Health Tips : Dizzy after exercise

By Winston Salem in : Fitness Tips // Sep 4 2010

Feeling lightheaded and/or dizzy, as if you are about to pass out, are not normal reactions to exercise.

After an aerobic activity session, you ought to feel invigorated, not totally wiped out.

Your description sounds as though you are working extraordinarily hard.

Do you eat anything before your physical activity? Are you drinking during your run or bicycle ride? How’s your overall fluid intake?

Although an valid diagnosis based on your description can’t be given here, these few suggestions might help avoid these feelings

• Make sure to eat a snack prior to exercise. When you have less than one hour before your session, fewer than 200 calories is recommended. A piece of fruit and a couple of crackers work well for numerous people .

Your snack can be a bit larger when you’ve two hours or so until your workout begins – one small plain bagel with jam, a piece of fruit and a yogurt, or two or three fig bars and a cup of milk or juice.

• Drink 16 oz. of fluid 2 hours before an event. This promotes hydration and allows enough time to excrete any excess liquid.

• Drink fluids during exercise. Weighing yourself before and after exercise can help determine your sweat rate, and how much you’ll need to drink.

o When you lose 1 lb. per hour – drink 4 oz. every 15 min

o When you lose 2 lbs. per hour – drink 8 oz. every 15 min

o When you lose 3 lbs. per hour – drink 8 oz. every 10 min.

o When you lose 4 lbs. per hour – drink 10 oz. every 10 min.

• If you are exercising for longer than 60 minutes, add some fuel to your water with a sports drink.

These fluid replacement drinks include glucose and electrolytes (sodium and potassium) to help with fluid intake and absorption.

Talking with your health care provider is a good idea if these strategies don’t help.

Being properly fed and hydrated, in addition to getting enough rest and watching your breathing as your exercise, should help make your workouts more productive.