One of the most common misconceptions about the fitness lifestyle is that you have to give everything to it in order to make it work. That at the end of each day, you need to fall back into your bed absolutely exhausted, unable to move, only capable of being roused in the morning if someone is generous enough to use smelling salts.
But that’s not what happens at all. It’s a fair adjustment at first of course, but usually, those who enjoy fitness will do so because of what it gives them. A hard run for thirty minutes is certainly work, but the rest of the day you often feel vibrant, more comfortable, and even more emotionally stable for it. Your rest becomes more restorative as well, as your body is able to relax and get better sleep thanks to your improving health.
Yet what if, after weeks or even months of trying, you find that fitness completely exhausts you as opposed to anything else? Let’s consider some of that, below:
Focus On Your Recovery Plan
Exercise breaks the body down which is, of course why we feel tired. It’s the time in between workouts that builds it back up stronger. So, it’s natural to feel tired, but recovery should feel great. If you do’t have that, the cycle never completes, which leaves you feeling worn out instead of refreshed.
A good place to start is by tracking how much rest your muscles and nervous system are getting. If you dive straight into bed or laying on the sofa all evening, consider more active recovery, like a leisurely walk or gentle stretching, which can help without forcing strain. You can also take effective workout recovery supplements that give your body a little boost to start that recovering process.
Lessen Volume & Alter Times
Too much training in too short a time frame is a great way to run yourself into the ground. To begin with “overtraining” is less common among newbies, but it’s also true that you can get tired ust like anyone else. After all, our bodies can only handle so much before it pushes back with fatigue, soreness, or even injury.
It might be you just need to adjust the timeline. For instance, shorter sessions at a slightly lower effort level might be all that’s needed here. Shaving down a 60-minute session to 45 minutes, or replacing one heavy workout with a lighter one once a week, can ease the strain without stalling progress. Or, you might find that working out in the morning (waking up and going to sleep earlier), makes you feel so much better than trying to do it after a stressful workday..
Consider Dietary & Sleep Regimens
Protein, carbs, and fats are all essential for recovery, but if meals aren’t timed well, the body might not be getting the fuel it needs at the right moments. Eating too little before a workout can leave you running on fumes, as even a banana can help you here. Moreover, skipping post-workout nutrition delays recovery. Hydration also matters more than people tend to realize, as just a slight dip in fluid levels can easily cause us fatigue and sluggishness. You may just need to drink more.
With this advice, we hope you can feel more comfortable when working out, and less exhausted. However, if you think the issue runs deeper such as with your hormones, talk to your doctor.