Not getting a rush from working out.

[RisenPhoenix]

17 hours ago, Segev said:

Heh. If 'walking' counted, I'd be in much better shape than I am. I walk a fair distance every day just crossing the facility where I work.

 

Walking does count, but it needs to be walking done in addition to your normal routine.  But any amount of walking is always better than none.  My job is this weird mix of desk work and not, so while on paper it looks like I'm sedentary, I'm usually moving around a whole bunch or standing for long stretches.

 

17 hours ago, Segev said:

Sadly, no form of exercise leaves me liking how I feel after it's done.

 

..............

 

I used to like swimming, but unfortunately the nearest pool is a thirty minute drive away

 

So you still like swimming, which is cool - but your issue is the time it would take getting to the activity, not the activity.  

 

It really just sounds like you haven't found the activity you just regularly enjoy doing, and that you're looking only at 'classical' exercise venues.  That said, you actually HAVE found something, and you just don't want to prioritize the time to engage in it.  Assuming three hours of a commute, plus another 3 for the workout itself, adding 6 hours of something into your life isn't that much of a time commitment, barring excessive outside-of-work commitments.  Assuming a 55 hour work week, we're left with something like 8 hours a day of 'leisure' time.  Yea, commitments happen and that time is needed elsewhere, but you could probably work something out if you gave it a shot.  Since you seemingly enjoy swimming, you're a lot more likely to keep going to an activity you like than ones you actively dislike and have to expend significant willpower to perform.

[TGP]

There's SO many different experiences expressed in this thread

 

I think this topic is broader than the title; and that a 'runners high' is mainly a very distinct and specific effect....

however, a few people here haven't felt it well OR are expressing sensations that are far more varied than the runners high.

 

to people that Haven't felt the runners high or only rarely; I don't agree that the RunnersHigh is ALWAYS very motivational.

 

personally speaking; there's always substancial discomfort to get to it and a slippery undependable nature to it.

sometimes running Feels BAD from beginning to end (for me) and it doesn't matter what kind of effort I make to get to it.

 

this is only one persons POV; but should lead you to be wary of bold generalizations.  surely doing DRUGS would always make one feel very hazy and escatic but I think of the RH as only a specific first aid to a very traumatic experience for a body to take.   

-----------

OTOH; whole books can be made about Motivation and why people are motivated to exercise.  

 

my motivation at least is far more emotional than physical. and I think emotions, goals, conditioning (which makes EVERYTHING easier), mix with any number of physical sensations. 

 

anyways; I'm babbling.  from a guy that didn't like running; doesn't like running, yet does get a runners high and and does run regularly.

 

* runners high aren't always spectacular (though sometimes nice)

* I have looked and failed to find it in different activities (lifting, hiking, swimming, cycling, bodywork cardio, erg, climbing....)

* I think they are different good body sensations though that can happen during other exercises

* exercise as whole is one of the things you invest in ; and later things feel ALOT better

* don't be anxious about it!  it may or may not come... but its not a ready excuse to drop all pretense at Exercise- or a magical experience that makes Exercise "easy"

 

one of you said you haven't found Any exercise you liked.  after some experimentation and passion; I can honestly say I don't think I've experienced any exercise I Didn't like.   your body is meant to move and become strong.  thats what it does.  

[Segev]

6 hours ago, TGP said:

one of you said you haven't found Any exercise you liked.  after some experimentation and passion; I can honestly say I don't think I've experienced any exercise I Didn't like.   your body is meant to move and become strong.  thats what it does.  

I envy you that. They all just make me miserable. It's not even (usually, unless I do something stupid) a pain of "ow stop this now," but rather a full-body "you dare? I shall make you sick and miserable for the rest of the day!"

 

At BEST, if I manage it for several weeks, I stop being sick ALL day, and am just really worn out and rubbery in a way that makes me look forward to the day being over so I can collapse.

 

The body may be meant to move, but that doesn't mean mine WANTS to. It wants to pace all day long, sure, but actually getting any real exercise in is always punished. (Like I said, if "walking" counted as exercise, I'd be a lot thinner and healthier.)

