Nausea after working out

I've been dealing with this same issue for years now...

Basically, whenever I work out REGULARLY, I spend the rest of the day feeling incredibly nauseous—just a total aversion to any kind of food, constant sickness, and this weak but persistent urge to throw up that NEVER actually happens.

I used to just blame it on being out of shape, but I wouldn't say I'm unfit—I'm obviously not a pro athlete or anything—but with an average of two tennis matches a week over the last year, I feel like my conditioning should be good enough that this shouldn't be happening AFTER the matches themselves.

Maybe it helps to know I have chronic gastritis, so there might be a connection there. Asthma and allergies probably don't help things either...

But I truly don't get it. Right now, the nausea is hitting me, and I just know it's going to linger for the rest of the day. I can't do anything when I feel like this.
It's so frustrating and honestly driving me crazy 🤷

So, here we go again today...
...honestly, I'm struggling to deal with this... it feels like I'm recovering from chemo or something, instead of just finishing a workout 😢

can ANYONE out there help me out or maybe suggest something...
I'm seriously considering just quitting sports altogether—I feel wiped out all day afterward, almost like I've had two liters of whiskey

Anthony Perez55 said:Well, here we go again today...
Honestly, I am finding this incredibly difficult to endure... it feels as though I’m recovering from a grueling round of chemotherapy rather than just finishing a workout... 😢

I was wondering if anyone might be able to lend me a hand or perhaps offer a little bit of guidance regarding my current situation...
rI have been seriously considering whether I should just hang it up and stop playing sports altogether... I always end up feeling absolutely terrible for the entire day following... it honestly feels just like I’ve gone on a massive bender and downed two liters of Jack Daniel's...

Come on now, let’s not go around blaspheming like that... 😁 It is truly wonderful to see such vibrant engagement from everyone here, and I find myself feeling quite invigorated by the sheer depth of our ongoing discussions... It really does bring a certain brightness to my day to witness this level of community spirit!

Let's start by getting a few questions out of the way first...
What exactly do you eat before a match, and how many hours out do you usually time it... have you ever experimented with different approaches, like eating a full meal versus playing on an empty stomach or something similar...?

Does that nausea pop up during other activities too, like if you're climbing a few flights of stairs or lifting something heavy... I mean, is it triggered by brief bursts of physical exertion, or does it only seem to happen when you're out on the tennis court...?

How long do your matches actually last... I mean, are we talking about those slow-paced games played by retiree couples (no offense intended!), or is it a truly intense, high-octane match...?

Does the heat actually trigger nausea, whether you're out on the field playing in 90-degree summer weather or even stuck inside a stuffy gym during the winter...

Do you typically find yourself snacking or sipping on something while you're watching the big game...

Linda Martinez60 said:Come on now—don't go blaspheming like that... 😁 I honestly don't know how to put this... but I just feel like things are finally starting to click into place... maybe it's just me.

Let's start by getting a few questions out of the way first...
What are you eating before a match—and how many hours out? I've tried switching things up... you know, going in fully fueled versus playing on an empty stomach... just wondering if anyone else has experimented with that...

I’ve been digging through a few articles lately about nutrition for athletes—specifically when it comes to tennis players...
I try to stick to a routine—eating about two hours before a game... usually just some pasta or something similar that gives me enough energy without causing a sugar crash...
So, I really can't be any more considerate than I already am...
I mean, I could—but I usually just grab whatever happens to be in the pantry and try to make something edible out of it...

Linda Martinez60 said:Does that nausea pop up during other stuff too—like if you’re climbing a few flights of stairs or lifting something heavy? Just wondering if it's triggered by short bursts of physical activity... or if it only happens when you're out on the tennis court...

Not really...
I mean, if I had gone with basketball or soccer instead, it probably would've ended up being the same deal—those sports rely even more heavily on the aerobic system than tennis does...

Linda Martinez60 said:So, how long do your matches actually last? Are we talking about those slow-paced, retiree-style games—no offense intended—or is it more of a high-intensity grind...?

Matches usually run anywhere from an hour and a half to two hours—mostly just ninety minutes during the winter months. I only play singles, and definitely not against the seniors... most of those players have incredible stamina and can outrun anyone. Most of them push me hard enough that I start feeling that "crash" midway through—you know, that sudden loss of strength, being winded, maybe even a bit of nausea...
It’s not like I'm out of shape—I've been playing about twice a week for almost a year now, with only a few small breaks... I mean, I wouldn't say I'm bursting with strength, but I have enough to get through a standard tennis match...

Linda Martinez60 said:Does the heat actually trigger nausea... like when you're playing outside in 90-degree weather during the summer, or even now, being stuck in a stuffy gym or wearing too many layers indoors...

To's a good point—I'm not sure if it affects the nausea specifically. I think playing outside or inside feels about the same, but being out in the blazing sun is DEFINITELY much harder... I just run out of steam so fast when it's that hot. It makes sense, though.

Linda Martinez60 said:5. Are you eating or drinking anything during the match?

