Hi! I've tried dieting on and off again for as long as I can remember. I'm eating around 1400 kCals/day. I am alert all through my workday and feel fine energy wise. The problem is when I go to workout. Almost as soon as I start my jog or weightlifting, my muscles begin to lightly burn, like they're tired. (Yoga generally does not do this to me...just things that significantly increase my HR).

I do NOT think it is a hydration issue, as I am always peeing, and it barely has any color to it.

I also don't think it's a calorie issue, because it happens even when I am eating maintenance calories.

Is it just a poor cardiovascular issue from YEARS of a pseudo-sedentary life? Historically, when I have tried to add in more cardio-intensive work, it just wiped me out and I gave up after a few weeks. Has anybody else had this issue? Will it get better if I just really stick with it?


Additional info: I had my annual physical by my physician recently. I DID have a vitamin D deficiency, but everything else was normal. I follow a lacto-ovo vegetarian diet and take a one-a-day multivitamin. I also do use a food scale for my foods.

Typical day:
Breakfast: 2 eggs with mushrooms and cherry tomatoes, 1/2 c. steel cut oats with Silk light vanilla and 20 g raisins. (~400 calories)
Lunch: 1 serving extra firm tofu, quinoa, 1/2 c. frozen green peas (~300 cals)
Dinner: Lentil tacos (1 serving of lentils, tortilla, spinach, tomatoes, sour cream, 65 g avocado), (~450 kCals)

Snacks may include any of the following: light string cheese, a square of 90% dark chocolate, carrots, fruit, sometimes I'll make a protein shake with 20 g protein, a spoon of peanut butter on an apple....(Snacks get me up to 1350-1550 Cals)

I make sure to eat some carbs about 20 minutes before a job, and protein as soon as I return home.

This sounds normal to me. If exercising wasn’t uncomfortable to some degree, more people would do it! If you feel worn down very quickly, try lessening your intensity. Maybe rather than jogging straight away, power walk. It will get better through time, but if you have been sedentary for a long time, your muscles need a chance to start building up (and that’s the burning discomfort).

I love the saying "You have to get uncomfortable to get comfortable in those skinny jeans!"
I agree w/ Jules.
Good luck girl!

If it's just a light burn, it's probably ok, but if it hurts then you should stop.

How many days a week do you weightlift, and what exercises do you do? You should avoid working the same muscle 2 days in a row because it takes time for muscles to heal. Getting enough sleep is also important for muscle recovery.

Another thing that might help is warming up before you exercise. For example, before you start jogging, walk for a minute, and before you start weightlifting, do a few reps with a lighter weight.

mjf,

I jog 3 times/week and do full body strength training 2 times/week. Once a week I'll do a flexibility-focused yoga session. I have noticed I have to have 2 days between jogs, or else I have a really difficult time building momentum.

Warming up and cooling down both definitely need to become a bigger part of my routine.

I did up my calories by 200, and actually felt more energetic after this morning's jog.

Thank you all for your replies!