But I’m Too Tired to Workout!
by Rochelle Griffin
I have a question for you: When you are tired, have zero energy, and just want to crash on the couch, do you push yourself to still get a workout done?
I recently read on Facebook where someone said if you are really fatigued, the worst thing you can do is NOT workout. She encouraged people to push through, even though they really wouldn’t want to. Unfortunately this is misinformation that I want to clarify before you become confused and possibly hurt yourself.
Being chronically fatigued and exhausted is often a sign of adrenal fatigue. When you push your body with adrenal fatigue, you are actually doing more harm to yourself than good.
Look I get it. I used to the same thing unwittingly. There was a time when I would workout at least 6 times per week, sometimes twice a day if I had a special event coming up. I thought THIS is what I need to do to lose weight.
Imagine my surprise when not only did I not lose weight, I GAINED it! And it’s not like I was eating bad…I was eating healthy! I ended up incredibly frustrated, and yes, even more fatigued and exhausted than I initially was to begin with.
Guess what? Weight gain around the hips, thighs, and stomach is a CLASSIC sign of adrenal fatigue and imbalanced hormones! Working out won’t fix this. Therapeutic intervention is what’s needed.
Sound familiar, anyone?!?!
When you choose to push yourself, you are adding to the chronic stress that you are already under. Your body isn’t able to differentiate between perceived danger (the stress of being fatigued) from actual danger (an intruder in the house) and will react the same way in either situation: Fight or flight with a cascade of hormones to try to handle it.
So WHAT should you do when you’re tired and have a workout looming ahead of you? Honestly listen to your body. Tired? REST!
If you do find that you’re chronically tired, it would be wise to get tested for adrenal fatigue. It’s a simple saliva test. The results will give you a wealth of information regarding what you really should be doing for exercise. The worse your adrenal fatigue is, the gentler you need to be with your body…including your exercise…if you want to recover.
Remember you must educate yourself. Be very careful whom you take advice from regarding your health, fitness, and nutrition. It may be from a well meaning, but misinformed person, who will unintentionally lead you down the wrong path. Be your own advocate. Your health is worth it!
To Living Your Best Life,
Rochelle Griffin, RN BSN FDN-P
Rochelle Griffin, The Wellness Detective™, is a Registered Nurse (with over 22 years experience) & a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition™ Practitioner who has transitioned her love for fitness, health, & freedom into a 7-figure International company that now helps others live Their Best Life.
She founded Your Best Life, Inc with her husband Keith after stepping onto the edge of physical ruin with her health & the health of their young son. Having experienced a complete turn-around, they now desire to give hope & support to those who are dissatisfied with their current situation.
PS. If you found this post to be of any value to you, please COMMENT below!
I find this post very valuable. Over two years ago, my health and life went down. It stated with left hip pain and spread to chronic all over body pain. Spent every cent we had on dr and test. After two years, I’m with a pain management dr and have gotten put under an auto immune umbrella after a positive blood test. In oct, diagnosed wth extreme candida. On morohine and oxy around the clock. Body Still aches and I’m TOTALLY exhausted. Lost most of my business. Just a horrible way to live.
I’m so sorry to hear this, Kate. Are you dealing with the candida? Have you seen a functional medicine physician for more insight? Many blessings to you!
I have tried everything for candida, 1+ year. Any other recommendations? My last step is doing frequency light. I want to be healthy and not tired anymore.
Hey Rochelle! Been watching you off and on for couple of years now. I love your personality, your character and your care and concern for others. I do trust in your integrity and the material you present is illuminating, fun and beneficial. Thank you for who you are and what you do for others. Listen I know this is your business and no one is goes into business not wanting to make a profit but, I believe you have a genuine love for what you do and for people’s health and wellness other than making money! Thank you, your family is very blessed to have you! May God bless you as you contiue in your calling and being such a blessing to others!
Thank you so much for taking the time to write me. You’ve made my day with your kind words! 🙂
I enjoy up your posts. I believe in your information. I also love your faith on The Lord to. I would love more information on your company and what you do? I suffer really bad with hormones how naturally can you regulate them?? I suffer badly with PMT
Hi Rachel! At this point, I work with people across the US and Canada. I haven’t made it across the pond…yet. 😉 You can read more at http://rochellegriffin.com/fdn. Yes you CAN regulate hormones naturally!
