My energy is decreasing instead of increasing

trekkiebeth

I'm making a desperate attempt to fit into my only nice dress by New Year's Eve. It's probably silly since I only started on Monday and I probably can't lose more than a pound or two in two weeks, but I'm trying anyway since I can't afford a new dress. I've worked out on my stationary bike every day since Monday. I haven't done what most people would consider a lot, but this is the first time I've exercised this many times in a week for quite a while.

Mon: 40 minutes
Tue: 15 minutes
Wed: 30 minutes
Thu: 30 minutes (barely made it)

The problem is that I have to stop and rest every 10 minutes because it's so difficult for me, and I feel like I have less energy now than I did when I started. Isn't exercise supposed to give you more energy? Could there be something wrong with me?

Edit: Forgot to add that I'm eating well too. I'm keeping track of my calories for the first time in ages, not going over or too far under the amount I should have, and I'm eating only healthy food. I haven't allowed myself any treats so far.

vanrunninggirl

When you suddenly increase your exercise it knocks you down. If you stick to it for a week and beyond, you'll start to feel the benefits and your body will get more accustomed to the exercise- in turn you will get more energy. Your metabolism is being jolted this week - try to make sure you get LOTS of rest and this will help give you energy for the next day's workout.

fasttrack27

You have probably worn yourself down. It takes a while to build up endurance, then the energy-feeling will come. Consider using less resistance and longer workouts to build up. Just keep at it girl, but dont burn yourself out and expect huge changes in a week or two. It took me months of spin classes to feel in-shape. Didnt think I'd make it through the first 45 min class I tried, then a few months later I was doing 2-hour Extreme Spin classes led by an Ironman Triathlete. So dont give up!

kimjoan

This is pretty normal for just a week - you are asking more of your body than it is use to and the tiredness is your bodys way of telling you that it needs time to recover. I find that I just need to do a combination of listening and resting and pushing through it. If you keep up the exercise at this rate and the good eating you will feel that energy boost over time - if not, time to call you dr.

SafariLara

just hang in there! you might just be doing too much all at once and your body doesnt know how to handle it.
Slow down just a little, maybe do some easier exercises for a bit and you will feel more energized and less drained.

Just keep up the good work. Your body WILL thank you for it eventually

trekkiebeth

Thanks everyone! I'll stop worrying about it and just keep it up and give it more time.

Fineraziel

I would say its normal. When I started working out, I felt a big loss of energy and it lasted at least a month! O.O But I couldnt afford 8-hours of sleep per night (thanks to my sweet babies!) and I was pretty much "sedentary" for the past 3-4 years...

Anyway, the good news is that I kept on working out everyday, and now I feel very good and more energetic than ever!

run_way

Suddenly increasing your time and/or intensity will wear you out, try to do it more gradually. Also, take a good multivitamin and that should help give you a little extra pep for your day. There are different women's mutlivitamins out there (like the One A Day ones) but I actually take prenatal vitamins, they make me feel great (and no, they won't make you gain