Blood Sugar problems after working out

amberca1 · January 2009

Hi, Just wanted to see if anyone else experiences this? During my workout (usually once I hit the 40-50 mins mark on the Elliptical) I get a low blood sugar reaction. Not sure if my blood sugar is really low or not but I feel very shaky, weak, and an overwhelming feeling like I need to eat ASAP. I struggle to get home real quick and then eat (craving sugary food or carbs)- it takes a good hr for me to fell back to normal after eating. What is up with that? I have had diabetes and hypoglycemia tests and both were negative. What could be going on? It happens if I eat a meal before I work out and if I don’t. Although it normally does not happen if I don’t eat before working out. Like if I go to gym in the morning on an empty stomach it normally does not happen. I know it’s important to eat before working out but this seems to make it worse- no matter what the meal & how long or short before working out. I hate the feeling its terrible and I could work out a lot longer if it didn’t happen. Any thoughts would be great.

amberca1 · January 2009

Hi, Just wanted to see if anyone else experiences this? During my workout (usually once I hit the 40-50 mins mark on the Elliptical) I get a low blood sugar reaction. Not sure if my blood sugar is really low or not but I feel very shaky, weak, and an overwhelming feeling like I need to eat ASAP. I struggle to get home real quick and then eat (craving sugary food or carbs)- it takes a good hr for me to fell back to normal after eating. What is up with that? I have had diabetes and hypoglycemia tests and both were negative. What could be going on? It happens if I eat a meal before I work out and if I don’t. Although it normally does not happen if I don’t eat before working out. Like if I go to gym in the morning on an empty stomach it normally does not happen. I know it’s important to eat before working out but this seems to make it worse- no matter what the meal & how long or short before working out. I hate the feeling its terrible and I could work out a lot longer if it didn’t happen. Any thoughts would be great.

adopt4 · January 2009

I would check your blood sugar when you feel like that, just to see if it's actually a blood sugar reaction or not. If it is, then you know what to do (even stick a mint in your mouth, just something with sugar to get it up instantly). If it's not a blood sugar reaction then you can take other steps, make sure you're drinking enough water, etc.

If you don't have the ability to check your blood sugar with a prick test, then stick a peppermint in your mouth or something with sugar, it's absorbed through your mouth and will hit your bloodstream pretty fast.

When I was hypoglycemic and didn't know it, I'd drink a Mountain Dew and the feeling would go away. Took awhile before I figured out what was really going on.

MrsTomy · January 2009

Try eating half of a protein or granola bar before your workout and bring the other half with you and eat it half way trough your workout. Also, maybe you are pushing yourself too hard? Take it easy and make sure you eat enough!

Good luck!

Fitness_Chick · January 2009

Hi, Just wanted to see if anyone else experiences this? During my workout (usually once I hit the 40-50 mins mark on the Elliptical) I get a low blood sugar reaction. Not sure if my blood sugar is really low or not but I feel very shaky, weak, and an overwhelming feeling like I need to eat ASAP. I struggle to get home real quick and then eat (craving sugary food or carbs)- it takes a good hr for me to fell back to normal after eating. What is up with that? I have had diabetes and hypoglycemia tests and both were negative. What could be going on? It happens if I eat a meal before I work out and if I don’t. Although it normally does not happen if I don’t eat before working out. Like if I go to gym in the morning on an empty stomach it normally does not happen. I know it’s important to eat before working out but this seems to make it worse- no matter what the meal & how long or short before working out. I hate the feeling its terrible and I could work out a lot longer if it didn’t happen. Any thoughts would be great.

I felt that way for a bit when first starting to workout... I always try to eat a carb/protein combo before my workouts, I to for that about an hour before them...something small...maybe 1/2 apple and some cheese, PB and fruit, nuts and berries (no twigs though...to much fiber:noway: ) I also makes sure I get in plenty of water before hand, during and after my workouts

My after workouts now consist of protein and a bit of carb...I'm T2 so I eat small meals throughout the day 5-6 depending on how my scedule is.

Do you eat anything before you workouts? Might consider it if you're not already:happy: Also a small bag of some nuts and raisons or a Clif bar for the ride home right after a workout might tide you over...protein takes longer for our body to digest but it's one of the best things to feed the body after a good workout. It helps heal the muscles etc. that we've just used .

FC

Fitness_Chick · January 2009

Try eating half of a protein or granola bar before your workout and bring the other half with you and eat it half way trough your workout. Also, maybe you are pushing yourself too hard? Take it easy and make sure you eat enough!

Good luck!

oops, sorry I didn't see your post before adding mine regarding the 1/2 before and 1/2 after....like minds ya know:flowerforyou: :laugh:

NoraEE · January 2009

The running magazines I've read say that you should have a snack about an hour into a long run. Maybe you need to do the same thing when you work out. I take a plastic baggie of crackers when I run now and munch on a few of them as soon as I start to feel hungry- seriously, I don't even stop moving! You could experiment with doing this at the gym so that you don' t have to wait until you get home and feel even weaker.

amberca1 · January 2009

thanks so much for the info. I am going to start to bring snacks with me to the gym. I may look silly munching while I'm on the Eliptical LOL but who cares

Hopefully that should help.
-Amber

MisoSoup79 · January 2009

I personally can't eat in the middle of a workout... it makes my stomach hurt. I would recommend if eating mid-workout doesn't work for you, get a quality sports drink to sip on during your workout. It will provide sugar and electrolytes to carry you through the workout.

I have had similar problems in the past, but this time around I seem to be doing okay. I eat something small about 45 mins before my workout starts... but I have to be careful what I eat, some things just sit in my stomach like a rock and hinder me! (Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich was NOT a good idea!!) I usually eat a small bowl of cereal. I DO always get hungry mid-workout, but this time around I haven't been feeling week or nauseated or dizzy... so I just work through the hunger and eat as soon as I get home.

Blood Sugar problems after working out

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