Ovulating Can't Be That Much Work, Can It?
March 14, 2011 6:12 PM Subscribe
I've recently started working out regularly, have been happily motivated and enjoying myself, and have run into a major snag: ovulation makes me so tired that I don't want to move at all. Please help me figure out how to maintain my exercise routine when my body doesn't want to cooperate!
I am not an athlete, and I'm not in great shape, but, over the past month, I've been able to get a pretty clear idea as to how my 'good' workouts feel (namely, it's hard work, I sweat, I breathe heavily, but I don't feel like I'm actually going to die.) Afterward, I'm tired in a good way - I feel like I've used my body, but I'm not in pain.
My 'routine' is to hit the gym most days of the week and spend about 40 minutes on an elliptical machine, do a yoga class twice per week, and work out with a trainer doing free-weight routines. I've been having an awesome time and I feel like what I'm doing is reasonable, not pushing myself too hard.
A few days ago I had the worst workout ever - I couldn't get my body moving fast enough to get my heart rate up, I couldn't get into the groove, I felt exhausted and, as a result, I was completely demoralized. I was literally on the lowest setting, with the lowest resistance, and it was insanely difficult for me to keep going. I hopped off the elliptical much sooner than I'd have normally stopped. I wasn't in pain or feeling sick - I was just exhausted.
After trying to figure out what was wrong, I realized that I was ovulating. Exhaustion is pretty common for me from the time of ovulation to a day or two before my period.
I'm trying to figure out how to work around this. I can't handle the idea of taking a week or two off from the gym every time I ovulate - but I also can't handle the exhaustion.
Some background:
I'm 35 years old. I'm overweight by about 50 pounds but my recent bloodwork gave me a clean bill of health in every area. I eat well about 80% of the time, and even my unhealthy meals aren't over the top unhealthy. I regularly take multivitamins and a few supplements (Omegas, cal/mag, etc.) I do not take any other medications other than an allergy pill in the morning and ColdFX during the winter seasons.
I have PCOS but my periods have been stunningly regular for the past few years, so I know when I'm ovulating (and the physical symptoms of ovulation are very noticeable for me). I am not taking any meds for my PCOS. Traditionally, I ovulate and feel exhausted for at least a week, if not two, so this isn't a new thing - but it's the first time it's interfered with my life in a big way. During and after ovulation I have difficulties with sleeping and, as a result, my anxiety and depression show up (I have PRN meds for anxiety but haven't taken any of those in months). As soon as my period arrives, I have cramping and bleeding and all that other crap, but my energy returns full-force and I sleep very well again. Then all is good for 2-3 weeks.. until I ovulate again.
How can I fix, adjust, change or otherwise mitigate the effects of ovulation on me so I can keep going to the gym and enjoying it?
I am not an athlete, and I'm not in great shape, but, over the past month, I've been able to get a pretty clear idea as to how my 'good' workouts feel (namely, it's hard work, I sweat, I breathe heavily, but I don't feel like I'm actually going to die.) Afterward, I'm tired in a good way - I feel like I've used my body, but I'm not in pain.
My 'routine' is to hit the gym most days of the week and spend about 40 minutes on an elliptical machine, do a yoga class twice per week, and work out with a trainer doing free-weight routines. I've been having an awesome time and I feel like what I'm doing is reasonable, not pushing myself too hard.
A few days ago I had the worst workout ever - I couldn't get my body moving fast enough to get my heart rate up, I couldn't get into the groove, I felt exhausted and, as a result, I was completely demoralized. I was literally on the lowest setting, with the lowest resistance, and it was insanely difficult for me to keep going. I hopped off the elliptical much sooner than I'd have normally stopped. I wasn't in pain or feeling sick - I was just exhausted.
After trying to figure out what was wrong, I realized that I was ovulating. Exhaustion is pretty common for me from the time of ovulation to a day or two before my period.
I'm trying to figure out how to work around this. I can't handle the idea of taking a week or two off from the gym every time I ovulate - but I also can't handle the exhaustion.
Some background:
I'm 35 years old. I'm overweight by about 50 pounds but my recent bloodwork gave me a clean bill of health in every area. I eat well about 80% of the time, and even my unhealthy meals aren't over the top unhealthy. I regularly take multivitamins and a few supplements (Omegas, cal/mag, etc.) I do not take any other medications other than an allergy pill in the morning and ColdFX during the winter seasons.
