Tired After Exercise

abikinibyjuly

I think I read somewhere that exercise is supposed to give you more energy. I'm just pooped! I've been hiking or doing treadmill intervals. After I take a shower all I want to do is take a nap! Anyone else? My body feels relaxed and so tired. I'm eating plenty, so it's not for lack of nutrition.

Tinasheree29

OMG! I am sooo like that. I'm thinking,"Where is all mt energy because I have none!" All I want to do after a hard workout is sleep. I work the overnight shift, and to help me sleep during the day, I will do a hard workout. After that and a shower, I can sleep like a baby lol

Kathleenkirkendoll

ditto - I most of the time feel the same way - I think most of the time it has a lot to do with the weather. Sun shining I feel a
lot perkier.

CLFrancois

I don't know a lot of people that do a decent workout with burning lots of fuel and energy and are NOT tired after. I have more energy in the morning and when I have rest days, but never right after I work out.

abikinibyjuly

Well, at least I'm not alone. I have plenty of sunshine here (California) so I can 't blame the weather. I workout in the morning and then I'm spent for the day. I'm afraid if I plan to workout at night, I'll end up skipping it altogether out of sheer laziness. Hoping that some of this newfound energy finds us all ... And soon!

lexington87

I was like that until my doctor told me to ease off a little. Now I don't know all of the explaination behind it but exercising to exhaustion (going home and imediatly needing a nap) can slow down your recovery slow your progress. Her comment was to stop and do my cool down/stretch when I start to feel like I'm slowing down. I've only just started trying this so we'll see if its a bunch of bull or not.

Ninguneado73

Perhaps do a little less? Build up resistance slowly. If I went to the gym and lifted for 90 minutes I would be tired all day. However, 60 minutes is just fine for me.

MikeInAZ

I used to do a big workout like a long hike or a mountain bike ride and then I was wiped out for the day. Now, I do it and I have plenty of energy to burn. It took almost a year of working out before it changed. Your body is just adjusting. It won't always be like that. The key is to do regular exercise, 3-5 days a week!! But it's normal to be tired afterwards. You should be feeling the extra energy later in the day or the next day.

wswilliams67

LOL the increased energy doesn't come immediately after an intense workout... how could it? The 'more energy' comes as a daily increase you gain from your body being more efficient.

If you aren't tired after your workout then it wasn't much of a workout was it? Just saying.

abikinibyjuly

Sounds good. I have been going all out ... No rest days. Perhaps I should think about switching it up so it's not so intense every day. Thanks so much for the responses. I do appreciate it.

djames92

lololol you should be tired after a workout!!! thats the point the whole increased energy comes in the long term people who workout have more energy throughout the day but not right after a workout

amyplaysflute

When I first started working out I'd feel exhausted and have a headache after. It wasn't fun. 3 months later now I actually feel great after I work out. Still tired, but also refreshed, like my insides just had a bath.

jennifer_417

I'm usually tired, too, but I had gone and go to bed after my workout so it works for me. I usually sleep better, too.

aberc

When I do hard workouts or HIIT, I feel pretty wiped out. A lot of times after a weight training session, I have to sit down and read the newspaper at the gym because I dont feel like walking to the car lol. Same with HIIT, I normally spend a long time stretching to rest. But that's my muscles being exhausted. Mentally, not usually. I get tired after big meals though.

TRMite

ya add in a rest day and do weight training instead of cardio a few of those days. might make a big difference.

BluePHX

For the first while after you've just begun exercising again it will be like that. Your muscles are weak and aren't used to the amount of movement you're putting them through. After the first week or two though it should get easier and easier until it actually starts to feel good. Also make sure you're eating enough calories every day, and especially so on days when you work out. Your body needs fuel to burn and if you aren't eating enough you'll get exhausted.

fluffysexyme

I used to feel that way but not so much any more. I started taking a good multivitamin and working out first thing in the morning. I also eat a bar. I choose Access, but whatever you choose, make sure it burns quickly (carbs, whey) eat it ahead of your workout. Like 20 minutes or so. I burned 800 calories today with only a little fatigue.

mgpage

I have been doing the Insanity workout and was telling my husband just last week how sleepy it made me. He said well if it didn't make you tired it isn't much of a workout. I tried to explain that about half way through I would get so sleep that I could stop and curl up on the shop floor and sleep through the night. I thought it was because I wasn't eating enough to fuel my body for that intense of a workout, so I increased my calories and it has helped some. But tonight I had to take a nap before I could do my workout, but I ate pretty crappy today so that could have something to do with it. I am so new to all of this that I am learning everything by trial and error. Thanks for posting this I was beginning to think that I was the only one that was having this problem.

dubird

If you're working to exhaustion, you're working too hard. Cut back on time/reps/whatever by a little bit. You should feel like you've been working, but not dead on your feet or in pain. If you're working out until you hurt, you'll just make yourself feel worse in the long run. I know for me, if I'm actually hurting when I'm done, I give up. You should feel a little sore the next day, which should be a rest day, and ready to go back the day after. Over time, you'll be able to increase what you do, and you'll have more overall energy to work with.

abikinibyjuly

So, today I took it easier. Burned half as many calories as in my intense workouts and I felt so much better afterward *slaps forehead*

Now I understand the importance of not going full out everyday. I can see how that would just burn someone out.

ChaseAlder

I rarely leave the gym with energy. I put it all out there during the workout and leave with wobbly legs, jello arms, and burning lungs. I'm not sure what kind of workout leaves you energized, but it sounds like a great warm-up.

Warchortle

Sleepy tired? It means you're not getting enough carbs.

Guamybear

I used to get like that..turns out I was overdoing it.. i didn't have to exercise that hard or long.. Could also have something to do with your eating..maybe not enough protein or you might need to more before you work out.

Arazante

It's not true for everyone, it depends on when you exercise, how long/often, how many calories you've had, how long you've been up, how often you work out, and how intense the workout was.

Generally, the more you work out, the more likely you will start building up natural energy. If our bodies are not used to working out, or they are TOO used to a certain type of workout, they will not get the adrenaline rush that others do. Either give yourself time if it hasn't been that long, or try different variety to your routine- maybe even add some supplements or try different ones if you already have some.

Or.. just work out closer to bed time? I used to get a buzz after working out when I was in my teens, now I am more prone to be tired. Bodies can be fussy.

janessanessa

Continued fatigue and lack of energy post exercise can be a sign of overtraining, which can lead to injury. Listen to your body and allow 1-2 rest days each week, and mix up your routine so you are not doing high intensity workouts each day. Strength training would be an excellent choice as would gentle yoga or pilates.

bi0nicw0man

Make sure you are fueling properly RIGHT AFTER (15-30 mins) your workout. Some easily digestable protein and a complex carb. Like deli turkey and some sweet potato...or something like that. Little to no fat. You need the protein and carbs to start recovery right away.