Does anyone find that exercise runs them down?

[sports_brah]

I'm sure there is a large element here of just "man the hell up", but I'm just curious.

Does anyone here ever get run down from exercise?

I've been doing a fair amount of exercise recently (I leave a day gap between each day), comprising of sit ups, press ups and running. (I know its a not a gym but I can't afford one).

Running is 2-3 miles dependent and incorporates some steep climbs that tire me out! Sit ups is 50 and my press ups comprise of 50 (in batches of 60 second rests). I also throw in some bodyweight squats.

I've definitely lost some of the fat around my midriff, and I've noticed my legs are definitely looking better. I've gained an inch around my legs even though they're looking more muscular with less fat!

Chest and arms haven't really improved from pushups but I guess all that takes more time.

However, the downside is that I've felt quite depleted, and this morning, after my run etc yesterday, I felt positively ill. Extremely lethargic and couldn't do anything.

I get DOMS and can live with that (stairs are the worst thing known to man!), but this complete lack of energy (actually confined me to bed today) can't be tolerated.

Is this a normal bedding in period, or am I just doing something wrong?

Thanks.

 

[sports_brah]

Routine is:

Wake up, do 50 press ups (in batches of 12-15)
Do sit ups (50)
Do 30 bodyweight squats

Alternatively

Run a few miles (steep terrain in town, but with proper running shoes)
Situps and bodyweight squats


Diet:

No set diet.

Usually: Breakfast (3-4 cups of tea, bacon and eggs on toast)
lunch: pizza + salad
dinner: main meal

Through the day I have some snacky things occasionally.

I've completely cut out alcohol for Lent (which can only be a good thing?), and I've considerably reduced my intake of "**** food" (I know my diet doesn't look great, but its a lot healthier sourced, I've given up eating a tub of pringles a night, stopped nomming whole sticks of chorizo/salami etc).

For reference, I'm 189cm in height, and around 77kg in weight.

 

[sports_brah]

I can't join a gym as I'm the worlds poorest student currently. (£100 left of my £1500 overdraft, rent due next week ).

On the plus side I picked up some mighty cheap resistance bands but I have no idea what to do with them.

Can't use a pullup bar due to rented accommodation.

Diet has improved significantly, but I get what you're saying. In a few weeks I should have enough money to get my overdraft down a bit and afford better food.

 

[sports_brah]

You mean?

I do indeed get DOMS, my upper thighs, chest, arms and shoulders were all very very DOM like. Legs especially.

My hydration should be okay. I usually drink a few litres of tea during the day (assuming tea actually hydrates).

Diet isn't great, and I reckon having given up alcohol can't really have helped that much. Sleep has been suffering, but then again I've been mighty stressed. Also I've had this since before the exercise without impact.

May I please ask what exercises you would recommend? Got two resistance bands if that helps (10lb-50lbs) and (50lbs-120lbs) in rating. I could ask my landlord for pullup bar allowance, but I've seen them do quite a lot of damage in the past. Also I'll be moving back home upon graduation (assuming I don't get a job), so its another thing to lug.


And yes, gains is what I want. Lower body not so much, I just want to increase upper body to come more in line with lower.

 

[sports_brah]

Can't say I drink water, I'll try tomorrow and see how that pans out.

I think the alcohol has helped me lose some weight, and I'm sure it'll be mighty good for the future to cut right down, but I'm wondering if the body has a withdrawal from its usual excess?

I'll check those band exercises out tomorrow morning, assuming I'm feeling better. Thank you for taking the time to post them.

 

[sports_brah]

I thought the fact that tea is 99.9% water would have been sufficient.

I meant that giving up the alcohol would have reduced a lot of my empty carbs.

Strange thing is that if I suck it all in, I've got a 4 pack with the hint of more. If I let it all go however, It all protrudes out nicely. Feels like the fat is behind my abs rather than in front, as I can only grab a bit of fat. hmm.

 

[sports_brah]

Apologies thats the tiredness making me write like a child! Alcohol after lent will be reintroduced, but I'm going to limit myself to a couple bottles of wine a week max. Cutting out spirits and for all intents and purposes, beer as well.

Just been reading about visceral fat, sounds nasty stuff! Considering my mother had her cholesterol read the other day (result 10 ), I want to avoid any negative stuff myself!

Reading over what visceral fat can do, I'm tempted to ask my parents for a bit of cash so I can start eating better. I'll post in the diet thread and see if anyone has any suggestions.

Thanks for bringing it to my attention, never thought to see about the different types before!

 

[sports_brah]

Again, woken up to feel awful. It's 11am and I'm still not out of bed and I've just woken up.

Feel absolutely drained of energy, DOMS is reduced though.

Another point to note is that I reckon I have poor circulation?

My hands change colour (can go from light to a purple colour. Pressing down and releasing will make it white for a few seconds), my arms and legs get dead exceptionally quickly (hell even crossing my legs will make the leg dead mighty quickly), and I get twitches/throbbing in my thighs and in my arms. Even recently one of my eyelids (though I reckon thats probably a sleeping issue). ¬_¬


Basically it seems like I need to stop starting and stopping different exercises, I need something definitive that I can work around.

Diet is also mighty important. Currently compiling a list of foods that appear to be acceptable.

Do you guys know of any websites that will have a two week routine for eating? Eg two weeks of recipes that would be "perfect" (I know I'd need to change the quantities for my body weight).

Thanks.


P.s I know I'm dire and annoying...........but it could be worse.

 

[sports_brah]

So... You're a poor student who complains about poverty whilst thinking aboit spendig money on alcohol after Lent? Sympathy gland is unresponsive.

Secondly your stomach sticks out for a couple of reasons:

1) visceral fat deposits
2) bad posture (pelvic tilt due to...)
3) abysmal core strength.

Sort your diet, routine and sleep out and you'll feel like a legend.

Unfortunately, I live in a drinking culture. And you'd be surprised at how little I spend on alcohol. Spirits are usually provided by my girlfriend, a bottle of wine I never spend more than £3 on and a 10 pack of 4.8% beer (250ml) is £3.49....

Thanks for the rationale though on my stomach, having read around, the issues are defintiely 1 + 2. Not sure on core strength as I have no real idea what that is!

The way my bottom sticks and out and belly is forward looks like Lordosis. However I went to see one of those places a few months ago (chiropractor?) as I got a free coupon D). He said I had a bit of kyphosis in my upper back and that stuff was very tight (???). Been thinking of getting a massage (not those sorts ) and seeing if that helps?

Going to look through Icecolds suggestions for the bands, and hopefully try and incorporate them for posture as well.

 

[sports_brah]

You mean table salt? A teaspoon worth in 2 litres?

 

[sports_brah]

Think I might be ill which might explain the tiredness. It was only when my girlfriend commented that I have got a load of red spots on myself. :/

Probably some infection or the other which would explain my energy being sapped away drastically in the short term. Hopefully it'll clear up and life will go on!