Why is increasing exercise making me feel worse?

[NavyLurker]

I do exercise semi regularly, a 5k run a couple of times a week, 10 if I can bothered, then sometimes I lapse for a while.

I’m going on holiday in a couple of weeks and have the time from now till then off, so I thought I’d really concentrate on looking after myself to see if I can drop a couple of pounds between now and then. I can get quite anxious sometimes too and a run has always helped and I feel amazing afterwards.

It’s been too hot to enjoy running so I’ve been walking. 14 miles today, 5 yesterday, 14 the day before, and so on since last Monday.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed them and look forward to them. I have a little yoghurt and fruit picnic whilst walking and chicken with green veg for tea. I’m not hungry at all.

And yet I can’t stop crying. It’s so unlike me. I’m welling up at the drop of a hat, and I’m struggling to sleep. I’m just really weepy. Where is this magic exercise and diet helps your mental health? What’s going on?

Could the weepiness be linked to something else, for example menstrual cycle or some other external stress? You have basically described my pre menstrual few days.

If I'm doing a lot of activity and not eating much, I'm an emotional wreck and I don't sleep well. Are you eating enough calories?

Thanks for the reply.

Yes this is exactly what happens to me during the week before my period.

But I came on my period on Thursday and it usually clears up my mood immediately.

Are you?

I’m definitely in a deficit but I haven’t felt particularly hungry or deprived.

I just put it through a calculator and walking 14 miles supposedly burns about 900 calories. You've consumed maybe 500 calories with what you've described? So you're in massive deficit. Your body and brain are knackered. I get the wobbly weepies if I have a small breakfast and a delayed lunch, I'd be on my knees if my blood sugar was as low as yours must be!

Maybe you need to increase slightly? Or look at the balance of what you are eating, do you need more carbs or some fats? Are you drinking plenty? Honestly, I really would feel awful on the food you have listed if that's all you are eating even without the exercise. Especially trying to exercise in this weather recently, it's exhausting and our bodies need fuel to recover.

That’s really interesting, thank you.

The yoghurt was about 170 calories, the iced coffee 80, then the chicken was quite a big portion, I’d say at least 400 calories, and a tablespoon of mayo which is another 100. So yes, below 800. Strange I’m not starving because when I calorie count and get that I’m ravenous.

I’ve had health kicks before where I've ramped up the running and focussed on chicken/fish and veg, and I’ve felt brilliant for it. It’s never had this effect before.

Maybe I should reduce the walks down to just a few miles a day. Who knew too much exercise could be counterproductive? 😅

I’ve eaten like this before - veg, fruit, chicken, and never felt so emotional. Tomorrow I will walk less and maybe have a tiny carb portion. It’s just so odd. I was walking around crying at my audiobook 😂. Feel like I’ve been emotionally through the wringer but nothing has happened.

Well today I only walked four miles. I had coffee, orange, banana and a yoghurt for lunch, and 150g of chicken, leeks, green beans, asparagus, broccoli and mayo for tea.

Not hungry, and still feel an emotional mess. My skin looks amazing though.

Might have to give it up. Just can’t stop crying.

But on the bright side, I am now 9lb lighter than a month ago.