[Segev]

On 1/30/2018 at 11:40 AM, RisenPhoenix said:

Assuming three hours of a commute, plus another 3 for the workout itself, adding 6 hours of something into your life isn't that much of a time commitment, barring excessive outside-of-work commitments.  Assuming a 55 hour work week, we're left with something like 8 hours a day of 'leisure' time.  Yea, commitments happen and that time is needed elsewhere, but you could probably work something out if you gave it a shot.  Since you seemingly enjoy swimming, you're a lot more likely to keep going to an activity you like than ones you actively dislike and have to expend significant willpower to perform.

Eh, maybe. You're grossly overestimating how much I enjoy swimming. If I enjoyed it enough to be worth that kind of time commitment, I probably would already do it. It'd probably become another sink of money on a membership in something I never use.

 

I work... hrm. Including the second job during school weeks, just about 45 hours a week. Adding another two hours to three days... plus the irritation of driving soaking wet or of using (ugh) public showers... MAYBE I could talk myself into it. I suppose it won't hurt to look into semi-public pools again and see what the closest indoor one is. (Outdoor is right out; too many ways it can be closed to give an excuse not to go.)

 

When I actually swam regularly, I was 12ish, and was on a swim team that practiced in the mornings daily. I know I don't have the time commitment for that, nor the interest in competing (because losing will make me pissed off and unpleasant to be around, and I will lose), but maybe I can convince myself I can push for enough time spent in the water to make the trip worth it. Maybe. >_<

 

Worst case, I waste a month's membership fees.

[RisenPhoenix]

14 hours ago, Segev said:

Worst case, I waste a month's membership fees.

 

Assuming you aren't destitute, that's a solid way of looking at it.

 

We can come up with hypothetical reasons why nothing will ever stick ever, and not even try, or just shrug, dive in, and see what happens.  When I started doing martial arts, I signed up for a 3 month package (unlimited classes where I straight up calculated how much per class it would be if I did X classes a week, plus free training gear).  I figured if I hated it, three months was a solid enough of an attempt that I could quit without feeling like I hadn't given it a chance.  Six years later and I'm looking at a blackbelt in my near future.

 

On the other hand, I tried running regularly for almost a year to start liking it.  And became murderous. Every.  Single.  Time.  Absolute hatred.  So I stopped, and found another cardio activity I enjoy more.  And even that I don't do more than once a week.

 

Searching for what you love is definitely harder than the Doing What You Love.  But just take everything with a grain of salt, give it an honest go, and be okay with saying something isn't for you even if people say it's "The Best And Only Thing." (Seriously, you have no idea how many times I've had to tell runners that, no really, I hate running.  I don't care they love everything about it, I will kill people if forced to do it more than once in a blue moon.  It's become such a running (HA) joke among my friends that I got an "I LOVE RUNNIG" Shirt for christmas...)

[DevilSlayerDante]

So what about those of us where NO physical activity is enjoyable?  I hate running, lifting, swimming, whatever...you name it, I've done it and hated it.  About the only physical activity I enjoy is the occasional walk with a girlfriend...or sex; no girlfriend, no enjoyable physical activities.  Otherwise, I get my rush from figuring out how things work, and solving technical problems.

[Rostov]

7 hours ago, DevilSlayerDante said:

So what about those of us where NO physical activity is enjoyable?  I hate running, lifting, swimming, whatever...you name it, I've done it and hated it.  About the only physical activity I enjoy is the occasional with a girlfriend...or sex; no girlfriend, no enjoyable physical activities.  Otherwise, I get my rush from figuring out how things work, and solving technical problems.

 

I wonder if there are physical activities that include elements of problem solving? Orienteering, perhaps, but that's not easily accessible to everyone, everywhere. Is Geocaching (?) a bit like orienteering? Presumably it's still a thing...

 

More generally... what is it you hate about the physical activities that you've tried? Is it physical (pain, discomfort), psychological (boredom, stress, fear, anxiety) or social (embarrassment, vulnerability)?  Or a combination of factors for different activities?

 

My sense from helping out with c25k courses with new runners is that while some don't enjoy it at the start, some will probably never enjoy it (and so won't stick to it), while some will enjoy it more once confidence grows/anxiety reduces/social worries reduce.

