Getting emotional at the gym?

Please tell me if any of you all have this problem!

When I'm at the gym, especially on the treadmill, I get really emotional. I'm not having emotional thoughts really, but I feel like I'm going to cry even though I'm not in any sort of pain . . .

Thankfully it doesn't actually develop into crying but I would feel a lot better knowing it happens to other people. Thanks in advance for any replies~

Yes, I'm a woman and not that it is any of your business but: it ISN'T my time of the month so that's not the reason.

Wow. Defensive much? No one had even responded yet, so let's chill out just a hair.

Beyond that, I have no idea how to help. Good luck. :flowerforyou:

I do it. When I think how far I've come...how hard I've worked...and what I'll look like when all is said and done. I leak happy tears. I cried after I crossed the finish line of my first 5K and I'm tearing up now remembering it. But then it just happened Saturday.

I'm not even PMsing anymore either. LOL.

Please tell me if any of you all have this problem!

When I'm at the gym, especially on the treadmill, I get really emotional. I'm not having emotional thoughts really, but I feel like I'm going to cry even though I'm not in any sort of pain . . .

Thankfully it doesn't actually develop into crying but I would feel a lot better knowing it happens to other people. Thanks in advance for any replies~

Yes, I'm a woman and not that it is any of your business but: it ISN'T my time of the month so that's not the reason.

Wow. Defensive much? No one had even responded yet, so let's chill out just a hair.

Beyond that, I have no idea how to help. Good luck. :flowerforyou:

The OP's statement didn't strike me as defensive at all.

I get emotional when I work out too. I don't know why. I would guess it has something to do with endorphins and/or a subconscious emotional state you're in (as in, all you're telling yourself is "I'm doing really well! This is faster than I went last week!" But in that statement there's a hidden emotional "I've come so far! I have worked so hard and it's paying off!" Or "I'm working so hard and I am afraid I'll never get to xyz goal!" Or something.)

Maybe it's endorphins kicking in? Emotional sad or...? I notice I sometimes get emotional during a workout but it's just listening to great music and being thoroughly happy, really in the moment, feeling like I'm in my element

Time of month is actually pretty relevant with a randomly emotional female, thanks for noticing and addressing up front!

That makes a lot of sense. It's more like an "overwhelmed" feeling, not necessarily sad, so the endorphins thing probably is the reason why. Thanks!

I do feel sort of "high" when running outside...I suffer from light depression from time to time but every time when I hit the road, I feel there's nothing I can't do in this world...you know...not necesarily wanted to cry but a different feeling than feeling sorry about myself.

I've never, ever heard of this, but I think it's kind of interesting. :ohwell:

don't think I was being outlandish. One of the first responses a woman gets if they say they're upset is, "Are you PMSing?" or something flippant like "go buy some tampons."

Oh man, I was just about to suggest you go buy some crampons...you know, give ice climbing a try. Now I feel weird saying that though.

Seriously though as to your issue its hard for me to comment knowledgeably as I have never personally experienced that. Is it possible that your weight or appearance is an emotional hot button for you and so to finally be in a gym actively doing something towards your health is just on some deep subconscious level a very emotional thing for you?

With anything I'd just say give it time, it may pass as this becomes more routine for you.

Do you work out at the beginning or the end of the day? I could totally see it being a response to letting go (or processing) the stress of the day.

When I did a 5k last year, I bawled at the finish line. I never experienced anything like that before. I think I was overcome with emotion that I didn't die!!! :happy:

I'm not a doctor so I won't give any medical advice. I would suggest that perhaps you keep a log of when it happens and if you feel it's frequent, ask your doctor to see what they advise.

Sláinte :drinker:

Well, I do feel like bursting out laughing during an especially intense workout every now and then. Which I don't because I don't want to be the weirdo at the gym. I blame it on the endorphins. Not complaining though.

Once or twice when I've found a workout very challenging but pushed on and finished it I had an overwhelming feeling like I was going to cry. I put it down to being amazed at myself for actually doing it when I never thought that I would. That and endorphins.

You could be experiencing an emotional release. These typically happen during massage and other types of body work. It can happen when working out too. It's basically when you release an area where you have stored emotion, often times in your muscles.

If you're working out you're moving muscles that may not get much movement otherwise, if you happen to carry stress in those muscles then you may find yourself feeling overwhelmed or sad or even laughing for no reason. It's totally normal. I like to think of it as a way for us to release energy and to find balance in our emotional and psychological health. Part of getting fit and healthy is emotional.

I personally have experienced it in frog pose at yoga. I cycle between laughter and tears. Nothing to be ashamed of or be worried about, it's a good thing!

I've experienced this once!
It had been after 4 months of intensive training with my personal trainer. I was on the elliptical and didn't have a good day. I wasn't able to get through a work out that I had managed a week before. Just before I started crying, I stepped of and went to the bike to continue with the next part of my work out. Same effect there, I wasn't able to manage the intensity I was supposed to do and which I had done with no problem the week before. I just stopped there and went showering, washing off some tears which I was able to keep until nobody saw me anymore.
That was the moment my trainer had warned me at the beginning of his work: " there will be a time that I don't want to see you at the gym: you'll need a break and some rest and everything you do during that time will be useless."
I didn't believe him: after all I asked him to train me to lose weight and become fit, not to tell me that I need a break...
After a week or 2 of resting and not working out, I was ready to start all over, and managed the intensive workout I wasn't able to do 2 weeks earlier.
This only happened once! Since that moment, I know when it's time for the next break, and I usually ask for it.