I have PCOS but my periods have been stunningly regular for the past few years, so I know when I'm ovulating (and the physical symptoms of ovulation are very noticeable for me). I am not taking any meds for my PCOS. Traditionally, I ovulate and feel exhausted for at least a week, if not two, so this isn't a new thing - but it's the first time it's interfered with my life in a big way. During and after ovulation I have difficulties with sleeping and, as a result, my anxiety and depression show up (I have PRN meds for anxiety but haven't taken any of those in months). As soon as my period arrives, I have cramping and bleeding and all that other crap, but my energy returns full-force and I sleep very well again. Then all is good for 2-3 weeks.. until I ovulate again.
How can I fix, adjust, change or otherwise mitigate the effects of ovulation on me so I can keep going to the gym and enjoying it?
Is taking birth control to suppress ovulation an option?
posted by crankylex at 6:28 PM on March 14, 2011
posted by crankylex at 6:28 PM on March 14, 2011
Ovulation only lasts a couple days.
Ovulation does not take days.
Have you considered birth control pills?
posted by amro at 6:30 PM on March 14, 2011
Ovulation does not take days.
Have you considered birth control pills?
posted by amro at 6:30 PM on March 14, 2011
Best answer: First thing, and it's obvious - it gets easier with time. Whether it's ovulation, an injury, stress, etc., your body will be able to adapt to life changes better as you continue with your workouts. I can also say from experience that it will get better as you lose the weight. Also remember that it is natural for any person to plateau in workout effect after a period of time. This may have less to do with ovulation than you think.
Second, during the time when you are not fatigued due to ovulation or whatever else, I would focus on increasing muscle mass and strength through weight-bearing exercise and swimming. I've found over the years that my relatively high ratio of muscle mass and its strength can carry me through workouts when my cardio drive seems to be lacking for whatever reason. It's not good to rely on brute strength for too many workouts, but every now and then is okay.
Last, I would adjust your routine. I don't know if you work out one day and take the next day off, but if you seem to be off your game for only a few days at a time, try to work out a few days in a row, and then rest during the days you would find most fatiguing.
Most importantly, don't give up! Most people lose most of the cardiac benefits of exercise after 6 weeks of not working out, so do whatever you can to keep this up long-term. Good luck!
posted by msk1985 at 6:31 PM on March 14, 2011
Second, during the time when you are not fatigued due to ovulation or whatever else, I would focus on increasing muscle mass and strength through weight-bearing exercise and swimming. I've found over the years that my relatively high ratio of muscle mass and its strength can carry me through workouts when my cardio drive seems to be lacking for whatever reason. It's not good to rely on brute strength for too many workouts, but every now and then is okay.
Last, I would adjust your routine. I don't know if you work out one day and take the next day off, but if you seem to be off your game for only a few days at a time, try to work out a few days in a row, and then rest during the days you would find most fatiguing.
Most importantly, don't give up! Most people lose most of the cardiac benefits of exercise after 6 weeks of not working out, so do whatever you can to keep this up long-term. Good luck!
posted by msk1985 at 6:31 PM on March 14, 2011
Response by poster: Sorry, I should have been more specific - from the time of ovulation until my period, I'm exhausted. Not just ovulation (and no, I don't ovulate for several weeks on end - eek, that's an awful thought!)
I have a family history of heart problems - specifically, early death from heart attacks - that makes me more than a little reluctant to use birth control pills now that I'm 35.
posted by VioletU at 6:32 PM on March 14, 2011
I have a family history of heart problems - specifically, early death from heart attacks - that makes me more than a little reluctant to use birth control pills now that I'm 35.
posted by VioletU at 6:32 PM on March 14, 2011
Good for you for starting an exercise routine! I think it's pretty normal to go through cycles of motivation and energy, and it might be good for you to try to set up a schedule that lets you work with your cycle. So, for example, do your usual 40 minutes or whatever during the first two weeks of your cycle, and then plan to ramp it down during the second half. That way you won't get demoralized.
Also, remember that even 5 minutes is better than no minutes, and you definitely haven't "failed" if you worked out for 40 minutes, even if it was at a slow pace and your heart rate didn't go up.
