14 replies to this topic

[Ghostrider]

So I have been kind of bad and have not used the exercise bike in several months. I biked about 2.5-3 miles and back (total of 5-6) miles about twice over the previous two months, but I want to get back into my regular workout routine again. Apparently, I might have tried to jump back into it a little fast. Before lunch, I decided to hit the workout room at work today. I got on the exercise bike and did 15 minutes, then did about 5-8 minutes on the treadmill, did a few pullups and then left. I felt thirsty and thought I would get a Jamba Juice, but other than that fine. Then as I was walking back to the elevator to go to my desk, I felt that horrible feeling of potential impending vomit. Last year, I vommitted once after a bike ride, but that's the only other incident in my life where a workout did not go as planned. Anyway, by the elevator, I stop in the restroom which was fortunately empty, as I stand above the toilet wondering if I will vomit, I lose vision, everything goes kinda blackish grey. I dropped my workout clothes that I was holding on the floor and kinda walk outside of the stall, seeing nothing, and then eventually my vision comes back. I stood the entire time, but never actually passed out. Some guy came in and I go into the stall and just sit for about 10 minutes until I feel fine again. I only had 2 bananas for breakfast which was about three hours before the incident. Any idea what the heck happened?

[eternaltraveler]

sounds like hypoglycemia. You worked yourself really hard and didn't have the available calories to support it. Probably burned through your glycogen.

were there any other associated symptoms?

[ajnast4r]

how soon before ur workout did you eat?

visit a doctor, time to get checked for hypoglycemia

[Ghostrider]

sounds like hypoglycemia.  You worked yourself really hard and didn't have the available calories to support it.  Probably burned through your glycogen.

were there any other associated symptoms?

I looked up the definition of hypoglycemia on wikipedia and I was thinking after I posted that it was probably due to not enough food before workout. All I had for dinner last night were carrots and ramen noodles so I probably ran out of "fuel". No other symptoms though, just felt really tired and once I got off the treadmill, walking felt a little strange strange and maybe slightly hazy, but I just attributed that to being tired after a workout. It really did not hit me until about 5-7 minutes after my final pull-up.

[ajnast4r]

regardless of how i eat, i wont pass out. i might feel tired or like im gonna puke... but NEVER pass out. thats not normal

you need to go to the doctor and get checked for hypoglycemia.

[Shepard]

I'm assuming your conditioning is fairly poor. What was the intensity on the bike and treadmill?

"I got on the exercise bike and did 15 minutes, then did about 5-8 minutes on the treadmill, did a few pullups and then left."

[Ghostrider]

15 minutes on the bike at around 120-200 watts output (varied). 5-8 minutes on the treadmill at around 7 mph. I am out of condition, I walk about 2 miles a day to work and back (total), but obviously that's not enough.

[eternaltraveler]

Could also be due to a post workout drop in blood pressure. And post workout hypoglycemia is normal if you haven't eaten in awhile and are out of shape.

Talking to your doctor is certainly a good idea, especially if you haven't done so in a while. At the same time I wouldn't stay awake at night worrying.

[Shepard]

  At the same time I wouldn't stay awake at night worrying.

I wouldn't either. I'm not saying don't go to the doctor if you're worried, but it's not unusual for something like this to happen once in a while when the right (or wrong) things occur.

[Ghostrider]

I have blood tests in a month and a half (company sponsored so they only give about 5-7 indicators) so I will check my glucose levels at that time. If you donate blood, do they tell you about your blood quality? If so, I can have results next week. Meanwhile, I plan to continue working out, but only about two hours after a decent meal. I'll go a little easier at first. Also, kind of off-topic, are there any negative (personal) health effects to donating blood in regards to health and longevity?

[niner]

Wow, I'm glad I saw this thread. Almost the exact same thing happened to me about 20 years ago when I worked out after skipping breakfast. I always wondered WTF that was.

Also, kind of off-topic, are there any negative (personal) health effects to donating blood in regards to health and longevity?

Quite the contrary. Some people donate on purpose to keep their iron levels from getting too high. Excessive iron induces free radical formation.

[Shepard]

I've been playing around with the intermittent fasting thing and did a deadlift, military press, various supplemental/accessory workout the other day at ~26 hours without eating. Everything went fine.

Tonight, with a meal ~2 hours before workout, started seeing stars and getting ready to vomit working a little above my 3RM doing squats without sufficient recovery time.

It happens.

[Ghostrider]

I am amazed you were able to workout without eating anything for 26 hours. I would probably turn to cannibalism at that point. Squats always kinda bothered me though, my grandfather had a hip replacement late in his life and I want to go easy on the joints. So should squatting and leg presses be something that I should stay away from or is there no need to be worried about that?

[Shepard]

You shouldn't have any issues as long as you train properly. Learn proper form and set up your program to reflect your goals. Bone density is going to be increased mostly by higher weight, and joint integrity probably needs higher reps in the long-run. And, you can toss in some supplements for extra insurance.

[eternaltraveler]

i've passed out from running before. Apparently brain cells like oxygen. Go figure.