In Need of Exercise Regimen Advice

[TwitchingTime]

All apologies if there is one (or many) posts about this topic. I did a quick search, but am too busy (read: lazy) to do a thorough search. So if you can offer advice, suggestions or even just direct me to an old post, that would be great!

In May I took on a looooong overdue diet and exercise regimen. I'm usually okay with cardio work, and fine during the act of working out. It's the toning exercises (resistance bands, circuit training and free weights) that are really causing my BFS to act up. I get the sensation of weakness hours after having worked out, struggle with overwhelming fatigue and twitches, and the buzzing and trembling sensations are at full force. I'm wiped out by evening.

Is there anything I can do to prevent or lessen the severity of these feelings following exercise, or is this just another unavoidable part of BFS I have to learn to live with???

 

[ytewestGo99]

depending on what you are trying to achieve with your workouts, you may want to change up your routine.

Just some suggestions ...

If you aren't looking to bulk up and look like Fabio, then you can do the following.

Use lighter weights and do more repititions with the lighter weight. This will give you tone instead of bulk.

Only do about 12-15 minutes of Cardio just to get your heart rate up, then do your freeweights, etc.

Set aside 1 day a week for cardio only (min. 30 minutes).

If you haven't worked out in a while, don't be afraid to start slow.

Maybe you can curl 10 pounds about 5 tines, take a 3 minute break and do another 5. Ease into it gently and let your muscles get used to being used in ways they may not have for a while. I believe if you condition them properly, you will minimize the BFS after-effects...

BTW, my picture is just meant to be a joke ... it's a long story ... but a funny one ... How do you like the little stuffed girrafe? Ok, I'm done being silly.

I hope this helps. The only exercise I got this evening was about 15 minutes of swimming. And it actually helped my leg pain and tingling go away, I was surprised. I think moderation is the answer...

 

[TwitchingTime]

Thanks for the response!

Great suggestions on the toning which I will definitely implement. Question: You mentioned doing cardio first, then work on toning. Lately I've heard conlicting advice about whether to tone or do cardio first. What do you think?

...And Funny you mentioned swimming; this has been my primary cardio and I find it aggravates the BFS the least. I love it.

I will resist the urge to make a naughty comment about your giraffe... At least until we're better acquainted.

 

[ytewestGo99]

LOL ... oh my ... yah, that picture stemmed from a long thread that just got out of control ... hehe..

The only reason I hear to do cardio first is that it gets your heart rate up more mildly than directly hitting the weights, so I hear it's better for your heart and circulation to do the cardio first ... but truthfully, I'm not entirely sure ...

 

[BrytTexter]

Okay I've never done this before-the message board stuff but you guys are so courageous and supportive of one another that I feel safe talking to you. I started in Feb with a 24 hr. vertigo thing that the Dr. said was Prob. a virus. Then in April I began having an internal shaking feeling and my right hand felt weekish and shaky when I would be on the mouse of my computer. As if that wasn't enough in June My calves began twitching 24/7. Sometimes I even get a stray twitch elsewhere. So of course I start doing research and begin self diagnosing. Totally freaked I go see my family Dr. get an MRI then a nuerologist for an EMG and blood work. Everything came back clean. Of course I don't believe the tests because I think they must have made a mistake or something or it's to early to detect anything. I know, I feel like I'm going crazy with worry. Because now I have this muscle shake /quiver when I do a sit up or a plank or while lifting an arm or leg if I hold it there for awhile and you can actually see me shaking Please tell me someone out there does experience this that has BFS. The Dr. suggested nuerontin and to come back to see him in 2 months. He said he didn't know what was making me shake during weight bearing exercise and he dosen't know what I have. I asked him if it could be BFS and he said: if it is what are we going to do about it? I read on another message board that someone did experience shaking while doing a sit up but it was posted years ago. I am just totally afraid this is not part of BFS. Please help soon! Thanks

 

[TMarYoutuber]

At least for me, exercise everday makes my muscles crazy. My rule of thumb now is moderate to light exercise every other day. I let my muscles try and rest on the off day. I learned this the hard way. Started walking and biking hard for 10 days straight and set this thing off again. Will be more careful from now on.

 

[TwitchingTime]

This totally happens to me, JWR!

It's definitely a BFS thing. For me, exercise on some days yield few or no shakes/trembling, and other days it's really bad.

Just take it easy and don't be hard on yourself. One of those things we learn to live with...

 

[mgardner87]

As Mary says, exercise everday can make my muscles crazy. I used to walk about 70 to 100 blocks a day when the BFS first started out of pure anxiety and adrenaline but I can't do that anymore. The most I can do in one day now is about 40 blocks, the next day, only half that and I seem to be alternating days now, even skipping some every now and again.
God Bless, Mark