Got a question for the more experienced at this or for the people at Midwest Center itself. As I said on another post I still keep the excercise routine I started 6 monthes ago, but here's the problem. The program says to cut out sugar. No problem. Done. Unfortunately I am in the process of turning into a serious runner and proper nutrition and hydration is crucial, especially as the line of work I am in requires a high output of energy. I find the nutrients needed for running and this program are at odds and I am not sure what to do about it. When I get too much sugar in my system I get headaches and dizzy feeling. yet the drinks recommended for hydration in sports have a fair amount of sugar in them. What to do? Ideas?

I am not sure what the answer to your question is but I can tell you that when I have too much sugar, I get really anxious and it takes more that a day to get it out of my system. I guess I am super sensitive to it. I hate it though, I have huge sweet tooth. I stay hydrated with just water and diet 7-up since it is caffiene free.
Yellow Rose

When I get too much sugar in my system I get headaches and dizzy feeling. yet the drinks recommended for hydration in sports have a fair amount of sugar in them. What to do? Ideas?[/QB][/QUOTE]

You say when you get TOO much sugar... we need SOME sugar for energy - you just have to find that balance. Can you interchange between the sports drinks and water? I found that just the idea of dumping sugar into my system was causing me more anxiety than the small amount of sugar I would take in. My thoughts of perfection were telling me that sugar = anxiety. Therefore ANY amount was forbidden. Try not to go to extremes with the suggestions in the program. You should find what works best for you. Perhaps a LITTLE sugar and a LITTLE anxiety would be acceptable. The program is designed to lower the intensity of anxiety -- not eliminate it. It is healty to have some anxiety. You will have to make a choice. If the sports drinks are necessary for your running program - then you can chose to accept some discomfort as a trade off. Sacrifice, choices, and committment are obstacles to overcoming anxiety and depression. Find your priorities and forge ahead.

Happy running!
Tammy

I wonder what diabetic athletes do who have to take the same drinks...maybe that's something you can look into. Surely there are some alternative diets for people who can't have sugar (or just in small amounts). Good luck with your training!

lily

I wanted to mention that I have had the same trouble so I use a combination of a third sports drink to 2/3 water and it works well for me. There is also a sports drink (I saw it at Costco) which is sugar free however I have serious questions about artificial sweeteners and their long term effects. I use Stevia (an herb) in my drinks and I think it has a nice taste and is safer than other alternatives. I hope this is helpful.

Catspurr
There are fruits which have natural sugars in them. Oranges are great energy food before running, apples as well have high concentrations of sugar. I have very little sugar in my diet. Mainly because it makes me very hyper. But we all need some source, so I eat fruits.
Sander

Hi guys I was reading what you had to say about the connection between sugar and dizzy spells . Last night for the first time my head started to spin and I totaly panicked. I have panic attacks but I have never had dizzy spells (and I didn't enjoy it)And then I realized I had a big piece of pumpkin pie with tons of whip cream after dinner ( also ice cream after lunch)Are saying this is connected? Is this goodbye to desert?

Trixie....I understand that cutting out desserts doesn't really sound like an appealing prospect. Maybe you could do an experiment. Cut out sugar for 10 days and see how you feel after.
If you find that your panic attacks reduce during this time, then it can help put things into perspective. Sugar and panic attacks or no sugar and no (or less) panic attacks? When you look at it like that, it can help you make your decision. But you'll never know unless you try it and see how sugar affects you personally.
Once the panic attacks are gone, you'll probably be able to have a treat once in a while, like once a week. But if this is affecting you negatively, you might want to make things easier on yourself and on your body by reducing the amount of stressors you give it.
lily

First I want to thank everyone for their feedback. It has been helpful. I found out about my sensitivity to sugar by totally cutting it out of my diet, except for fruit and vegies, for two weeks. Those I told about it thought I was crazy. But I found I felt SOOOOO much better. I will try the diluted sport drink thing and I plan to look into the gels, whatever they are. I have not run a marathon yet but would secretly like to someday. And my understanding of the need for IMMEDIATE hydration and replacement of certain nutrients and fluids right after the race, I don't want to pass out. it is during the summer that replacement hydration right after training is important as well. But then I guess during the summer with all the extra sweating our bodies are doing it will probly go right through me, the sugar that is. Anyway, thanks.

Hi catspurr
hope the sugar thing will work. like you said to me excersice is so important, and to be a runner! That's something to be proud of. Can't give you much advice except that before I excercise (when I used to alot) I find water and bananas worked for me. but these are only 30 to 45 min work outs. Let us know how you are doing and keep up your hopes on that marathon!

quote:

Hide not your talents, they for use were made. What's a sundial in the shade?
Benjamin Franklin

Hi catspurr,

Sounds like you discovered that you are sensitive to sugar. Having been a runner in my twenties (now 53) I know a little bit about the nutrients or stuff that your body needs to replace after rigorous exercise. What your body needs the most is to replace salt or sodium and potassium, these are electrolytes and are needed for the body's electrical system to function well. Your muscles including your heart need these electrolytes (electricity) to function well, as well as your brain. That's why if you are running 5 miles or more it's important to replace electrolytes. When you need to replace them depends on each person. If I had done 5 miles, I would wait until I finished to rehydrate. Ever get a "charlie horse?" Your muscle cramps and it's hard to work it out. Either you have overworked that muscle or it isn't getting enough electrolytes. That is what is in gatoraid and the other sports drinks, sodium and potassium. You don't need sugar necessarily, that's so the drink will taste good. Salt and potassium don't taste good by themselves.

Running a 26 mile marathon, you will definitely need to replace electrolytes during the run and some fruit as well to give your body fuel or energy to finish. It would be wise to hydrate before such a run with good water or gatoraid like drink and continue that at intervals during the run. Might not be a bad idea to eat pasta the day before. Your body will store it in the form of sugar so it is available while you are running. The Hotter'N Hell 100 bike race is held here in Wichita Falls each August and the night before there's a dinner for the serious racers. They eat a lot of pasta, spaghetti, etc. It's carbohydrates that the body stores as sugar.

Happy New Year! Have a good day.

Thanks Don53. I definitely appreciate the feedback. Good to know. Just for curiousity. Why do you not run anymore? Tired of it? Gone to some other sport I suppose.