Light Headed During Interval Training

wanttolose40lbs
wanttolose40lbs Posts: 239 Member
in Food and Nutrition
During my interval training, in the process of getting up and down I get very lightheaded and dizzy. I was wondering if anyone had an idea of why this might be happening. I drink plenty of water, and try to have a piece of fruit or hard boiled egg an hour before my workout, so I'm confused as to why this might be happening. Any help would be appreciated

Replies

  • jeme3
    jeme3 Posts: 355 Member
    There is a condition, can't remember the name, but the problem has something to do with a drop in blood pressure when you sit up or stand.

    It can be no big deal or it can be a very big deal, like pass out/fall down/get hurt due to the drop in bp.

    Might be something to mention to your doc.
  • horndave
    horndave Posts: 565
    eat more to fuel your body.
  • deannarey13
    deannarey13 Posts: 452
    After looking at your diary, it could also be that you are not fueling your body for an intense workout like that. Also, I don't know your current fitness level - but HIIT isn't for everyone. You should have a pretty good cardiovascular base before doing something like this.
  • 2012asv
    2012asv Posts: 702 Member
    I've experience this a few times... look up: hypoglycemic. It could be something else entirely but check it out. If this is the case for you than your blood sugar dropped too low- this can be quickly fixed by eating or glucose tablets.

    good luck + be careful!
  • lisadlocks
    lisadlocks Posts: 212 Member
    I have that issue as well. I have a sudden drop in blood pressure when I gofrom lying down to standing up. Lots of dizzyness. I have high blood pressure and my doctor had to decrease my medication until the issue stopped. This also corresponded with my drop in weight as well. My doctor took my pressure laying down, then when I stood up, sitting down and then standing up.
  • slkehl
    slkehl Posts: 3,801 Member
    Maybe your workout is too intense for your current fitness level? You may need to work up to it.
  • mitch16
    mitch16 Posts: 2,113 Member
    Orthostatic hypotension

    Look it up on webmd to see if the symptoms fit... You might be overdoing it. You might not be eating enough. You might have low blood pressure. Adjust what you can, and then talk to your physician if it still occurs.
  • islandnutshel
    islandnutshel Posts: 1,143 Member
    I had a couple of days like this. I checked my blood pressure and it was unusualy low. So I worked on eating more iron rich foods and hydrating properly. If it doesn't go away, consult your doc.
  • djsupreme6
    djsupreme6 Posts: 1,210 Member
    Since there are a variety of reasons for this it is not something I would mess with. You should see a doctor to be the safest. I know pro athletes take this approach as its not something that is taken lightly.
  • VorJoshigan
    VorJoshigan Posts: 1,106 Member
    There is a condition, can't remember the name, but the problem has something to do with a drop in blood pressure when you sit up or stand.

    It can be no big deal or it can be a very big deal, like pass out/fall down/get hurt due to the drop in bp.

    Might be something to mention to your doc.

    It's called orthostatic hypotension. I have it too. Eating more salt might help. When you eat healthier, your body will naturally excrete salt more readily.
  • BeantownSooner
    BeantownSooner Posts: 254
    This can actually be very normal as you become more fit. Your resting HR is lower and thus fast upward movements such as you stated can cause this feeling. As others have stated, it can also be a more serious issue.

    Try doing the movements a lot more methodical, i.e. don't jerk upward but rather do it more slowly. See if this eliminates the affect for a couple of days. If not, see the Doc.
  • denise032
    denise032 Posts: 108 Member
    I'm just taking a stab in the dark here ,but it sounds like your blood sugar is low. You may want to try have a slightly bigger snack before working out. Maybe instead of just a piece of fruit, have it with some almond butter or peanut butter. One of my favorite snacks is a banana with a tablespoon of almond butter. I usually have it 30-45 minutes before.

    Not sure if you hydrate during exercise, but if you do, maybe try something with electrolytes in it like coconut water or G2 Gatorade to keep your blood sugar steady throughout the workout.
  • OK_Girl
    OK_Girl Posts: 123 Member
    If it is caused by a drop in blood pressure, try this


    when getting up, get up slowly, keeping your chin tucked in, and rolling your body up slowly. Untuck your chin and straighten you head last. This should decrease the 'swing' and ease dizziness.
  • pinky_pie
    pinky_pie Posts: 127
    How are your iron levels? When was the last time you saw your doctor and had bloodwork? You should mention this to your doctor and have him/her test your iron levels and your B12 levels to ensure that you aren't deficient. (You'd be surprised how easy your body can be deficient in these particular areas).

    Good luck :)
  • PennyHarris123
    PennyHarris123 Posts: 159 Member
    a few people in our gym this happened too when they were new to that class...they've built up to it now and seem ok. One of them kept holding their breath so make sure you're breathing deeply and steadily?
  • CharleneExtreme
    CharleneExtreme Posts: 372
    Mix the juice of a lemon with water and salt. Add sweetener if you need to, Coconut water and Powerade Ion4 work great too. Also some pre-workout carbs couldn't hurt either!
  • icyeyes317
    icyeyes317 Posts: 226 Member
    There is a condition, can't remember the name, but the problem has something to do with a drop in blood pressure when you sit up or stand.

    It can be no big deal or it can be a very big deal, like pass out/fall down/get hurt due to the drop in bp.

    Might be something to mention to your doc.


    Specifically this is called Orthostatic Hypotension.
  • slimmergalpal
    slimmergalpal Posts: 235 Member
    This happens to me, also when I workout with my Trainer. I wear a HRM with chest strap everytime I have a session and for me- it happens when my heart rate goes through the roof. Every single time my heart rate has been in the 170's,pushing 180. When I start getting dizzy or light-headed, we break from the cardio that caused it and she has me walk laps briskly to get it back down into the 140's-150's. This might be what you are going through. HRM may tell you what's going.
    Good Luck !
  • wanttolose40lbs
    wanttolose40lbs Posts: 239 Member
    Thanks for all the good advice. I am not new to exercising, I've just recently completed P90X and am looking for a similar type of excercise, and I do hydrate myself. I'm going to try to eat a better snack before I workout and see if that helps and try a different drink rather than just water
  • wanttolose40lbs
    wanttolose40lbs Posts: 239 Member
    I should also add that I exercise 6 days a week. Besides the interval training I do the elliptical, spinning, strength training and 30 day shred. The interval training is by far the hardest but also the only exercise where I get light headed

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