Hi Rochelle,
Wow, so you are not in BB anymore? I stopped by your blog looking for info on BB again, but not here anymore.
I found this article and realize this might be what is wrong with me. I have BB programs but I am so exhausted after work and weekends that I just can’t exercise. and when I have exercised I have actually gained weight!!! … a friend suggested i tested my hormones and such.
thank you for this information.
Anna
Hi Anna! YES I still do Beachbody! Most definitely. You’ll find the Beachbody stuff on my other site: http://gofitcoach.com. Ummmmm…yes, your symptoms sound like some what I was experiencing. Book a consult with me for sure! 🙂
Hello! After reading your info on adrenal fatigue I’m sure that you have been stalking me!! Ha! I am constantly fatigued. I can get a great night’s sleep and after being up two hours I feel like I could crash. I carry all my weight in my belly, hips and thighs and have chronic pain. What is the best way to go about testing for adrenal fatigue. I’m pretty sure that my doctor thinks I’m crazy already, so I don’t know that he would even consider testing for it. Help!!
Heather, I get it. Adrenal fatigue really isn’t recognized much by Western medicine. That doesn’t, however, make it any less real. Schedule a consultation with me, then we can figure out the tests that would be best to reveal clues on why you’re feeling how you are. http://rochellegriffin.com/fdn
Your advice truly helped me today.I was so tired this am, I’ve been waking 2miles every day to lose weight and I really couldn’t today cause I was so tired.glad I didn’t and just rested! Any more tips for losing and burning fat week be so appreciated.thanks so much
So happy it helped! Yes all too often we hear “suck it up and do it” when it’s truly at the detriment of our health. Great job listening to your body! ***applause***
Adrenal fatigue sounds quite a bit like fibromyalgia. Is there a connection? I was diagnosed with FMS 3 years ago and nothing I do brings any relief. Can you help?
Since I’m not a physician, I really can’t say if there’s a connection but I can say that the symptoms can mimic one another. Adrenal fatigue can exacerbate many many symptoms. Gut dysfunction can do the same. The only way to know if you’re dealing with either is by testing. Educated guesses don’t work well in this realm. Hope that helps. 🙂
I love your posts. They are always encouraging & informative. I never knew that about the adrenaline fatigue & imbalanced hormones. I’ve had PCOS most of my life. The Drs say I’m doing better but not really believing it. I try not to get frustrated cuz I’m overweight but my insurance won’t pay for a nutritionist unless your a diabetic. I have some injuries that prevent me from excercising the way I want. I love to walk & was walking 2 mi a day but had to quit due to an old injury. I then get upset or in pain & then I eat. It’s a cycle I want to overcome but don’t know how. Do you have any advise that you could give me? My health has improved so I want to take better care of myself. Thank you so much & may God bless you in your work.
BIGGEST piece of advice is to get into my upcoming PMS Bootcamp. The skills you’ll learn will help immensely as we will hit many of those issues. Besides that, read everything on my page under Functional Diagnostic Nutrition category. I have tons of articles that will help. 🙂
Thank you for your articles on hormone and adrenal fatigue. I had a hysterectomy in 1985. I have not been the same since. I was taking premirmin (missed spelled) for more than 25 years, then hormone compond creams and now I am doing hormone pellets. Pellets have been the best but I still have trouble sleeping. Now I am wondering if it isn’t also adrenal fatigue. I am on thyroid armor meds. I really want to feel like myself. I miss all of my energy. Love your faith and high energy. Thank you for your time and willing to help others
I went to workout this morning feeling extremely exhausted…i battled in mind, to go or to stay. Well i went,since i workout in the water, it was at my own pace. Just got home made some over easy eggs and ready to rest. I will do my chores when i feel energized, its not going anywhere. Working out vn as fatigued as i am, has been a major help with my fibromyalgia( haven’t had an episode in about ten months and my knee has totally strengthened and recovered) thanks for the advice, i need to get tested for my fatigue.
