something has occurred to me: on days that i train, i tend to be cheerful and optimistic and fun to be around. on rest days, though, i am just moody.
does the same happen to anyone else? is a normal athlete’s physiology so attuned to endorphins that withdrawl is possible? HOW DO I FIX THIS? hell, i’m considering working out 7 days a week just to avoid this feeling. please help!
Congratulations, you’re now an adrenaline/endorphin junkie.
I generally only get moody if I don’t work out for 2+ days in a row. I typically work out every morning and evening, except weekends, when I do a long workout in the morning. I must admit, though, that even on my rest day I swim, so I never really get a day off.
How is your diet? I have found that having a better diet also makes me less prone to mood swings, and I get fewer sugar high/crashes since I eat less junk, high glycemic foods, and so on. Getting enough sleep also helps. Sleep is probably my most rare, and precious, commodity.
So I guess I would ask, Are you getting enough sleep? Are you eating right?
I saw a guy wearing a t-shirt this weekend that said: “When I feel like exercising, I lay down until the feeling goes away.”
So my new saying is: “When I feel like laying down, I exercise until the feeling goes away.”.
It’s funny you should mention that. That’s what I expected the thread to be about when I saw the title. You know, “It’s winter and I don’t feel like working out. What do I do?”
And my response would be exactly what you said. It’s amazing how you can start a work out with a mindset that is averse to training, and by the time you are done, you feel great and had an excellent workout.
I like your new saying!
to reply to your question, i eat very well (5 or so relatively large meals a day, haven’t gained or lost weight, and all of those meals are quite healthy). however, i don’t sleep well (i’m in college, and this has been my hardest semester yet, so all this has been at the expense of sleep).
i work out 6 days a week, but once i come back to school after winter break and have access to the pool again, i’ll be swimming on my off days and cycling more.
thanks for your input, it’s good to know i’m not the only one
i don’t want to bring back the argument about people finding research that supports their theories, but i asked one of my friends about this topic, and he sent me this abstract:
Endorphin systems, pain, and addiction. ** ** Van Ree, J. M. Med. Fac., Univ. Utrecht, Utrecht, Neth. Editor(s): Van Miert, Adelbert S. J.; Bogaert, M. G.; Debackere, M. Comp. Vet. Pharmacol., Toxicol. Ther., Proc. Congr. Eur. Assoc. Vet. Pharmacol. Toxicol., 3rd (1986), Meeting Date 1985, 455-66. Publisher: MTP, Lancaster, UK CODEN: 55HNA4 Conference; General Review written in English. CAN 106:27845 AN 1987:27845 CAPLUS
** **Abstract
** **A review with 19 refs. Several endogenous peptides with morphine-like properties (endorphins) are present in the pituitary, brain and various peripheral tissues. There is some evidence that the opioid peptides belonging to a certain family can activate a specific subclass of opioid receptors. Endorphins may be concerned in motivational processes implicated in pain sensation, pain tolerance, and the integrated response to pain and less in pain perception. Multiple endogenous analgesic systems are present in the body. Endorphins have inherent addictive properties and they have been implicated in reward mechanisms in the brain. They may facilitate physiological feelings of euphoria and lead to a state of ecstasy, which may be an important factor in addiction to various substances and habits (my underline for emphasis)