Why do I sometimes feel great during a workout and sometimes like crud?

Addiewe
Addiewe Posts: 65 Member
edited May 2015 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi all, I am trying to figure this out. I walk 5 to 6 days a week, 3 miles mostly flat but I do have one very large hill getting to and from home. When I first began To get more active, my shins and calves always burned and I never felt like I could go very long. I was happy when that eventually went away (mostly) and for the most part I now really enjoy my walks and feel really good during them. There are some days that I feel like I could walk all day. But every now and then I will have a day where as soon as I start walking I get that dreaded burn in my shins, and I just feel drained. I am trying to figure out what it is and haven't quite done it. Is it protein, or lack thereof? Carbs? Eating too much the day before? Too little? The other day I did go on a walk and felt really good, and that was right after a big dinner. Today I was about to walk after not eating for about five hours. I did worry about that so I ate a bagel right before leaving, thinking the carbs would help. And today was one of those days that it just hurt to walk. I was exhausted up until about the last 20 minutes. Does this happen to other people? And if so what have you found causes it? Thanks!

Replies

  • kevcren
    kevcren Posts: 49 Member
    it happens! could be in your nutrition (amount OR macros OR gluten etc...) the day before, the amount of sleep you got, hydration levels, weather, live circumstance, etc.... we cant give the same level of 100% every day! just show up and do your best for that day!
  • RoxieDawn
    RoxieDawn Posts: 15,488 Member
    kevcren wrote: »
    it happens! could be in your nutrition (amount OR macros OR gluten etc...) the day before, the amount of sleep you got, hydration levels, weather, live circumstance, etc.... we cant give the same level of 100% every day! just show up and do your best for that day!

    +1

    And I will add do you stretch (calves, hamstrings, quads, etc..) before and after? I am not the same everyday, but pretty consistent and once I get going it always gets better (slump, feeling lazy, too tired, not quite the quality of sleep the night before.. etc..)
  • Addiewe
    Addiewe Posts: 65 Member
    Thanks everyone, looks like it could be any number of things. I haven't been stretching because I didn't realize that stretching was necessary for just walking. I will go ahead and look up proper ways to do that.
  • ddif
    ddif Posts: 16 Member
    I suffer from the same thing. My calfs hurt BAD. I haven't figured it out either
  • tomatoey
    tomatoey Posts: 5,446 Member
    edited May 2015
    Get better shoes for walking. I doubt it has anything to do with your diet. That intermittent pain might be the beginning of something worse unless you take care of it.
  • slp51
    slp51 Posts: 201 Member
    A trainer told me not to stretch cold muscles; only stretch after a workout. Thoughts?
  • DaneanP
    DaneanP Posts: 433 Member
    Go to your local running store and have your walking/running stride evaluated. Have the salesperson recommend you a shoe in your price range. Then buy it.

    After I did this, I never had another problem with horrible shin splints and foot pain.
  • DesertGunR
    DesertGunR Posts: 187 Member
    edited May 2015
    gia07 wrote: »
    kevcren wrote: »
    it happens! could be in your nutrition (amount OR macros OR gluten etc...) the day before, the amount of sleep you got, hydration levels, weather, live circumstance, etc.... we cant give the same level of 100% every day! just show up and do your best for that day!

    +1

    And I will add do you stretch (calves, hamstrings, quads, etc..) before and after? I am not the same everyday, but pretty consistent and once I get going it always gets better (slump, feeling lazy, too tired, not quite the quality of sleep the night before.. etc..)

    +1

    For all of this. It happens to even the most elite of athletes. Though they have a lot of extra help to get them dialed in, nobody can show up and be 100% everyday. Try to keep things as consistent as possible when in comes to your diet and when it comes to water, unless you're in the final cutting phase a few days out of a bodybuilding competition, drink as much as you can stand. If you're not a fan of no taste, use your favorite citrus to flavor it a bit.

    Other than that look around as you walk and focus a lot more on whatever scenery/wildlife there is around you. This will help take your mind off of any discomfort you might be feeling and before you know it you'll have gone out and back before you realize it.

    Good Luck!
  • icemaiden37
    icemaiden37 Posts: 238 Member
    slp51 wrote: »
    A trainer told me not to stretch cold muscles; only stretch after a workout. Thoughts?

    I've always been told to do dynamic stretches before exercise and static stretches afterwards.
  • brentopia
    brentopia Posts: 113 Member
    I, too, walk roughly the same distances as you - and stretch before and after - and have recommended shoes... but my shins and ankles hurt painfully. I just force myself on but have no idea why or how to make it better. I'm hoping the pain will go away one day. If you ever figure it out - let me know! ^_^
  • refuseresist
    refuseresist Posts: 934 Member
    Not so much pain, but I feel utterly miserable some days and working out is a struggle on those times. I also feel physically much weaker although that could be to do with recovery/ nutrition, etc.
    I just wish working out would cheer me up when I am sad like it's supposed to!
  • DesertGunR
    DesertGunR Posts: 187 Member
    Regardless of type of exercise, some type of warm up should be done in order to get some blood flow starting to flow to the area. There are many threads that debate the two types of stretching and to each there own. Depending on your sport will depend which type and when will help you best.

    Those who are feeling heel and shin pain as you run/walk above all make sure you have the proper shoe and that it is in good condition. Today nearly every sport has its own shoe designed to provide cushioning/protection in the proper places. Most shoes will last about 300-500 miles depending on how hard you are on them.

    Most shoes this days despite the sport have an extra hole at the top that a lot of people do not quite understand. It is there to provide a better heel lock. Which will secure your foot better in your own shoe.

    Good Luck and I hope this video helps.

    https://youtube.com/watch?v=y0BSXa8vE10
  • AllanMisner
    AllanMisner Posts: 4,140 Member
    Water, sleep/recovery.

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