Workout Secret #2

So here's workout secret number 2: Make sure to eat enough and drink lots of water throughout the day so your body has enough fuel to sustain itself during your workout. If you don't, you'll end up almost passing out and/or puking by the end of your workout session like I did yesterday. Let me explain.

Eddie, the owner of the Anytime Fitness in Fort Mill, told me about interval training after I asked him for advice on how to make my cardio routine more effective and challenging. He also wanted to show me some new and more creative exercises to help challenge my muscles again.

The 30 minutes of interval training went well...or so I thought. I worked so hard and sweated so much that I'm pretty sure I expended every carbohydrate in my body. After 30 minutes of lifting weights and learning new exercises, I started to get that familiar feeling - cold sweat, blood rushing from my head, paleness, shakiness, weakness, and nausea. My blood sugar plummeted quickly and before Eddie could show me any new abdominal exercises, I told him I was probably done for the day, dashed to the bathroom, and puked up all of the water I had drank in the past hour. Great. Hypoglycemic and dehydrated.

A soon as I got to the car, I put a piece of chewing gum in my mouth to help elevate my blood sugar. When I got home I took a shower and drank some water. The last thing I wanted to do was eat because I felt so nauseous, but I knew I needed to get some sugar into my system. I think I consumed enough sugar (i.e. cookies, lowfat ice cream, and chocolate) to negate the entire workout I had just done...but whatever. I needed it and it made me feel better.

So, in conclusion, don't be an idiot like me. If you know you have issues with low blood sugar, eat something before you go to the gym. Keep a piece of candy with you at all times. Know your body's limits and listen when it's screaming for a break.

I'm happy about my new workout plan. I'm even happier that I didn't puke all over the floor at the gym.