hi everyone.... i am new here! i wanted to ask for tips anyone might have. I'm 22 and have been a vegetarian (i eat dairy and eggs) for 8 years. I played sports throughout high school and have remained fairly active with no problem. In the last month i started a fairly rigorous (although not excessively crazy) exersize routine, which includes both cardio and a lot of weigh lifting. I've been feeling a little tired lately (which may be unrelated) and a few times when i have been working out (cardio), my muscles have felt "exhausted," they feel like they just can't keep moving. anyway, i never had this problem in the past, even when i was working out the same amount or more. Basically i'm looking for any advice/tips about things to eat before i work out (or in general) or other ways to keep my energy up.

thanks so much!

hi everyone.... i am new here! i wanted to ask for tips anyone might have. I'm 22 and have been a vegetarian (i eat dairy and eggs) for 8 years. I played sports throughout high school and have remained fairly active with no problem. In the last month i started a fairly rigorous (although not excessively crazy) exersize routine, which includes both cardio and a lot of weigh lifting. I've been feeling a little tired lately (which may be unrelated) and a few times when i have been working out (cardio), my muscles have felt "exhausted," they feel like they just can't keep moving. anyway, i never had this problem in the past, even when i was working out the same amount or more. Basically i'm looking for any advice/tips about things to eat before i work out (or in general) or other ways to keep my energy up.

thanks so much!

The reason your muscles feel exhausted is because you have ran out of fuel.

The glycogen levels in your muscles become very low so they have to switch to burning fat which is a less efficent fuel which is why you feel like crap and have to slow down.

Essentially you just have to eat more!

A few tips:

Eat and drink something soon after training. The sooner you do the better.

Drink carbohydrate drinks (e.g. lucozade, gatorade) or fruit juices instead of water.

Snack throughout the day to maintain energy levels - 3 meals a day is generally not enough for veggie athletes. I eat lots of dried fruit and things like flapjacks and crisps throughout the day. Peanut butter is good also!

If you are feeling tired a lot you may be anaemic? I could be wrong though.

fairly rigorous (although not excessively crazy) exersize routine


Have you considered getting a heart rate monitor? They're useful for helping you stay within fitness target zones, such as enhancing your cardiological health or just burning fat. I know that I often overexert myself when doing cardio to the point where I just get fed up with the whole process. The monitor will let you know if you need to work harder or easier depending on how your body is doing, so that you get a more effective and satisfying workout. And I think after working with one consistantly for a few months, you would be in touch enough with your body so that you wouldn't have to rely on it.

Entry-level models typically average around 50 bucks. This (http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?cat=4134&dept=4125&product_id=1942946) is the one I'm looking at getting, it's got audible alarms for when you leave your training zone. It seems like a good balance between basic functionality and bells & whistles.