 

Is it worth thinking in terms of 'don't enjoy doing X now' and 'can't imagine enjoying X ever, even with proficiency/confidence'?

 

 

[RisenPhoenix]

9 hours ago, DevilSlayerDante said:

So what about those of us where NO physical activity is enjoyable?  I hate running, lifting, swimming, whatever...you name it, I've done it and hated it.  About the only physical activity I enjoy is the occasional with a girlfriend...or sex; no girlfriend, no enjoyable physical activities.  Otherwise, I get my rush from figuring out how things work, and solving technical problems.

 

2 hours ago, Rostov said:

 

I wonder if there are physical activities that include elements of problem solving? Orienteering, perhaps, but that's not easily accessible to everyone, everywhere. Is Geocaching (?) a bit like orienteering? Presumably it's still a thing...

 

More generally... what is it you hate about the physical activities that you've tried? Is it physical (pain, discomfort), psychological (boredom, stress, fear, anxiety) or social (embarrassment, vulnerability)?  Or a combination of factors for different activities?

 

My sense from helping out with c25k courses with new runners is that while some don't enjoy it at the start, some will probably never enjoy it (and so won't stick to it), while some will enjoy it more once confidence grows/anxiety reduces/social worries reduce.

 

Is it worth thinking in terms of 'don't enjoy doing X now' and 'can't imagine enjoying X ever, even with proficiency/confidence'?

 

+1 to what @Rostov said.

 

Also I'm always skeptical of people who claim every single physical activity is hated.  Most of the time it's actually code for "This list of commonly accepted workouts I don't like," which doesn't actually mean all physical activities.  I have a neighbor who told me that he hates all physical exercise.... and then went on to tell me how much he loves hiking.

 

Think outside the box, like Ros' suggestions.  And don't go into them expecting that you're going to adore every thing about them instantly and always forever.  I love aikido, and there are days where I just don't want to deal with it.  I like lifting, but there were workouts where my goal was simply "be there" because moving any amount of weight sounded like the worst thing ever.  And on the opposite end of the spectrum, I despise running.  Like, tried C25K, running regularly without a real program (just X miles +Y distance each time), and just could not get into it.  So I Stopped.  And that's okay.  It's not for me.  But I'll be damned if anyone ever tries to tell me I didn't give it an honest go.

[Segev]

2 hours ago, Rostov said:

More generally... what is it you hate about the physical activities that you've tried? Is it physical (pain, discomfort), psychological (boredom, stress, fear, anxiety) or social (embarrassment, vulnerability)?  Or a combination of factors for different activities?

For me, it's physical misery and boredom, with a hefty touch of frustration if it's any sort of physical skill test, because I never notice improvement in them.

2 hours ago, Rostov said:

 

Is it worth thinking in terms of 'don't enjoy doing X now' and 'can't imagine enjoying X ever, even with proficiency/confidence'?

 

 

The latter. The frustration would lessen if I could get good at some of them, but the problem is that I don't. I have participated in sports and the like (mostly as a youth) that my parents forced me to actually attend regularly, and I never got any good at them. I was always noticeably the worst player on the team and the most common loser in any grouping. It wasn't fun.

 

12 minutes ago, RisenPhoenix said:

 

 

+1 to what @Rostov said.

 

Also I'm always skeptical of people who claim every single physical activity is hated.  Most of the time it's actually code for "This list of commonly accepted workouts I don't like," which doesn't actually mean all physical activities.  I have a neighbor who told me that he hates all physical exercise.... and then went on to tell me how much he loves hiking.

 

Think outside the box, like Ros' suggestions.  And don't go into them expecting that you're going to adore every thing about them instantly and always forever.  I love aikido, and there are days where I just don't want to deal with it.  I like lifting, but there were workouts where my goal was simply "be there" because moving any amount of weight sounded like the worst thing ever.  And on the opposite end of the spectrum, I despise running.  Like, tried C25K, running regularly without a real program (just X miles +Y distance each time), and just could not get into it.  So I Stopped.  And that's okay.  It's not for me.  But I'll be damned if anyone ever tries to tell me I didn't give it an honest go.

