No energy/no strength

[elk]

WHy???? I started out for the PO today and I bonked before I even went a mile....I had to walk a hill...

I had scrambled eggs for breakfast and coffee (w/milk and sugar)...and it was only about an hour after breakfast...

This has been happening more than I like lately...and I don't know why. Why?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Elk, when I first starting walking 2 years ago, it took me MONTHS to stop feeling suddenly exhausted during my walks.
Just realize that it took you years to get out of shape. Be patient and kind to yourself.
I was SO out of shape when I started.
The hill back up to our house is 1/4 mile and VERY steep. The first few months when I walked into town and back (1 mile total), I would have to stop half way up that hill and rest for 2 minutes because I thought I would have a heart attack. My heart would pound and I'd be gasping for air. I almost felt sick every time.
2 years later now I walk up that hill, plus another 5 miles, and my heart feels just fine thank you not pounding at all, and I'm hardly even breathing hard. No need to stop and rest, I just bounce right along happily.
You will notice an improvement every month. There will be good days and bad days....two steps forward, one back.
Takes many months of healthy living to slowly bring good health back to your heart and lungs, girl. But you will love the results 2 years from now.

[Bike Goddess]

Elk- I usually have some kind of carb for breakfast before I go on a ride. I'm no doctor, but I do know that your body needs some energy that your body can access quickly when you ride. Coffee and eggs just won't do it!

If I were you, I'd try some fruit, toast, raisins, etc. Also, when I go out, I always take a sports drink with me as that is fast access to energy when you are on the road. Take along a bar as that will help too.

Many factors come into play- temperature, time of day, menstrual cycle, how much you slept the night before, stress in your life... just to mention a few. Hope this helps!

[elk]

Lisa...I had that experience when I started walking too...I could barely make it down the street...
I think Nancy might be right...need some carbs...no problem, love carbs.

Do Lara bars count as power bars?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I can vouch for croissants....

[Pedal Wench]

Lisa...I had that experience when I started walking too...I could barely make it down the street...
I think Nancy might be right...need some carbs...no problem, love carbs.

Do Lara bars count as power bars?

Lara bars sure DO count!

Sounds like a lack of carbs/energy too. Especially for breakfast, when your body hasn't had any energy in hours.

[crazycanuck]

mmm..lara bars..mmmm

must see if i still have any at home..

off to bother my dealer.

[froglegs]

I agree, sounds like you need some carbs. When I'm going for a ride, my breakfast contains mostly carbs, and I try to drink something in addition to my coffee (like water) before I leave. So feel free to have some toast with your eggs!!!

[elk]

great...gonna stock up on the Lara bars!

and yum Ezekiel's raisin bread....boy this cycling thing rocks!

[Southside Sally]

I am in agreement with all the carb recommendations! It might help to have some extra complex carbs in your evening meal as well. Add half a bake sweet potato, or some brown rice, something along those lines, in addition to some kind of carb (oatmeal is great!) in the morning. I love the Larabars, too. The evening carbs will help your body store glycogen, which is the fuel source for your muscles, and it will be readily available during your ride. Don't forget to have some carbs after the ride as well, in order to restock the glycogen stores.

All the best

Sal

[li10up]

If you've been exercising for some time now and just have hit a slump it may be a sign from your body that you are about to come down with a bug. Also, it may be that you're just a bit fatigued and need a few days rest. ??? Hope you are feeling better soon. I'm betting that two or three days rest will have you right as rain.

[elk]

thank you.

I tend to eat carbs at night...raisin bran, oatmeal cookies, fruit bars...a snacker...

so i'll re arrange and add as you all suggest.
thanks again.

rest....hmmmm....i have spent a lot of time asleep this past week. end of the semester, Maudie and Sonny both got their titles (that took alot of work)..so maybe its crash time....too. Riding will no doubt help with that...

[Triskeliongirl]

I don't think for a minute that lack of a carb rich breakfast would cause you to 'bonk' in that a short period of time. Your glycogen and fat stores should easily last you 30 miles, especially if they were topped off the night before. I have impaired glucose tolerance and bike long distances on a very low carb diet. So, I would look to another reason, perhaps a virus or other illness for the lack of energy on the bike. Also you can't 'bonk' in a mile, that is something that only happens after several hours of riding and fuel depletion.

[elk]

I just ate some toast and peanut butter cookies and I'm going to go out for a
brrrrr-ride.

As far as bonk goes...I just wanted to use it in a sentence....I didn;t think it was exact usage....

[Triskeliongirl]

Is this a recent problem, i.e. were you feeling fine and started feeling badly, or are you trying to restart/recover fitness after a hiatus? If its the latter its normal and will take time, if its the former then get a medical checkup.