can get through two workouts without feeling really sick afterwards (I know a lot of people, myself included who actually throw up), then increase it even only 2 or 3 minutes per day. Doesn't sound like much, but you'd be surprised. My ex did this and his was middle-aged, on high blood pressure meds, and super stressed, and it did takes months, but he's now in the best shape of his life (the #&*@%$)!!!!

Remember, it didn't take you weeks to get the way you are, so don't expect to get fit overnight either. The main thing is to STICK with it as you've said, and to continually, but safely push yourself.

Also, huge, HUGE to keeo hydrated. A lot of it could be you're not drinking enough water (or gatorade even) before, during and after your workout. Try working out about 2 hours after a light meal. That will give you more energy for your workout, without weighing you down heavily.

Hope this helps! And good luck! Kudos for your efforts.

dakert · 01-26-2009, 12:00 AM

Ashlee -- If you exercise with your favorite sit coms it might go better for you. Hard to believe I started way back in 1981

*Pleasant Tomorrow* · 01-26-2009, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TripperFan

It's quite normal at first. You should be starting out only long enough to get your heart rate up (and they say it is supposed to be at least 20 minutes). Also, you SHOULD sweat. For me, believe it or not, that's the part I find so difficult. I HATE sweating. Anyway, it is normal to feel slightly lightheaded afterwards, and maybe even a slight headache, but it should go away in a short period. If it doesn't then you're over doing it. Cut back a bit but keep it up. It's consistency at this point that's so important for you.

Once you find that you can get through two workouts without feeling really sick afterwards (I know a lot of people, myself included who actually throw up), then increase it even only 2 or 3 minutes per day. Doesn't sound like much, but you'd be surprised. My ex did this and his was middle-aged, on high blood pressure meds, and super stressed, and it did takes months, but he's now in the best shape of his life (the #&*@%$)!!!!

Remember, it didn't take you weeks to get the way you are, so don't expect to get fit overnight either. The main thing is to STICK with it as you've said, and to continually, but safely push yourself.

Also, huge, HUGE to keeo hydrated. A lot of it could be you're not drinking enough water (or gatorade even) before, during and after your workout. Try working out about 2 hours after a light meal. That will give you more energy for your workout, without weighing you down heavily.

Hope this helps! And good luck! Kudos for your efforts.

Thanks for the advice, Cathie. That actually really helps a lot. I'll definitely keep everything you said in mind.

*Pleasant Tomorrow* · 01-26-2009, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dakert

Ashlee -- If you exercise with your favorite sit coms it might go better for you. Hard to believe I started way back in 1981

lol that's actually not a bad idea

catlover79 · 01-26-2009, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *Pleasant Tomorrow*

lol that's actually not a bad idea

That's a GREAT idea.

88keys · 01-26-2009, 12:09 AM

Are you exercising on an empty stomach? I'm in pretty good shape, but sometimes I feel nauseated if I haven't eaten enough. You don't want to exercise on a FULL stomach, but eating a granola bar or a handful of walnuts beforehand can help. Or exercise 2-3 hours after a meal. Also, drink lots of water! You may be dehydrating yourself. Good luck!

*Pleasant Tomorrow* · 01-26-2009, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 88keys

Are you exercising on an empty stomach? I'm in pretty good shape, but sometimes I feel nauseated if I haven't eaten enough. You don't want to exercise on a FULL stomach, but eating a granola bar or a handful of walnuts beforehand can help. Or exercise 2-3 hours after a meal. Also, drink lots of water! You may be dehydrating yourself. Good luck!

Thanks for the input! No, I make sure that I'm not exercising on an empty stomach...but I guess possibly I'm not drinking enough water. I do try to both drink some while I'm working out and after, though.

