Just went to the gym and I feel like I'm going to pass out literally. Why?

[Elarra]

Okay, so, I go to the all the time. 5-6 days a week and I do usually 30 minutes weight/strength training and 30 minutes cardio. But I did arms today for 30 minutes and I almost passed out on the floor and left early.

The only thing different about today is that i didn't sleep. I got 10 minutes of sleep last night but I'm not tired at all. Is it because I didn't eat at all while I was awake? I hate eating before going to the gym because it makes me sick. Any ideas?

Updates

+1 y

Guys, my diet isn't poor. I never eat before going to the gym because I always throw up afterwards. That's not abnormal for me not to eat before working out. I've been like that since I was a kid playing soccer, volleyball, and running track so I highly doubt that after 20 years, it's just now taking a toll.

[G-Daz]

I never suggest eating before the gym, it'd make me sick and lethargic and ultimately impede my workout.

There is something called "intermediate fasting" which is you have at least a 16 hour fasting period and 8 hour eating window where you can eat anything you like. It works because your body ends up believing it is in a mode of starvation and targets fat cells and also increases your human growth hormones a couple of 100 percentages higher than generally would be the case. It would be helpful to a work out to be fasting and then when you finish. you go eat after it.

JUST MAKE SURE YOU DRINK LOTS OF WATER!

have enough water

[meatballs21]

You're going too much! Have a rest day, it is crucial to avoid injury.

What were you eating before you go? I know the feeling you describe and it was because I was trying to do a workout in an empty tank and literally ran out of energy.

Back when I worked downtown, I would usually get a hot dog a few hours before and noticed a serious increase in the amount of energy I had for the workout. Dried fruit and nuts can also work. 30 minutes of cardio will use up whatever reserves you have left, leaving almost nothing for the weights.

[Elarra]

I have plenty of rest days. I go three days, rest the 4th.

My eating, like I stated in the update, hasn't changed in 20 years. It's not my eating habits. I don't know how many times I have to say that before people comprehend and understand it. The sleep I get, but my diet is fine. I'm not going to eat before going to the gym because I get sick, that's just how my body works. It doesn't matter what it is. Oatmeal, berries, fruit, eggs, sausage, cereal, nuts, peanut butter, veg, fish, chicken... It always comes up. It did that when I was kid, that's why I could never eat before a soccer game or practice.

[meatballs21]

We are trying to offer advice because that is almost certainly the cause of you lacking energy! Maybe you need to leave a longer gap between eating and working out?

[Prof_Don]

Sound like overtraining to me! Next time get rested before going, and eat a snack before going to the gym.

[genericname85]

dude, i´d say one hour of training daily isn´t so extreme that it would get you into overtraining xD

[Prof_Don]

@genericname85 maybe i used the wrong word lol, but no sleep, 12 hours with no food, then working out sounds like a way to wear your body out

[genericname85]

yeah it does but one night of not sleeping shouldn´t make you pass out. there could be a serious underlying health issue.

[Elarra]

Okay, THIS comment I can understand. Everyone else says that it's my diet, and it's not. BUT I do think that maybe me not eating because I couldn't sleep and I was awake and active may have been the issue.

[lovydoey]

Well maybe u did not have enough sleep or maybe hydration too, that's the only two things that I can think of that will make someone pass out. Because u do this daily so is not like u were overworking yourself. I think u did not have a proper sleep and maybe hydration maybe

[SarahsSummer]

You need to eat before the gym. Even if it's a just protein bar. Something about 30-40 minutes before you go. It's happened to me and that's exactly what the trainers told me. I thought you had a trainer or trainer friend. He/she will tell you the same thing.

[Elarra]

I can't, I vomit each time. She actually told me differently because when I trained with her, I threw up in the locker room. She told me to eat immediately afterwards and I've been doing it for a year with no problem. And she's not the only trainer who has told me to do that. Not everyone can eat beforehand. It's really not out of the ordinary not to eat before you go, especially early in the morning.

[SarahsSummer]

It depends on the workout and how you are exerting yourelf but ever since I went the gym on an empty stomachs snd fell to the floor with my head spinning I've committed to eating something. Not immediately before working out but within an hour. I don't know what else to say.

[jeannine22]

You were tired. This can be the explanation. Our body doesn't function at his full capacity when we don't sleep. It's ok. Get some rest and you will be as good as new. 😄

[Levin]

That's actually a taxing regime, depending on the intensity and the rests/breaks you have between each exercise/set. If you're heart is pounding throughout most of that 60 minutes, then of course, you have your answer. Every body needs rest. If I don't get into bed by 11pm, my day is usually diminished creatively somewhat the next day. You saying you survived on 10 minutes? maybe you're more tired than you think...

[Elarra]

I haven't been in two days because of the holiday. Maybe it is my insomnia. That's the least amount of sleep I've gotten in a while.

[Levin]

You have some kind of excitation and a racing mind? That may fool you into thinking you have more energy than you think? I think cooling down and rest is the answer. Eat less right before before bed - preferably nothing 3-4 hours before sleep, turn off the comp before bed, go for a nice gentle walk in nature, keep a sleep routine 11pm-7am. In my experience, trying to be asleep between those hours, 11pm and 1am, is essential for a fully rested night's sleep.

[Elarra]

I have Bipolar disorder and sometimes I don't get a lot of sleep, but I've never stayed up an entire night. This is the first time that's happened. At minimum, I got 3 hours, but never NO hours of sleep. And I never eat after 7pm.

