HIIT newbies - when did you stop feeling sick after?

[weeblueberry]

So I'm very overweight and very unfit. A lot of this has been due to having two kids in rapid succession and not going to the gym any more. I realised I could get to a gym that's about 10 minutes away in my lunch hour but that I'd have to do something pretty bloody intensive in order to make the time worth it. So I've been doing HIIT workouts I've found on YouTube. But I'm finding that it's actually taking me longer to stop feeling sick than it is to lose the pain built up in my legs. I've tried eating right before I go and not eating since breakfast (so maybe 3 hours prior?) but nothing helps.

Is it normal to feel pretty queasy after high intensity workouts?

If you’re very overweight and unfit you need to be very careful starting out in any exercise. I wouldn’t be doing HIIT that makes you feel sick and unwell in these early stages. At worst you could damage your health but also if it makes you feel that bad you’re not going to keep it up and then you won’t see any results.

Start with some interval training and this will still challenge your body and you will get the benefit. For example, go on any cardio equipment (treadmill, bike etc) and start slowly then do 1 minute intervals or pushing yourself a little harder so you’re more out of breath. Then drop back for a minute to regain your breath. Do these intervals for say 20 mins. Then add some body weight exercises like squats or lunges or some gentle free weights with your arms at the end. Muscle burns calories so building muscle will help you lose weight even when you’re not exercising.

I’m not overweight but out on a stone last year. I did some power walking 3 times a week as fitting in the gym was tricky and it really helped my weight loss. Is that something you could fit in for half an hour or so on an evening when kids are in bed? Maybe with a friend so you can chat and exercise at the same time?

I've heard people say they feel queasy after an intense work out.

Personally I never have, even at my most unfit, and even when taking my heart rate up to 100% of capacity. So for me it is not normal and I would urge you to get some advice from the gym staff as to the best way to get back into exercise. Good luck. It is really worth it in the long run.

I do HIIT 4-5 times/week but I have never met anyone who says they feel sick after a class. Sick during? Yes, absolutely. Sick before? Sometimes (due to nerves).

If you're very overweight and very unfit, I think you're going too hard by doing HIIT. You need to build up to HIIT as it can be pretty intense and there's a high risk of injuring yourself if you're new to fitness. You'd be better building your fitness levels by doing something steady state initially and concentrating on making being active a part of your daily life.

Definitely don't eat before, I usually have a banana about 90 minutes beforehand then a meal later once I'm home

Hi,

I used to be fit and slim and regularly did hiit workouts. Also did running.

I used to feel nauseous after all my workouts, and that's when I was fit! Especially in the morning, I'm not a morning person. I just was pleased it put me off eating for a bit 😜