Crying during exercise?

[fireheart]

So the last couple of Zumba classes I've had this weird urge to cry. It's come on usually at around the 20-30 minute mark and I can usually hold back until around the last 1-2 songs, at which point I just can't take it and have to run out.

Tonight in particular, there was a point where I felt like I couldn't actually breathe for a second. I don't know what could be causing it or why.

Both times post-class, I have had no injuries aside from some sore muscles the next couple of days.

I'm on Implanon and an antidepressant, however neither of them have affected me before.

I thought exercise was meant to release endorphins

[Der Cute]

Talk to your doctor asap. Last time I had crying spells out of nowhere, I was depressed, and was not balanced. It is entirely possible that your antidepressant has quit and didn't tell you. Another question - is this ONLY at this class? What exactly are you doing when you want to cry? Are you feeling inadequate, 'less' than the rest of them exercising? Are you thinking "jeez I'm fat and they aren't" along those lines? What songs are playing? What flavor of music? Last time I had a super depression crash, it was caused by blues music.

So, take your environment and analyze the fuck out of it.

[Seshat]

You're not in unusual pain when you get the urge to cry? I used to cry-from-pain during exercise (but that was before I was diagnosed with the fibro, and pushed myself waaaaay past what's safe for me).

[teh_blumchenkinder]

Huh.
I've heard of being allergic to exercise, but crying? Do you feel sad or upset when you get these urges? I get the urge to cry, but that's usually after way too much salt intake over a few days. Try crying anyway if you don't feel sad? Or make yourself sad before and cry... eat less salt?
Talk to your doc.
EDIT: also, water. Never forget the water. Crying is a cleansing action, both mentally and physically. Try to trace your mental bendings during exercise.
Also: YAY for you getting good exercise! Zumba is awesome, and keep it up Girl!

[fireheart]

You're not in unusual pain when you get the urge to cry? I used to cry-from-pain during exercise (but that was before I was diagnosed with the fibro, and pushed myself waaaaay past what's safe for me).

No. The last two classes, I've noticed I've been a little bit more tired than usual, so it could just be general burnout. My instructor seems to believe it. I'd actually missed a couple of classes beforehand due to various injuries that I didn't want to aggravate (my shoulder sort of froze up one week, the other week I had a bung ankle)

teh_blum, we do have drink breaks during class regularly (pattern is 3-4 songs, break, 3-4 songs, break, 3-4 songs, cooldown, stretch, go). The first time it happened, I wasn't sure what was causing it because I was generally in an OK mood, like I was actually smiling, I wasn't forcing myself.

Last night I think I felt my mood drop before the end of class, but not sure where. I know that by around the 4th to last song (or so), I was forcing myself to smile during the swing routine.

And lately I've been coughing a little (not for long periods) and when I left the class the other night because of that urge, I collapsed against the drink fountain outside and drew in this huge breath, like I'd been winded before and was just getting the air back into my lungs.

I'll bring it up at the mental health review though.

[BookstoreEscapee]

I googled "crying during exercise" and found a bunch of stuff (this thread being number 9 on the list)...so clearly you are not alone.

A few:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21073097...ts-waterworks/

http://www.fitsugar.com/Another-Reas...motions-675411

http://thepenguin.runnersworld.com/2...long-runs.html

http://www.lifetimefitness.com/magaz...tArticleId=302

[Kheldarson]

I'd say you might just be experience a tired/burnout spell. When I was doing track at college there would be days where I just wanted to cry during practice...simply because I had such a full load during the day and then going to track was just exhausting on top of it. Just my body's way of telling me I was doing too much. But do agree with talking to your doctor about it if it continues.

[Laund-o-rama Mama]

I'm going to throw "low blood sugar" out there. Are you eating properly on your exercise days? Your class sounds pretty strenuous so if you've been skipping meals or eating like a bird it could spell bad news for your endurance.

