Fatigue after exercise

[Angels1111]

For a years now I've felt really fatigued after exercise. I remember having PT 5-6 years ago and being really tired for days afterwards although I could cope fine and enjoyed the actual session.

Now, I can't get into even a little bit of exercise properly without feeling fatigued the next day. Eg I did 10 mins of yoga yesterday and feeling very tired today. At the time, I didn't feel tired and could have carried on, it's usually the next day that it hits and I run out of energy at around 3pm.

I've had lots of blood tests which have all come back normal, and eat very nutritionally. Sleep well.

I don't know what to do...I really want to get stronger and fitter, and have to start somewhere but it's like one step forward 3 steps back....like I don't have enough energy to get through the day so I keep stopping anything I start.

Does anyone have any ideas?

I suspect you need to step the exercise right back and build up stamina very slowly - could be some form of post viral/CFS at play here.

When something similar happened to me (I never got a proper diagnosis either - eventually they put it down as fibromyalgia as I was also experiencing pain but I am now 💯 recovered so that seems unlikely) the physio I was working with set a baseline for the number of steps per day I could manage without being fatigued the next day. I then had to do that number of steps only each day (not significantly more or less) and build up by 150 steps every week.

My illness lasted for more than a year and was about 10 years ago. I was quite fit before it happened. I am now fully recovered and can comfortably run 5k again or hit the gym 3 times a week but it did take about a year to get back there and at one stage I was being restricted to only a few hundred steps per day and only able to work part time.

How many years are we talking? Did it come on suddenly or gradually? Was it precipitated by anything you can remember like an infection of some sort.

Covid did it for me, I used to be able to easily do a 5k now I barely do 3k steps a day.

Thank you, this sounds like exactly what I need. I didn't realise it was something I could work with a physio on.
I used to be really fit too, like could run a half marathon, so it feels really confusing to be in this position. But your post has really helped me understand I need to scale right back and go really slow for whatever reason.

I remember doing lots of yoga during maternity leave (DC is now 5) and being fine. Then I went back to work and everything is a bit of a blur after that...I think I only made time for walking for a few years...I think I've tried to do other exercise on and off over the last two years but would get tired, stop, get tired, stop...
I can walk for ages but I've always kept that up, it's just if I do anything else.

did they check your B12, iron, folic, vitamin D? What were your results? The NHS has form for telling people they are fine with low results when they actually need treatment. Other countries seem to understand iron and b12 deficiency better

Well I have ME/CFS and what you're experiencing sounds like 'post exertional malaise' which is one of the hallmark symptoms. A normal healthy person should certainly be able to do 10 minutes of yoga without problems.

I was like you.

About a year ago I started reformer Pilates.
We start the class lying down so it was my kinda exercise.

It is challenging but doable, and the effects are noticeable.

It basically got me into the habit of exercising regularly. I've kept it up pretty much 2 x week bar illness and holidays and I feel amazing.

For the first time a few weeks ago I popped in a cardio class elsewhere as well.

It's expensive but there are physio led mat Pilate workouts popping up so perhaps have a look at those as well.

Start slowly and try and find something you enjoy.

If you like social stuff then look for women's cricket, netball or rounders teams. Or women's golf. Exercise doesn't always have to be boring or seem like punishment.

Definitely go to the doctors and get checked out tho.