Lots of people have success with sparkpeople.com for motivation and support. I know there is a PCOS group on there, and you are likely to find others with similar challenges who can offer their experience to you.
posted by gubenuj at 7:10 PM on March 14, 2011
Also, remember that even 5 minutes is better than no minutes, and you definitely haven't "failed" if you worked out for 40 minutes, even if it was at a slow pace and your heart rate didn't go up.
Lots of people have success with sparkpeople.com for motivation and support. I know there is a PCOS group on there, and you are likely to find others with similar challenges who can offer their experience to you.
posted by gubenuj at 7:10 PM on March 14, 2011
There are a variety of sayings, like "You can't outrun your fork" and "You can't out-snatch a donut" - how's your diet? Your iron levels?
Definitely start tracking - I found that when I was tired a lot, I was eating a lot of quick-energy type foods and really slacking on proteins and fats. You probably already know, but eating fats does not make you fat. They're a necessary substance to help your body operate efficiently.
You may not be eating enough - if you eat more protein/vegetables and fewer carbohydrates, you can eat "more" volumetrically - and feel way fuller - without eating as many calories.
If you're borderline anemic or on the low side of "healthy", instead of popping iron supplements (which always, always, always upset my stomach something fierce no matter how much food I prepped with), try cooking in cast iron pans.
posted by bookdragoness at 7:36 PM on March 14, 2011
Definitely start tracking - I found that when I was tired a lot, I was eating a lot of quick-energy type foods and really slacking on proteins and fats. You probably already know, but eating fats does not make you fat. They're a necessary substance to help your body operate efficiently.
You may not be eating enough - if you eat more protein/vegetables and fewer carbohydrates, you can eat "more" volumetrically - and feel way fuller - without eating as many calories.
If you're borderline anemic or on the low side of "healthy", instead of popping iron supplements (which always, always, always upset my stomach something fierce no matter how much food I prepped with), try cooking in cast iron pans.
posted by bookdragoness at 7:36 PM on March 14, 2011
Oh, and eating steak and bacon. Mmmmm, bacon.
One of my favorite things about trying for a lower-carb diet is that it's not calorie-restricted because it's so hard to eat thousands of calories of bacon and other primarily protein/fat foods. So, bacon becomes a "healthy diet" food - all the better. :)
posted by bookdragoness at 7:38 PM on March 14, 2011
One of my favorite things about trying for a lower-carb diet is that it's not calorie-restricted because it's so hard to eat thousands of calories of bacon and other primarily protein/fat foods. So, bacon becomes a "healthy diet" food - all the better. :)
posted by bookdragoness at 7:38 PM on March 14, 2011
Good for you! You sound like a go get 'em gal. It really sounds like your body is telling you something, listen carefully. Have you tried just doing yoga (there are lots of special moves to get the woman parts stimulated and/or calmed down. The Cat, Bow and Cat/Cow poses are good for PCOS and like disorders. Also practice kapalabhati (deep cleansing breath). Swimming is relaxing and you can still get a cardio workout at your own pace if it feels good. Don't listen to "No pain, no gain" crap, most likely it was somebody without a uterus that coined that phrase. Pilates for beginners is likely to still give you toning without hurting yourself. After all is said and done, go get a nice massage, especially somebody that specializes in women's acupressure points. With your medical issue you deserve it...and the good news is you are likely to have less problems with it as you tone, because hormones are stored in your fat.
posted by ~Sushma~ at 7:48 PM on March 14, 2011
posted by ~Sushma~ at 7:48 PM on March 14, 2011
Best answer: Y'know, this happens. Elite athletes push through it (I never heard Venus Williams complain that she was on the rag when she lost a match) but we mere mortals don't have to. Take it easier and lower your expectations for that week. Build that in to your routine. I know this sounds crazy, but could take something special that week, like a ballet class or tai chi or go for an easy hike in a pretty park instead of hitting the gym? My thinking is that if you aren't doing the same things you do when you're at peak performance, you won't be spending the entire hour at the gym comparing your pms-y performance to last week's awesomeness and making yourself all disappointed. instead, you'll be doing something else cool and soothing and interesting, and maintaining all the good work you've been doing the past three weeks, and it will feel like an accomplishment (hey, i learned a pirouette! i took a great picture of a duck during my hike around the lake! i held my breath for a full minute while i was swimming today!)
