Does anyone else ...

stenochick
stenochick Posts: 142 Member
edited September 23 in Fitness and Exercise
Does anyone else look like they need medical attention when they work out or am I the only one? My head looks like it's going to explode I am so red. I actually had an instructor stop the class to see if I was going to keel over on the poor broad. I really am breathing, nothing labored, just have a really red, red face. Maybe it's my Scottish heritage rearing its head.
Melanie
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Replies

  • I'm the same way! I turn red very easily, too. I'm Irish with a bit of Scottish.... has to be the heritage :-)
  • ouryear002
    ouryear002 Posts: 325 Member
    My face turns bright red and I sweat like crazy, even when I don't think I'm working that hard. I've also had to reassure cardio instructors that I was not dying. I've got a scot-english background too, so maybe it is inherited. :mad: <--me working out!:laugh:
  • sue26
    sue26 Posts: 412
    I agree, English with a bit of Scottish. Must be t:smile: he fair skin
  • Oh your killing me>>> loved your post. i get red in the face when i run and people just stare. Your doing great just add a smile n wave.
  • sue26
    sue26 Posts: 412
    :blushing: woops smiley went the wrong place
  • AndyBee
    AndyBee Posts: 171 Member
    1/4 Scottish here and also bright red! Lol didn't think that was why, but maybe :)
  • I was just thinking about this running on the dreadmill yesterday. I felt like other people were secretly making bets on whether I was going to pass out or not.
  • TrainingWithTonya
    TrainingWithTonya Posts: 1,741 Member
    The reason they check on you is because that is a warning sign for high blood pressure. I actually diagnosed my DH's blood pressure in the gym because of the red face while working out. You might want to double check your BP with your doctor just to be on the safe side and to put those instructors minds to ease.
  • Tracie65
    Tracie65 Posts: 61 Member
    Me too! My face gets bright red and I sweat a lot!! My maiden name is Campbell, definatly a Scottish thing!! My husband usually thinks I am about to pass out, even though I usually feel fine! Its one of the reasons I really like workingout alone.
  • Tracie65
    Tracie65 Posts: 61 Member
    Oh, and I happen to have low blood pressure!
  • MzBug
    MzBug Posts: 2,173 Member
    I have had the problem since I was a kid! My parents could always tell when I had alcohol because of my red face! Now when I go out and plan on having a drink or two I put on some concealer to mask it somewhat. Exercise does the same thing, sex too :blushing: The dermatologist called it a mild case of rosacea a few years ago.
  • DonaGail
    DonaGail Posts: 190 Member
    funny this came up..2 days ago I did a really fast hike with my dogs until I couldnt walk anymore and on the way home from the park I glanced in the mirror, OMG my face was bright red! It really shocked me.
    I am Irish Scottish too......PIPER DOWN..WE HAVE A PIPER DOWN!
    Dona
  • ouryear002
    ouryear002 Posts: 325 Member
    My BP has always been good too. I'm a healthy tomato.
  • Jartexas
    Jartexas Posts: 59 Member
    you should just to be safe have your BP checked.
  • Same here, and I've been told I have amazing BP. Scottish here as well (last name Lindsay, ha!) so maybe it is that. I don't get incredibly red, but its more noticeable than anyone else there. I use to be so self-conscious about it, but I've gotten to the point of just saying 'oh well' to it. If looking like a cherry is what it takes, it must be done!
  • stenochick
    stenochick Posts: 142 Member
    I've historically had low b.p. but it wouldn't hurt to get it checked out.
  • leslielove
    leslielove Posts: 251 Member
    Definitely have a BP on the low end of normal, am of Italian, German, and Polish descent, and red as a lobster after 30 minutes of cardio. Figure that one out.
  • cmj516
    cmj516 Posts: 9
    my face turns red when I do practically anything lol. and I'm a sweater, I've always been. it makes me feel like I'm workin it!!
  • SparkleShine
    SparkleShine Posts: 2,001 Member
    Me! Me! Me! I get red very easily, as does my soccer playing daughter.
  • Same here! Scots and English! Beat red when I work out! Lower than 120/80 BP whenever it's checked! :laugh:
  • AMummysLife
    AMummysLife Posts: 264 Member
    I do. Usually have low blood pressure. I'm a kiwi with Scottish, Irish, British and Welsh far back in my background along with lots of others. Red face and sweating within 30 minutes of cardio workouts.
  • KarenJean81
    KarenJean81 Posts: 117 Member
    I turn red with the slightest temperature fluctuations and absolutely from working out. Irish. I think a lot of it is the pale complexion
  • isislc
    isislc Posts: 140 Member
    Ok, you Scots and Irish, you aren't in a special club now. :wink:

    I get the same way and I sweat like it's going out of style. My shirts are usually soaked down during a session at my boot camp. My blood pressure is just fine, it has been checked and is better than it has ever been. I'm mexican with olive skin so I turn bright red real quick. My trainer and doctor both attribute the redness to the fact that I am endothermic. I already create a lot of internal energy so by doing more exercise it's even greater. Which is why I usually go through a half gallon of water after I exercise so that it helps cool me down. :blushing:
  • Lyadeia
    Lyadeia Posts: 4,603 Member
    I only get that way when the temperature is warmer than I prefer...my house is normally at 68 degrees, and when I exercise over 70 degrees, my face gets red and I sweat more. On those days I make sure to hydrate more than usual to compensate and I splash my face with water when I am done.