[teh_blumchenkinder]

Low blood sugar can account for a lot of crazy shiat. Eat low-glycemic index stuff, it's good for you anyway. Lentils are freaking awesome-- superhealthy and cheap (at least around my parts. Mebby diff in Oz.) Low-glycemic stuff digests slower, and doesn't dump sugar into your bloodstream (ie get digested and shipped out slowly)-- it 'sticks to your ribs,' in other words. Full of fiber, protien, carbs, low in fat, and a bunch of nutrients and stuff! :3 A little bland, but so much can be done with them... it's like spaghetti (and you can cook it like spag too! or in a rice cooker...) There's other low-glycemic stuff out there, but right now I'm on a lentil kick. XD
>_> Have you been to a doc yet?/pester
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lentil
EDIT: low blood sugar for me has accounted for dire mood swings-- I have gone from being reasonably perky to BLACK depressed and near-hyperventilating (getting dizzy!) about how the world is going to explode in nuclear radiation in about the space of an hour-- all because I wasn't minding my food! (and no I don't think that the world will end like that, exactly...) It was/is very strange... it's almost like I felt down, then thought depressing/horrible stuff... but sometimes the horrible thoughts come first. (at the time, I had eaten maybe 400-600 calories a day for the last week... but drinking enough tea w/sugar that I didn't notice. I stopped with the tea/sugar-- and BAM. I almost went to the emergency room it was that bad. :\ ) Just an illustration of the Crazy... >_>

[Miss Fatale]

I have one yoga video that always makes me cry. It's a slow, relaxing, bed-time yoga video, so I know the tears are not from pain or anything. I have been treated for depression and anxiety in the past, so it could be related to that. Or maybe moving my muscles in that way triggers something in my brain. Clearly, my brain chemicals are a little screwy, so who's to say certain movements couldn't make them misfire?

Here's what I do to prevent panic attacks, so maybe it will help if you feel like crying in the middle of class:

1. Accept it. Saying things like "Don't cry. You're not going to cry. What's wrong with you?!" often makes the feelings worse.

2. Give yourself permission. "I feel like crying right now, and that's okay. If I need to tear up a little, that's okay."

3. Remind yourself you can get through it. "I cried a little bit last week, but it was okay. It wasn't the end of the world."

Not sure if that will help, but thought I'd share.

[phoenixv07]

My first thought is that it's a stress reaction, especially if you've been more stressed than normal recently. Your body has to bleed off the stress somehow; crying might be a way of doing that.

[fireheart]

So I've stoppe going to zumba (which is a shame really) until I can figure out where this crying is coming from.

Lately I've just been really tired ALL the time. Even going to bed early and waking up early I still wind up very lethargic and no energy to exercise.

In addition, I've been having some reflux in the morning.

My jeans are starting to wear in the crotch

I'm NOT pregnant (I did do a preggo test and I am also on the Implanon) however I've had no spotting recently. Any ideas?

[teh_blumchenkinder]

How recently did you get the Implanon? After all, bc works 'cuz it makes your body think it's pregnant.
Stopping is probably a good idea. Perhaps vitamins will help? They do for me. I notice, big time, especially with the B vitamins, and D. Probably want to talk to your medical professionals before you do anything like that though!

[Seshat]

Lately I've just been really tired ALL the time. Even going to bed early and waking up early I still wind up very lethargic and no energy to exercise.

In addition, I've been having some reflux in the morning.

My jeans are starting to wear in the crotch

Sounds like doctor time to me, fireheart.

He'll probably want to test your iron levels and a few other things in your blood (eg blood sugar, perhaps hormones).

If the reflux is new, that needs to be looked at as well. (Heck, if it's not, it should still be looked at - you shouldn't have to put up with it)

Jeans wearing in the crotch: with the Zumba, it's unlikely that you've put on fat in that area. Do you now have enough muscle in the thighs that they're rubbing together?
Get your doctor to check on that as well. Heck, it could be a water bloat thing, which may well give him a lead on a hormonal issue that's giving you the lethargy and lack of motivation.

Reminder: IANADoctor and don't even play one on TV. I'm just providing suggestions for things to talk to him/her about.

[Der Cute]

Write all these things down - all the descriptions you've given us and get your hiney to a doctor. I don't want to guess, this points to too many different things. Please, doctor, and write out questions before you go, it'll jog you enough to think of new questions.