So Weak!

KittyMul
KittyMul Posts: 74 Member
edited October 2 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi everyone,

I've been slowly building up my fitness and last week I was able to run five minute intervals on the treadmill at the gym. Usually after a PT session I'm raring to go and can't wait to get upstairs and do my running - it's hard work but I love every minute of it.

However, this week I've been really struggling. On Tuesday I tried to run, did my five minute warm up, one three minute interval, a three minute rest (walking) and then only got a minute in to the next run because I felt so weak and dizzy. Then got on the cycle and struggled to get through 15 minutes of that! I only had a diet shake before gymming so I thought maybe that was it.

This morning I had a nice big bowl of porridge about 45 minutes before I hit the floor. I did a cardio circuit with my PT, which wasn't *that* strenuous and felt fine, even great. But even though I managed to stick out half an hour on the treadmill, I could only do 90 second intervals. My legs felt like sausages - they were weak, fatigued and wobbly. Every minute was a struggle.

I don't think I'm eating too little, my diary is public and I'd love feedback. I did have a very unhealthy weekend (as you'll see in my tracker). Could that really stuff me up this bad? I've had anaemia in the past but surely that couldn't come on so quickly? I'm going to the doctor for a check up tomorrow so I'll mention it to her.

Thanks in advance for any feedback or advice!

Replies

  • Pinky67
    Pinky67 Posts: 108 Member
    Hey there,
    It could be too few carbs? I checked your diary for today and yesterday, it looked very similar to mine ie: low carb, very high protein. It is a eating plan that I agree with totally as it's working for me...but....how much are you exercising? Sounds like quite alot, much more than me. Just a thought...
  • ajbeans
    ajbeans Posts: 2,857 Member
    You are not eating enough. Reading your symptoms that was the first thing that popped into my head, and then when I looked at your diary it was confirmed. You are netting 1000 calories or fewer for at least the past few days. Try eating enough so that your "calories remaining" is close to 0 for a few days, and see if that helps you feel better.
  • theMightyAnt
    theMightyAnt Posts: 75
    First off congratulations on 35kg lost, that's truly amazing.

    I absolutely agree with ajbeans. I have checked your diary for the last 2 weeks and you are definitely not eating enough, you need to get to nearer 0 NET calories (including exercise calories)

    Initially on starting weight loss eating under (and not eating back exercise calories) is not AS bad, it's still bad, as you have a lot of stored up reserves that your body can use, however as you start to lose weight and become leaner you need all the nutrients and calories you can get for exercise. Just make sure they are good healthy calories not rubbish. What you eat is important.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member

    I absolutely agree with ajbeans. I have checked your diary for the last 2 weeks and you are definitely not eating enough, you need to get to nearer 0 NET calories (including exercise calories)


    REMAINING cals should be 0, not NET cals!!
  • KittyMul
    KittyMul Posts: 74 Member
    Thanks everyone - I will try getting closer to 0 remaining cals this week and hopefully it makes a difference! I miss my runs!

    I'm still a bit confused as to why it would happen this week and not last week. Last week I was quite happily running three intervals of five minutes each and I haven't changed my calorie intake. Is there such a thing as a cumulative calorie deficit? I'll ask my PT and doctor tomorrow and see if they think I'm eating enough. I'll report back tomorrow with their answers.

    Thanks again for the help, it's always good to have other people read your diary :)
  • theMightyAnt
    theMightyAnt Posts: 75
    Apologies, Tacistock Toad is absolutely right. Remaining Calories not Net cals.

    Kitty also remember that sometimes we have training sessions that are a breeze and other times they are hard. This is just the nature of training.
  • ajbeans
    ajbeans Posts: 2,857 Member
    Thanks everyone - I will try getting closer to 0 remaining cals this week and hopefully it makes a difference! I miss my runs!

    I'm still a bit confused as to why it would happen this week and not last week. Last week I was quite happily running three intervals of five minutes each and I haven't changed my calorie intake. Is there such a thing as a cumulative calorie deficit? I'll ask my PT and doctor tomorrow and see if they think I'm eating enough. I'll report back tomorrow with their answers.

    Thanks again for the help, it's always good to have other people read your diary :)

    Yes, eating at too high a deficit over a long period of time can cause problems. Anybody can skip a meal, or even eat too little for one day, but if you don't feed your body enough for an extended period of time, your body will rebel.
  • KittyMul
    KittyMul Posts: 74 Member
    Well, I spoke to both my PT and doctor about this today. They both said the same as you guys (not that I doubted they would!) that I should think about upping my calories by about 100-200 a day, so I'm eating around 1400.

    Also, my PT thinks I may have been training too hard to try and meet my running goals. So I'll be making sure to give myself more rest days so I don't burn out again.

    When in the doctor's office, I swooned quite heavily getting up off the bed and nearly fainted. So she took my blood pressure and it turns out I have quite low blood pressure too (about 90/65). It's not low enough to be medicated and she thinks it will come up with a few days of rest and the increased calories. I'm getting some blood tests in the morning to check for anaemia and blood sugars and have to go back next week for another check up.

    Thanks again for all your advice! I'm definitely glad I went to the doctor!
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