Earlier this summer, I was snacking on candy bars—not like a ton, maybe one or half a bar at most—during matches, but then I actually did some reading and realized that was a bad move.
Actually, I don't eat anything during games anymore. I just stick to water—usually about a liter or a liter and a half per match in an indoor gym, and even more in the summer. When it’s hot out, I also rely on sports drinks, otherwise (regardless of my cardio) I hit a wall really quickly.

I'm not sure if there's any connection to my asthma 🤷

Anyway, for a little while (can't remember exactly when), I was finishing matches without feeling nauseous at all.
But lately, it's come back... I don't know, and like I said, it's getting harder to deal with.

Looking back, those bouts of nausea have actually been following me for years... I guess I just brushed them off more easily back when I wasn't in such good shape. Now, I can't.

I don't know 🤷

I'm leaning toward thinking it might be related to gastritis and acid reflux—which might be flaring up because of the physical exertion. I was thinking about taking a REGLAN before my next game—I was recently prescribed it for some stomach issues and other related nonsense.

Ah... 🙂

Anthony Perez55 said:I really try my best to stick to a routine, so I make sure to eat about two hours before the big game, usually opting for something like pasta or another light, energy-dense meal that provides steady fuel without causing those sudden sugar spikes...
I truly cannot imagine being any more considerate than I am being right now...
I mean, I certainly could put more effort into it, but honestly, I just tend to grab whatever happens to be within reach and try to piece together something halfway decent from what's available...
I was just sitting here thinking that maybe I should enjoy a little drink before the next big game kicks off... I’ve been thinking quite a bit about the benefits of using REGLAN lately, especially when you consider how much smoother everything feels during those unexpected bumps in the road... It really does seem to make such a wonderful difference in maintaining one's equilibrium!I was recently prescribed this as a way to manage my stomach issues and all those other annoying little digestive headaches that come along with them...

Well... 🙂

I’ll be honest, I don't know the first thing about asthma... it's all a bit over my head, really... but I can't help feeling like there might be some kind of connection between that and gastritis...

If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't even touch food during those two hours before the match, but honestly, you might want to try competing on an empty stomach instead... maybe aim for at least three and a half to four hours without eating anything at all... I know that might sound a bit ridiculous, but you really ought to test it out for yourself... 🤷 Maybe you could just try having a banana or something else that won't trigger any heartburn, since you certainly know your own body best...

I really wouldn't suggest taking that REGLAN, as I truly believe it’s just unnecessary chemical interference that your body doesn't actually need... instead, you should probably focus on finding a way to balance things out through your diet...
It really seems like he’s been putting his liver and stomach through the wringer, especially when he was already struggling so much... especially during those times when you're feeling weak...

I had initially suspected dehydration might be the culprit, but that clearly isn't the case if you're staying that well-hydrated...

Regarding your physical conditioning, I also engage in intensive sports myself, and while hitting the gym twice a week for two hours per session is certainly okay... if you truly want to elevate your fitness level, you really ought to be training at least four times a week...

It’s possible that your body is simply reacting this way because your physical conditioning isn't quite where it needs to be yet, which might mean you really ought to focus on building up your strength and overall stamina, especially if this only seems to happen right after a big game...

I am terribly sorry if I didn't quite articulate my thoughts clearly just now, but really, let's just chat for a moment... I was simply thinking that this is how I would personally approach it, so perhaps you could give it some thought...

P.S. I don't think we should rule out seeing a doctor just yet, right? It isn't quite like that... so please, do give that some serious thought as well...

I used to feel the exact same way after some really intense cardio sessions, though I honestly have no idea why🤷....I don't have asthma, but I do deal with acid reflux, and I'm not sure if there's even a connection there... maybe I was just pushing myself too hard🤷

Honestly, I’m at a total loss here.
I've been seeing doctors constantly lately for stomach and gut issues, and turns out I have really, really bad gastritis—chronic, too. I took some medication for a bit and felt better, but now that I've stopped, everything is acting up again 😂

This whole idea of not eating for 3.5 to 4 hours beforehand just doesn't sit right with me... because I occasionally get this weird weakness mid-match where my hands start shaking, and I can barely hold my racket or even move properly. It isn't like being tired or exhausted from a long day—it's just... strange. And it happens whenever, at the start, middle, or end of a match, no matter what...

Who knows what's actually going on with me.
It's also pretty annoying that I'm still feeling nauseous today 🙂

Go see a nutritionist... honestly, it's pretty likely you just need to overhaul how you eat... 😉

Anthony Perez55 said:I don't really know what to do anymore, I guess.
I've been seeing doctors quite a bit lately for my stomach and gut issues, and it turns out I have really bad gastritis—like, chronic levels of bad. I was taking some meds for a while and felt better, but then I stopped, and now everything is acting up again. 😂

That whole idea about not eating anything for 3.5 to 4 hours before playing... I'm not so sure about that. Sometimes during a match, I get this weird weakness hit me out of nowhere. My hands start shaking, and I can barely hold my racket or even move properly... It’s not like being tired or exhausted from a long workout, just this strange sensation. And it happens whenever, too—could be at the start, the middle, or the end of a set.