short version: do three weeks of apples and one week of oranges. oranges might be easier, but still rewarding.
posted by thinkingwoman at 8:15 PM on March 14, 2011 [3 favorites]
short version: do three weeks of apples and one week of oranges. oranges might be easier, but still rewarding.
posted by thinkingwoman at 8:15 PM on March 14, 2011 [3 favorites]
I have a similar physical reaction to ovulation (and it seems to be getting worse as I'm getting older -- fun!). I suggest just taking it easy on the days when you're lowest in energy. Yoga, if that feels ok to you, or a walk. Better to take a couple of days off a month and take care of yourself than to stress yourself out, feel like crap, or give up on your fabulous new exercise program.
posted by gingerbeer at 9:26 PM on March 14, 2011
posted by gingerbeer at 9:26 PM on March 14, 2011
I am not taking any meds for my PCOS.
Any particular reason why? I understand not wanting to take hormonal birth control, but have you tried metformin? It's not for everyone, but I know so many people who have been helped by it. Also, I would suggest you see an endocrinologist, rather than a gynecologist, for your PCOS.
posted by Violet Hour at 11:01 PM on March 14, 2011 [1 favorite]
Any particular reason why? I understand not wanting to take hormonal birth control, but have you tried metformin? It's not for everyone, but I know so many people who have been helped by it. Also, I would suggest you see an endocrinologist, rather than a gynecologist, for your PCOS.
posted by Violet Hour at 11:01 PM on March 14, 2011 [1 favorite]
Heres a review of a paper about exercise, energy, weight loss and menstruation cycles. In short, your cycle very much can effect how much energy you have and how hungry you are.
http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/research-review/impact-of-the-menstrual-cycle-on-determinants-of-energy-intake-reseach-review.html
posted by Ness at 2:42 AM on March 15, 2011
http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/research-review/impact-of-the-menstrual-cycle-on-determinants-of-energy-intake-reseach-review.html
posted by Ness at 2:42 AM on March 15, 2011
a non- or low-hormonal method of regulating your periods like a copper IUD or Mirena.
Uh. what? Yes, the Mirena is going to do ... something, YMMV as to what ... to your periods. The copper IUD ... it's going to do something else. I'd never so much as heard of mittelschmertz (sp?) (ovulation pain) until I got my copper IUD and the associated globs of bloody snot on ovulation. And felt rubbish while it was going on. I really really wouldn't recommend that to anyone experiencing any kind of menstrual cycle-related low mood / lowered physical ability.
posted by Lebannen at 5:00 AM on March 15, 2011
Uh. what? Yes, the Mirena is going to do ... something, YMMV as to what ... to your periods. The copper IUD ... it's going to do something else. I'd never so much as heard of mittelschmertz (sp?) (ovulation pain) until I got my copper IUD and the associated globs of bloody snot on ovulation. And felt rubbish while it was going on. I really really wouldn't recommend that to anyone experiencing any kind of menstrual cycle-related low mood / lowered physical ability.
posted by Lebannen at 5:00 AM on March 15, 2011
I have a similar kind of thing, though much milder. I sleep a lot more during some parts of my cycle, I feel really tired, there are times when I don't sleep as well. For me, though, exercise helps (if I can make myself do it and I don't convince myself that I'm better off staying in bed). So maybe you can just find something you *can* do, and not worry about getting your heart rate up and all that - whether it's gentle yoga, or walking instead of the elliptical - that might help jump-start you a bit? And I agree with the commenters who recommend you really look at your diet - I know I feel less motivated to eat well during certain points in my cycle.
I totally know what you mean, though - a day or two before my period starts I become a bundle of energy! I do all the chores I usually put off, and I feel like I can take on the world!
posted by mskyle at 5:06 AM on March 15, 2011
I totally know what you mean, though - a day or two before my period starts I become a bundle of energy! I do all the chores I usually put off, and I feel like I can take on the world!
posted by mskyle at 5:06 AM on March 15, 2011
Best answer: A few days ago I had the worst workout ever
You're generalizing from a sample of one cycle, one workout, and you made the leap from noticing this coincided with ovulating to assuming it's caused by ovulating and will feel this way every month. Though I don't know your body specifically, I can tell you that that's a big leap, and there could well be other causes. I just read the article linked by Ness, and unlike the experience you are describing, it suggests an increase in energy in teh weeks after ovulation (in the luteal phase) and before menstruation, not a decrease as you have noticed recently, so the article doesn't support your theory. What it does say is that the interactions between hormones, hunger, food intake, composition of food intake, and perceived level of energy are pretty complex, which is true enough.