"Every physical activity I can imagine and have time/money to afford" covers it for me. A minimum of an hour drive-time to get to something means I don't have time to actually do it on weekdays, and I somehow doubt "weekend warrior"ing anything would be worthwhile. Especially something I don't actively look forward to.

[DevilSlayerDante]

20 hours ago, Rostov said:

I wonder if there are physical activities that include elements of problem solving? Orienteering, perhaps, but that's not easily accessible to everyone, everywhere. Is Geocaching (?) a bit like orienteering? Presumably it's still a thing...

 

More generally... what is it you hate about the physical activities that you've tried? Is it physical (pain, discomfort), psychological (boredom, stress, fear, anxiety) or social (embarrassment, vulnerability)?  Or a combination of factors for different activities?

 

My sense from helping out with c25k courses with new runners is that while some don't enjoy it at the start, some will probably never enjoy it (and so won't stick to it), while some will enjoy it more once confidence grows/anxiety reduces/social worries reduce.

 

I go stir crazy if I'm not focusing on something that intellectually stimulates me.

 

18 hours ago, RisenPhoenix said:

Also I'm always skeptical of people who claim every single physical activity is hated.  Most of the time it's actually code for "This list of commonly accepted workouts I don't like," which doesn't actually mean all physical activities.  I have a neighbor who told me that he hates all physical exercise.... and then went on to tell me how much he loves hiking.

 

Think outside the box, like Ros' suggestions.  And don't go into them expecting that you're going to adore every thing about them instantly and always forever.  I love aikido, and there are days where I just don't want to deal with it.  I like lifting, but there were workouts where my goal was simply "be there" because moving any amount of weight sounded like the worst thing ever.  And on the opposite end of the spectrum, I despise running.  Like, tried C25K, running regularly without a real program (just X miles +Y distance each time), and just could not get into it.  So I Stopped.  And that's okay.  It's not for me.  But I'll be damned if anyone ever tries to tell me I didn't give it an honest go.

 

OK, not every physical activity is despised.  I tolerate the occasional, casual mountain hike, but it's not the sort of physical activity that will shave belly fat, or build upper body strength, and certainly not with any degree of frequency or regularity...and I don't get any sense of satisfaction for doing it.

[Rostov]

On 3/29/2018 at 2:10 PM, Segev said:

For me, it's physical misery and boredom, with a hefty touch of frustration if it's any sort of physical skill test, because I never notice improvement in them.

 

The latter. The frustration would lessen if I could get good at some of them, but the problem is that I don't. I have participated in sports and the like (mostly as a youth) that my parents forced me to actually attend regularly, and I never got any good at them. I was always noticeably the worst player on the team and the most common loser in any grouping. It wasn't fun.

 

"Every physical activity I can imagine and have time/money to afford" covers it for me. A minimum of an hour drive-time to get to something means I don't have time to actually do it on weekdays, and I somehow doubt "weekend warrior"ing anything would be worthwhile. Especially something I don't actively look forward to.

 

Hi @Segev! I never want to be 'that guy' who tells everyone that they ought to do what I do, and tells them what they shouldn't and shouldn't enjoy, but for what it's worth....

 

What I'm hearing is a lot of 'social' pain around sports and exercise... being made to go by your parents (lack of control/autonomy), feeling like the worst play on the team (negative comparison to others, perhaps worries about letting each other down), feeling like you've come bottom of your particular league. It sounds to me like team sports in particular might not be for you, and perhaps directly competitive sports might not be for you either. And that's entirely fair enough - not everyone is competitive, and it drives me nuts when too much youth sports are about competition, rather than developing healthy habits.

 

The other thing I'm hearing is frustration at lack of improvement, or perceived lack of improvement. And it's very had to notice improvements if you're *still* feelling like the weak link, because others are improving too and perhaps improving faster. Easy to say that we shouldn't compare ourselves to others, but the reality is that we do.

 

TL:DR - from what you're saying I'm in no way surprised that you don't like physical activity, and I'm absolutely not saying that you're wrong in that.

