We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Workout Hangover?

Pedalpush
Pedalpush Posts: 246 Member
edited October 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I have been debating posting this for some time, but it keeps happening...

Does anyone else feel "hungover" after an evening workout?

I know it's not from drinking because I accepted the Alcohol Free August Challenge... I drink enough water (or so I think)... I don't usually eat after my workout...last night I did because I was starving...

One issue is that my workouts, unavoidably, occur VERY late in the day because I can't get started until my sons are asleep. Last night I started at 9:30 and finished up at about 11:00pm.

Thoughts?

Replies

  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    What are we talking about... typical hangover-like symptoms? Headache? Nauseau? ???

    You say you're drinking enough, so my first though would be cals/electrolytes.
  • Pedalpush
    Pedalpush Posts: 246 Member
    You got it Jackson: mainly headache, not wanting to eat... The aches are expected due to the previous night's effort. It's just getting unnerving. Should I simply start by adding some Gatorade?
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    How are you sleeping? Aside from the headaches, how do you feel in the morning?

    For me, headaches are almost exclusively a hydration/electrolyte issue. I have much better luck with Nuun than I do Gatorade unless I specifically need the cals.
  • Pedalpush
    Pedalpush Posts: 246 Member
    I tried Nuun for the first time at the Muddy Buddy back in May. I totally forgot about it... I'll have to check in to that. I'm not a fan of the Gatorade due to the taste/calories... I guess water just ain't cuttin' it.

    I currently have a HUGE amount of stress in my life. Considering all of that, I'm actually sleeping pretty well. I've only lost a couple of nights in the past months due to wandering brain or restless child...

    The feeling in the a.m. is exactly that of a hangover: like I'm velcroed to the bed with a raging headache.
  • KittieLea
    KittieLea Posts: 1,156 Member
    This happens to me sometimes after a tough leg day. Insanely hungry, tired, and just overall crappy. You might want to increase your calories and water intake on heavy lifting days, and take a rest day the following day.
  • bluestocking06
    bluestocking06 Posts: 66 Member
    It might be low sodium. That was happening to me after tough training days and was lasting for a day or so after and I figured out it was because I wasn't eating enough salt. Try having something really salty like pickles or something with soy sauce and see if that helps.
  • cassavaca
    cassavaca Posts: 89 Member
    you always want to eat something after an intense workout in order to replenish things lost from the workout. Either something like a banana or chocolate milk is best. If i do chocolate milk, i have a Nestle Quick 100 calorie bottles.
  • jeniswonge2
    jeniswonge2 Posts: 8 Member
    I'm glad this exists because I have these exact same issues. Ha, I'm glad I'm not the only one who calls them "workout hangovers" as well. I woke up with one today and have felt crappy through the entire day. Last night I walked and jogged for a couple of hours, but I also got plenty of water with electrolytes and sodium. I even ate afterwards. I seem to get these nonstop and it really makes it hard to keep me motivated when I get these "hangovers" anytime I get some exercise.
  • cgvet37
    cgvet37 Posts: 1,189 Member
    What us your daily caloric intake?
  • pattyandthemoos
    pattyandthemoos Posts: 79 Member
    I think it has something to do with blood flow. I get migraines and I have gotten more than one workout induced migraine. It gives me an aura, where my vision gets distorted, and I feel out of sorts. Sometimes workouts relieve a migraine for me but sometimes they cause them. Since migraines are vascular I think that the change in your blood flow may cause this.
  • middlehaitch
    middlehaitch Posts: 8,488 Member
    Try an EmergenC. High VitC and electrolytes. I take one if I have sweated more than usual.

    Cheers, h.
  • rileyes
    rileyes Posts: 1,406 Member
    Another possibility you could check is neck position or other form breakdown.
This discussion has been closed.