But when you're new to working out, you will notice rather extreme fluctuations in energy level workout to workout. This is because your body is not truly conditioned yet - it's in the process of getting conditioned. There are lots of stresses on various systems -muscular, vascular, cardiac - and periods of recovery and repair are needed. There is immediate strain on those systems and cumulative strain. Every now and then you'll feel tired. it's entirely normal, and though it's worth noticing, it's not something to worry about in and of itself.
I've had some similar experiences to yours in that years ago, I lost 50 pounds by gradually moving from a pretty sedentary lifestyle to running, cycling, and swimming regularly. I can guarantee you there were many, many times when settling into my workout routines that I just felt there wasn't much gas in the tank that day, for whatever reason. Just listen to your body. Some days, the stars line up and all systems are go and you feel like a rock star. Those are the days to push yourself - see if you can go an extra five minutes, extra half mile, deeper into that yoga pose, whatever it may be. Turn up the intensity and speed. On other days, you just feel like a limp dishrag. Those are the days to ask of yourself to give the minimum workout you had scheduled for that day. As a runner, those were the days I'd say to myself "OK, I feel really run down today, and I was gonna do a 40-minute run at 6.0 mph. Instead, since I feel crappy, I'll do 30 at 5.0." That way, you've given yourself a break, but still maintained your respect for and your committment to your routine. More times than not, you'll notice your energy bounces back the next day or within the week. Your body just needed to slow down. And in fact, even more times than that, you'll warm up and get about 10 minutes in and decide you're suddenly feeling a lot better, and now that the blood is pumping and the oxygen is flowing you're bringing more energy into your body, and you can do the workout you originally planned after all. The key is to not let yourself off the hook about doing some kind of basic workout. If it has to be a light one, fine, but do it anyway. See if you begin to feel better.
Just don't allow feeling tired to become an excuse not to work out at all - especially for two weeks, perish the thought. As you get more fit, you'll feel this sensation less and less often. As weight comes off you will have more energy generally, all the time, and your problems with menstruation may lessen, as well. So while I appreciate that people are concerned and certainly a doctor can't hurt, the reality of my experience and that of many former non-fit people who became fit is that you need to get through the tired days on commitment alone. Don't expect to love and enjoy every workout, just promise yourself that you'll do it. It's OK to do the minimum, just do it. When I was getting started, I planned my workouts in weeklong blocks. If I didn't have a lot of energy on a given day, I'd just swap in that week's easiest workout for the tired day, and come back to do the harder workout on the other day. That way my overall minutes didn't drop during a week.
Even elite athletes have bad days, and they log their workouts to try to track when and why (didn't get enough sleep? Ate weird stuff? Slight injury? Time of the month?) So consider logging your workouts - not only what you do, for how long, and how intensely (mph, incline, whatever), but also how you felt and any notes that might help you understand why you feel that way.
But I would strongly encourage you not to assume it's a direct link to ovulation. Give this whole endeavor a few more months before deciding that, keep a log, and keep to your workout routine - even when you feel tired. That's what makes you feel like a serious fitness rock star - not the fact you kept going when it was easy, but the fact that you kept the faith and followed through for yourself even when it was tough.
posted by Miko at 6:48 AM on March 15, 2011 [3 favorites]
You're generalizing from a sample of one cycle, one workout, and you made the leap from noticing this coincided with ovulating to assuming it's caused by ovulating and will feel this way every month. Though I don't know your body specifically, I can tell you that that's a big leap, and there could well be other causes. I just read the article linked by Ness, and unlike the experience you are describing, it suggests an increase in energy in teh weeks after ovulation (in the luteal phase) and before menstruation, not a decrease as you have noticed recently, so the article doesn't support your theory. What it does say is that the interactions between hormones, hunger, food intake, composition of food intake, and perceived level of energy are pretty complex, which is true enough.
