Skip to content
  • Register

    • Really, REALLY tired - Getting into Lifting Heavy

    Posts: 54 Member
    edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
    Happy lovely Sunday evening all!

    Anyone else finding themselves (or who have found themselves way back when they first started) really, really tired?

    I've just started getting into lifting heavy weights for the first time in my life (Total Cardio Bunny/Yoga lover here), and I find that a 30-minute session of weight lifting tuckers me out way more than a 30 minute run would. Not so much immediately after, but down the line.

    I also find I'm tired all day long now. Like - full body, "I need a hot bath with Epsom salts" tired, not so much "sleepy" tired. It's very different from soreness.

    Is that normal when you're first starting? I'm about a month in (this is essentially what I'm doing), and I'm exhausted just sitting here typing.


    I'm by no means going to give up, but it's bumming me out a bit. I'm normally SUCH a get-up-and-go person....going about my day feeling burnt out isn't really motivating.

    I don't think it's diet - I'm at a doctor-approved intake of 1500/day.....

    Maybe I'm just looking to commiserate. Hah! Either way, if you have anything to add, please share!

    Welcome!

    It looks like you're new here. Sign in or register to get started.
    Sign In
    Register
    «1

    Replies

    • Posts: 15,573 Member
      Yeah, when I start a new program I'm a bit fatigued. Not in a bothersome way though. I'm usually happy to be working hard. It's easier if the deficit isn't too aggressive.
    • Posts: 8,488 Member
      Yup, and my lifting is only heavy for me. I threw an extra 150 calories on my maintenance and my energy went up while my weight stayed stable.

      Cheers, h.
    • Posts: 28,439 Member
      Are you eating enough to fuel your workout?
    • Posts: 54 Member
      quiksylver296 wrote: »
      Are you eating enough to fuel your workout?

      I think so. I ran it all past my GP and he said it's all good. And truthfully, my "heavy" isn't REAL heavy. I'm fairly weak.

      If I had to tweak my diet, how much would I have to up my calories? does it take a lot or would an extra 150 be enough?
    • Posts: 15,573 Member
      sevenofnine01 wrote: »
      show previous quotes

      I think so. I ran it all past my GP and he said it's all good. And truthfully, my "heavy" isn't REAL heavy. I'm fairly weak.

      If I had to tweak my diet, how much would I have to up my calories? does it take a lot or would an extra 150 be enough?

      If it's heavy for you, it's heavy.

      How large is your deficit? What are your stats?

    • Posts: 831 Member
      Yes, but make sure you are OK nutritionally too just in case since that can cause sleepiness. Unfortunately lifting heavy almost always makes me a bit to extremely sleepy the next day, and also intensifies any "hangry" feelings...
    • Posts: 5,199 Member
      deadlift day really burned me for about 36 hours afterwards when i was doing sets-across (5x5, 3x5, same weight for all sets). sleep and eat my way through the next day, kind of tired. it doesn't seem to be nearly as dramatic for me with wendler though.
    • Posts: 152 Member
      Don't underestimate your sleep. It makes a huge difference lifting.
    • Posts: 1,361 Member
      Yes--I started Nerd Fitness' Beginner Body Weight Regime three weeks ago, and it's kicking my *kitten* during waking hours. I hope this gets better...
    • Posts: 9,811 Member
      I also find lifting heavy makes me super tired. For some reason especially when I am bulking. You would think all the extra food would help, but nope my body is just exhausted like I can't lift it anymore and I keep getting bad DOMS despite being on my program for at least 2 months now. Mind you I think it also has to do with the extreme lack of sleep I am going through, sigh.

      Hopefully with time and adequate rest and fuel it gets better for you!
    • Posts: 54 Member
      TwinMamaTrish wrote: »
      Same here. I seriously not sure how I am typing this right now...


      and omg the hangry feelings....

      I'm so glad I'm not alone.

      I'm turning into a royal *kitten* lately when I get hungry too. Like, angry at EVERYTHING.



      Thanks to everyone for their input.
    • Posts: 1,912 Member
      yes when I wasn't eating enough to support the lifting. When I eat enough I'm fine.
    • Posts: 183 Member
      edited October 2016
      arditarose wrote: »
      show previous quotes

      Yes! I had to work really hard to stop saying, "I lifted heavy today! Well.... heavy for me...." as if I was apologizing. You're so right, if it's heavy for you, it's heavy!
    • Posts: 54 Member
      ^Yeah, that comment from Arditatose made me pretty happy.

      I feel bad that I can only lift the bar, but at least it's something!
    • Posts: 15,573 Member
      edited October 2016



      [/quote]

      Yes! I had to work really hard to stop saying, "I lifted heavy today! Well.... heavy for me...." as if I was apologizing. You're so right, if it's heavy for you, it's heavy!
      [/quote]

      I still do that. It's hard to stop. I'm embarrassed of my numbers but proud at the same time.
    • Posts: 15,573 Member
      sevenofnine01 wrote: »
      ^Yeah, that comment from Arditatose made me pretty happy.