[Waffles731]

"The only thing different about today is that i didn't sleep. I got 10 minutes of sleep last night but I'm not tired at all. Is it because I didn't eat at all while I was awake? I hate eating before going to the gym because it makes me sick. Any ideas?"
A combination of not eating and not sleeping is what was wrong.
Do you also feel like you could throw up?

[Elarra]

Nope, just like I'll fall over and faint. I never eat before a workout because I'll vomit afterwards. Maybe it's because I was awake for so long without food.

[Waffles731]

If I don't sleep the night before and go for a walk, going uphill makes me feel like I need to vomit

[Elarra]

But I don't feel sleepy, that's the thing. I don't even feel like I need to throw up. Just felt weak. But I'm not sleepy. I've literally been laying in bed now for about 30 minutes and I'm wide awake.

[Waffles731]

You're overtired,
thats how I get when I don't sleep and take my meds

[Elarra]

I've never heard of overtired.

[Waffles731]

Thats what I call it but yeah, just settle in for a while.
You really need to eat first though

[Elarra]

Just so I can throw it up later? Nope, I'll pass.

[Waffles731]

No, you won't throw up,
I never actually throw up and it only happens during exercise.
Get something to eat, like a small meal.
Then don't try to sleep but just lay on your bed or couch and watch netflix and try not to think about sleep for a while.

[Elarra]

Um, I actually will. I've always been that way. Last time I ate before I worked out was a month ago and, shocker, it came up.

And I'm actually watching Frasier right now lol. My life is terrible right now :p

[Waffles731]

Fraiser is on netflix?

[Elarra]

Yup, all 11 seasons. Binge waaaaaaaatch

[bennyboy18320]

Yeah, your body needs sleep and food to get a good workout. It's really that simple. It's not healthy to work out on no sleep and an empty stomach.

Even if you think you feel okay, you'll get light-headed and sick. And even if you don't, your workout won't be as good. Sleep and diet are just as important to being in good shape as exercise, if not more so.

[Elarra]

I never eat before a workout because always throw up after. Not sure why but I was like that as a kid when I played soccer. Could never eat before hand.

I don't understand why I don't feel sleepy though.

[ACrazyHaggis]

your body may not be coping well due to you not having what it would consider enough rest and also due to sleep deprivation that did not help either

the fact you are also doing a work out without eating does not help either i would recommend even a small cereal bar or really light breakfast if you feel sick all the time you may be eating too heavy before the gym

[Elarra]

It's oatmeal and fruit in the morning with no added sugar. I get sick if I eat beforehand though.

[ACrazyHaggis]

hmm do you leave your body enough time to digest the food?

[Xfitchick]

Doing gym requires energy. If you don't eat enough, you will not have energy and your body will react on that. Having not enough sleep will not improve that. If you didn't eat at all, its normal your body goes into alarm when you workout.

[Elarra]

My body has been doing this for 20 years. Seriously, did anyone read the update? I eat plenty.

[Xfitchick]

I answered before your update. But my answer remains. If you had little sleep and did not eat at all, your sugar level will be low and muscle fuel empty, so its not abnormal that you are going to faint. And yes eating too short before hevay gym is not OK, but eating well before is.

[nishchay3]

You pass out when there's not enough blood or glucose supply in your brain.
Since you had not eaten anything you were having low level of glucose inside your body.
I would suggest drinking any juice as pre workout, I mean thats best.

[CyberToothTiger]

Well combination of not eating and lack of sleep is the reason this happened.
I developed low blood sugar from poor dieting and exercising it symptoms does
cause weakness, passing out feeling, shaky, anxious, sweaty etc.

[pooper89]

Yes it's because you didn't eat. That's a no brainer. It's blood sugar

[Elarra]

My blood sugar was 83 this morning. I take it everyday since diabetes runs in my family and I have to make sure it's normal even though I don't have it so actually, it was normal. So... not really a no brained, is it?

[pooper89]

Then look it up on WebMD?

[Elarra]

I think it was the sleep honestly. Food has never been the issue because I eat plenty.

[Grumps]

haven't eaten before, just not use to it...

you need to build it up and fitness is a 24 hour work. you need to eat right, sleep right and manage stress to see better results.

[ryanfyfe]

You literally exaplained your answer... Lack of eneergy all around. Sleep and eat or don't waste your time training,

[Theodorable]

Did you take any pre workout? I used to pre workout but it was making me sick

[genericname85]

you should see a doc. it could be an indication for heart or circulatory problems.

[SteamBuns]

Ur either not eating enough or ur working too hard maybe both

[Blitzkrieger]

maybe you had a low blood pressure due to not eating and lack of sleep that day?

[Coolerthanyourmom]

Take a could days off or see a doctor

[Other_Tommy_Wiseau]

You only need to go to the gym 4 days a week...

[Elarra]

I go more for mental health reasons, not necessarily to for weight loss though that's a goal too. I go three days and rest the 4th. You can go more than 4 days lol, it's not the end of the world.

[princesschey]

you should eat 2 hours before not just before xxx

[Elarra]

Tried it. Still got I'll. My trainer recommended I do that. Didn't vomit but got nauseous.

I'm a weird and complicated person. I can eat right AFTER, but never before. Not really sure why.

[Elarra]

Maybe it's what I'm eating?

[princesschey]

mayb. wot do u eat before?

[lumberman9]

You might have really low blood pressure