Struggling with Fatigue Lately

I wasn't going to post this but Elina's post inspired me to put it out there.

For the past week or so I have been struggling with muscle fatigue early in my workouts. I am not looking to increase carbs or calories or really change anything, so before you all jump on the band wagon that is not the point of this post. I am concerned that it is a new change in behavior and I am not sure what it causing, why it came about when it did, and if I should be concerned about it.

Muscle fatigue, or physical fatigue, is the decline in ability of a muscle to generate force. It can be a result of vigorous exercise but abnormal fatigue may be caused by barriers to or interference with the different stages of muscle contraction. There are two main causes of muscle fatigue - limitations of nerve’s ability to generate a sustained signal and the reduced ability of calcium (Ca²⁺) to stimulate contraction. - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muscle_fatigue

 

Try upping your calcium and omega-3

Thanks Sexy. I think the Omega-s are good and I was getting plenty of calcium but that did ring a bell with me. For several days in a row I took a break from my protein shakes which are always made with almond milk which gives me most of my calcium. I will try going to back more protein shakes and maybe even a calcium supplement for a while.

Also Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium, so make sure you aren't low on that.

If it's only been a week I wouldn't worry too much about it 'being' anything.  You might be fighting off a cold, could be the changing seasons...heck maybe it's your man-strual time lol.  Our bodies are not machines and if it's telling you it's tired then give it the rest it needs to heal.  I know that it's hard to step back when you have a routine that you love and there is always such a high with exercising but you may need to just dial it back a bit and see if it helps.  If in a month you are still feeling the same way after taking it easy then go see the doctor.  Getting your vitamin/mineral/ hormone levels checked never hurts and he can help you decide if it's an anomaly or something to deal with.

And I know you didn't want to hear "change something" but heck sometimes you need to hear that it's okay to give yourself a break :)

God bless,

I am actually backing off half of my workouts this week to see what happens. But you are right there are a number of factors and I do have a Dr. Appt on Thursday and I can get my levels checked.

What a great response. Try the calcium and let us know if you feel any better.

I vote for continuing doing one workout a day and letting your body heal.  I would also check with a doctor if possible.  I think it's great that you are paying such close attention to your body.

Hey Keith is it possible you have over trained your body? I've heard of people doing this & you've been hitting the workouts extra hard. Maybe it's just your body's way of telling you to back off for a bit. I think you've gotten great advice & I agree that checking in with your Dr. Is a great idea.

I know for me, this time of the year is always hard, but I have SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder).  Extra Vitamin D and a light box for 30 minutes in the morning help that draggy feeling I get all winter.

Here's hoping you feel better soon!