Training After Donating Blood?

get_rucked
get_rucked Posts: 71 Member
edited November 20 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi all,

I just got a reminder text telling me I'm eligible to donate blood again.

I was wondering if any of you have experience with donating regularly while training and how you manage things to reduce any negative impact on your workouts as much as possible...

Thanks guys!

Replies

  • yopeeps025
    yopeeps025 Posts: 8,680 Member
    It would depend on how much you donate and how many times is "regular"? I think it might also depend on fitness level too or at least for me it did.
  • SueInAz
    SueInAz Posts: 6,592 Member
    I found that the first week or two after donating that my heart rate was much higher during my runs. I don't know that it negatively impacted me anything beyond getting tired more easily during that time. I figure that the end result was probably positive because I was pushing my body harder than it really wanted to go.
  • maroonmango211
    maroonmango211 Posts: 908 Member
    I was told by my doc to take it easy the first 48 hours afterwards and do nothing too strenuous to let the body recover. After that, back to normal was fine but it was possible I would fatigue faster than usual for a while. I never noticed a change in my heart rate for the couple weeks after but I did tire a bit faster if I was pushing as hard as I could.
  • leggup
    leggup Posts: 2,942 Member
    http://runnersconnect.net/running-injury-prevention/blood-donation-running-performance/

    Here's some sweet advice.
  • auddii
    auddii Posts: 15,357 Member
    I usually donate when they come to the med school across the street, which is always on a Tuesday. I lift in the morning before I donate, and then next day is a rest day until cardio in the afternoon, which I'm usually fine by that point. Far more fun is Trivia at the bar on Tuesday nights... :cheers:
  • get_rucked
    get_rucked Posts: 71 Member
    leggup wrote: »
    http://runnersconnect.net/running-injury-prevention/blood-donation-running-performance/

    Here's some sweet advice.

    Cheers mate - very useful.

  • get_rucked
    get_rucked Posts: 71 Member
    Thanks for the input everyone!
  • kristydi
    kristydi Posts: 781 Member
    yopeeps025 wrote: »
    It would depend on how much you donate and how many times is "regular"? I think it might also depend on fitness level too or at least for me it did.


    Can you expand on your experience re the bold? In the past I've tried several times to donate blood, but have wound up puking or nearly passing out every time. I'm wondering if I should try again now that I'm in better shape. It's such a useful thing to do and several people I care about have been greatly helped by blood donation. I'd like to be able to do it.
  • rbiss
    rbiss Posts: 422 Member
    Your blood volume will return within the day. The red blood cells will take a couple of weeks and the red blood cells are what carries O2 throughout your body. I would not work out on the day you give blood because you are low on both volume and red blood cells. After that day, I would work out like usual and know if you get dizzy or are out of breath, it might take a week or so to feel normal again.
  • nickylee76
    nickylee76 Posts: 629 Member
    I work for a blood donation center and we recommend you take it easy the day you donate but after that day just listen to your body. You may not perform as well for a few days depending on how quickly you tend to recover. I know people who donate regularly and still ride their bikes home just fine. Just nothing strenuous especially weights that could cause you to bleed under the skin and bruise. Drink plenty of fluids and eat a good meal.
  • mitch16
    mitch16 Posts: 2,113 Member
    Drink plenty of water before and after. Take it easy the day of your donation workout-wise. Also worth noting is to watch your alcohol intake--you will feel drunker from less alcohol due to reduced blood volume.

    Anecdotally--my brother is a body builder and he experienced some deformation of his bicep in the arm from which he gave blood. It was transient but it really freaked him out when it happened (probably cause by doing too much too soon after donation).
  • yopeeps025
    yopeeps025 Posts: 8,680 Member
    kristydi wrote: »
    yopeeps025 wrote: »
    It would depend on how much you donate and how many times is "regular"? I think it might also depend on fitness level too or at least for me it did.


    Can you expand on your experience re the bold? In the past I've tried several times to donate blood, but have wound up puking or nearly passing out every time. I'm wondering if I should try again now that I'm in better shape. It's such a useful thing to do and several people I care about have been greatly helped by blood donation. I'd like to be able to do it.

    I meant in regards to working out after. When I was out of shape and had more excess fat it was harder to get in a good workout after donating blood or having the energy to get in a good workout.

