Exercise--Too intense?

[happymomto4]

I took the advice from last week and did a different form of exercise today to see if I can motivate myself to be consistent again. I used a free trial at the gym and took a cardio class. It was a lot more fun that riding the stationary bike in my basement that's for sure. I monitored my heart rate through the class and it stayed within the moderate range for my age going up to the higher level after one sprint but then right back into moderate. Here's my concern--after 25 minutes I got a really bad headache suddenly. I slowed down but was determined to finish the class. Then after class I felt warmth in my abdomin and thought I would throw up. I didn't, but I'm worried that something NOT good was happening because of the intense class. Thoughts? I went home and actually fell asleep for 30-45 minutes and since then have still had a light headache but no nausea. Should I be worrried? I hate to visit the dr because it's not in my budget, but I'm a bit freaked out about taking another class. Has this happened to anyone else new to exercise?

Brief history, up until mid-June my only exercise was walking around my house. For the past 14 weeks I have been exercising 5 times a week for at least 15 minutes each time. I have never done an intense 40 minute class before. I have walked 2 miles in 40 minutes but that was hardly intense. I'm also still very overweight. Maybe I just did too much?

[Aways2Go]

Re: Exercise--Too intense?

I know that if I get a little dehydrated I get a headache which can be alleviated in 5 minutes or less with a large glass of water.

And I have, in fact, many times worked out so intensely that I got nauseated briefly.

I'm not saying this is what happened to you, just that I have had similar experiences under very rigorous workouts. This was not when I was necessarily new to exercise, but during times I pushed myself to a much greater extent than normal (old college athletics days). I think I might be too lazy to push myself that hard anymore, LOL!

[WetBanana]

Re: Exercise--Too intense?

I've done sprints so hard I puked. The nausea overcame me, I slowed RIGHT down, but it was getting stronger and stronger, and then BAM - all over the pool deck thank goodness - better then in the pool. I was VERY embarassed. I felt slightly off the rest of the night. I'm pretty sure the lifeguard who had to clean it up did too, lol.

What I'm saying is - you haven't worked at that intensity before - the nausea is pretty normal, just make sure you haven't had a full dinner like I did before you do it. It'll pass with time, and before you know it you'll be upping your cardio to even longer periods of time.

As for the headache - probably your body's way of telling you to drink more before you work out.

If you notice that this feeling doesn't go away after more classes, back off a bit and work your way back up to it again.

[happymomto4]

Re: Exercise--Too intense?

Thank you both for the feedback! I feel so much better knowing that this has happened to others. I'm also glad to know that you felt a bit "off" for the rest of the night because I still feel a bit woozy. I really shouldn't have slacked off in the water challenge department. I'll sign in there tonight to see if I can still join. I hadn't even had a 20oz bottle of water yet today when I took that class. Duh! I know better. Thanks again.

[Aways2Go]

Re: Exercise--Too intense?

No problem - yeah, drink some extra water during the day AND after the class, and even during class if you can - might not want to load up TOO heavy just the few minutes before, though, because having a huge amount of liquid sitting in your gut immediately before you work out really hard isn't always pleasant either.

Case in point, I once downed about 4 big (12 to 16 ounce) glasses of chocolate milk at the cafeteria with breakfast right before my very first early morning workout at the university. I mistakenly assumed we would start out the first day with discussing rules, guidelines, take a tour, whatever. Nope... walked out to the training area and as each person arrived we were immediately sent one by one to do a 2 mile "warmup" run in the late summer early morning steamy heat before the "real" practice started. I can't tell you how unpleasant a wake up THAT morning was, with more than a quart of heavy chocolate milk sloshing around in my gut! I didn't drink chocolate milk before practice anymore after that . . . in fact, I think I didn't drink chocolate milk again for a long time after that, practice or no practice, LOL!