 

However... from what you've said I would say that there's at least a chance you might enjoy more - or hate a bit less - forms of exercise which aren't directly competitive, which don't involve groups (to minimise comparison), and where there's a chance to see improvement or development. I'm not sure how important the latter is to you.

 

I'm a runner, so I'm biased... but you can do a couch to 5k by yourself, you're not competing with anyone, and you should see improvements quite quickly. With running more generally you could enter organised races, or you could just run your own routes and your own pace. You could keep track of your pace and distance, and keep track of PBs. I tend to think that there's a difference in temperament between people who are runners and people who are lifters, and I'm sure someone will be along in a minute to say that much the same applies to either lifting weights or doing bodyweight workouts, and they'd be right.

 

@DevilSlayerDante - this is probably a stupid question, but have you tried combining exercise with listening to podcasts? Some people listen to music, but for all except my speedwork/hill work (and on race days) I'll be wearing headphones and listening to podcasts. Sometimes on a long run I lose myself in my running and tune out the podcast, sometimes I lose myself in the podcast and forget I'm running.

 

 

[Segev]

7 hours ago, Rostov said:

 

Hi @Segev! I never want to be 'that guy' who tells everyone that they ought to do what I do, and tells them what they shouldn't and shouldn't enjoy, but for what it's worth....

 

What I'm hearing is a lot of 'social' pain around sports and exercise... being made to go by your parents (lack of control/autonomy), feeling like the worst play on the team (negative comparison to others, perhaps worries about letting each other down), feeling like you've come bottom of your particular league. It sounds to me like team sports in particular might not be for you, and perhaps directly competitive sports might not be for you either. And that's entirely fair enough - not everyone is competitive, and it drives me nuts when too much youth sports are about competition, rather than developing healthy habits.

 

The other thing I'm hearing is frustration at lack of improvement, or perceived lack of improvement. And it's very had to notice improvements if you're *still* feelling like the weak link, because others are improving too and perhaps improving faster. Easy to say that we shouldn't compare ourselves to others, but the reality is that we do.

 

TL:DR - from what you're saying I'm in no way surprised that you don't like physical activity, and I'm absolutely not saying that you're wrong in that.

I'm actually highly competitive, and a dreadfully bad loser, which is part of why I hate it. Because I always, always, lose if there's physical activity involved. Well, unless I compete against little kids or something, but you know what I mean. I simply am not athletic, and lack any talent for athleticism that would let me keep up or come close to matching anybody else doing something similarly athletic.

 

New people joining sports activities might start "worse" than me, but they're better within a month.

 

7 hours ago, Rostov said:

 

However... from what you've said I would say that there's at least a chance you might enjoy more - or hate a bit less - forms of exercise which aren't directly competitive, which don't involve groups (to minimise comparison), and where there's a chance to see improvement or development. I'm not sure how important the latter is to you.

 

I'm a runner, so I'm biased... but you can do a couch to 5k by yourself, you're not competing with anyone, and you should see improvements quite quickly. With running more generally you could enter organised races, or you could just run your own routes and your own pace. You could keep track of your pace and distance, and keep track of PBs. I tend to think that there's a difference in temperament between people who are runners and people who are lifters, and I'm sure someone will be along in a minute to say that much the same applies to either lifting weights or doing bodyweight workouts, and they'd be right.

I know I don't like running. It gets back to physical exhaustion and feeling sick, only now adds having to limp back home while feeling sick to the problems of any sort of stationary workout.

 

7 hours ago, Rostov said:

 

@DevilSlayerDante - this is probably a stupid question, but have you tried combining exercise with listening to podcasts? Some people listen to music, but for all except my speedwork/hill work (and on race days) I'll be wearing headphones and listening to podcasts. Sometimes on a long run I lose myself in my running and tune out the podcast, sometimes I lose myself in the podcast and forget I'm running.

 

 

I'm obviously not DevilSlayerDante, but I do listen to podcasts while and when I force myself to work out. It helps a little, but the desire to focus on the podcast often leaves me with more excuse to wait between exercises. And exercising takes too long as it is. x_x It's too miserable to want to spend my idle time on.

