Calisthenics and dizziness

histora
histora Posts: 287 Member
edited January 31 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi!

I'm a 31 y/o woman, mom, and nursing student that is slowly but surely losing weight. I don't have a whole lot of money or time, so I tend to work out from home a lot. I'm 5'6, weigh 252, have lost 25 lbs in the past 3 years. I don't have any health conditions other than asthma, which I control with an inhaler quite well.

My problem/question is this: when I do calisthenic-type exercises, such as sit ups, push ups, or jumping jacks, I get very hot (almost like overheating), my head gets really swimmy, and I instantly get nauseous and weak. The last Dr I saw about it just shrugged and said don't do them, which is a BS answer, doesn't help, and is the reason I left him. I'm good with treadmill, weight exercises, sports, but do those types and I have to lay down for 15-20 minutes with a cold cloth and a puke bucket.

Any had this problem? If you did, what did you do to overcome it? Cutting out a lot of those exercises doesn't leave much left to do at home.

Replies

  • Yogi_Carl
    Yogi_Carl Posts: 1,906 Member
    How many of these are you doing in any one set? If you are doing them for strength, do less reps and look for an exercise that will let you do only 8-12 reps and you should find you are gaining strength without overheating.

    On the other hand, if you are doing more than 12 per set, you will build up some heat as you are working too light for strength but too hard for cardio for any length of time.

    So if the press-up is too easy at 12 reps, try elevating your feet on something until you can only do 8 reps, or place your hands closer. You get the idea.
  • histora
    histora Posts: 287 Member
    I'm not doing many before I get 'sick'.

    I can do maybe 15-20 jumping jacks, 5-10 situps, and 5-10 pushups, and boom! I'm down for the count. I should be able to do more than that before quitting!
  • eblakes93
    eblakes93 Posts: 372 Member
    Hi!

    I'm a 31 y/o woman, mom, and nursing student that is slowly but surely losing weight. I don't have a whole lot of money or time, so I tend to work out from home a lot. I'm 5'6, weigh 252, have lost 25 lbs in the past 3 years. I don't have any health conditions other than asthma, which I control with an inhaler quite well.

    My problem/question is this: when I do calisthenic-type exercises, such as sit ups, push ups, or jumping jacks, I get very hot (almost like overheating), my head gets really swimmy, and I instantly get nauseous and weak. The last Dr I saw about it just shrugged and said don't do them, which is a BS answer, doesn't help, and is the reason I left him. I'm good with treadmill, weight exercises, sports, but do those types and I have to lay down for 15-20 minutes with a cold cloth and a puke bucket.

    Any had this problem? If you did, what did you do to overcome it? Cutting out a lot of those exercises doesn't leave much left to do at home.

    Make sure you are breathing properly? I've noticed that I sometimes hold my breath during ab exercises (I'm not sure if this is because I'm doing them wrong or not). Are you moving very quickly from a standing to a sitting position or vice a versa? Sometimes that can make me a little dizzy for a couple of seconds.
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    I know you don't like your doctor's answer, but it sounds to me like you need to build up to the intensity of those exercises. Do lower intensity exercise to develop your fitness level and work up to it.


    I'm assuming since you talked to your doctor about it already they've ruled out any medications that could be causing it or blood pressure issues which could also cause those symptoms.
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