Evette, yep sounds like you may want to get tested. If I can assist, just let me know. 🙂
Hi. Thanks for sharing this. I never seem to have the energy to exercise. Just happy if I can get through a work day. Always tired and don’t sleep well. I had a total emergency hysterectomy in 2011 along with a foot and a half of small intestine removed and I’m still fighting to feel better all these years later. I am glad to be alive. But can you tell me more about testing ? How much does it cost? Thanks and may God continue working with you and through you. Sincerely Holly
Hi Holly! Yes it sounds like adrenal fatigue with hormone imbalance (I’m guessing but based on what you said.) You can read more about the packages at http://rochellegriffin.com/fdn and schedule a consult as well. 🙂
I told my dr that I’m tired all time and can’t lose this baby weight and my bones ache… She acts like I’m crazy! What can I do? Is there special blood test for candida?
It sounds a lot like adrenal fatigue. Grab my free Stress & Hormones digital book and see if what you read resonates with you. It’s the first place to start.
I have diabetes and had a hysterectomy and every since then I have no energy and always feel exhausted. My doctor told me if I get my sugars down I should feel better but I don’t. I take sleeping pills so I can get up in the morning and not feel so tired but am exhausted and have to drink caffeine just to make it through the day. 🙁 See all kinds of diets and pills but have no idea what would help. Don’t have a lot money to spend to do a lot of testing so do you have any tips or anything that could help me. Tired of no energy and feeling sick all the time. 🙁 Feeling so depressed about this ! Please Help if you can. Thank you, Sincerely Karen Landram
Ultimately you need to testing to be able to do therapeutic intervention and begin to heal. My adrenal bootcamp would be perfect for you to get you started on the right path. Keep an eye on my site for when I plan to run another one. In the meantime, grab my free Stress & Hormones ebook for tips. 🙂
where does one get a saliva test?
Hi Rochelle,
I am an ex-Beachbody Coach. Would love to return to be an active Coach, but for personal reasons I can’t.
I love fitness and nutition too just like you.
I have been following you for over 2 years and enjoy every bit of information that you share in facebook.
I can tell you really work really hard to give the best of you to your family and all those you serve.
You are truely blessed!
Right now, I believe I have hit a plateau in my weight.
In 2014, I gained nearly 12lbs and just can’t get them off as easily as before.
I have read a lot about functional diagnostic nutrition and maybe I may need testing.
I do not know of anyone that lives near my home (El Paso, TX), so I was wondering how can you help or if you can refer someone that lives nearby.
Regards
Lenny
Great article! Very insightful. When you talk about therapeutic intervention for imbalanced hormones, what would you suggest?
I will be asking for this test on Friday. I’m so exhausted it’s ridiculous. Thank you for the advice.
I was tested after I had my first child for cortisol levels which ran high. I was referred to a endocrinologist who said I had Cushings Disease. Went to Virginia and after an MRI they said I did not have Cushings just depressed. Basically my Chiropractor started doing some testing and her test showed hormone levels were off and thought my Adrenals were worn out. So as a new Mom and all the demands on my body and IVF and a high risk pregnancy in bed for 3 months. Still have a hard time losing weight not sure if I am back in it again. Thanks for this article.
Hi
I found your article very interesting. Most people I speak with just tell me I’m being lazy. I do have extra weight around my stomach. I work out of the home 50 hours a week not counting commuting time. I try very hard to eat healthy I even joined weight watchers. I am looking for help. Can you help me? If so please email me
Hey there! Message me on my Facebook page: http://fb.com/rochellegriffinfitness and we’ll see what we can come up with! 🙂
I was trying to fill out my email at the top for the offer but it’s not letting me saying my email is not valid. I recently discovered my TSH is high and thyroid is not working properly. Causing weird symptoms that are not typical. I did still work out regularly I actually found its one of the few things that helped with my energy. I had chocked the fatigue up to working shift work and nights. But I would have random episodes of fever, chills and body aches and pain. Since starting on synthroid that has not happens although it’s only been about a month still feeling pretty fatigued some days but overall a million times better. It’s to soon to the check my thyroid to we if I need more synthroid but with the weird symptoms I wonder if there is more to it.
I worked out for three years and one year I walked for 6 miles every day never lost anything. And as much as I sweat you would of thought it was doing something but no nothing it was so aggravating that I just stopped. It was like all the other folk who was doing the same thing lost a bunch of weight. So then I went to the Dr. And everything turned out good so I gave up.