Post-exercise crash?

(Nimitta) #1

I’ve been noticing that after exercising, especially if I don’t eat within an hour, I start to get irritable, tense, and have a hard time mentally focusing. This is more true with cardio (HIIT) but also with weight training too.

I’ve been in ketosis for ~20 weeks. I’ve lost ~30 lbs (260 to 230 lbs), been in a plateau for about a month, and otherwise feel fine. I’m eating about 1900-2000 calories per day (75% fat, 20% protein, 5% carb) and never cheat. If I eat more, it can go away, but that means consuming about 2200 calories or more. This doesn’t happen on days I don’t exercise.

Taking MCT oil (1 TBS) helps a little, but not really.

What’s going on & what can I do about it?

(Bob M) #2

I also get that periodically (HIIT+Body by Science lifting). I find I have to eat sometime after my workout, although I can sometimes make it a few hours (workout in the morning). I usually just ignore it and let it go away, and eat when I’m finally hungry.

I do not know how many calories, carbs, or protein I eat, though I have transitioned from higher fat to higher protein, especially the meal after my workout.

MCT oil kills my stomach, so I can’t take it. I can take small amounts of the powdered variety, though.

I’ve been low carb going on 5 years.

My job is thinking all day long, so if I lose my mental edge, I eat if I think that’s the problem. I also follow my body and eat if necessary. I did HIIT this weekend, and started doing housework, found myself irratible with my wife, and decided it was time to eat. Tried to last until 11am for blunch (will only eat 2 meals that day), but only made it until 9:30am.

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #3

Well, when I get the urge to exercise, I generally lie down until it goes away (with apologies to Mark Twain) :grin:

(Nimitta) #4

I’m actually laying off a little, if that’s of any comfort :smiley:

(KetoQ) #5

Nimitta –

I find that I get more hungry after weight training. So I will eat a cup of cottage cheese with salt, pepper, a tsp of olive oil. As the cottage cheese takes long to digest and is a slow release protein, it may keep you full longer.

(Vladaar Malane) #6

I would take a break from exercising, if it is having that affect. Weight loss is mostly from how you eat anyway. When you start feeling the urge to exercise go back. Maybe you need a break. Sometimes it’s lack of sleep. If I don’t get a lot of sleep when I force myself to exercise it’s not good.