      I feel bad that I can only lift the bar, but at least it's something!

      I get down because I'm only approaching a 225 squat max. But it's more of a motivating feeling than anything. I started with the bar :) I remember being so sore too hehe
    • Posts: 332 Member
      On a separate note, make sure you're lifting with proper form. You should be sore from a good workout, but you definitely shouldn't be in pain.
    • Posts: 283 Member
      Maybe experiment with upping your calories? I sleep like a baby now that I lift heavy its great!
    • Posts: 54 Member
      MichelleLei1 wrote: »
      On a separate note, make sure you're lifting with proper form. You should be sore from a good workout, but you definitely shouldn't be in pain.

      10-4. So far so good. I'm lifting with my partner. He's been doing the gym thing for years, and knows what he's doing. I get why people stress form so much now that I've actually started with the weights. It would be so easy to pull a muscle with the wrong movements....

      And to everyone suggesting upping my calories, I will keep that in mind. I'm going to give what I'm doing a little more time (see if it's just a noob thing), and if the fatigue hasn't improved I'll start experimenting.
    • Posts: 4,955 Member
      edited October 2016
      I find that any particularly taxing day will just drain me. Nothing crazy, just an extra cup or two of coffee and I'm good.

      Most of my teammates find the same thing. One of them today was pretty funny. His training day placed a very heavy load on his nervous system (a massive pr on his shirted bench and then some heavy holds), and he was just wandering around the gym looking a little like a lost puppy after.
    • Posts: 45 Member
      You're gonna need a lot of rest and the right supplements. Make sure you are getting the right amount of amino and vitamins bc lifting heavy depletes you.
    • Posts: 125 Member
      sevenofnine01 wrote: »
      Happy lovely Sunday evening all!

      Anyone else finding themselves (or who have found themselves way back when they first started) really, really tired?

      I've just started getting into lifting heavy weights for the first time in my life (Total Cardio Bunny/Yoga lover here), and I find that a 30-minute session of weight lifting tuckers me out way more than a 30 minute run would. Not so much immediately after, but down the line.

      I also find I'm tired all day long now. Like - full body, "I need a hot bath with Epsom salts" tired, not so much "sleepy" tired. It's very different from soreness.

      Is that normal when you're first starting? I'm about a month in (this is essentially what I'm doing), and I'm exhausted just sitting here typing.


      I'm by no means going to give up, but it's bumming me out a bit. I'm normally SUCH a get-up-and-go person....going about my day feeling burnt out isn't really motivating.

      I don't think it's diet - I'm at a doctor-approved intake of 1500/day.....

      Maybe I'm just looking to commiserate. Hah! Either way, if you have anything to add, please share!

      I have found that doing HITT cardio has helped with my weight training. I have more energy and I recover faster between sets.
    • Posts: 2,130 Member
      Protein levels?
    • Posts: 31 Member
      Did you mention to your doctor about your new weightlifting program? Did you tell him/her how you feel tired and fatigued afterwards? What type of foods are you eating to fuel your workouts. Is it a high quality meal or low quality? Anyway, you should update your doctor about how you feel after weight training maybe he/she might bump up your calorie intake to improve your energy.
    • Posts: 17,525 Member
      sevenofnine01 wrote: »
      show previous quotes

      I think so. I ran it all past my GP and he said it's all good. And truthfully, my "heavy" isn't REAL heavy. I'm fairly weak.

      If I had to tweak my diet, how much would I have to up my calories? does it take a lot or would an extra 150 be enough?

      GP's generally don't know *kitten* about this sort of thing honestly.
      Secondly- heavy isn't a weight.

      Heavy is a rep range- and it's very specific to YOU and where you are in YOUR training.
      Never apologize for the weight you move.

      You're in there lifting with a purpose- and you can't do more than 8 reps- then that *kitten* is heavy.

    • Posts: 5,199 Member
      Willbenchforcupcakes wrote: »
      he was just wandering around the gym looking a little like a lost puppy after.

      it's bad when you find yourself doing that in the grocery store. everything is so edible, but you're just kind of dazed and shambling around looking at it.

      always makes me laugh too when i see someone deadlifting and they have to pause between reps to yawn. i've had that come over me now and then too.

    • Posts: 4,955 Member
      canadianlbs wrote: »
      show previous quotes

      it's bad when you find yourself doing that in the grocery store. everything is so edible, but you're just kind of dazed and shambling around looking at it.

      always makes me laugh too when i see someone deadlifting and they have to pause between reps to yawn. i've had that come over me now and then too.

      The funniest is when a number of us are all peaking for the same competition and we have all hit overreached. A gym full of lost puppies is funny in retrospect even if we are questioning our sanity in the moment.
    This discussion has been closed.

    Welcome!

    It looks like you're new here. Sign in or register to get started.
    Sign In
    Register

    Quick Links

    Categories