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doglady2000 posted:
I'm almost 58 yrs old and been working out for several years. The last few months I've had a hard time running on the treadmill. I feel like my legs won't carry me and I get exhausted quickly. I used to be able to run 4.75 miles in an hour, now I can barely run 2.1 in a 1/2 hour. I do a weight work out before or after the treadmill and I can barely get through it. I'm only using 5 and 7 lb weights. I feel like I'm not going to be able to finish. I just had all my bloodwork done and everything looked great. Any ideas on why my workouts are becoming so difficult?
2 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:no energyI'm almost 58 yrs old and been working out for several years. The last few months I've had a hard time running on the treadmill. I feel like my legs won't carry me and I get exhausted quickly. I used to be able to run 4.75 miles in an hour, now I can barely run 2.1 in a 1/2 hour. I do a weight work out before or after the treadmill and I can barely get through it. I'm only using 5 and 7 lb weights. I feel like I'm not going to be able to finish. I just had all my bloodwork done and everything looked great. Any ideas on why my workouts are becoming so difficult?
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Tomato05 responded:
I hope you will get to the bottom of the reason why your performance is going down.

I also exercise a lot (cardio and weights) and sometimes I have the same experience, but it is normally temporary and lasts a week or two, then I'm back to normal.

When I have an infection of any sorts (like bladder or respiratory infections, even a dental infection) my performance nosedives.

Or when I haven't slept enough for a few nights, it shows in the gym. Even if I have a headache, I can sometimes manage only half a workout.

You haven't perhaps changed anything in your diet (like eating less, eating less protein), or sleeping patterns? I was once not eating enough iron, and struggled in the gym until I corrected that.

If it continues, maybe go for a thorough check-up, not only blood tests. (things like thyroid, kidney function, etc). Keep a very close look-out for any other symptoms or signals your body may be giving you - check all patterns from urinating to sleep, headaches, etc.

You could even try a short "exercise holiday" to see if it helps, as a last resort...
Report This| Share this:no energyI hope you will get to the bottom of the reason why your performance is going down.<br /><br />I also exercise a lot (cardio and weights) and sometimes I have the same experience, but it is normally temporary and lasts a week or two, then I'm back to normal.<br /><br />When I have an infection of any sorts (like bladder or respiratory infections, even a dental infection) my performance nosedives. <br /><br />Or when I haven't slept enough for a few nights, it shows in the gym. Even if I have a headache, I can sometimes manage only half a workout.<br /><br />You haven't perhaps changed anything in your diet (like eating less, eating less protein), or sleeping patterns? I was once not eating enough iron, and struggled in the gym until I corrected that.<br /><br />If it continues, maybe go for a thorough check-up, not only blood tests. (things like thyroid, kidney function, etc). Keep a very close look-out for any other symptoms or signals your body may be giving you - check all patterns from urinating to sleep, headaches, etc. <br /><br />You could even try a short "exercise holiday" to see if it helps, as a last resort...
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Rich Weil, MEd, CDE responded:
If all your bloods truly are okay, and there's absolutely nothing medically or psychologically or environmentally or diet-wise going on and everything has been ruled out (anemia, thyroid, stress, depression, lack of sleep, change in diet, rapid weight loss, etc.), then you may be overtrained. Symptoms of overtraining are loss of strength, speed, endurance, or other elements of performance, loss of appetite, inability to sleep well, chronic aches and pains or soreness, chronic colds or respiratory infections, overuse injuries like tendinitis, unusual fatigue, occasional increase in resting heart rate, irritability, or you just don't feel like exercising anymore. If you are overtrained, and that's all that's going on, then you need a break, and considering what you're describing, I would say 10-14 days. When you come back from an overtraining break you should be refreshed and feel strong; in fact after just a workout or two, (or maybe even during the first), your performance will have improved noticeably. But if these symptoms continue after a break then you need to see your doctor again.

Take care,
Rich
Report This| Share this:no energyIf all your bloods truly are okay, and there's absolutely nothing medically or psychologically or environmentally or diet-wise going on and everything has been ruled out (anemia, thyroid, stress, depression, lack of sleep, change in diet, rapid weight loss, etc.), then you may be overtrained. Symptoms of overtraining are loss of strength, speed, endurance, or other elements of performance, loss of appetite, inability to sleep well, chronic aches and pains or soreness, chronic colds or respiratory infections, overuse injuries like tendinitis, unusual fatigue, occasional increase in resting heart rate, irritability, or you just don't feel like exercising anymore. If you are overtrained, and that's all that's going on, then you need a break, and considering what you're describing, I would say 10-14 days. When you come back from an overtraining break you should be refreshed and feel strong; in fact after just a workout or two, (or maybe even during the first), your performance will have improved noticeably. But if these symptoms continue after a break then you need to see your doctor again. <br /> <br />Take care,<br />Rich
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