Akani_B's Journal, 13 Jun 19

Hi Akani_B. I no longer go to the gym because I developed an allergy to it. (Technically it is called laziness but lets not get factual...) When I did go to gym, I would have a meal replacement shake before going, because I didn't like the feeling of "food" before exercising. The shake helped because it provided energy and hydration. You could be light-headed because of lack of eating or dehydration. (So you may want to take a bottle of liquid with you too.) There could be two other causes that you can check: remember to BREATHE properly when you are at the gym. Lack of oxygen from exertion can leave you light headed, so you need to concentrate on how you breathe during your workout. Also check your blood pressure. It could be low. Your blood pressure does drop after a work out, but it can drop during if you are exercising for around an hour or more. Have something to eat or drink before your workout and see if it helps. Also listen and feel what your body is telling you during your workout: see if it is something else. Good luck and I hope your gym sessions go better :) 

Thank you, Ms Cornwall. I had a meal replacement shake this morning and I did not have the same problem I did yesterday. I felt much better and I had a little more energy. I also took a bottle of water so I stay hydrated.  

Hi, dehydration is often the reason for lightheaded ness. I used to take a prework supplement (the tablet, not a shake) but I no longer need it. Later I found that if I ate well (Whole Foods) the night before and drank a large glass of water before working out (not before cardio though) that I was fine without the supplement. Listen to your body and trust what it says to you (more than the trainer 🙈 and you’ll be fine). Also remember you’ve just started gym so be patient with your body adapting (remember how you felt when you first started running?) 

Thank you, Gqibelo. I will listen to my body more.  

I read an article recently where some test were done where people actually burned more calories when exercising after taking nourishment than without. Will try and dig it up again. 

https://www.jillianmichaels.com/blog/food-and-nutrition/myth-never-eat-workout 

Thank you, Tes1967 

Resistance training is waay different from endurance training. Test1967 nailed it. During weight training, the body uses ATP at an alarming rate. It is therefore wise to consume a protein and higher GI carb meal about 90mins before hitting the weights. Just no fat in that meal - it slows down the digestion of your pre workout meal and you're heading for nausea alley. The nice thing about a pre workout meal is, it keeps giving your muscles nutrients even after your training. And muscles are what burns fat, after all. 

Either a banana smoothie or a rice cake with peanut butter and banana on, always powers me through my sessions! 

Also being hydrated helps,when I don't drink much water then I feel very bad so aim to drink at least 1L in the period before exercising 

Thank you all ❤️