Does exercise really make you energetic?

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 22:44:35 -0500

Does exercise really make you energetic? I do not like when people insist that if I just workout I will have such a better life and be more energetic. I often feel exhausted after working out and want nothing to do but sit back and relax for like 20 minutes before showering and then going to take a nap.

Granted there are times when I feel better after working out. I think it depends on the type of activity, how much time was between workouts (2 weeks or 2 hours...etc), and what time of day it is.

What are your thoughts on this?

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Feb 10 at 2015 11:17 PM

CW2 Joseph Evans — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 23:17:50 -0500

I find that right after exercise, I need the nap. However, the rest of my day is much better. I notice a difference after having been out for a while and my exercise routine has tanked. I am more lethargic throughout the day than I used to be. My recovery is a lot slower too.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2015 2:02 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 02:02:21 -0500

If it's an APFT or a grueling run I don't want to do anything the rest of the day because I'm exhausted. If it's a good P.T session that pushes me but not to that extent then sometimes I feel fresh and energetic.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2015 2:18 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 02:18:03 -0500

Depends on the workout for me but regardless I always feel mentally refreshed after any workout. I agree with CW2 Joseph Evans that I feel less lethargic both mentally and physically when I maintain a routine as opposed to not consistently exercising.

Response by SPC David S. made Feb 11 at 2015 2:53 AM

SPC David S. — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 02:53:08 -0500

Running was and still is my favorite exercise. Even though I don't really exercise much anymore. I do need to get back in the swing eventually. I usually felt energetic after a good run. There were, however, times I was so exhausted I just passed out for awhile before work. Muscle failure days tended to make me tired for a little bit.

Response by SGT Jim Z. made Feb 11 at 2015 7:19 AM

SGT Jim Z. — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 07:19:13 -0500

Although exercise may assist a person in having more energy it is quite difficult to get the energy to even workout.

Response by TSgt Kevin Buccola made Feb 11 at 2015 8:59 AM

TSgt Kevin Buccola — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 08:59:14 -0500

Energetic yes - it is more a Stress reliever for me

Response by SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2015 10:18 AM

SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 10:18:28 -0500

For me it's that my training is done for the day and I can concentrate on other things. I gain weight really easily so one of my daily goals is to train. Once that is done then I'm not concerned about what is going on around lunch or at the end of the duty day because I need to work training in. I do feel much less sluggish in the mornings when I train though.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 4 at 2018 12:54 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 May 2018 12:54:17 -0400

Exercise, energetic? Me, personally? Um, no. And I run almost daily.

People that say that probably take many proteins, whey powder, energy supplements and caffeine to increase their motivation that of course they have energy left over. After one mile of walking I'd have energy left over too.

Two cups of coffee, tops. Even the coffee increases my run time (slows me down). I noticed the other day after a race that I actually ran faster without my daily two cups of coffee. Of course, I wanted to hit the rack right after I finished the race, but I ran almost 45 seconds faster than the race from the prior week. I understand that to mean that caffeine excretes fluids from the body during a workout causing the body to work harder than normal. Normal being without the two cups of coffee.