What am I doing wrong?

[SpinningDizzy]

I started exercising about a year and a half ago after DH finally decided I was so unfit he would watch the DC so I could do something. Whilst my fitness levels have improved, they are clearly not what he would expect nor what I was hoping. It doesn't seem to get any easier at all.

I've been doing a mix of exercise bike and pilates. I'm definitely better than I was, and I have moved up some programs on the bike. But e.g. I did some on biking Monday, no time on Tuesday and pilates on Wednesday but today when I went back to the bike today I had no strength to actually do anything meaningful. I stuck it out for half an hour but had to stop because I was dizzy, shaking and trembling too much.

It's like I do some exercise and despite my monitor giving me a recovery period of e.g. 9 hours, I'm totally wiped out for the week.

So what am I doing wrong? I really thought things would improve and feeling quite disheartened by it all.

Is there any chance you could be anaemic? Low iron levels would hold you back; a blood test would be needed to check that for sure. Otherwise maybe have a look at your diet and be sure that you are fuelling yourself well and drinking plenty.

On the bike, you may be working either too hard, but not hard enough. That is, you might be going hell for leather for a bit - anaerobically - and not getting enough breath in the right way, but not going fast with enough resistance for long enough to build up aerobic fitness.

Try going at a steady pace with quite high resistance - that will be hard, but i'll build your stamina slooooowly

I suppose I could have low iron levels, I don't know. I do have low blood pressure.
I don't go hell for leather because I'm lazy!

Seems like you are doing too much cardio and not enough strength training. Can you get a staff member or personal trainer at the gym to show you how to use the resistance machines and maybe even free weights? Cardio on a bike feels exhausting but doesn't have the same impact on your strength and fitness as resistance (such as lifting weights)

You could then do ten minutes on the bike then weights then ten more minutes on the bike and get so much more from your time.

Are you eating properly? If I don’t eat enough before exercise I struggle regardless of fitness levels

How did your H get to decide that you ou are "so unfit" and that your fitness levels are "not what he would expect"?

Your body is telling you something isn't right, listen to it rather than your H!

Yes, eating properly.
He's not wrong, I am too unfit! Out of breath walking up stairs, running for bus etc.
I don't do gyms, just at home.

Have you discussed this with your GP?

No, should I? Seems a bit a daft thing to bother her for!

It was badly written, but basically I never got to do any exercise whilst DC were little. DH is very fit, runs a couple of times a week and bikes at weekends etc.

I have done mainly bike since January because I fell and injured my arm. BMI 22.

Hi OP - you should visit your GP. Get them to check you over, including blood tests for anemia and an ECG. I'm sure everything is absolutely fine, but best to get the all clear for increased exercise.

OP, I was diagnosed with anaemia last year. I had been exercising hard for a couple of years but mainly HIIT and weights. Had started running more recently and been surprised at how hard I found it - ridiculously out of breath, felt sick etc. Six weeks on iron and my speed and stamina improved significantly.

I would get checked out medically and if all clear, I would think about a more varied exercise programme too. Some strength training, circuits, treadmill, cross, different classes etc.

Your BMI is not excessively high (like mine 38!) and yet I’m not out of breath on the stairs, and could easily manage half an hour on the bike or similar.
I would check all is right medically first, your GP should be happy to discuss/run basic blood tests etc, and if that is all ok, then maybe book a one off session with a trainer to give you some advice on building up your strength and stamina?

I'll echo what everyone has said and recommend you do more strength training. I find my fitness levels are far better with more strength training and a little cardio. For me that's 2 or 3 rpm/spin classes per week ,3 lots of circuits and a pilates class to stretch me out! I'm lucky that at the moment I'm mainly a SAHM with 1 DC in school and another in nursery so I can fit it all in.
I'd also have your iron levels checked if you're feeling exhausted all the time.
But I'd also look at your home life. Your DH has DC when you're exercising but does he help with them whilst your there? Does he help with chores? Do you do a lot of running about throughout the day or after school? Do you get enough sleep? You could be burning the candle at both ends a bit. You have to remember to be kind to your body as well and let it have the rest it needs in order to feel your best.

Do you often get dizzy, shake & tremble, when you try to exercise?

I always get dizzy, shake and tremble if DC wake me up suddenly in the night.

I often get dizzy/it goes momentarily black if I stand up too quickly from sitting down, or kneeling or crouching ( 100% of the time if I crouch whilst wearing jeans ) so I'm used to that.

It's a year and a half now that I've been trying to exercise several times a week, yet I'm still out of breath from walking up the stairs.

From what you’ve just said, I think there’s more to it than just needing to lift some weights. Def have your iron checked out.

hmm, that really doesn't sound right. it could just be something simple like anaemia, but you really do need to get yourself checked

You need to go to GP
Bmi of 22 and out of breath makes no sense
and dizzy means something needs to be looked at

Is OP describing low blood pressure?
I hadn't thought about this but... I used to always shiver when I was sleep deprived, when younger. I vegetarian then (for 17 yrs). And often iron anemic (was a regular blood donor).

Doesn't happen now. Not since I stopped being vegetarian. I stopped being a blood donor before that, so don't know if I'm anemic but wasn't in pregnancy when tested. Coincidence?

I’m most definitely not a PT but looking at your workout - just going on the bike and keeping going... is not going to get you where you want to go. Have you the option of a class? I think it’s all about the bursts of intensity, quick recoveries and then more intensity - a class with a good instructor will take on this format (and it kills!) but it gets you feeling amazing very quickly. I’m noticing your max heart rate is 141 that’s not high so you’re not doing anything intense. You need spikes ... theN Relax...

Just been to the doctor and she's done full blood test, iron, liver, kidney function, B12 etc. So we will see. Low blood pressure, always had it.
I know heart rate isn't very high. 150osh and I start to feel weird. Hit 160 once when out on real bike but had to get off, head between knees etc.
On the indoor bike I do the beginner 3 profile.

Glad you’ve seen the GP, well done! I did the same a couple of months ago - a few hours after exercising (but not immediately after) I was feeling really out of it - like heightened sensitivity - noises too loud, causing me pain in my head, visuals too bright etc kids driving me mad it turned out I was anaemic, had a VitD deficiency, and was severely hypothyroid with hashimotos. I also had a CK enzyme spike which was causing me pain after exercising. I have very low blood pressure too.

I have everything under control now three months on. I feel good again but sadly I can’t quite remember when I stopped feeling great and started to feel so wrong... it was a subtle thing and of course with kids you put everything down to just “exhaustion”.

I hope you get answers soon and start to feel better!!

Once you know a bit more, honestly I would sign up for some instructor led bike sessions. It’s been a game changer for me. My legs and bum are actually changing! Not lost any lbs but my shape is coming back but best of all I feel good again :)

Best of luck to you!