Granted I'm going through a rough spot, but is it normal to find oneself sobbing after exercise? Even sometimes during it, tears are running down my face. To be clear, I'm feeling emotional pain, not physical. On other days, I'm high after working out.
A large part of my intent to exercise is to fight depression in some way other than drugs. I sure would like to know if this is a common reaction. My goodness, I didn't expect the drama.
I've had that happen more than once, but during, not after.
Once, during a kickboxing class, the instructor said to imagine someone you'd like to hit and punch the bag like we were punching that person. I had someone in my life then who really deserved a beatdown, and when I hit that bag, I felt the tears start. Fortunately, I was sweating so hard, no one noticed.
I've had it happen during yoga classes for no apparent reason, and on the treadmill. Not often, but sometimes.
I figured it's because I have a lot of repressed rage... but I also figure that a lot of women have a lot of repressed rage -- at least, the ones I know do.
The opposite -- the high feeling -- is also something I've experienced -- not as often as I'd like, but I always at least feel that I've made a positive choice that day. I have a ritual -- after exercising, as soon as I'm alone, I have to shout, "Yay, me!", no matter how I'm actually feeling at the moment. The more times I shout it, the more truly I feel it.
The act of purposeful movement is foreign to women of my generation and background -- we were supposed to take dance class or sit quietly. Not to run and jump and lift. Athletic activity was discouraged -- even being a pom pom girl was disdained. Taking control of my life through exercise stirs up a lot of emotions in me. I think that's a good thing -- scary, but ultimately good.
So I think that tells you that you're definitely not alone! Exercise can be time for some personal reflection, especially if you're on the elliptical/treadmill/bike and you're not really devoting a lot of thought to the movement, since it's repetitive. It could also be because exercise is a known stress reliever, so your tears after exercise could be a release from all of the pressure/stress/frustration you've been feeling recently.
I have had that happen to me a few times. Sometimes - I am not even thinking about what happened. I just kind of figured it was my subconscious working things through while I was letting my mind kind of float while I was exercising - specifically while on the cross-ramp or treadmill.
I don't cry but there are definately times that I've felt emotional. I agree with Linsay. I can't concentrate on the TV or music so I tend to do my thinking and processing while I'm exercising. There was one yoga pose that made me feel strange, not emotional, but strange -- I think it was "pigeon" or something like that. So no, you're not alone.
These steps we are taking to lose weight and get more healthy through transforming our diet and exercise habits are huge. It makes sense that the intensity of the workout, and the release of energy, stress, stored up feelings, could show up as tears.
My question would be-Do you feel a sense of release and relief when you cry? Do you feel emotionally lighter and less burdened, if not immediately, then later on in the day? If so i would think that those tears are significant of healthy release of emotion. If you don't feel better afterwards, maybe you might want to talk this over with the health professional you are working with regarding your depression.
Keep on, keepin on, gal..., from Ailey
Last edited by Ailey60; 06-08-2008 at 09:11 PM.
Reason: An additional thought
I have loved exercise for years and never had a problem with weeping. Until now so your post was meaningful to me. I recently developed depression for the first time in my life. I have found that increasing my running mileage has helped me cope but I found that I also weep sometimes during or after running. This also happens when I have exerted myself in ther activities like hiking. I have been wondering if the release of energy during the long runs 5-8 miles (instead of my previous 3 miles) might have something to do with it. Yet I have also found that if I am going to have a weeping spell, if I lace up and run, I can head it off. I have just started taking an anti depressant and also occasionally take Ativan to control the anxiety and weeping. And I see a therapist weekly. I don't know if this will help or not. Despite the weeping, the running has helped me a lot, weight loss, better eating, staying occupied, and getting really fit. So I'll keep doing it and just wipe my eyes a lot. And hope I feel better over time. And I hope you do to. And it's nice to know we're not alone, isn't it?
What a comfort to know I'm not the only one! I feared losing control with this strange crying, yet I have so many unresolved feelings I'd like to get rid of. What a sweet bonus that exercise burns stored grief as well as fat. I truly, truly want with all of my heart to have a sound body and mind. I may end up back on Prozac but before I do, I'm going to give exercise and diet every chance in the world. I'll endure the open floodgates of emotion and sob with abandon if it happens again (luckily I exercise at home). Thanks.
I've always thought crying was very theraputic, cleansing and good for you. Sometimes a good, long, hard cry does wonders for . . . well everything. I have a special needs son who had behavioral probelms out the wazoo when he was little (honestly, how we all got through those years is quite a mystery -- hmm, perhaps the Lord does work in mysterious ways? ) and the tears flowed easily and readily back then. When I tried to control it or stop it, it seemed to make everything worse. When I'd just let go and bawl -- dunno, just seemed to help me cope better. He's nearly 15 now and has grown and matured so much; still problems but they are now the exception to the rule vs. when he was little.
Trying to lose weight, exercising, paying attention, etc. all require alot of your time, energy, concentration, attention. And everything is connected body-wise -- emotionally, physically, mentally, spiritually, etc. -- so it doesn't seem so far out of the norm to me that you weep during or after exercise. All in all, I think there's some benefits to a really good cry!
Sometimes I weep after exercise
These steps we are taking to lose weight and get more healthy through transforming our diet and exercise habits are huge. It makes sense that the intensity of the workout, and the release of energy, stress, stored up feelings, could show up as tears. 
, from Ailey 
) and the tears flowed easily and readily back then. When I tried to control it or stop it, it seemed to make everything worse. When I'd just let go and bawl -- dunno, just seemed to help me cope better. He's nearly 15 now and has grown and matured so much; still problems but they are now the exception to the rule vs. when he was little. 