I’m the girl who wasn’t working out at all. And who is admitting that she pretty much hasn’t ALL SUMMER LONG. After this situation I wasn’t really able to get back into the whole running thing. In fact, up until this past week I think I went exactly twice. At the beginning of this month I sat up, took a look around, and saw copious amounts of Ben and Jerry’s containers scattered around the bedroom floor. I saw my stomach looking fatter, literally fatter than it’s ever looked. I saw myself not really caring what I was wearing to work and not even doing my hair a makeup on most days. That’s not like me AT ALL. Ask anyone, I take time 95% of the time to make sure I look nice before I go to work. I appreciate makeup and fashion so the fact that I haven’t needed to buy mascara all summer is kind of a big deal. I was depressed and I recognized it. It took a couple more weeks of crying that I’ve gained so much weight but I finally resumed running this past week. I only went twice but one morning it was pouring down rain, one morning I woke up with a migraine, (more about that in a minute,) and the final morning the car needed to be in SUPER early to the mechanic. Although it may seem like kind of a failure, I’m happy that I actually got up and went on the mornings that I was able too. It would have been easy to skip the whole week especially since it’s ahem, that time of the month. I’m proud that I didn’t.
I’m making sure to put makeup on each day before work. It’s truly amazing what eyeliner is doing for my self esteem especially since my never-fat-ever-in-my-life-until-now stomach is now causing almost every pair of jeans to be tight. It’s difficult some mornings getting an outfit together but at least I’m doing something about it instead of crying and throwing things. Molly and I are right back at the beginning, taking 45 minutes to complete 2.6 miles but oh well. We both enjoy it. We will eventually get to the 30 minutes we topped out at and then keep going. I know we will.
The point of this post is actually a question I have for everyone. I can already see my next workout obstacle and I want to prevent it so I’m throwing this question out there: Does anyone else out there get exercise-induced migraines? Or even just bad headaches? I suspected a while back that spinning caused this for me, but now running is as well. I googled it, (because they have all the answers,) and discovered that a shocking 35% of people suffer from this. The cause is being overheated, a spike in blood pressure, being tense in the neck and shoulders, being dehydrated, etc. I looked at all the preventative measures and I do most of them. They tend to come later in the day, a good 6 hours at least after the run. I don’t like taking Excedrin Migraine because the caffeine makes me feel so jittery and not all there, but it’s the only thing that works. I’m debating seeing a doctor even though I hate going to the doctor. But before I do, does anyone deal with this and if so, HOW?? Advice appreciated 
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Congratulations on getting back in the swing of things! Just keep at it, and remember to let yourself off the hook when you start badgering yourself with guilt. You’ll get back to where you were before. Everything has a way of righting itself.
As for the headaches, I get AWFUL ones, but mine have no correlation to exercise. I get them weekly, sometimes worse than others. I had an awful one on Friday. I’m also considering going to the doctor about them, because they are truly debilitating. I’d be interested to hear what you find out.
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racheleliz Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 12:23 pm
@Stacey Paradise, Thanks! I’m trying my best to get out there and do it. Sometimes stuff comes up and I get frustrated but I’m doing what I can
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good on you for getting back on the horse!
i’ve been getting a lot of dehydration headaches lately when i work out. i finally figured out that when i moved back to the city and got rid of my car, i forgot to factor in all the walking around in the heat that i do on a daily basis. that sort of thing makes a difference in your necessary liquid intake, and i didn’t think about it. oops. so i’ve made a good friend with red gatorade; a little bit to augment my water routine makes a huge difference. as does smart water, strangely. i don’t know if it’s psychosomatic or real, but it helps me feel hugely hydrated.
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racheleliz Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 12:24 pm
@magnolia, Interesting.. I hate Gatorade but maybe I will try SmartWater. I had a feeling it was dehydration but I make sure to drink a lot in the evening for the morning run, and I drink a lot throughout the day so I’m not sure.
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I’ve actually learned that I have to exercise with food in my stomach or I get terrible headaches. Not gross proportions or anything, but, if I skip my 3 pm snack of peanuts or sugar free Jello, I can immediately tell at the gym. Also, bc pills help with headaches if you think its female related – sometimes our hormones just need to be put in check. Excess cafeine, no water, not enough food are three main reasons I have learned through years of having headaches. if all those are definitely not reasons, I’d see a doctor for sure.
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racheleliz Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 12:25 pm
@K.M.G., I thought about the food thing. I run first thing in the morning and there isn’t time to eat beforehand because I don’t have time to wait… cramps ensue. But I’m thinking maybe something really small like a spoonful of peanut butter or something might help. Thanks!
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Awhile ago, when I was still writing here under Romantic Comedee, I wrote about my blood pressure condition and how it makes me feel. Migraine-like headaches are DEFINITELY a part of it. I’ve learned to just stay out of the sun and super hot temperatures. Drink lots of water. If you get a headache, try resting an ice pack over your eyes for quicker relief. You may ask the doc for meds. I was prescribed Imitrex and it worked, but made me queasy so I stuck with Excedrin. Try 800mg of Motrin too. For me, nothing kept it completely at bay, but my blood pressure condition makes it worse I think. Good luck.
XOXO,
Erin
P.S. I am proud of you for getting back out there!
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racheleliz Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 12:26 pm
@Erin (formerly Romantic Comedee), Yeah, this makes sense. It’s weird because I’ve never gotten a headache from laying in the sun. But when I get hot from exercise, I can pretty much count on it. I have an eye mask that goes in the freezer, that definitely helps a lot too.
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