 

I wish I knew where this supposed endorphin rush is meant to kick in. At least then I'd probably have something other than self-loathing to push me into the miserable slog that is a workout.

[Rostov]

 

13 hours ago, Segev said:

I know I don't like running. It gets back to physical exhaustion and feeling sick, only now adds having to limp back home while feeling sick to the problems of any sort of stationary workout.

 

I wish I knew where this supposed endorphin rush is meant to kick in. At least then I'd probably have something other than self-loathing to push me into the miserable slog that is a workout.

 

If you're literally feeling physical exhaustion, feeling sick, and limping home, (or even some of those) then I think you're doing it wrong. Especially as a new runner.

 

There's a real problem with the "no pain, no gain" philosophy, and the idea that you have to push yourself to the limit every time. If we push ourselves to the limit every time we risk injury, and perhaps just as bad, it makes it much less likely that we'll do the exercise again. The way that the couch-to-5k programme is designed is that for most people each session should be challenging, but not exhausting. If it feels exhausting, the advice is to repeat the week.

 

I'm at a stage in my running now that I have the experience and confidence to manage higher levels of discomfort - some of which is physical, some of which is psychological. I can go training with my club and sprint up hills, knowing that it's really going to hurt, but knowing that in a few minutes I'll get my breath back and in a bit more time my legs will feel less like jelly. I can find pleasure in pushing myself hard, in what I'm able to accomplish, and in being finished, knowing that I worked hard in that session. Point is that I'm starting to think that no-one should be pushing towards exhaustion at the early stages of acquiring skill, unless you're one of those odd people who really enjoys it.

 

I think newer runners on couch to 5k should be running as slow as they like (different people have different 'gearing') when they carry out the workouts. The last x% of time for each run will hurt because the last little bit always hurts, but ideally the feeling on finishing should be a feeling of having worked hard but not to exhaustion, and a mixture of relief/pride for being finished!

 

Now... I'm never in the business of converting everyone to running because I just know that some people aren't wired that way, but I think a similar approach might work with other forms of exercise too. Work out hard enough so that you're sweating, breathing hard, but not so hard that you half-kill yourself, get DOMS so hard you can't move for a week, and never want to do it again. Gradually what becomes manageable increases over time, and you start seeing results.

 

On endorphin rushes... I think there was discussion of this early in the thread. It's not a matter of exercising -> get endorphin "rush". I find real rushes relatively rare - typically what I get is a form of satisfaction, pleasure in achievement, gratitude to the universe for being able to do what I'm doing... and relief at being finished.

 

As regards podcasts... I find them great for running, but I never got on with them for circuits etc - needed music for that.

 

 

 

 

 

[vegasdeadlifts]

I always have a great feeling after lifting, but I know what you are referring to--that "runners high". The only times i get that from lifting is a) coming off of a deload or b ) a REALLY tough workout. It's hard for me to generate that feeling most of the time for sure

[Quads]

Oh call me a junkie, because im almost guaranteed to have one in a high intensity cardio class, the thing is im not unfit though, and have been a dancer since I was 8.

 But I don't get it nearly as frequently from weight lifting, although im in a better mood when I finish a session. I wonder if you find something you really like if your more likely to get it, or if it requires a few years of dedication to start experiencing it? I'm also am prone to extremely low moods if I don't work out though. So maybe thats my trade off. A curse and a blessing.

[Committed]

This is for Segev.

I've just joined this site in order to reply to you.

   I've never responded to a forum before and I haven't got a clue what I'm doing. Sorry.  I stumbled onto this forum because I had searched, "Why don't I get an endorphin rush anymore?"  I haven't read all the comments here yet either; I'm in a bit of a hurry. 

    Anyway, Segev, I empathize with you. Hard exercise totally exhausts me for the entire day and frequently makes me feel physically sick. Not from over-doing it either, as most people would tell me. I hate exercise. It's hellish.

     I believe it is from adrenal fatigue. I know many doctors do not believe in adrenal fatigue. I don't know what to say to that. I was fortunate to have a doctor who had lots of experience and diagnosed me. Unfortunately, it's not an easy fix and takes a long, long time. 

