Ever since Ive started exercising ive become more restless !?

I never used to exercise frequently but for the past year ive been exercising on the treadmill or elliptical 4/5 times a week for around 30 minutes, since I started I soon noticed that my body gets extremelly restless, which I never felt before! Its a horrible feeling, like the need to stretch every muscle in my body tenfold, but also restless in my head too! I dont know why though, Could it be the endorphins or extra energy? Has this happened to anybody else? Does anyone have any advice!? Thanks

I'll just take a shot in the dark and say you have more energy. What you perceive as being restless is merely having energy without some outlet. I think you can consider a few things:

1. Take a walk when you feel restless.

2. Stretch when you feel restless.

3. Develop some relaxation techniques.

4. Consider additional fitness activities, lift weights, swim, ride a bike.

Embrace the restlessness.

Sounds like extra energy to me too......but if it's feeling horrible you may be over using some muscle or in danger of injury. Listen to your body, if you feel like you need to stretch, STRETCH! Don't wait for things to get really painful just to get your attention.

Also, I agree with the above poster. Think especially about lifting weights or other strength training exercises, strengthen those muscles for all the cardio! :)

Yes extra energy is fantastic it is the only way I make it through my life. So streach. Get up away from the play station and go do something that involves moving your body not just your thumbs. Walk, garden, play with dog, do laundry , clean the house, have sex, hike, bike, dance, ect

Also if you drink coffee or tea you may consider cutting back on the caffiene as you no longer need it as much.

the same thing has happened to me!  I thought I was imagining it, so a BIG Thank you for your post! How about yoga after your cardio? just a few moves may help

If you drink a lot of coffee, maybe cut down on the caffeine? Ever since I became more active, I've noticed that I don't need that mid-afternoon Coke, and some days I don't even need my morning coffee!

Look up "Restless Leg Syndrome" on the web and see if that fits. I have RLS that can get worse with exercise especially if I am tired. This came to mind because you described the feeling as "horrible."

Another possibility is a need for additional Magnesium. Try a form that is well absorbed and check your Potassium/Salt balance as well.

Extra sweating may cause the loss or imbalance of Potassium/Salt and your electrolytes can be out of whack.

Magnesium is so important to open airways, use Calcium and general feeling of calmness.

Do research on both.

I am currently overcoming anorexia, and I can relate with the symptoms you are feeling.  It is one of the signs/symptoms of anorexia-the psychological thoughts that you feel you need to constantly be working out and exercising.  Even though physical activity is very good for you, I was doing to much physical activity and exercise, and not consuming enough calories to sustain myself, and became dangerously underweight and close to death.  Too much physical activity can put a lot of strain on your heart unless you are consuming proper nutrients- trust me, I know from experience.  My heart got to the point where during the time I was sleeping, my heart rate was only in the low thirties (it is supposed to be in the 60s or 70s).  However this may not be the case for you; like the others say, you may just have a lot of energy.  But if you are concerned, you may want to talk to your doctor about it, just to get an evaluation.  I just know that personally, while I was going through my worst part of anorexia (before my recovery), I always *thought* I needed to work out, or else I would lose weight, so my brain was telling my body that I had the energy, and I wanted to workout, when really, since I wasn't consuming enough calories, it was very harmful to my body to workout.  I hope this may help you in some way!  :)

are you eating enough? 

I love this feeling because this is my take on it - If you have ever been a non-exerciser for some period of your life, remember how hard it used to be to motivate yourself to workout?  After a few weeks of thinking positive and pushing yourself to do it though, your body starts to naturally crave exercise (at least mine does).  It's great!  The way your body feels at that point, the extra energy, the craving to move, works as motivation to stay up on your workouts and you need way less mental toughness to keep it up.  All you have to do is keep exercising regularly and your body will keep wanting exercise! 

I guess I could see how this feeling of jitters is 'uncomfortable,' but your body is bored, and the cure is movement.  It is just like when your mind is bored, and you decide to work on an interesting project, read, or chat with someone fascinating.  If this is happening while you are at work, there are lots of things you can do - stretch in your office, go for a short walk to get a drink, extraneous walking to see a coworker, or even do some work standing up.  If you are getting jumpy way before your workout time, you might try adding a few minutes to your routine and/or adding stretching.  When I get this way, my body really appreciates being stretched.  

Anyway, hope that was helpful!

Look up restless leg syndrome. Sounds to me like that's it. Not just extra energy. I have restless leg and yes it feels awful. I just went on medication for it and it helps alot. Good luck!

Mg (chelated, not the cheaper/common magnesium oxide), cured my restless leg syndrome. It also helped me sleep better (I was an insomniac).

Wow, I too started running, usually 3 time a week, 30 minutes or about 3 miles.  I too have the restlessness!  I believe it's the extra energy.

I get up and take a break (about 15 mins.) and just walk around or do yoga stretches.  Both help!

Taking calcium and magnesium, chelated, really helped me too. I don't have nearly as many episodes of restless leg syndrome and I do sleep better, although I also take melatonin and I believe that helps. I also was experiencing muscle twitches, especially my eyelid, and the Calcium/magnesium every day has eliminated it. I feel so much better. RLS is a "horrible" feeling, and I had the same problem - felt like stretching and sometimes would take ibuprofen and go to bed early just to be able to stretch my legs out. Now I don't have to do that.

Thanks guys glad im not the only one experiencing it!

I think it must be just excess energy that builds up, I have found that light exercise/stretching helps if I really do not feel like I want to do a full workout at that time(ex. bed time)!!

Oooh I also found that If i sprinted really fast on the spot for about 30 seconds then stop wait 10 seconds then sprint again for 30 seconds really does shake some of that excess energy off quickly!! might look weird but helll it works :)

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