Feeling Shaky After Exercise in the Morning While Fasting

[Rebecca]

Hi all,

Yesterday I got up and exercised. I had planned it as a fast day so I didn’t eat first. While I was doing my last sets I noticed that I was feeling shaky. By the time I got to my apartment from the exercise room my hands were definitely shaking. I am a health care professional so I have the ability to check my blood sugar. It was 79 which is a totally healthy number for someone fasting. But, I had some protein powder handy so I made a light shake. (My habit has always been to try to fix whatever with food.) Within 10 minutes I was feeling normal again.

As I reflected on it since then, I’m pretty sure that what caused the shakes was that fact that I generally drink a hefty amount of coffee first thing in the morning. Because there is no food to balance it I’m really feeling what it is doing to me…

My question is this, I need some plan of action to possibly lower my caffeine intake and suggestions about palatable substitutes. I never thought it would come to this, but I’m willing to change my coffee/caffeine to accommodate this lifestyle change. Everything else about it is working in an extraordinary way.

Help! And thanks in advance.

[Isabelle]

Maybe you could try a half-caf? I was in the grocery store tonight and I had to buy coffee. I saw that they sell half-caf which is half the caffeine of regular coffee. I think the brand ws either Maxwell House or Folgers? I think if you drop the caffeine completely you will probably experience withdrawl symptoms such as headaches and shakiness. I still drink my coffee in the am during a fast but I have cut down to 1 large regular caffeine in the am and sometimes a decaf in the evening (if I’m craving the taste of coffee).

[Cheryl]

I’m guessing it’s not black coffee you’re drinking, as that is acceptable during a fast. Wish I could help, but I’m more of a tea drinker. When I do drink coffee, it’s strong Bustelo coffee, and even that is made with half coffee, half milk.

[betty]

For calorie free I drink black coffee with English toffee stevia, but I have to back off from caffeine sometimes too and then switch to black tea. Black tea has caffeine but not as much as coffee, then next is green tea which only has a slight amount of caffeine.

When I decide to give my adrenals a break I wean myself off coffee by having black tea a few days, then green tea a few days, then herbal after that.

There are some awesome herbal coffees but they have calories so I drink them when I’m not doing a fasted workout or ESE fast. Teeccino makes some awesome flavors.

But also you might be just adjusting to the new routine. It will probably get better once your body has time to adjust to all the new stuff you are throwing at it right now.

[Rebecca]

Thanks for the suggestions. I do drink black coffee with a little stevia. I’ll try black tea and see what happens.

[Franchesca]

I have only one cup of black coffee. Any more and I get a bit too caffeine fuelled. Trial the tea and see how you go.

[helen]

Since you have established that blood glucose was NOT an issue (it rarely is) then it sounds like the caffeine is the likely suspect. Agree that less caffeine is better. You may be one of those people who get too much Sympathetic NS stimulus from a high level of caffeine and any other sympathomimetics. I would also caution against stuff like Red Bull, Monster Energy or any of those appetite suppressant supplements. Unless you are as big as a guy (6 ft and 150lbs +) only one cup of coffee should suffice for a morning workout.

I’m 5’1 and 110 lbs and one cup of strong joe is plenty for me fasted. I also drink a glass or 2 of water as well unless I’m getting ready to do heavy deadlifts. So I’d start with one cup and try that out.

[Rebecca]

I feel so much better just drinking tea instead of coffee. No more jitters. I’m so glad I could get the blood sugar myth out of the way scientifically. I will broaden my tea choices.

I hate to ask a weenie question, but I hate drinking water. I sometimes put a drop or two of stevia in it. Anyone else do that? Any down side? Other suggestions?

[Kelly]

Water is a habit you can create. When growing up, I only drank soda or nothing. I quit it in my 20s and switched to water and found it so icky for a while! At first, I had to have it iced. Now I just carry a bottle and sip here and there and it’s always room temp. It’s filtered water, not sure if that helps – we have an under counter RO filter so our water is yummy.

[Isabelle]

Try adding some lime juice and mint and a little stevia.

[Julie]

I sometimes put a drop of lemon essential oil in my water for variety. Has to be made for consumption and in a glass or stainless steel container though.

[Author]

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