Exhausted from Working Out

Hello Ladies - I just joined a gym and started working out for the first time in five years. I am definitely out of shape from going so long without working out. I have been going to the gym every other day and use the treadmill for 25 minutes. I spend 5 minutes warming up at 2.9 - 3.0 mph and 0 incline, then increase to 3.5 mph and 1.0 incline for 15 minutes, then spend 5 minutes cooling down. I am exerting myself while doing this (my heartrate increases to the right zone, I have trouble having a conversation, feel my legs burning, etc).

I have been exhausted, though! I wake up feeling tired, fall asleep on the bus on the way to work and on the way home from work, etc. I am drinking enough water, take vitamins and am definitely eating enough (I decided to tackle exercise first before diet .

Do I need to just suck it up for a few weeks? Will I get used to this? Any advice?

Thank you!

Re: Exhausted from Working Out

My advice is to make sure you are getting enough sleep at night.

If you are getting enough sleep then I would say give your body a few weeks to get into a routine. It will get easier.

Keep it up!

Re: Exhausted from Working Out

i would try to get more sleep..
what about herbal tea/green tea? a little caffeine jumpstart?

Re: Exhausted from Working Out

Thank you for the advice. When I think about it, I have been getting an hour less sleep a night, which of course must be contributing.

Re: Exhausted from Working Out

Congrats for taking the step towards a healthier lifestyle

Your diet is very important. You could work out all you want, but if your diet is not healthy, then it won't be as beneficial. If you are eating foods that are high in fat and sugar, then that can be another cause of your lethargy.

Definately not getting enough sleep would contribute as well, but it shouldn't make you exhausted all day where you can barely make it home.

Re: Exhausted from Working Out

Are you working out in the morning before you eat anything? If so, try eating 100-200 calories of an easily digestible carb (an apple, a handful of sugar cereal, something with hardly any fat and no dairy). You need energy (calories) or you'll poop out.

Also, it's essential that you're hydrated. Sometimes, if I have a cup of coffee in the afternoon and try to go for a run 2 hours later, I can't do it (caffeine is a diuretic and you get dehydrated from it). Try to drink 2 glasses of water an hour before you go, and another one in the car on the way to the gym.

A good workout gets me really pumped, energized, "ready to conquer the world," is how my Personal Trainer puts it. Keep at it! It'll get fun and energizing soon enough.

Re: Exhausted from Working Out

Are you breathing heavy the whole time- even during warm up and cool down?
Are your legs burning the whole time?
It may be possible that you are overdoing it. Going from not exercising at all to walking every other day may be too much at first. Maybe try just 3 days a week. Listen to your body, you should feel like you are exerting yourself but not so much that the exercise is not enjoyable. Good luck! Stick with it, it will definitely get easier.

Re: Exhausted from Working Out

The energy you get from the gym does take a while to kick in. How long have you been doing this for?

Re: Exhausted from Working Out

Thank you again for your responses. I have only been working out for two weeks. I do it at night after I get home from work, but before I eat dinner. I usually try to eat a small snack-- banana, nuts, etc, before I leave work. I have been really good about drinking water and have been getting 8 plus glasses a day.

It sounds like I may just need to get used to it - although I think I am exerting myself, I don't think I am over-exerting myself, if that makes sense.

I do know that I need to work on my eating, though

Re: Exhausted from Working Out

As the other mentioned..make sure you are getting enough sleep! and drink lots of water..especially during working out. Its hard when you get back into it..but trust me..it will get easier!!