Tired after workouts

TarynAngeline

So, on days when I just do moderate cardio I have more energy throughout my day. On days when I go to the gym and lift heavy, I come home and immediately crash hard! I'll have a really intense 20 minute or so super deep dream sleep. Even if I workout in the morning, after a solid 8 hrs. It's so nice.

It's not a problem because I have time to do this before I have to work but not sure what I'd do if I didn't because I really can't keep my eyes open.

Any one else? Does your body adjust eventually?

steve_mfp

Your body will adjust.

The fact is weight lifting uses a lot more energy than cardio. That's why it is more effective for losing weight. Cardio obviously increases endurance and both should be done.

Oh, also make sure you are eating enough. Muscles need fuel.

ebgbjo

This is so me. A month into CrossFit and I still need a hot soak and a long nap after nap after CF days. Cardio days
though I have plenty of energy for the day.

Phaedra2014

So, on days when I just do moderate cardio I have more energy throughout my day. On days when I go to the gym and lift heavy, I come home and immediately crash hard! I'll have a really intense 20 minute or so super deep dream sleep. Even if I workout in the morning, after a solid 8 hrs. It's so nice.

It's not a problem because I have time to do this before I have to work but not sure what I'd do if I didn't because I really can't keep my eyes open.

Any one else? Does your body adjust eventually?

I'm the exact opposite. Any kind of steady state cardio knocks me out. I ran 3 miles today and didn't even feel like eating dinner. Had to make myself eat something.

When I lift weights instead, I have an energy and a high that feels crazy good.

jofjltncb6

Are you eating enough?

TarynAngeline

This is so me. A month into CrossFit and I still need a hot soak and a long nap after nap after CF days. Cardio days
though I have plenty of energy for the day.

Hot bath sounds amazing. I should actually take the time to do that sometimes!

Jof- probably not. I think I need to increase my cals. Good call

jofjltncb6

Jof- probably not. I think I need to increase my cals. Good call

It's a common mistake to make. Even with adequate eating, it's not uncommon to go through a transition period as you get used to the extra workload...

...and when it fits my schedule, I love a post-workout nap.

TarynAngeline

Post-workout naps are the best of naps. What else is great post-workout?

Post workout showers are pretty great. So are post work out shakes and post workout mental clarity. Mmmm everything is better post workout...

pcastagner

i'm usually wiped on deadlift day once a week

VenharBaby

Post-workout naps are the best of naps. What else is great post-workout?

Post workout showers are pretty great. So are post work out shakes and post workout mental clarity. Mmmm everything is better post workout...

Yep even post workout sex. And burns more cals

arcticfox04

Generally after you exercise your body is running low on Carbs. I'd suggest throw some carbs in you after your done working out. Normally Iet 50% of my daily carbs 90 to 120 minutes before I goto the gym. Normally its a split from breakfast/lunch since I go in the afternoon. Then I'll have 20% of my daily carbs afterwards normally I have a Carb Powder mixed in my protein shake.

QuietBloom

Your body will adjust.

The fact is weight lifting uses a lot more energy than cardio. That's why it is more effective for losing weight. Cardio obviously increases endurance and both should be done.

Oh, also make sure you are eating enough. Muscles need fuel.

It doesn't burn more calories than cardio, it burns fewer. That's why lifters trying to put on muscle don't do cardio.

DeeDeeMee

I usually do cardio instead of strength training, because that's just my preference so I don't know how applicable this is to your situation per se, but.... I have heard that it is good to eat something, even just something small like a half a banana or something, within half an hour after exercising. I try to schedule my exercise to just before a meal time (not immediately before if it's a really heavy workout, but within the half hour) and it seems to be working well I never seem to be overly fatigued by anything.

The rationale behind it is that your body likes to know that it's ok to burn the energy if it's going to get some more straight away, but the trick is to give it less than it's burned, or something. I'm just thinking that in your situation it might be good to combine this with something like eating something with decent protein maybe half an hour before your workout as well, so that your muscles really have some food to grow on.

Like I said I'm certainly not an expert, just hoping to offer some practical advice that might be of use.

steve_mfp

Your body will adjust.

The fact is weight lifting uses a lot more energy than cardio. That's why it is more effective for losing weight. Cardio obviously increases endurance and both should be done.

Oh, also make sure you are eating enough. Muscles need fuel.

It doesn't burn more calories than cardio, it burns fewer. That's why lifters trying to put on muscle don't do cardio.

Hmmmm, I misquoted or misunderstand or both. I thought that cardio could use fat, glycogen stores and blood glucose for energy, while strength training would only use the glycogen and glucose for energy. I know the higher the intensity of cardio and the less fat is used and more glycogen and glucose. So by energy I wasn't specifically meaning calories but more the immediate energy stores. Unless I'm understanding that wrong also. I was just thinking about her energy level after weight training was so low since she has burned all her glucose and glycogen stores where cardio left some in the tank.

MeanderingMammal

The fact is weight lifting uses a lot more energy than cardio. That's why it is more effective for losing weight. Cardio obviously increases endurance and both should be done.

No, afraid not.

Both CV work and resistance training consume energy, but the purpose of resistance training is more about building muscle mass, increasing direct strength and a number of other structural effects. CV work improves cardiovascular health, increases stamina and endurance and can be far more entertaining.

Weight loss is merely about the balance between energy intake and energy expenditure, that expenditure can be in any way but CV work is generally going to be much more time efficient.

What the originator is suggesting might just be down to being utterly bored to tears by the end of a resistance session though

AllanMisner

Your body will adjust.

The fact is weight lifting uses a lot more energy than cardio. That's why it is more effective for losing weight. Cardio obviously increases endurance and both should be done.

Oh, also make sure you are eating enough. Muscles need fuel.

It doesn't burn more calories than cardio, it burns fewer. That's why lifters trying to put on muscle don't do cardio.

That's not always the case. For me, an intense lifting session can burn far more calories than steady as she goes cardio. A good lifting session can be like HIIT. Lifters choose to not do cardio because they don't want to burn any more calories than necessary to get through their workouts.

pcastagner

When comparing "how much you burn" from a given exercise, don't just look at the exercise session. What matters is a TOTAL cost in energy for the work itself PLUS recovery, PLUS the cost of any adaptation your body makes. Nothing is free.

JONZ64

If you are expending more energy you have to eat more or drink more, what is your daily water intake?

Its your body and it is good that you are tuned in and listening to it. WE (MFP'ers) are not in the gym with you, so we don't know if you "Jog" thru Cardio and hit the weights like a Spartan Warrior, which would make you burn more or the if you do the opposite. No matter what you do, you have to eat/rest appropriately. I know for me, when I run outside I am ravenous but when I use the ellipitcal...not so much

Keep listening to your body!