Hi all,

New here and new to weights.

I have only been training at the gym for 3 weeks. First 2 weeks were just pure CV work, 30 mins on bike per session.

For the last week, 3 sessions, I have been moving to the machine weights. ( I will move to free weights once I start my PT sessions). I have been doing 20 mins CV to warm up and then onto just one set of 8-12 @ 35kg (77lb) on each of seated leg press, seated lat rows, chest press, ab crunch...all machines.

Then I do 5 mins on the row machine, which seems to minimise the lactic build up the next day.

My problem is, that since I have started the weights as well as the CV work, I have been feeling light headed. It first started on the cross trainer, and I had to stop. Then It started on the bike....but now I feel the same on the off days that I am not training...just rest days when I walk, I feel a bit woozy. I generally feel pretty crap since I have introduced the weights.

I thought it may be down to lack of calorie intake. I'm 6ft and 235 lbs (16.8 stones) and without dieting, I only ever eat around 1800 calories per day...same as before I started training, yet I never used to lose weight. Since I have started training... I have lost 8lb in 3 weeks.

Can anyone confirm that the feeling crap/dizzy generally (i mean even on rest days) is down to not taking in enough calories?

Any help would be appreciated.


Thanks,

Stuart

2 BAGS OF EPSOM SALT, AND RUN THE WATER IS HOT AS YOU CAN. Not recommended 24 hours after workout, but it will make you feel better.

and grab a fitness magazine to keep you compnay and you can learn something too.

FF

Flyinfree: I'm not really sure why you offered that advice, Stu's complaint has nothing to do with sore muscles. He needs detailed advice, he could have a real problem.

Stu: If you are getting light headed during your workouts look first to your diet. Are you consuming enough calories? Are you going into your workout properly nourished? Are you properly hydrated? For hydration, water is always best. However, if you're a very heavy sweater consider drinking Propel (not gatorade or powerade as they have a high amount of calories). The propel has a nice balance of electrolytes that you might be losing.

Next, look to the nature of the work you are doing. Are you breathing properly during the movements? Breath out when you're moving the weight, breath in when the weight is moving you (IE: When chest pressing breath out as you push away from you chest, in as you lower the weight back to your chest).

If you're breathing properly, are you taking appropriate rest intervals? You're new to the game, and I see you're doing only 1 set of each activity which is exactly what I would suggest, but are you resting 45 seconds to 1 minute between exercises?

Last, do you or anyone in your family have a history of high blood pressure? You could be driving up your blood pressure which could be leading to your lightheadedness.

I see that you were going to meet with a trainer, definitely discuss this with him. If he's qualified and experienced he should discuss with you the same issues that I wrote in this post, as well as make suggestions for a remedy.

All the best, GOOD LUCK!

If

oh boy! this is one of those moments for me. unfirtunately, with the way i am, i get to have these from time to time. but, at least it is not every day any longer.

i made a mistake in this post. Yesterday there were a couple of newer threads with pain, soreness, and concerns after workout. They had no replies. i logged off, then had this feeling of geeeez,,, at least reply and give one of them something.

it was a wreckless post on my part.

To you Mr_Stu i apologize

To you Adler- Good call, and R.E.S.P.E.C.T. for calling me out.

FlyinFree

Its still not a bad bit of advice as light headedness can be attributed to over work as well as other physiological reasons.

Stu: At 6', 235, I have to assume you're sitting at over 30% bf. If you have not seen a doc or have had a recent physical, now is the time to and not after you've had a heart attack. As for your calorie needs, one needs your age, activity level and overal metabolic rate to make a reasonable determination. I used to get lightheaded during cv if I worked really hard but never felt woozy, only sore, the next day.

To adler: I like your advice about consulting with the PT, but I would go one step further and take this up with an MD. And, props for politely correcting FF.

FF: I've been known to misread a post myself. No biggie.

1800 cals a day...too low, no wonder you're not feeling great.

i'm only 5'9", and I can drop a pound a week of fat on 2200 cals a day (i'm almost 30).

I think you're cutting yourself short on food.

g8r80 - Using the online BF calcs, I'm at 26%. I'm 34, low activity...in an investment back every day stuck on my ass on a tech support desk. Not sure of my metabolic rate (will get this form my PT). I used to do loads of Tae Kwon Do and some weights many years ago, so maybe I have some muscle left under my current padding. Taking your advice, I did see a doc and had comprehensive blood tests done and all came back as 'all ok'. I didn't have a ECG, but he said my pulse and HR was fine. I have been sufering from depression related **** for a few years and work is hell at the moment, so he has suggested some anti-depressant drugs....which i'm not keen on taking.

I'm wondering if because i have been used to an almost 'negative' state of mind for the last few years and then suddenly jumped into training, the serotonin/dopamine boost you can get from working out has changed my body's chemical balance and sparked of this 'dizzy' , feeling light-headed strangeness.

My MD has advised to lay off the gym until I have my head back....but I can't wait to get back doing some light CV and low rep weights.

My PT said that I would be best doing low rep, but high weight sessions to build muscle to lose weight, as I have it there and I should have muscle memory...even after 6 years (?!).

Thanks for the advise all...was really starting to worry that I was killing myself trying to get healthy!

My friends say that I should stop trainging and get down the pub for a booze-up, but i'm pee'd off with being overweight and lazy. If you are not happy about something...then do something to change it, right? - THE MAN BOOBS HAVE TO GO!!!!

Thanks Malkore,

I'm trying to 'up' my calorie intake, but I have IBS, so i'm restricted to certain foods (mainly no pasta or heavy wheat foods, no beef, and dairy foods seem to irritate it).

One of the symptoms of my IBS is that I get full after eating a small meal, so I have tried the 5/6 small meals a day angle, but I just feel bloated and in no mood to work out.

Can anyone suggest a way of getting good calories down in minimal hits?

Also, my last meal before training is at 14:30 and I don't train until 19:30. Do I need to refuel an hour or so before hitting the weights?

* I know this is going more 'nutrition' post type, but it seems to have gotten here from my original post.

Thanks for the advice!

Hmm, I don't know much about this, but making sure you stay hydrated would probably help.