    My BP is at the low end of normal as well.

    And just for the fun of it, I am Welsh and Greek.
  • I have darn good BP. Even through out my pregnancy it was always very low.
  • MissTomGettingThin
    MissTomGettingThin Posts: 776 Member
    I go bright red and sweat like no one's business.
    I've always been the same. My school PE teachers once commented how unfit I must be but I could still play a whole gtame of basketball or netball or hockey and ran in the cross country team. !!
    Stupid people teachers - ooh, I'm a teacher LOL We do say some silly things, we're only human.

    I always have to have a towel in the gym to mop myself off and feel a bit silly but I tell myself it's my body's way of colling.
    Getting the blood to the surface and sweating to cool me down.
    I'm efficient!
  • TrainingWithTonya
    TrainingWithTonya Posts: 1,741 Member
    Sorry, I didn't mean to offend anyone with the blood pressure comments. I just meant that it CAN be an indicator, not that redness is always because of blood pressure. Although, I still think it is better to be safe then sorry and have it checked regularly at different times and by different people. My Mother always thought she had low blood pressure, too, but still died of a stroke from undiagnosed high blood pressure at 53 because it had been being taken incorrectly for years. Don't trust the machines at your local pharmacy. Or a standard size cuff if you have small arms. Mom was petite and looked to be in perfect health. Her doctor used a standard cuff instead of a small cuff. And because of our family history, she checked it regularly at the pharmacy anytime she went to Wal-Mart, but that too was a standard size cuff. When she had her stroke, the doctor in the ER was the first person to use a small cuff that properly fit her small arms. It was the first time she had ever gotten a high reading. She survived less then a week. I don't know any of you personally to say that you are getting inaccurate readings, but I'd rather be the bad guy who pushes someone who doesn't have a problem with blood pressure into having it checked, then to not push someone who needs it to get it checked. As a trainer in the gym, if I see someone turning excessively red, I stop their exercise and check their blood pressure. If it is outside the guidelines for what blood pressure should be while exercising, I make them do a cool down and stop exercising and make sure it goes back down to normal or call the ambulance. Yes, some people call me a B**** for it, but again, I'd rather inconvenience someone who doesn't need it then risk the life of someone who does.

    Also, the guidelines of 120/80 are changing. It should be less then 120/80 now. And exercise, while it lowers overall blood pressure in the long run, raises blood pressure while you are exercising. So, even if your blood pressure is normal when you see your doctor, you could be having an excessively high blood pressure while you are working out. If you have someone who has been properly trained in taking blood pressure and the right size cuff available, check it while you are working out and are turning red. It will be above 120/80 then, I promise. Although, the diastolic (bottom number) shouldn't change much or should even go down. The guidelines for stopping exercise for blood pressure are if it is more then 250/115 (or if either of the numbers is over it's specific set point). Redness from blood pressure can be caused by numbers lower then that, though. And numbers lower then that can be dangerous for some people. My Mom's was only averaging 170/110 the whole time she was in the hospital after her stroke.

    My point is that while most of us workout for weight loss, going the extra mile in the gym (or wherever you workout) isn't worth risking our lives. I want everyone to be cautious because just like everything else in life, moderation is key, even with exercise. It can be risky and I want you to make sure you're being as safe as possible. You can call me a B**** if you want, but it my insistence on checking blood pressure keeps you from having a stroke while working out, your kids will thank me. I wish someone had been a B**** to my Mom and insisted that her blood pressure be checked correctly.
  • ouryear002
    ouryear002 Posts: 325 Member
    Sorry, I didn't mean to offend anyone with the blood pressure comments. I just meant that it CAN be an indicator, not that redness is always because of blood pressure. Although, I still think it is better to be safe then sorry and have it checked regularly at different times and by different people.

    I agree and was not offended at all. It is always best to be safe. I never blamed the instructor for being concerned either. I looked scary! :laugh:
  • flafitnana
    flafitnana Posts: 3 Member
    I always laugh and blame it on a hot flash! I can do that at my age!! And my BP is very normal~
  • TrainingWithTonya
    TrainingWithTonya Posts: 1,741 Member
    I always laugh and blame it on a hot flash! I can do that at my age!! And my BP is very normal~

    LOL My favorite quote and I wish I knew who said it originally so I could give them credit is: "I'm still hot! It's just that now it comes in flashes!"
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