Mood swings in relation cardio/weightlifting?

_AllieCat_

I am curious to see if I am the only person who experiences this.

On most days I only do cardio, after my workout I feel more energized, positive, and lively.

After I lift weights I tend to get very irritable and grumpy. Almost a fight or flight feeling comes over me after the workout. Depending on how hard I pushed myself I often am moody and tired during my sore days afterwards.

These different moods don't have to do with what I'm eating because I eat similar foods day-to-day. These moods are directly linked to my workouts. Obviously I am chipper after cardio because of the endorphins. I wonder if there is a deeper explanation for my grumpy days after an intense weight session.

anemoneprose

Not sure I can add much insight, but yeah, it's the same for me.

I feel like a million bucks after swimming, rowing or calisthenics, and just, yup, irritable after lifting. Even though I'm pretty sure my heart rate goes up then too.

(It's not as bad if I do circuit training, like one of those Spartacus workouts, I notice.)

_AllieCat_

Glad I'm not the only one who experiences this. I was beginning to think something was wrong with my brain!

myfitnessval

for me i get a mad rush after a great workout and cranky pants when i havent been able to workout in a few days

JenKillough

I think I do the same sometimes after lifting. My husband says it makes me mean sometimes. Not really mean, just very irritable and almost like I want to fight

ETA: It may be related to testosterone levels, not sure.

deadliftfan

This is weird. I felt exactly the same thing today. Did some cardio after 3 days of weights, and felt awesome.

james1299

I feel amazing after lifting weights, pumped up, clear and full of test.
Rest days I feel down, especially if I skip my cardio

monty619

you probably enjoy cardio more than lifting, hence the emotional feelings after.

bynonmurrayc

I used to just be a runner. everytime i went to the gym i would get on the treadmil and do some crunches after no weights. i always felt GREAT after these workouts. When i started personal training i became in the WORST mood after my workouts.. not so much like i wanted to fight with someone, but so exhausted and just plain angry! don't know what it is. I asked my trainer too and he said it had something to do with the lactic acid or something? I dunno.. but you're not alone.

JenaePavlak

I'm opposite!! I feel AAAAHHHHMAAAZing after lifting heavy weights!!! So pumped up and ready to go!

I feel good after cardio too, but usually more exhausted because I push myself so much more..

TexasTroy

thats one of the great benefits of cardio training. aerobic workouts release endorphins which gives you a " high " for lack a better word. Endorphins make you feel good...its often called the runners high.

_AllieCat_

I think I do the same sometimes after lifting. My husband says it makes me mean sometimes. Not really mean, just very irritable and almost like I want to fight

ETA: It may be related to testosterone levels, not sure.

EXACTLY how I feel. I want to pick a fight with everyone! By nature I am feisty but weightlifting pushes me over the edge. The testosterone comment makes a lot of sense.

JenKillough

I think I do the same sometimes after lifting. My husband says it makes me mean sometimes. Not really mean, just very irritable and almost like I want to fight

ETA: It may be related to testosterone levels, not sure.

EXACTLY how I feel. I want to pick a fight with everyone! By nature I am feisty but weightlifting pushes me over the edge. The testosterone comment makes a lot of sense.

Sometimes I don't feel like that though... I feel great. I think it's however my mood is beforehand, the lifting just sort of intensifies it, you know?

_AllieCat_

you probably enjoy cardio more than lifting, hence the emotional feelings after.

Actually, cardio bores me to death. I LOVE weightlifting and look forward to it. That's why I am so torn.

jhall1255

i think its to do with testosterone levels

monty619

you probably enjoy cardio more than lifting, hence the emotional feelings after.

Actually, cardio bores me to death. I LOVE weightlifting and look forward to it. That's why I am so torn.

wuts ur routine like? how many exercises and how many sets n reps.

mustgetmuscles1

I have felt exhausted after certain workouts, especially leg day, but never had mood swings....unless I couldnt go. : )

I always eat enough to fuel my workouts. I wonder if you guys are not eating enough. Also rest days are very important with strength training. You could probably get away with cardio everyday of the week but strength training almost requires rest days. I dont mean days where you do cardio instead. I mean do nothing to repair and recover.