    The last time I gave blood I went straight to the gym and had a good workout.

    I am not sure the issue you have. I can take a few guesses if you want to hear them.
  • kristydi
    kristydi Posts: 781 Member
    edited June 2015
    yopeeps025 wrote: »
    kristydi wrote: »
    yopeeps025 wrote: »
    It would depend on how much you donate and how many times is "regular"? I think it might also depend on fitness level too or at least for me it did.


    Can you expand on your experience re the bold? In the past I've tried several times to donate blood, but have wound up puking or nearly passing out every time. I'm wondering if I should try again now that I'm in better shape. It's such a useful thing to do and several people I care about have been greatly helped by blood donation. I'd like to be able to do it.

    I meant in regards to working out after. When I was out of shape and had more excess fat it was harder to get in a good workout after donating blood or having the energy to get in a good workout.

    The last time I gave blood I went straight to the gym and had a good workout.

    I am not sure the issue you have. I can take a few guesses if you want to hear them.

    Sure. I've tried the advice to be sure to have eaten well and be well hydrated before donation. I'd love to hear your ideas.
  • yopeeps025
    yopeeps025 Posts: 8,680 Member
    kristydi wrote: »
    yopeeps025 wrote: »
    kristydi wrote: »
    yopeeps025 wrote: »
    It would depend on how much you donate and how many times is "regular"? I think it might also depend on fitness level too or at least for me it did.


    Can you expand on your experience re the bold? In the past I've tried several times to donate blood, but have wound up puking or nearly passing out every time. I'm wondering if I should try again now that I'm in better shape. It's such a useful thing to do and several people I care about have been greatly helped by blood donation. I'd like to be able to do it.

    I meant in regards to working out after. When I was out of shape and had more excess fat it was harder to get in a good workout after donating blood or having the energy to get in a good workout.

    The last time I gave blood I went straight to the gym and had a good workout.

    I am not sure the issue you have. I can take a few guesses if you want to hear them.

    Sure. I've tried the advice to be sure to have eaten well and be well hydrated before donation. I'd love to hear your ideas.

    Do you have a fear of needles?

    Is it seeing your own blood that causes this effect? Does this happen if you watch gory movies?
  • kristydi
    kristydi Posts: 781 Member
    yopeeps025 wrote: »
    kristydi wrote: »
    yopeeps025 wrote: »
    kristydi wrote: »
    yopeeps025 wrote: »
    It would depend on how much you donate and how many times is "regular"? I think it might also depend on fitness level too or at least for me it did.


    Can you expand on your experience re the bold? In the past I've tried several times to donate blood, but have wound up puking or nearly passing out every time. I'm wondering if I should try again now that I'm in better shape. It's such a useful thing to do and several people I care about have been greatly helped by blood donation. I'd like to be able to do it.

    I meant in regards to working out after. When I was out of shape and had more excess fat it was harder to get in a good workout after donating blood or having the energy to get in a good workout.

    The last time I gave blood I went straight to the gym and had a good workout.

    I am not sure the issue you have. I can take a few guesses if you want to hear them.

    Sure. I've tried the advice to be sure to have eaten well and be well hydrated before donation. I'd love to hear your ideas.

    Do you have a fear of needles?

    Is it seeing your own blood that causes this effect? Does this happen if you watch gory movies?

    Nope. Smaller blood draws, like for testing at the Dr's office don't have any effect.

    I can watch gory movies without feeling ill. I deal just fine with my own blood too. I've had stitches a couple times over the years with no puking or fainting.

  • yopeeps025
    yopeeps025 Posts: 8,680 Member
    kristydi wrote: »
    yopeeps025 wrote: »
    kristydi wrote: »
    yopeeps025 wrote: »
    kristydi wrote: »
    yopeeps025 wrote: »
    It would depend on how much you donate and how many times is "regular"? I think it might also depend on fitness level too or at least for me it did.


    Can you expand on your experience re the bold? In the past I've tried several times to donate blood, but have wound up puking or nearly passing out every time. I'm wondering if I should try again now that I'm in better shape. It's such a useful thing to do and several people I care about have been greatly helped by blood donation. I'd like to be able to do it.

