Question:
Dibillitating fatigue 3 months post op after exercise

I started to work out about 2 weeks ago. 4 days ago I had a hellish workout with the trainer, ended up in pain due to soreness to the point I could baredly move. 4 days later not too much better and fatigued so badly, I'm worried. Can someone shed some light on why? And what I can do to recover and not make this mistake again? Thank you    — kendalyne (posted on April 20, 2007)

April 20, 2007
Okay here is the lightbulb... you overdid it. If you only started working out 2 wks ago, you should have still been going slow. It sounds like the trainer either doesn't know what they are doing, or you didn't communicate your needs and that you had just started working out. You have to remember that these personal trainers are in excellent shape and even going slow for them, is often too advanced for someone just starting out. #2 You need to rest those muscles... don't be inactive, you still need to move, but just walking at this point to keep from getting stiff. After you start feeling better, then resume the workout slowly. #3 You can no longer take any NSAIDS (motrin, advil, etc) you are stuck with Tylenol. Usually when you have overdone it exercising you can take an NSAID (anti-inflammatory medication) to help with the pain caused by the inflammation and muscle breakdown. #4 Anytime you are done working out, you need to flush your system with water, not juice, etc... water.. this will help flush out the enzymes released by the muscles as they break down and make it easy on your kidneys. It will also help you feel better as your muscles ache when they get dehydrated and have a buildup of lactic acid. #5 make sure you are getting at least your minimum protein intake in, take some vitamin C and zinc which will help with the tissue rebuilding. I speak from experience as I overdid it at Curves by working out on the machines too fast (their recommended rate) and developed tendinitis in my shoulder and then had the massage from hell 1 wk ago. Felt okay at the time, but the next day I was sore and I now have some sciatic pain that thankfully is still localized in my back and butt vs down my leg too. So I am following my own advice, walking to stay limber (premedicating with Tylenol before I do), lots of water (more than my normal intake), vitamin C and zinc and time. I will be more careful in the future and workout easy and then see how I feel the next day. If I am okay, then I will increase the intensity vs starting off like a banshee then paying for it later.... good luck to you and hope this helped answer you question.
   — Kari_K

April 20, 2007
What Kari said -- she is right on. You have to rest your muscles because if you exhaust them -- they will not want to do what you want them to do. Plus your body isn't used to it and it could start to rebel. It's probably screaming something like 'WHAT IS GOING ON? WE'VE NEVER DONE THIS STUFF BEFORE!
   — the7thdean

April 20, 2007
You are doing too much exercise too soon. Walking is the best form of exercise after gastric bypass. And even then, you need to start slow and build up your strength and stamina. If you are that sore and that tired, you overdid.
   — blm4602

April 20, 2007
Hello Kendalyane, thanks for writing. It sounds like your trainer went way too hard on you. You will recover, but if you go too fast in "training" and exercise it can be just as damaging as not exercising. Moderation and slowly build. It sounds like your trainer needs some training themselves. Your health is really important, change trainers, give your body a little more time to recover and maybe just lightly walk for a week or so. Listen to your body and recover. You are still recovering from wls, it takes a long long time to recover from this big of a surgery, even though you feel better, the body takes a long time to heal. Not to mention the adjustment to rapid weight loss (or regular weight loss) and the emotional strain of dealing with obesity head issues. You have a lot going on in the body, mind and soul, so go a little easy on yourself, you are not a freight train or a jet. I'm a Christian, so I stay away from anything "hellish", I advise the same for you. Challenge yourself yes, but go easy and build carefully. Take care, Patricia P.
   — Patricia P