I've been a gym rat on and off for the last 20 years so I am familiar with what is "normal" after working out.
I was able to rejoin this summer and was feeling great, slowly working up to heavier weights and more aggressive cardio. About three weeks ago this changed dramatically. I actually feel horrible after working out and need about three days to recoup. I feel extremely fatigued, my muscles feel weak and shaky, and my arms and legs have this weird burning sensation or like I have major muscle tears that are burning.
I've cut back on intensity and weight but still feel horrible afterwards.
Any thoughts on what could be causing this?
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
It's common. Stop doing the cardio because it stresses your already stressed adrenals (per Dr. B's guidelines).
Keep testing with weights to see what you can handle without feeling worse than you should. Maybe lighter weights, more reps so that you can last an hour (as Dr. B recommends).
Take days off in between workouts.
Posted by NEMOM (Member # 31370) on :
I need to lose weight-so stop the cardio is not what I want to hear... Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
Well, cardio isn't necessarily going to make you lose weight.
Walking might. Low-level cardio or burst cardio (HIIT) is more associated with weight loss. The model of long cardio burns out the adrenals, which you need to work well in order to lose weight.
Long cardio for weight loss is an outdated model. Plus with chronic illness, your adrenals are already stressed. I know it's been ingrained in our heads that we HAVE to do lots of long cardio or we will be fat. That's not true. I'm fit and do none of the traditional treadmill type (or elliptical, or bike, whatever) cardio.
Eat healthy food.
Posted by NEMOM (Member # 31370) on :
Well, I also happen to enjoy the gym and working out. And I do eat healthy food but middle age and menopause are sneaking in so I need some extra help.
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
Nemom
Shes right and says it way better than i can. I was very active...competitive riding, skiing, surfing, gymnest when young, tennis later...
Kept horses upt to 7 at a time for 50 yrs
When first dx was also working full time as pe teacher and raising 4 kids
As soon.as i started tx i had to get rid of horses...this was major mental health problem for me...i wasnt able to run/jog so switched to kyaking...i leased horses when i could because once on the core work required kept my weight down and strength up without hurting other parts
I was left with severe arthritis in almost every joint after lyme. But i am still very awareof how severe my response is to the smalles.Activity. I too know what normal healthy result of exercise is and after lyme your body doesnt work that way. Many bodies dont anyway
I tried yoga but did not have the right teacher. I couldnt find othe. Yoga classes that were not up many seps that i couldnt do
Pilates with the right teacher i have heard is the best
We all have to start really slow and have a day of rest inbetween workouts
There is a mitochindrial thing going on that i cant really explain but you can search on here about it
There are supplements that help with that...i have posted lists but cant go back to find them now. Coq10 and lipoic acid are twoimportant ones for me. Without good quality coq10 i cant really be upright. Theres a bunch more also
To start its easy to read what dr b writes about exercise and pt in his guidelines and with your gym background it should be easy to understand
The eating right partwill help you fight lyme also...but is not typical losing weight food that many use...low fat and processed foods have hidden sugar. One of the worst foods for someone with lyme
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
NEMOM, I'm 51 myself.
I agree with lpkayak about Pilates with the right teacher being the best, but since I'm a Pilates instructor, I didn't want to seem biased.
You can still enjoy the gym, you just have to change what you're doing. And the long cardio may be contributing to the challenge of keeping the weight off. Read what Dr. Mercola and Dr. Josh Axe have to say about interval training and the newer studies on long cardio sessions.
Posted by GretaM (Member # 40917) on :
I was at my heaviest when I was playing compettitive soccer. 3 games at 90 minutes a game, and two practices a week.
I kept gaining gaining gaining even though my eating habits stayed the same.
Turns out lyme and co wreak so much havoc on the adrenals, hypothalmus and thyroid and pituitary glands.
When I STOPPED exercising, and started treating lyme and all my coinfections aggressively, the weight slipped off.
It is counterintuitve, but resting when ill is more beneficial than trying to maintain exercise abilities.
I believe it has something to do with cytokines storms, mitochondria and detox pathways (phase 1 phase 2), not functioning optimally.
I don't quite understand it myself but that is my first hand experience with it.
Have your T4 and T3 numbers been tested recently?
Posted by Catgirl (Member # 31149) on :
I went through the same thing, and I was a gym rat too. For me this was due to proto (FL1953).
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
Also consider Qi Gong, Tai Chi, Pilates instead of weights. Easier on the body structure and still exceedingly helpful on so many levels. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Please, do not try to loose weight.
Recycle your scale. Don't weigh yourself. Free yourself instead. this was the best thing I ever did for myself, probably about 15 years ago. Just stay on course, no need to weigh when we just live as best our body needs each day.
Focus on healthful habits, excellent food (nutritious, delicious, flavorful), enough of it -- and the kind of movement that is kind to your body.
The results you report from your dates with weights is seen by your body as abuse. You do not need to work that hard, in that way.
There are so many other ways that are enjoyable, kind and effective.
It's true, hard exercise is not required for weight loss. I'm concerned with tissue damage -- and that can become permanent. And if activity / environment stresses adrenal function it can cause weight GAIN, actually. Here's why:
Topic: Borrelia Weight Gain? And What Helps. -
Posted by Ellen101 (Member # 35432) on :
I struggled to lose weight until I drastically changed my diet. No gluten, dairy, starch or grains has made a world of difference. The weight just fell off.
Posted by Catgirl (Member # 31149) on :
I totally agree with Keebler. I wish I had all the fat I used to. Lyme and company have whittled me down to a toothpick.
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