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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by rod on March 30, 2004, at 13:03:45
I am wondering about this for a long time. No matter how hard or easy I exercise, I nearly always get worse (a bit more depressed and mainly mentally exhausted). If I do hard exercise, I get more worse than if I do easy exercise. Whats going on in our body if one does exercise. Does get cortisol released? Any info is appreciated
Roland
Posted by snapper on March 30, 2004, at 18:22:57
In reply to Why does Phys. Exercise make me worse?? Cortisol??, posted by rod on March 30, 2004, at 13:03:45
Roland , that is an extremly impotant question...I do wonder about the cortisol thing -I walk 1/2 to 1 mile 3 or 4 times a week and it's all I can do to even accomplish that- Right now I can't do heavy exercise it just wipes me out and yes at times it makes me feel worse. I just can't imagine being that out of shape but maybe I am. I don't know how old you are but sometimes I wonder If it is something more than just being chronicaly depressed or if my heart just says no!! I'm only 37 --- it's seems to be a double edge sword-- they give us AD's to give us more energy (raise our moods etc) and hopefully be able to do meaningful exercise but a lot of times, the AD's just slow us down, make us sleepy or drugged, and change our metabolism and make it next to impossible to work out get benefit from it!! I am pretty sure cortisol is a major contibuting factor -- just like you I am trying to find all the pieces to this puzzle that will make us feel better.. sorry I don't have a more definitive answer for ya!
snapper
Posted by crazychickuk on March 31, 2004, at 2:20:13
In reply to Re: Why does Phys. Exercise make me worse?? Cortisol??, posted by snapper on March 30, 2004, at 18:22:57
I am like that, my anxiety is raised alot..
Posted by crazychickuk on March 31, 2004, at 7:37:08
In reply to Re: Why does Phys. Exercise make me worse?? Cortisol??, posted by crazychickuk on March 31, 2004, at 2:20:13
Just came bk from seing my physc and she said it is the addrenalin..
Posted by irishcatholic on March 31, 2004, at 10:41:40
In reply to Why does Phys. Exercise make me worse?? Cortisol??, posted by rod on March 30, 2004, at 13:03:45
I don't know the answer but I can agree with your symptoms. I run 2 miles 5 or 6 times per week at a slow pace. I know it helps my weight and cardio fitness but I certainly never get any "runner's high", if anything I am mentally whipped afterwards.
Posted by TJB on April 1, 2004, at 16:37:59
In reply to Re: Why does Phys. Exercise make me worse?? Cortisol??, posted by irishcatholic on March 31, 2004, at 10:41:40
The same thing happens to me but it tends to happen after I've been exercising for awhile. The doctor looks at me like I'm nuts. Why would adrenalin be a problem? This might sound kind of out there but the adrenalin thing might explain why I get very depressed after having dental work done where they use novacain with epinephrine in it.
Posted by MrSandman on April 17, 2004, at 14:47:09
In reply to Why does Phys. Exercise make me worse?? Cortisol??, posted by rod on March 30, 2004, at 13:03:45
A trick I borrowed from the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome community: When you begin to feel stressed and tense while working out, take a break (lie down and stretch) for up to 3 minutes. You'll retain the conditioning effect without building such high levels of cortisol.
Posted by rod on April 19, 2004, at 7:14:55
In reply to Short Rest Breaks Can Prevent Post-Exercise Crash » rod, posted by MrSandman on April 17, 2004, at 14:47:09
>When you begin to feel stressed and tense while working out, take a break (lie down and stretch) for up to 3 minutes. You'll retain the conditioning effect without building such high levels of cortisol.
Hmmm, I definetly never lied down.
must look quite strange to others if I lie besides the path.. :)
But thanks, I will consider this the next time!Roland
Posted by MrSandman on April 19, 2004, at 15:51:21
In reply to Re: Short Rest Breaks Can Prevent Post-Exercise Cr, posted by rod on April 19, 2004, at 7:14:55
> >When you begin to feel stressed and tense while working out, take a break (lie down and stretch) for up to 3 minutes. You'll retain the conditioning effect without building such high levels of cortisol.
>
> Hmmm, I definetly never lied down.
> must look quite strange to others if I lie besides the path.. :)
> But thanks, I will consider this the next time!
>
> RolandRoland:
Consider it an innoculation against social phobia. LOLOn two occasions some kind souls indeed stopped to inquire about my health-my PHYSICAL health. I have since found that some slight activity indicating consciousness but not mistakable for a distress signal keeps the Good Samaritans at bay. I glance at my watch, do some light yoga stretches, and fidget in the way that serious athletes do between events, trying not to look like an invalid.
Actually this technique of taking short breaks during a workout to reduce cortisol levels originated in the world of competitive sports. The stress chemicals that accumulate during prolonged periods of stress are catabolic: they cause the body to consume its own muscle tissue-and neurotransmitters- as emergency sources of fuel. Obviously, athletes are as motivated to conserve muscle mass as we are to conserve neurotransmitters.
Posted by MrSandman on April 19, 2004, at 16:17:03
In reply to Why does Phys. Exercise make me worse?? Cortisol??, posted by rod on March 30, 2004, at 13:03:45
Low blood sugar can also cause exercise-related blues. The body's blood glucose level typically drops sharply about 20 minutes into a workout.
To minimize the resulting unpleasantness,have a light snack within half an hour of starting the workout, and another right afterward, preferably some combination of protein and carbohydrate. Those "fitness bars" like MetRx are made for this purpose but aren't necessary.
And remember to drink plenty of water before and after your workout-considerably more than it takes to quench your thirst. Even mild dehydration can slow mental processes, compounding feelings of depression.
I'm too lazy to footnote these points, but they've been well-researched and are generally accepted in the fields of athletic training and sports medicine, as you'll find by browsing the fitness magazines at any newsstand.
This is the end of the thread.
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