Why do I feel like this? :’(

[User345649]

So I’ve lost 2 stone naturally in the last year…weightlifting and cardio alongside eating less. I’m mid 30’s and a woman!

Sometimes I find after a gym session I feel super anxious and ruminate conversions etc. I used to find exercise made me feel better…now I come away feeling mentally worse. It’s really upsetting me. I love training but I’m finding it’s taking its toll on my mental health. (make that make sense???)

instead of feeling good I come away feeling anxious, ugly and tearful.

what’s happening to me?

i appreciate any insights/experiences you have?

User345649

You’re going to to have to explain more. Are you saying your weight loss is related to these new, negative feelings? What conversations are you ruminating over — with other gym users? Or from elsewhere in your life? What, other than weight loss, has changed since gym going used to make you feel good?

Check your b12/ferritin/electrolytes are optimal

Are you training fasted? I get this way if I don't eat in the morning. I'm not actually hungry but I become very anxious over stuff that would not normally bother me. Maybe something to do with cortisol. I have heard that there is some evidence that women do need some carbs first thing in the morning to prevent stressing the body - see Dr Stacey Sims.

More generally I wonder if you would benefit from reducing your exercise and/or increasing your food for a few weeks?

@Chinatownswhenever I feel majorly anxious I ruminate over loads of conversations with everyone and anyone. It does my absolute head in.

not too sure what’s changed and that’s why it’s upsetting me. after some sessions I feel horrific mentally. Like as soon as I stop exercising it hits me like a ton of bricks.

my brain :(

@ppaaWWss oh that’s interesting…today I did go fasted! Normally I eat somthing….

How much do you weigh now and are you underweight? This can influence anxiety.

I’m now in healthy BMI. Deffo not underweight :)

Had anyone else experienced this?

Well, stop exercising for a couple of weeks as see if it improves your mood, while also getting your bloods etc checked?

Which conversations are you ruminating over?

Gym convos?

Sorry reread it's all conversations.

A trigger at the gym perhaps?

Not experienced it specifically with exercising but agree not having enough nutrients or calories is probably a factor.

Currently I have an 10x8cm ovarian mass and cannot eat a proper meal and only eat once or twice a day. I’m quite active. Sometimes the effect on my anxiety levels is horrendous and I’ve put it down to energy and nutrient levels.

I think it's something to do with your nutrition. For me, not eating enough/the right foods leads to fatigue which leads to anxiety. If I feel anxious I can always trace it back to this.

That’s really interesting everyone saying it’s my nutrition…I think this could be it. I don’t eat as good as I could tbh. Thank you everyone for your input, I’m going to get some bloods done and try and improve my diet x

Are you an over sharer? Maybe talk less?

Really not trying to be rude. Just less to ruminate over if you talk less I suppose.

As a fellow ruminator, it is also perfectly possible to ruminate over things you think you should have said. I'd stop talking forever if that would fix it but it doesn't!
Sorry this is happening OP, no advice from me I'm afraid outside of looking into 'post event processing' for coping strategies, if you haven't already.

Caffeine sensitivity? Definitely worse for overthinking as I get older and drinking not enough water can also leave me feeling anxious.