     My adrenal fatigue is because I spent several years dealing with incredible, constant stress. No relief, night or day. I'm sure I was in an almost constant state of fight or flight and/or total debilitating exhaustion. I had to keep going though. 

      About a month ago I realized that I simply must start exercising because I am now 61 and I'm starting to notice a bit of age-related soreness and stiffness here and there. So, I joined a gym. My main focus now is just to get there. Period. That's my big goal. Once I'm there, I use a cardio machine of some sort and do enough for long enough to make me sweat for at least 20 minutes plus a 5 minute warm-up and cool down. After that, I do some floor exercises and stretches. I do not hurry while I'm doing any of the above. 

     After a few days of flopping onto the couch when I got home, feeling awful, and not even being able to make supper or do anything, I adjusted. Now, as long as I do not overdo it, I can go home and continue on with my day. I'm not energized or anything that miraculous, but I'm not couch locked either.   I also enjoy knowing that I did it, and that I'm finished exercising for the day.   My goal is to get to the gym every single day because I want to establish it as a habit. On days when I'm physically tired, I go anyway. I will go slower on the machine and be patient and compassionate with myself. On days when I have legitimate pain from my chronic head/neck/shoulder problems, I don't go to the gym. I will try to go for a walk outside.  At this stage of life I'm trying to listen to my body. (Obviously, I never used to, and pushed through everything, no matter what. That was really stupid, and I would not do it again. Trust me.)  I don't get frustrated with myself if I miss a day, or if I don't get a super workout. Remember, my goal is just to get to the gym. 

      About three weeks ago I decided to join a twice per week spin class which was going on at the gym while I was there. I'm still attending it, but it was a mistake. The workout is too intense. I tried to keep up, even though I was new to it, and that was a mistake. I felt nauseated, light-headed and awful. Again, I was totally exhausted when I got home. I'm still going to the class, and I do push myself somewhat, but when it ends in a few weeks, I won't join again. I need to recognize my limits. 

       I've never been an exerciser. When I was younger I would join an aerobics class or a gym, I even lifted weights with a trainer for a week and a half. I never stuck with anything. However, I do remember experiencing endorphin rushes. I loved the rush. Instead of hating and being frustrated with what I was doing, I would feel good. It was a nice feeling of exhilaration. For me, I would describe it as a high.  I do not experience endorphin rushes anymore.  I wonder if it has to do with my worn-out adrenal glands. Who knows?  I'll keep exercising and hoping that I'll experience the high again. When I was younger I was also able to really push myself. I never had negative after effects. 

     After about three intense spin classes, I started battling a cold. I haven't had a cold in years. I believe the intense exercise put too much stress on my immune system. I did not go to the next class and I took it really easy for a couple of days. I successfully battled the cold and it never fully manifested. 

      Although I'm a person who never gets bored, I realized that I found exercising at the gym really boring!  Listening to upbeat music helps me with that. It also motivates me to move faster to the beat of the song. Also, if I use the recumbent bike I read a book. The time flies then. 

      I used to feel extremely frustrated when I would tell people how horrible I would feel while exercising and afterward. I would get the, "I know...it's tough and tiring to get started, but keep it up! Don't overdo it. Soon you'll feel great!"  No one understood or seemed to believe that what I experienced was much different than 'normal.'

      I believe what you're saying Segev.  You've read what I'm finding helpful. Also, there are books and information available to read about adrenal fatigue. See if you recognize yourself. 

      Good luck. In the meantime, try to treat yourself with compassion. I hope you find something that works for you. 

PS - Once, when I asked my doctor about exercise, he said, "If you feel like going for a ten minute walk, be sure you only go out five minutes and then head home for the next five. Otherwise, if you walk out ten minutes, you might be too exhausted to make it home."

      He really got it. Unfortunately, he retired last year. 

 

[whizzo2468]

I am so happy as found a thread which says a person does not experience a 'feel good' factor after sport.  I have run walked over 44 miles in one go, cycled miles and never felt this so called 'rush'.  In fact always feel ill after any exercise and just want to shut out the world with pain, headaches etc.  Glad to have found this thread but lost it after signing up!