    I meant in regards to working out after. When I was out of shape and had more excess fat it was harder to get in a good workout after donating blood or having the energy to get in a good workout.

    The last time I gave blood I went straight to the gym and had a good workout.

    I am not sure the issue you have. I can take a few guesses if you want to hear them.

    Sure. I've tried the advice to be sure to have eaten well and be well hydrated before donation. I'd love to hear your ideas.

    Do you have a fear of needles?

    Is it seeing your own blood that causes this effect? Does this happen if you watch gory movies?

    Nope. Smaller blood draws, like for testing at the Dr's office don't have any effect.

    I can watch gory movies without feeling ill. I deal just fine with my own blood too. I've had stitches a couple times over the years with no puking or fainting.

    Could be you donate too much for you then. I have no clue. I'm lost :neutral:
  • earlnabby
    earlnabby Posts: 8,171 Member
    I workout before I go donate and take a rest day the next day. Otherwise I do nothing different.
  • aippolito1
    aippolito1 Posts: 4,894 Member
    I've always been told wait at least 24 hours... so I would say to workout before you give blood.
  • TR0berts
    TR0berts Posts: 7,739 Member
    I'm a blood donor - haven't done it in a while. I'll probably donate on my next deload week. I'll probably go a day or two after the last heavy day of the cycle, then condense my deload lifts into one or two days a few days later.
  • CSARdiver
    CSARdiver Posts: 6,252 Member
    edited June 2015
    I'm a regular donor and take it easy on donation days, but feel fine afterwards after drinking a Gatorade or V8 or whatever the clinic has available. Just ensure you drink plenty of fluids afterwards.
  • GiddyupTim
    GiddyupTim Posts: 2,819 Member
    Shoot. I am on the "blood-donor call list" so I donate a fair amount. I think you cannot generalize because it si different every time, even when you use strategies to try to mitigate the effects. Sometimes, it hardly effects me at all. Sometimes I am knocked out for a week!
  • slideaway1
    slideaway1 Posts: 1,006 Member
    Lance Armstrong used to train and compete after he gave his blood, but he always made sure to replace it with stronger, faster blood. :p
  • Pammeycakes55
    Pammeycakes55 Posts: 108 Member
    Seems like you got a lot of advice; however, when I gave blood the last time I was told no heavy lifting or strenuous exerise, and that included cario. Your body has to rebuild the blood cells and rest for at least 24 hours. And I donate blood every three months when the Blood Mobile comes to my work. :)
  • Pammeycakes55
    Pammeycakes55 Posts: 108 Member
    This:
    aippolito1 wrote: »
    I've always been told wait at least 24 hours... so I would say to workout before you give blood.

    Seems like you got a lot of advice; however, when I gave blood the last time I was told no heavy lifting or strenuous exerise, and that included cario. Your body has to rebuild the blood cells and rest for at least 24 hours. And I donate blood every three months when the Blood Mobile comes to my work. :)
  • get_rucked
    get_rucked Posts: 71 Member
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    I'm a regular donor and take it easy on donation days, but feel fine afterwards after drinking a Gatorade or V8 or whatever the clinic has available. Just ensure you drink plenty of fluids afterwards.

    Fun fact! Up until a few years ago you used to get a pint of Guinness after donating here - for the iron! :)
  • get_rucked
    get_rucked Posts: 71 Member
    slideaway1 wrote: »
    Lance Armstrong used to train and compete after he gave his blood, but he always made sure to replace it with stronger, faster blood. :p


    LOL
  • lithezebra
    lithezebra Posts: 3,670 Member
    It takes about 600 calories to replace the blood that you donate, which isn't much, and is spread out over time. Some people get a little lightheaded for a day or two after donating. I only notice it if I'm doing something very strenuous.
  • CSARdiver
    CSARdiver Posts: 6,252 Member
    cdal1 wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    I'm a regular donor and take it easy on donation days, but feel fine afterwards after drinking a Gatorade or V8 or whatever the clinic has available. Just ensure you drink plenty of fluids afterwards.

    Fun fact! Up until a few years ago you used to get a pint of Guinness after donating here - for the iron! :)

    I remember those days - "Give a pink - get a pint" at the White Horse Pub. Quite possibly the worst idea ever, but boy did I take advantage!
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