Back to the gym but feeling super tired …

I have been a regular at the gym for many years, though there have been times with less intense workouts during pregnancy and COVID. I took a few months off recently while waiting for my husband’s gym membership to end so we could switch to the same plan.

I’ve been back at the gym since late November. I see some positive changes, like my abs making a comeback and I’m getting stronger, but I feel more exhausted than ever before. I used to get an energy boost from workouts, but now I struggle to get through the day.

I take a multivitamin along with iron, vitamin D, rhodiola, magnesium, calcium, and zinc, and that hasn’t changed. I’ve been eating healthier and increased my calorie intake. I’m not tracking macros right now but I’ve tried to focus on higher protein and better carbs throughout the day, while still enjoying regular family dinners like pasta and rice. I also take creatine.

It’s worth mentioning that I’m not getting my period either and I’m not doing anything extreme. I’ve had low body fat before and did high-intensity workouts, but I’m not in that situation right now. So what could be going on? Is it because I’m turning 35 this year and can’t keep up with the gym four times a week anymore? I’m confused. I’m waiting for a doctor’s appointment, but I’d like to know what I should do in the meantime.

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Rory said:

This post has been removed as it contains inaccurate information.

Have you noticed extra stress from kids, work, or other activities? Those factors often impact us more than we realize.

Fintan said:
Have you noticed extra stress from kids, work, or other activities? Those factors often impact us more than we realize.

No, things haven’t changed but I am very busy with my kids and work. Since getting back to working out, I feel like I’m managing my time worse. Additionally, I’m taking time out of my lunch break for the gym.

My husband doesn’t believe me, but honestly, the day I turned 35, my vision got worse and my energy dropped. Everything else has stayed about the same from what I can tell. I’m starting to wonder if it might be perimenopause.

@Kei
I have a birthday coming up at the end of the year, so I’m not 35 just yet. But the difference between early 2024 me and early 2025 me seems like a big change.

Lennox said:
Are you pregnant?

Right?! I told my husband that my exhaustion reminded me of my pregnancy lol. But I tested and it’d be really unlikely anyway, but I wanted to rule it out.

@Ember
I hope your doctor’s appointment helps. It might also be worth checking for anemia.

Lennox said:
@Ember
I hope your doctor’s appointment helps. It might also be worth checking for anemia.

Thanks, I hope so too lol! My family has a history of anemia and I’ve been borderline before, so I’ve been taking iron for years. I do wonder if I need to increase my dose or if my body isn’t absorbing it properly. Definitely something worth ruling out.

I’m a 35-year-old male and I work out every day, either in the gym or running outside, usually for at least an hour unless I’m doing shorter HIIT workouts. I’m always tired but it’s also because I only get around 5-6 hours of sleep with three small kids. Even so, I manage to keep up with it without feeling completely worn out. At least I fall asleep easily at night!

@Orion
I also have three kids but I typically get about 6-8 hours most nights. My youngest is almost 3 now, so I’m not as sleep-deprived as I used to be. My sleep schedule hasn’t changed much, and I’m still doing regular activities like walking the dog.

Some differences I’ve noticed:

  • I used to find that working out helped my sleep, but lately, it doesn’t seem to make a difference for me.
  • I started wearing my watch to bed and noticed my deep sleep numbers are pretty low, averaging between 25-45 minutes. I wish I had worn one longer for comparison, but I didn’t.

@Ember
It sounds like those low numbers for deep sleep could be affecting you. I know on the nights my youngest wakes me up and I don’t get much deep sleep, the next day is really tough.

Are you sure you’re eating enough? The difference between eating at maintenance compared to a 500 calorie deficit can be huge after a few weeks of training.

Rory said:
Are you sure you’re eating enough? The difference between eating at maintenance compared to a 500 calorie deficit can be huge after a few weeks of training.

That’s a good point, thanks! I’m not a nutritionist so I’ve just been going by how my body feels. I have been eating more since I got back to the gym because I feel hungrier, but maybe I should start tracking.

I’m a 49-year-old male. I work out 1-2 hours a day, seven days a week. Doing an hour four times a week at 35 shouldn’t be too much.

What’s your weight doing? If you’re dropping too quickly, like more than half a pound a week, that could explain your fatigue and missing period.

@Tate
No, but the scale isn’t a great indicator for me. I’m pretty muscular, so I mostly lost muscle when I took a break, and now I’m gaining it back.

I agree, though—this situation feels unusual. I was doing similarly intense workouts for over a year and a half (from six months postpartum to my little break in the fall) without feeling this way.