Am I the only person who gets the flu-like symptoms and gains weight when exercising

[LynneSin]

And people wonder why I don't exercise. People talk about these endorphins they get from exercising. I feel like I got hit with a Mack truck. And no, I'm not overdoing it. YOu'd think I could manage 30 minutes 3-times a week on the treadmill.

[rockymountaindem]

1. How long have you been on this regimen?

When I started working out regularly about seven years ago, it was really hard for me and I hated it. But after about six months it just became part of my routine and now I feel bad when I don't exercise as opposed to when I do. So maybe if you just persevere for a bit longer things will turn around.

[LynneSin]

2. Two weeks but seriously, I feel like shit when I get home

and it's just not worth me losing a weekend because I feel like I have the flu

[GoCubsGo]

6. Sounds like heat exhaustion.

I get like that if the A/C is broken in whichever workout room I am using. I sweat A LOT. I leave huge puddles under my bike in spinning class, even when the room is cool AND I'm underneath a ceiling fan. When the room is too hot, I slack off so I don't feel like I'm going to puke for the rest of the day. You might want to try exercising in a cooler spot. If you don't feel sick afterward, my guess is that treadmill is in a too warm spot. Can you add swimming to your exercise regime?

As for exercising and still gaining weight, join the club. But, the thing is, if I didn't exercise, I'd gain even more than I do already. Nothing like stress-eating and stress-induced sleep issues to pack on the pounds. If it weren't for my daily trips to they gym, I'd have offed myself months ago. ;-)

[soleft]

3. I've had a very similar experience

I started excercising regularly about 5 years ago. Started out very slowly. 3x a week. A little cardio, a little strength training. For about 4 out of the 5 years I had to fight resistance on a daily basis. Finally I broke through a wall - not literally - and now I have to exercise everyday because it makes me feel good. And even if I have resistence in my head, somehow my feet get me there. And I think I even experience that endorphine thing.

It's going to be hard but stick with it because the rewards are great. And don't worry about your weight. I don't yo yo diet but my weight still fluctuates throughout the year. In the summer I tend to get smaller, and then over the winter I go up a size. It's weird. Been that way for the past 3 years. I just hang on to two sets of clothes.

Edited after reading your subsequent post.

Have you had a physical lately? Have you ever had issues with your thyroid? Are the flu-like symptoms mostly achy muscles?

[MissMillie]

4. Are you eating enough?

And are you eating the right stuff?

Your body needs fuel for the work-outs. Lean proteins, complex carbs (whole grains) and plenty of vitamins.

[WolverineDG]

5. Are you drinking enough water?

You may think you are, but perhaps you're not. You should drink water before & after exercising.

dg

[LynneSin]

9. If I drank any more water I'd be swimming in my shoes

I drink about double what is recommended daily and just water. I never got into soda.

[WolverineDG]

12. I hear ya on that

just checking. :) When I was walking the Camino in Spain, lots of people got sick because they weren't drinking enough water.

dg

[Dora]

7. Have you tried different forms of exercise?

Yoga? Swimming?

[Deep13]

8. That could indicate a real medical problem or maybe...

...you just need a slower routine. Either way, getting flu-symptoms after exercising is not normal and you ought to get real medical advice. It could indicate a hormone problem or even sleep apnea. (You'd get sick because you are already worn out when you start the routine.) It could be a sinus or asthmatic condition like the one I have. I have always been sensitive to cold and would get flu symptoms like you describe exercising even lightly outside in winter. It may be that the gymn is just not sanitary and you really are getting a head cold each time.

Gaining weight after exercising can be normal or not. If ones muscle mass increases from exercising faster than one looses fat, then the weight increase would be an indication of increased health.

In any case, you need a medical opinion.

[dugaresa]

10. get a trainer for a few sessions if you have not already done so

i felt the same way
she helped me figure out what was missing in diet etc

[ccinamon]

11. believe it or not, some people are physically allergic to exercise...

I'd ck with your doctor....what you are going thru does not sound normal at all.

quick ck w/ google I found this: http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Exercise--Fitness/Flu-like-symptoms-after-exercise/show/8170

still, ck with your physician

[LynneSin]

13. OMG that's amazing

I thought it was just me but it seems it's not uncommon for people to have this.

I am going to start a pro-biotic to see if that helps out some. If not I'll take that print out to my doctor and ask her to investigate.

It just sucks because I'll do about 2-3 days of excercize and it gets so bad I have to stop for a week - then I lose interest.

[Deep13]

14. I'd reverse the order.

Doc first. My understanding is that the ailments for which probiotics are useful is pretty limited.

[DevonRex]

15. Lynne, please read.

That was one of my first symptoms of fibromyalgia. I had always been in good shape. I was in the Army and I was a Fed, both of which required strenuous physical training. But somewhere along the line I started feeling tired and achy. Instead of feeling better when I exercised I felt worse, sometimes to the point that I couldn't do much for days.

So, my advice to you is to start at walking for 10 minutes at a time and build up very gradually. The second week, do 15 minutes if you tolerated 10 minutes without a problem. And it's better to do a little bit every day rather than too much 3 days a week. Don't worry. You'll be able to build up to 30 minutes at a time 3 days a week for the cardiac benefit.

Another thing is that walking or running on a treadmill can cause you to get hotter than if you actually walk or run on a track or sidewalk. That's because you don't have any breeze to cool you off on a treadmill since there's no forward motion.

Getting overheated can cause that flu-like feeling, at least in my experience. Make sure you're getting enough fluids. There's an electrolyte water out that's really good, with no sugar or artificial sweeteners in it.

Now, I am NOT saying you have fibromyalgia. But I have learned what will help decrease that flu-like feeling that you get after exercise. Remember to stretch before and after, and not just your legs. Do some gentle range of motion exercises for your neck, shoulders, arms and back, too. That's because the flu-like feeling is all over, not just in your legs.

Hopefully this will help. In any case it wouldn't be a bad idea to mention your symptoms to your doctor.

[Mopar151]

16. You may be low on potassium

I found out the hard way - makes you weak as shit and kinda wobbly. Blood pressure meds / diuretics are notorious for making you low on potassium.
My last job (no great loss..) tanked because I got dehydrated from a stomach bug the day before I started, and the shop was a sweatbox. I got sick as a dog 1st day - then found out about adjusting my meds for dehydration. But i hadda check my sugar several times for the next coupla days, and they decided to not like me. It's OK - I found out what they were really like early, and I'm glad of it.