Depressed after exercise, bad nutrition?

localgrr
localgrr Posts: 99 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi there,

Sometimes I get depressed and grumpy after working out - the opposite of the desired effect! I'm pretty sure I'm eating the wrong thing but there's so much conflicting stuff out there. What's a good post workout meal/snack for you? Thanks :)

Replies

  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    what do you think is the 'wrong' thing to eat?
  • localgrr
    localgrr Posts: 99 Member
    edited August 2018
    I'm not sure, like not enough of the right nutrients. Yesterday I had a protein packed salad but I still got really grumpy. It probably wasn't filling enough
  • pinuplove
    pinuplove Posts: 12,871 Member
    localgrr wrote: »
    I'm not sure, like not enough of the right nutrients. Yesterday I had a protein packed salad but I still got really grumpy. It probably wasn't filling enough

    Try some carbs and fat. Nothing bad about either.
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    Are you doing HIIT by any chance?

    I just read a paper about how exercise effects mood. More intense and strenuous exercise crates a negative affect.
  • mbaker566
    mbaker566 Posts: 11,233 Member
    maybe your exercise is bringing up feelings. running helps me sort thru stuff and sometimes there are residuals
  • sardelsa
    sardelsa Posts: 9,812 Member
    I get this too. I don't know if it's CNS stress or what but if I lift really heavy (in a lower rep range), too much volume in the compound lifts or intense cardio (like HIIT) .. I am a huge grouch.. even in a surplus. Maybe tone it down a bit and take it slow.
  • jjpptt2
    jjpptt2 Posts: 5,650 Member
    NorthCascades wrote: »
    Are you doing HIIT by any chance?

    I just read a paper about how exercise effects mood. More intense and strenuous exercise crates a negative affect.

    Care to elaborate?
  • jjpptt2
    jjpptt2 Posts: 5,650 Member
    I get it after certain workouts, usually stuff that's higher intensity and intervalish in nature. I'm still trying to isolate the causes/cures, but right now I'm leaning towards blood sugar.
  • jjpptt2
    jjpptt2 Posts: 5,650 Member
    sardelsa wrote: »
    I get this too. I don't know if it's CNS stress or what but if I lift really heavy (in a lower rep range), too much volume in the compound lifts or intense cardio (like HIIT) .. I am a huge grouch.. even in a surplus. Maybe tone it down a bit and take it slow.

    You eat candy before (and during?) your workouts, right? Which would suggest it's not a blood sugar issue...
  • kami3006
    kami3006 Posts: 4,979 Member
    Endorphins that are released during exercise are usually associated with positive emotions (I run to help curb my depressive thoughts/feelings) but they can actually cause the release of a wide range of feelings. It's not uncommon for some people to cry during or right after a heavy workout.
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    jjpptt2 wrote: »
    NorthCascades wrote: »
    Are you doing HIIT by any chance?

    I just read a paper about how exercise effects mood. More intense and strenuous exercise crates a negative affect.

    Care to elaborate?

    I'll try to find the link again.
  • sardelsa
    sardelsa Posts: 9,812 Member
    jjpptt2 wrote: »
    sardelsa wrote: »
    I get this too. I don't know if it's CNS stress or what but if I lift really heavy (in a lower rep range), too much volume in the compound lifts or intense cardio (like HIIT) .. I am a huge grouch.. even in a surplus. Maybe tone it down a bit and take it slow.

    You eat candy before (and during?) your workouts, right? Which would suggest it's not a blood sugar issue...

    Yup exactly. I do tend to breakdown/get emotional during some of my intense sessions which tells me when I am taking it too far.
  • Blackwatch2000
    Blackwatch2000 Posts: 20 Member
    kami3006 wrote: »
    Endorphins that are released during exercise are usually associated with positive emotions (I run to help curb my depressive thoughts/feelings) but they can actually cause the release of a wide range of feelings. It's not uncommon for some people to cry during or right after a heavy workout.

    I become very emotional after a long run, frequently crying, and my Dr. said the same thing. Likely endorphins.

    I sure would rather them make me happy.
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    jjpptt2 wrote: »
    I get it after certain workouts, usually stuff that's higher intensity and intervalish in nature. I'm still trying to isolate the causes/cures, but right now I'm leaning towards blood sugar.


    Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness
    Volume 7, Issue 2, Supplement, 2009, Pages S34-S41
    open access
    Invited Paper
    The Exercise Intensity–Affect Relationship: Evidence and Implications for Exercise Behavior
    Author links open overlay panelGaynorParfittSophieHughes
    Show more
    https://doi.org/10.1016/S1728-869X(09)60021-6
    Get rights and content
    Under an Elsevier user license
    The dual-mode theory proposes that affective responses to exercise are governed by the interplay of factors influenced by the metabolic demands of exercise intensity. This paper highlights methods and mechanisms that are central to the theory and presents evidence to demonstrate the shift in affective responses, from pleasure to displeasure, as the intensity of exercise increases and causes disruption to physiological homeostasis.

    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1728869X09600216

    Not the one I'm looking for, but perhaps of interest.
  • Djproulx
    Djproulx Posts: 3,084 Member
    Blackwatch2000 wrote: »
    kami3006 wrote: »
    Endorphins that are released during exercise are usually associated with positive emotions (I run to help curb my depressive thoughts/feelings) but they can actually cause the release of a wide range of feelings. It's not uncommon for some people to cry during or right after a heavy workout.

    I become very emotional after a long run, frequently crying, and my Dr. said the same thing. Likely endorphins.

    I sure would rather them make me happy.

    This occurs frequently among members of my training group during long races. Our coach has suggested we develop a "go to" mantra to help us focus on positives during dark periods of a race. And the emotions often linger for awhile after the race is over. I"m not much of a cryer, but my wife has commented more than once about how distraught I seem for about 10 minutes after a race. Refueling seems to help a bit.
  • D_squareG
    D_squareG Posts: 361 Member
    My trainer recommended chocolate milk post workout.
  • deputy_randolph
    deputy_randolph Posts: 940 Member
    "Grouchy" is maybe actually "hangry."

    Are you eating before working out? Are you working out for long stretches at a time? Carbs are great after a workout. I ate gummy bears during a 2 hour workout today.
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