Post-work out meal induced vomiting

Hello all!

So, I have recently begun a new fitness regime after being off the horse for about four years. Basically I am reasonably out of shape. I started the gym again about three weeks ago, and have been doing a lot of cardio (jogging, running, walking) and some strength training.

Tonight I decided I was going to do RPM (strenuous stationary bike class). I loved it! I was sweating like crazy, and felt completely pumped and amazing after the class was over.

I came home to an amazing meal made by my fiance - homemade spaghetti with meat sauce and a piece of homemade garlic bread.

I IMMEDIATELY felt like I ate too much. I had and still have a feeling that my stomach and intestines (higher in my chest than normal) are blocked with very heavy food. I laid down for a minute, and immediately felt like I had to vomit. And so I did!! All that yummy food literally down the drain!

Is this normal? I know I worked myself harder than I usually do, but I want to do RPM because I enjoy it. Could it be that I ate the wrong food after working out?

I need some advice because this is new to me. I haven't gotten sick from working out before, and I am a little worried!!!

Thanks :)

Replies

  • emmalousmom1
    emmalousmom1 Posts: 121 Member
    are you having heavyness in your chest, nausea, sweating, shortness of breath??
  • madrose0715
    madrose0715 Posts: 463 Member
    no, this is not normal.
  • Deeners82
    Deeners82 Posts: 6 Member
    No. I am fine otherwise!
  • JeneticTraining
    JeneticTraining Posts: 663 Member
    Take your time eating and drink water. Don't eat til your full. Eat til you feel satisified and you're not hungry. Good job on your workout btw.
  • CJ_Holmes
    CJ_Holmes Posts: 759 Member
    A few times after a heavy workout I have chugged a bunch of water, and then ended up throwing up. :frown:

    It's not usual, and I was fine otherwise, so I just felt embarrassed and moved on. I felt like my body was just kind of stressed and I put down the water waaaaay too fast. Also, I am diabetic, so high or low blood sugar can cause nausea.

    If it happens again, though, you may want to ask a doc! Could be just a fluke, but there could be some kind of problem.
  • TigressPat
    TigressPat Posts: 722
    maybe you should get that checked out.

    your symptoms sound like they could be either heart or gallbladder related.
  • EmilyEmpowered
    EmilyEmpowered Posts: 650 Member
    Any time I do intense cardio, I cant eat or drink anything but slowly sip water for at leats an hour afterwards. With weight lifting, I am STARVING immediately after, but with Cardio, especially HIIT, I feel like I ate too much WITHOUT EVEN EATING! lol I am not sure why, but I think it is pretty normal.... Good job on your workout, by the way:flowerforyou:

    ETA: ok, reading other replies, maybe it isnt normal? IDK, I always assumed it was just from pushing myself as hard as I could...
  • ukkiosan
    ukkiosan Posts: 62 Member
    I get this if I eat dinner after a particularly strenuous class like spinning or kickboxing, and I have no idea why it happens. My solution was to have something small (like a a piece of fruit, handful of nuts, or protein shake with almond milk), wait for 1-2 hours, and then eat dinner. Will be watching this thread to see if any ideas pop up :smile:
  • Deeners82
    Deeners82 Posts: 6 Member
    Thanks, everyone! I think it's a bit much to assume it's a health problem. I feel like I just worked myself way more than my body is accustomed to, and then I ate way too much pasta and it overwhelmed me. That's what I'm assuming, anyways.
  • Deeners82
    Deeners82 Posts: 6 Member
    .
  • TigressPat
    TigressPat Posts: 722
    Thanks, everyone! I think it's a bit much to assume it's a health problem. I feel like I just worked myself way more than my body is accustomed to, and then I ate way too much pasta and it overwhelmed me. That's what I'm assuming, anyways.

    it's the way you phrased it that triggered my alarm bells, as the "higher" than actual stomach part is what often happens when you have a gallbladder issue.

    did you have pain as well?
  • Deeners82
    Deeners82 Posts: 6 Member
    I just mean that you know when you're really full, it feels like you're just completely blocked and it's taking up all the room in your stomach? It's like that. I feel like I overate. I could be just overreacting here, but I just wanted to see if there's others out there who have experienced this!

    No other symptoms. I just feel a little sick to my stomach, like I ate too much and need to let it wear off.
  • alychil820
    alychil820 Posts: 219 Member
    I think you just overwhelmed your body with heavy food so soon after a workout. It's happened to me before, too.
  • chatogal
    chatogal Posts: 436 Member
    you had a strenuous workout, filled your lungs, pumped your diaphragm. and then you ate a big meal!!...no wonder you vomited. Ever seen a person at the end of a hard run or a labouring woman after she has given birth?? They do the same...its not rocket sceince!!
  • morielia
    morielia Posts: 169 Member
    Thanks, everyone! I think it's a bit much to assume it's a health problem. I feel like I just worked myself way more than my body is accustomed to, and then I ate way too much pasta and it overwhelmed me. That's what I'm assuming, anyways.

    I don't think it's that you ate too much pasta. I think it's that you ate too soon. I used to swim 4-6 miles every night in practice (so I was in pretty damn good shape) and had to wait at least a half hour before I felt like I could stomach anything. Even now when I come home from a long bike ride, I sometimes feel like I have a rock in the pit of my stomach when all I've had is water. Your body needs a chance to mellow out for a bit after you've worked it so strenuously.
  • spangey13
    spangey13 Posts: 294
    That's not common, but not unheard of. I have done that before - a 15km off road run through the ranges and came back, had a sausage on the bbq, an apple, some lollies, and it all came back up.

    If it happened again then maybe get it checked out but, a one off - just don't do that again.
  • 1223345
    1223345 Posts: 1,386 Member
    I used to work at a gym, and I was always surprised at how often people would vomit after a heavy workout. I think it is the bodies way of telling us to take it down a notch.
  • Warchortle
    Warchortle Posts: 2,197 Member
    you might just need time for your stomach to settle.. eating too fast can cause problems like this especially for richer foods.
  • RobynMWilson
    RobynMWilson Posts: 1,540 Member
    I do some intense cardio and post workout, I drink a recovery drink and wait at least an hour before eating my meal. And if I eat too fast I get that same feeling like the food isn't going down so I take my time.

    Also, maybe slow down and work your way back up to that class. You didn't get out of shape overnight, you're not gonna get fit overnight!
  • sunsnstatheart
    sunsnstatheart Posts: 2,544 Member
    Thanks, everyone! I think it's a bit much to assume it's a health problem. I feel like I just worked myself way more than my body is accustomed to, and then I ate way too much pasta and it overwhelmed me. That's what I'm assuming, anyways.

    it's the way you phrased it that triggered my alarm bells, as the "higher" than actual stomach part is what often happens when you have a gallbladder issue.

    did you have pain as well?

    The issue with trying to get a medical diagnosis on MFP . . .

    OP, try not eat until you're really full right after an intense workout. If that doesn't work, then maybe you should see a doctor.
  • 007FatSlayer
    007FatSlayer Posts: 132 Member
    Spaghetti with meat sauce is pretty heavy. It would be best to eat light after you work out that hard...i.e. protein shake and fruit. Once you've rested for a little bit, then it would probably be ok to eat something heavier. Hopefully this advice helps!