Are you guys eating enough fats. They are very important for brain function, hormone balance, vitamin and mineral absorption and all sort of other stuff.


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_AllieCat_

you probably enjoy cardio more than lifting, hence the emotional feelings after.

Actually, cardio bores me to death. I LOVE weightlifting and look forward to it. That's why I am so torn.

wuts ur routine like? how many exercises and how many sets n reps.

I don't know all of the official names for the moves I do on my arm days, but I use all free weights and lift as heavy as I can for 5 reps, about 5 sets depending on how shaky I get. Arms are my biggest work in progress.

On leg day I do leg presses and weighted squats and a few miscellaneous leg machines. Same lifting goal, as heavy as possible for 5 reps, 5 sets.

Every week I am able to go up in weight, so I know I am getting stronger with every session. I also am sore for 3-6 days after my arm or leg day.

Ronunderwood

I always swim 30 laps after a weight training session, so I guess I don't give my mood a chance to swing.
Swimming is generally the icing on the cake after a hard workout. I wouldn't want to do one without the other.

I've never really experienced any aggressive feelings after a weight training workout, that's probably
predicated on the fact that I always do a full yoga routine for a warm up before I start lifting.

monty619

you probably enjoy cardio more than lifting, hence the emotional feelings after.

Actually, cardio bores me to death. I LOVE weightlifting and look forward to it. That's why I am so torn.

wuts ur routine like? how many exercises and how many sets n reps.

I don't know all of the official names for the moves I do on my arm days, but I use all free weights and lift as heavy as I can for 5 reps, about 5 sets depending on how shaky I get. Arms are my biggest work in progress.

On leg day I do leg presses and weighted squats and a few miscellaneous leg machines. Same lifting goal, as heavy as possible for 5 reps, 5 sets.

Every week I am able to go up in weight, so I know I am getting stronger with every session. I also am sore for 3-6 days after my arm or leg day.

well when performing anaerobic activity its good to have more dietary carbohydrates that day as well as overall calories.. ofcourse protein should be high as well and fat at usual levels... if ur diet log was open i could check it out but its not =/

anemoneprose

The testosterone things makes sense, as does diet, for some. (Not me, I eat way above MFP's idea of what 'maintenance' is, macros ok

Re the psychological stuff - I like the feeling of lifting - sensing different muscles work against tension, paying attention to balance & form as a kind of challenge (which it is for me, I'm still learning).

But, can't say I enjoy it as as much as other things, where, idk, you have a sense of moving forward in space and time, or getting into a kind of zone via repetition. There's more regular & deeper breathing with some things - swimming, yoga, running - more oxygen. So many people seem to grunt & hold their breath while lifting.

Or with eg calisthenics (or dancing, especially) there's a different kind of aesthetic quality to the things you do - you get into a rhythm, add some variety with some big or explosive movements. Maybe use a bigger range of motion & stretch out your limbs now and then, like animals & kids do, just because it feels nice. Those movements are about spreading out, vs deliberately compacting force within your body.

brevislux

For me it's very strange - when I just do cardio I feel energized, but after I lift weights I just feel very tired and just want to go to sleep.

gmallan

I haven't experienced this but maybe you could try doing 10mins of cardio after your weights workout (if you can manage it). Great time to burn fat and might lift your mood

MyNewZen

Lifting weights puts a lot of stress on the body, both the central nervous system and hormonal regulation are effected along with a whole lot of other complicated biological systems.

I generally feel great after a lifting session but its super important that I eat right and get a good night’s sleep. Some days I have made the mistake of staying up late after a big weights session and it has left me pretty black the next day.

I find that I feel much better on a multivitamin when I’m lifting really heavy. Rest days are important too no matter how much you want to get out there and be active make sure you have a day or so off every now and then.

mrs_deg1983

i think its to do with testosterone levels

agreed!!!!!