But when you're new to working out, you will notice rather extreme fluctuations in energy level workout to workout. This is because your body is not truly conditioned yet - it's in the process of getting conditioned. There are lots of stresses on various systems -muscular, vascular, cardiac - and periods of recovery and repair are needed. There is immediate strain on those systems and cumulative strain. Every now and then you'll feel tired. it's entirely normal, and though it's worth noticing, it's not something to worry about in and of itself.
I've had some similar experiences to yours in that years ago, I lost 50 pounds by gradually moving from a pretty sedentary lifestyle to running, cycling, and swimming regularly. I can guarantee you there were many, many times when settling into my workout routines that I just felt there wasn't much gas in the tank that day, for whatever reason. Just listen to your body. Some days, the stars line up and all systems are go and you feel like a rock star. Those are the days to push yourself - see if you can go an extra five minutes, extra half mile, deeper into that yoga pose, whatever it may be. Turn up the intensity and speed. On other days, you just feel like a limp dishrag. Those are the days to ask of yourself to give the minimum workout you had scheduled for that day. As a runner, those were the days I'd say to myself "OK, I feel really run down today, and I was gonna do a 40-minute run at 6.0 mph. Instead, since I feel crappy, I'll do 30 at 5.0." That way, you've given yourself a break, but still maintained your respect for and your committment to your routine. More times than not, you'll notice your energy bounces back the next day or within the week. Your body just needed to slow down. And in fact, even more times than that, you'll warm up and get about 10 minutes in and decide you're suddenly feeling a lot better, and now that the blood is pumping and the oxygen is flowing you're bringing more energy into your body, and you can do the workout you originally planned after all. The key is to not let yourself off the hook about doing some kind of basic workout. If it has to be a light one, fine, but do it anyway. See if you begin to feel better.
Just don't allow feeling tired to become an excuse not to work out at all - especially for two weeks, perish the thought. As you get more fit, you'll feel this sensation less and less often. As weight comes off you will have more energy generally, all the time, and your problems with menstruation may lessen, as well. So while I appreciate that people are concerned and certainly a doctor can't hurt, the reality of my experience and that of many former non-fit people who became fit is that you need to get through the tired days on commitment alone. Don't expect to love and enjoy every workout, just promise yourself that you'll do it. It's OK to do the minimum, just do it. When I was getting started, I planned my workouts in weeklong blocks. If I didn't have a lot of energy on a given day, I'd just swap in that week's easiest workout for the tired day, and come back to do the harder workout on the other day. That way my overall minutes didn't drop during a week.
Even elite athletes have bad days, and they log their workouts to try to track when and why (didn't get enough sleep? Ate weird stuff? Slight injury? Time of the month?) So consider logging your workouts - not only what you do, for how long, and how intensely (mph, incline, whatever), but also how you felt and any notes that might help you understand why you feel that way.
But I would strongly encourage you not to assume it's a direct link to ovulation. Give this whole endeavor a few more months before deciding that, keep a log, and keep to your workout routine - even when you feel tired. That's what makes you feel like a serious fitness rock star - not the fact you kept going when it was easy, but the fact that you kept the faith and followed through for yourself even when it was tough.
posted by Miko at 6:48 AM on March 15, 2011 [3 favorites]
A few days ago I had the worst workout ever - I couldn't get my body moving fast enough to get my heart rate up, I couldn't get into the groove, I felt exhausted and, as a result, I was completely demoralized. I was literally on the lowest setting, with the lowest resistance, and it was insanely difficult for me to keep going. I hopped off the elliptical much sooner than I'd have normally stopped. I wasn't in pain or feeling sick - I was just exhausted.
