Does working out make you emotional?

siamesechin · January 2016

I'm new to these boards. Just wondering if anyone else gets emotional after working out? More than a few times, after an intense workout, I have become emotional and actually started crying, or was emotionally easily triggered by something. Sorry if this seems like a weird question, but I'm completely serious. Thanks for reading,

star1407 · January 2016

I wonder if it is some sort of hormone release? After a particularly strong ....ahem..... Moment with my husband once I burst into tears and had no idea why lol. I've felt tearful when I used to run, if I'd really pushed myself. I think it must be our endorphins

oh_happy_day · January 2016

It's happened to me with yoga a few times. I think because I've stopped fighting particular thoughts or feelings, and then they've leaked out of my eyes.

mjwarbeck · January 2016

I do feel happier as a rule...but that's it.

rainbowbow · January 2016

Nope.

I enjoy working out because it lets me get in the zone and lose touch with my thoughts. I feel, nothing, other than the work i'm performing.

Afterwards, i feel clear.

ObsidianMist · January 2016

it's one of the few times I DON'T feel emotional lol. I feel good and happy and zen after my workouts.

geoblewis · January 2016

Happened to me the first few weeks after I started Pilates. Doesn't happen any more.

nutmegoreo · January 2016

I do kickboxing. If anything, I'm pretty drained after. I've been known to visualize the people who make me want to cry, so in some ways it's therapeutic. :bigsmile:

Maybe just see where your thoughts are taking you and try to explore them as if you were watching it on a movie screen. Perhaps there is something you need to deal with that you didn't realize was affecting you so much.

Unknown · January 2016

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lisalsd1 · January 2016

No...and that does sound weird to me, but I'm not a very emotional person in general.

Asher_Ethan · January 2016

I get more emotional if I don't work out...I guess me working out is burning off the crazy.

Willbenchforcupcakes · January 2016

I have days where I start a training session crying. The last year has been more than a little crazy and the gym is my safe space to let it all out. Always walk out smiling and happy and ready to deal with the crazy again.

siamesechin · January 2016

Thanks for all the replies. It's nice to see so many different perspectives. My situation is weird because I have anxiety issues, and I feel fine while I'm working out, but sometimes I feel the waterworks being triggered by something afterwards out of the blue. Thanks again.

Dez11B · January 2016

I do feel about myself if I workout. If I don't workout I feel lazy and just brings me down.

WyldRoots · January 2016

Kind of... it makes me sad, because I suck at working out, I'm super fat, and there once was a time when I could run for 6 & 1/2 hours straight. So working out just reminds me of how awful I've been to my body.

itsmemaringle · January 2016

Yes, sometimes! It's a great release so just go with it you should feel quite refreshed after! Maybe keep a track of what exercises trigger it.

siamesechin · January 2016

itsmemaringle wrote: »

Yes, sometimes! It's a great release so just go with it you should feel quite refreshed after! Maybe keep a track of what exercises trigger it.

Whoa, you may have touched on something here. The two out of three times this has happened, I had done some version of kickboxing aerobics. And thank you for suggesting I keep track of the specific exercises--I will do that! Thanks, itsmemaringle!

zira91 · January 2016

I actually feel better and more elated than when im not working out ..

neldabg · January 2016

I'm usually happier and more calm, especially after a good walk, but there have been times where I've become emotional. Last year, I got really emotional during a Zumba class. It was exam week, and I was so stressed out, and I guess the dancing allowed some release? I didn't even realize that there was some sadness underlying my stress. It really gave me something to think about.
Anyways, it's totally normal, and I agree with itsmemaringle's advice. Exercise has that cathartic power.

swtroughear · January 2016

i'd say i'm more agitated when i'm away from the gym, after the gym i'm way-way more energetic and up-lifted

mkakids · January 2016

I cry after particularly grueling runs...especially when i hit a new PR or something! Its normal. Ive seen lots of people with the same reaction.

SunnyDayzMomma · January 2016

After a very grueling revving class I used to take, I felt that way too. I had to high tail it out of there. Once the class was done I'd want to cry so bad I couldn't talk with anyone, lol. Regular exercise didn't have that effect though, just that class. It honestly made me feel like I was physically doing something so hard, my spirit was breaking. To complete it made me so proud/tired/accomplished/empowered/relieved that I was still alive. Lol. Just thinking about it now makes me teary. Maybe I need to find that class again!

cwolfman13 · January 2016

Can't say as I have experienced this...usually I just experience exhaustion and pain....and it feels oh so good....

robot_potato · January 2016

I'm usually happy and more relaxed yet energetic, and in a good kind of pain. I used to get emotional when I was doing huge workouts (1000-1500 calories burns). I would be exhausted and just...done. mentally and physically done, and I would burst into tears when I got home.

sar_astill · February 2016

Sometimes yes! Depending on the mood I'm in. If I have got to a point of complete emotional drainage and then I push myself to the limit with my exercise, I have no physical strength to hold back my emotional state.
Most of the time it makes me feel amazing though.!!
I know for me it happens usually when I'm holding back or de-pressing emotions, thoughts or feeling about something. This could be the same for you?
Hopefully that has helped

mbaker566 · February 2016

yes, after i beat a goal i can get emotional. when i first went my first 13 miles, i cried. after my first race, i cried. but happy tears because I have some so far