Working out after donating blood?

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lightenup2016
lightenup2016 Posts: 1,055 Member
edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I'm going to make an appt to donate blood, which I haven't done in a long time. Can anyone tell me their experience with working out afterwards? Did it take a few days to get back to normal? Weeks? Or could you not even tell?

Thanks!

Replies

  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    I give blood regularly - this is my experience.

    I don't do anything more intense than walking right afterwards the day of. I do my regular workout the next morning. What I do notice is that it sometimes takes a bit more effort to get the same results the morning after (that is, I'll be running a bit slower but feeling like I'm running at a normal pace -- it isn't something I consciously notice, it's only something I observe looking at my results after the run). I wouldn't give blood the week or two before a big race, but other than that I don't make any adjustments.

    If you're currently in a deficit (I am not), your results may be different. I do make sure that I go into the donation fully hydrated and I drink lots of liquids afterwards too. I think this helps.
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    Also, thanks for donating blood! It's always a good time, but now is especially good.
  • Joanna2012B
    Joanna2012B Posts: 1,448 Member
    I too give blood regularly.

    I always do a big workout prior to donating. I then take it easy for the rest of the day. Proper hydration and nutrition is extremely important before and after. My run the next day is a short easy run, I am not out to break any records!!

    Thanks for donating!!!
  • alexmose
    alexmose Posts: 792 Member
    i pop blood vessels after donating wherever im stuck
  • GiddyupTim
    GiddyupTim Posts: 2,819 Member
    Another regular donator.
    It depends.
    Sometimes I feel it a lot. The next time I don't feel it at all.
    I have never worked out or gone for a long run the same day after donating. But I have played vigorous tennis. Nothing terrible has happened. As I said, at least one time when I did it I felt that I was breathing harder than I otherwise might have, and I got fatigued faster. Other times, I have hardly noticed at all.
    Same is true for long runs and gym sessions the next day and/or other days thereafter.
    I know they tell you not to exercise for 48-72 hours, or whatever it is. But the place where I donate knows exactly when I am eligible to donate again and they do not waste a second calling me up. Hence, I defy the advice, or I'd miss all kinds of workouts.
    Anyway, nothing terrible has happened to me. I've just felt a bit tired and/or not performed very well. Sometimes.
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    My husband usually needs to wait 24 hrs. Walking etc is ok, but not a regular workout.
  • lightenup2016
    lightenup2016 Posts: 1,055 Member
    Okay, that's nice, I thought it would take a week or more to be able to get back to it. I thought I was going to donate today, so I had a couple of good snacks, went to the place...and realized I'm actually scheduled for this coming Sunday, not today! Oh well, I'll be up for a good run tomorrow!
  • DancingMoosie
    DancingMoosie Posts: 8,619 Member
    My blood pressure tends to run a bit low anyway, so it is pretty low after a donation. I was barely within the limits to donate last time so was really low after. I really felt it and had to basically hydrate and take rests on the couch and got light headed when rising. I do better working out before donating, take it easy the rest of the day. You should be good to go next day, but just listen to your body.
  • Jruzer
    Jruzer Posts: 3,502 Member
    I usually do double reds, and don't even try to exercise after donating on that day. I tried it once and it was awful - I had almost no energy and felt sick. I find even the next day's exercise intensity suffers.

    There's a reason they tell you not to do strenuous exercise after donating!
  • midlomel1971
    midlomel1971 Posts: 1,283 Member
    edited March 2020
    I give blood every 2 months. I would never do anything more strenuous than taking a walk or doing yoga after a donation . Maybe try working out that morning instead, but make sure to eat a really good meal and hour before donating if you exercise before. If you donate later in the day, listen to the blood bank people and don't do a heavy workout. You should be totally fine to exercise (almost) normally the next day.
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