An example: in this situation, say you had planned to do elliptical for 30 minutes on the lowest setting, and you felt too exhausted. First, try to break the workout down in your head - "I'll quit after another 5 minutes, unless I feel like keeping going for 5 more." Sometimes this gets me through an entire workout, just taken in 5-minute chunks, which I feel like I can handle psychologically because I know I have an 'out' if I need it." If you get to the end of that five minutes, or other arbitrary deadline, and still feel like you can barely move, don't quit the workout. Finish out the time walking on the treadmill - even if it's 1 mile an hour. Just about anyone can hack that. Make sure you get your minutes in, even if you have to drop the intensity way down. Be prepared to modify, but also be prepared to honor your commitment to your body - before you jump to "I'm tired, I have to quit" explore some other ways of finishing your workout by saying "I'm tired - is there something less strenuous I can do for the remaining 17 minutes?"
posted by Miko at 6:56 AM on March 15, 2011 [2 favorites]
An example: in this situation, say you had planned to do elliptical for 30 minutes on the lowest setting, and you felt too exhausted. First, try to break the workout down in your head - "I'll quit after another 5 minutes, unless I feel like keeping going for 5 more." Sometimes this gets me through an entire workout, just taken in 5-minute chunks, which I feel like I can handle psychologically because I know I have an 'out' if I need it." If you get to the end of that five minutes, or other arbitrary deadline, and still feel like you can barely move, don't quit the workout. Finish out the time walking on the treadmill - even if it's 1 mile an hour. Just about anyone can hack that. Make sure you get your minutes in, even if you have to drop the intensity way down. Be prepared to modify, but also be prepared to honor your commitment to your body - before you jump to "I'm tired, I have to quit" explore some other ways of finishing your workout by saying "I'm tired - is there something less strenuous I can do for the remaining 17 minutes?"
posted by Miko at 6:56 AM on March 15, 2011 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Just wanted to pop in and mention that the weeks after you ovulate but before you menstruate are called the luteal phase; if you're looking for more information about what's going on during that time, this is the term you should be searching on, rather than "ovulation".
Your hormone levels are way different during the luteal phase (look at this chart), and one or several of these hormones may be affecting your energy levels. Of course, as Miko mentioned, you should be careful generalizing from one incident.
People who have a pretty severe reaction to the luteal phase hormones are sometimes diagnosed with PMDD. I'm absolutely not saying that you've got anything this severe, but resources for people with PMDD might have tips (about diet, etc) on how to mitigate some of the low energy you're feeling.
Good luck!
posted by wyzewoman at 6:57 AM on March 15, 2011
Your hormone levels are way different during the luteal phase (look at this chart), and one or several of these hormones may be affecting your energy levels. Of course, as Miko mentioned, you should be careful generalizing from one incident.
People who have a pretty severe reaction to the luteal phase hormones are sometimes diagnosed with PMDD. I'm absolutely not saying that you've got anything this severe, but resources for people with PMDD might have tips (about diet, etc) on how to mitigate some of the low energy you're feeling.
Good luck!
posted by wyzewoman at 6:57 AM on March 15, 2011
In case I didn't emphasize that enough: it's normal to feel somewhat different during different phases of the menstrual cycle. I am not not not saying that you have PMDD. I bring it up only because I've seen people talking about PMDD have good suggestions which are also helpful for the broader population.
posted by wyzewoman at 7:00 AM on March 15, 2011
posted by wyzewoman at 7:00 AM on March 15, 2011
Response by poster: The tiredness from ovulation to menstruation (the luteal phase! thank you wyzewoman!) has almost always been a problem - but it's one that I've handled/managed by acting like a slug for that time period. It's a lot more dramatic when I'm doing something physically challenging vs napping on the sofa which is what brings me to asking if there's a way to improve on it. If this were a sudden change in energy levels, I'd be a lot more concerned about seeing my doctor ASAP.
I am definitely going to start keeping a more thorough log of my workouts and other variables that might be impacting in energy. I'm also starting to get the picture that the exercise is step one - and that I may need to change up my eating habits further to more reflect the 'fuel' my body needs. I tend to eat more refined carbs when I'm feeling tired which may be contributing to a negative cycle for my energy/stamina... hmmm!
Thank you all so much!
posted by VioletU at 9:09 AM on March 15, 2011
I am definitely going to start keeping a more thorough log of my workouts and other variables that might be impacting in energy. I'm also starting to get the picture that the exercise is step one - and that I may need to change up my eating habits further to more reflect the 'fuel' my body needs. I tend to eat more refined carbs when I'm feeling tired which may be contributing to a negative cycle for my energy/stamina... hmmm!
Thank you all so much!
posted by VioletU at 9:09 AM on March 15, 2011
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posted by unannihilated at 6:26 PM on March 14, 2011 [1 favorite]