Man, who knows what's going on with me.
It's kind of weird because I'm still feeling nauseous today, too. 🙂

it's pretty straightforward:
1. you aren't fueling yourself enough for sports
2. you need to overhaul your diet...

actually, both points are basically saying the same thing...
if you want to chat about how to manage asthma, allergies, or gastritis, feel free to shoot me a DM...

Every time I hit the gym and follow it up with high-protein food, I end up feeling nauseous, weak, and like I’m about to throw up. Yesterday, after a pretty light session at the local Gold's Gym, I ate some low-fat cottage cheese and went to bed. I spent three hours just tossing and turning because my stomach felt heavy and unsettled—like I was on the verge of vomiting every single second. I decided to skip the post-workout meal, but then this morning, just fifteen minutes after breakfast, the same thing happened: weakness, heaviness, nausea, and that constant urge to gag. This never used to happen before I started training regularly. Where am I going wrong? Is it because of the workouts? It feels pointless like this. Any advice would be appreciated.

Ashley Baker34 said:I get this wave of nausea and weakness right after training if I eat anything high in protein—it’s like my body is just begging to throw up. Yesterday, after a pretty light gym session, I had some low-fat cottage cheese and ended up tossing and turning in bed for three hours because my stomach felt so heavy and unsettled... just constant nausea. I decided to skip the post-workout meal entirely, but then this morning—literally fifteen minutes after breakfast—the same weakness and queasiness hit me. This never used to happen before I started hitting the gym regularly. Where am I going wrong? Is it the workouts? :S It feels pointless, so any help would be appreciated.

Increasing your protein intake acts as a trigger for excess gastric acid secretion, which is why you’re feeling that nausea and general disgust. Maybe try scaling back the protein and gradually increasing the dosage over time? Or, you could try taking some Pepcid before you eat.

😉And for heaven's sake, don't eat protein right before bed while you're still dealing with this—between the acid production from the protein and the way the vagus nerve activates at night, you're basically asking for GERD.

During the day, try pairing your proteins with some healthy fats—maybe stir a tablespoon or two of olive oil into that cottage cheese. 😉

It’s pretty straightforward: you just need to replenish your glucose levels and get those electrolytes back in balance.

Thanks for the input. I've got one more question on how to tackle this. What if I just swap my post-workout meal for a protein shake and call it a day? Or am I just spinning my wheels since it’s still protein? 🤷

@Ashley Baker34/">@@Ashley Baker34 - hey, do you usually deal with that nasty nausea when you're out on a boat or stuck in a car? like, classic motion sickness stuff? it's all tied to that balance center in your inner ear... if it is hitting you hard, maybe try popping a little dose of something like Dramamine before you head out. you can just grab it over the counter at any CVS or Walgreens, even those kid-friendly versions they sell for trips... might be worth seeing if that settles things down for you

...

I’ve honestly never had an issue with it, Donna Johnson16. :S For instance, I skipped the gym yesterday, and I didn't feel nauseous after breakfast this morning, nor did I feel sick after dinner last night. :S

okay 🙂 besides the whole food thing (like blood sugar spikes) and balance/movement issues, nausea can also be caused by unstable blood pressure—have you actually checked yours before and after your workouts?

Not really :/

I’ve been dealing with something very similar lately. It isn’t quite nausea for me, but more of this intense lightheadedness—like a sudden wave of heat rushing through my head. It feels almost identical to those moments when my blood pressure starts to spike.🤷
Does anyone have any insight into what might be causing this?

restlesscobra9 said:I deal with something similar. It isn't nausea for me, though—it's more like lightheadedness. This sudden rush of heat in my head, almost like when my blood pressure spikes.🤷
What's actually going on here?

We’ve already covered all the bases: glucose levels, electrolytes, blood pressure... symptoms don't hit everyone the same way.
My advice? If you're hitting the gym, stop trying to wing it. Get some professional guidance to design an individualized workout routine.

So, nausea triggered by intense physical activity while dealing with asthma... wait, I just realized this post is actually from last year. My bad.

The real question you need to ask yourself is: are you feeling that wheezing in your chest while you're working out? Because if you are, there’s your answer right there. You're hitting hypoxia, which leads to lactic acidosis, and suddenly you're dealing with all those symptoms you mentioned—only for them to vanish once you finally sit down to rest. If that’s what’s happening, the fix is simple: get your asthma under better control and start using your Ventolin preventatively before you even think about pushing yourself physically.

I have to stress again—this advice only applies if that is indeed the root cause of your issues. But honestly? If I were in your shoes, I’d seriously consider scaling back the intensity or even walking away from competitive sports altogether.

Either way, go see a pulmonologist. Sit them down, explain exactly what's happening with these symptoms, and see what the professional verdict is.