LuLu Rogers · 01-26-2009, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dakert

Ashlee -- If you exercise with your favorite sit coms it might go better for you. Hard to believe I started way back in 1981

I agree! I take my portable dvd player with me on the treadmill and put in one of my M*A*S*H dvds. One episode is about 25mins, so I get almost a 30 minute work out without even thinking about it. It really works for me

01-25-2009, 11:19 PM	#1
Pleasant Tomorrow Member Forum Addict Join Date: Feb 19, 2003 Location: New York Posts: 69,525	Is This Normal? For one, yes I am extremely out of shape. Depressed, anxious. It's very hard for me to find motivation to do anything a lot of the time, let alone exercise. But this past week, I've been trying to. I've tried in the past and it only lasted about a week...but this time I really want to keep at it. My psychiatrist told what I've always known: for anxious, depressed people like me both medicine and exercise helped boost endorphin activity. I know that. So I'm trying. The problem is that whenever I exercise (and it's usually for no more than 20 minutes), I feel sick afterwards. Drained, headaches, nausea, weird feelings in my chest,shaky...and this is only going on an elliptical for 20 minutes or just doing crunches and jumping jacks for 20 minutes. I know I'm out of shape, but should I really be feeling this way after a work-out? Once, about a year ago, I worked out for about an hour (stupid, stupid idea for out of shape people) and was so sick afterward that I barely left bed the next day and missed all of my classes. It almost makes me afraid to work out period. I don't know if this is a factor, but my heart rate is a bit higher than most...but really not significantly. I'm just curious as to if this sounds bad, or just normal for out of shape people? I'm kind of getting a little freaked out. Thanks.
	__________________ my name is ashlee Welcome! Everything is fine.

01-25-2009, 11:25 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	Ashlee, I suffer from anxiety/depression myself. I'm no doctor, but the symptoms you described sounds like a panic attack. Just to be on the safe side, I'd call the doctor, just to make sure the problem is not physical. If you need to talk to anyone, PM me - anytime!!
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

01-25-2009, 11:54 PM	#8
TripperFan In God's Arms Now Forum Star Join Date: Sep 14, 2003 Location: Heartbreak Ridge Posts: 12,086	It's quite normal at first. You should be starting out only long enough to get your heart rate up (and they say it is supposed to be at least 20 minutes). Also, you SHOULD sweat. For me, believe it or not, that's the part I find so difficult. I HATE sweating. Anyway, it is normal to feel slightly lightheaded afterwards, and maybe even a slight headache, but it should go away in a short period. If it doesn't then you're over doing it. Cut back a bit but keep it up. It's consistency at this point that's so important for you. Once you find that you can get through two workouts without feeling really sick afterwards (I know a lot of people, myself included who actually throw up), then increase it even only 2 or 3 minutes per day. Doesn't sound like much, but you'd be surprised. My ex did this and his was middle-aged, on high blood pressure meds, and super stressed, and it did takes months, but he's now in the best shape of his life (the #&*@%$)!!!! Remember, it didn't take you weeks to get the way you are, so don't expect to get fit overnight either. The main thing is to STICK with it as you've said, and to continually, but safely push yourself. Also, huge, HUGE to keeo hydrated. A lot of it could be you're not drinking enough water (or gatorade even) before, during and after your workout. Try working out about 2 hours after a light meal. That will give you more energy for your workout, without weighing you down heavily. Hope this helps! And good luck! Kudos for your efforts.
	__________________ If I don't see you in this world, I'll meet you in the next one.....don't be late James Marshall Hendrix Voodoo Chile The Forum Legend formerly known as TripperFan "religion is for people who are afraid of hell--spirituality is for people who have been through hell"---anonymous

01-25-2009, 11:31 PM	#3
Waterston_Fan Eternal Member Eternal Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 26, 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 3,195	I'm thinking maybe you should start slowly. Like if you do jumping jacks, instead of doing 20, maybe do 10 or 5. Start slow and maybe stretch first then maybe start for five minutes and see how you feel. That being said, I don't have any depression or anxiety problems so..

01-26-2009, 12:00 AM	#9
dakert Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: May 10, 2007 Location: Altoona PA Posts: 3,411	Ashlee -- If you exercise with your favorite sit coms it might go better for you. Hard to believe I started way back in 1981

01-26-2009, 12:09 AM	#13
88keys Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jan 24, 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 326	Are you exercising on an empty stomach? I'm in pretty good shape, but sometimes I feel nauseated if I haven't eaten enough. You don't want to exercise on a FULL stomach, but eating a granola bar or a handful of walnuts beforehand can help. Or exercise 2-3 hours after a meal. Also, drink lots of water! You may be dehydrating yourself. Good luck!