Bodybuilding / Anxiety

[mrraw]

All,

Thanks in advance for your feedback. Sorry for the long post! I'm 6'2, 210, bf probably around 13-14.

I've been lifting weights regularly for the last several years. My workouts are more intense then the average gym goer, but not as extreme as professional body builders.

Prior to going RAW, I ate a lot of organic chicken breast, brown rice, brocolli, protein shakes. I never noticed a lack of energy in my workouts or what I am about to describe.

I made the decision to go raw several months ago. I had a mild detox, stomach issues and sweats. Those subsided and I truly did start to feel better. A definite noticeable improvement in mood and sustained energy.

I returned to the gym a week and a half ago I had an intense workout, ran three miles and then did chest/back. I probably burned 650+ calories. I thought to myself, hmm I don't think I'm taking in enough food for this but I have the energy, so I kept going. I could tell I had over trained right as I walked out of the gym. I felt extremely anxious, heart was racing. I went home and nearly had an anxiety attack going up the stairs. I downed 2 bananas and a bunch of peanut butter for some fat and protein and laid downed. After awhile it subsided.

I took a few days off the gym to rest. Since then it seems like whenever I exert myself I get anxious, and it's even happened just sitting around.

I've never had a problem with anxiety in my life and do not have any abnormal stress in my life right now.

Could this be the diet? Lack of protein? Lack of complex carbs? Lack of fats?

My diet presently is consisting of the following.

Breakfast, A few pieces of fruit, Banana, Orange, Apple. Some nuts

Lunch, Huge salad, kale/spinach - usually an entire head of spinach and a cup of nuts over it.

Snack, Smoothie or Green Drink. Smoothie is usually coconut water based, w/Banana's, Strawberries, etc.

Pre Workout I usually eat 2 teaspoons of honey or some dates + some bananas or almond butter/w apples.

Dinner is usually another salad.

Any help would be appreciated.

[Dimond]

Try having a large green smoothie before the workout, around 24-32 oz. If that still doesn't help, you can try adding protein such as hemp seeds or powder or sun warrior rice protein powder, other nuts and seeds, etc. Usually a smoothie before and after is good. Blended meals often tend to fill you up more than whole foods unless you eat them in very large quantities. You also absorb them better.

[lafsalot]

Did you remember to keep well hydrated? I ask because you had a pretty intense workout and the symptoms you described can be attributed to those of dehydration. Since your potassium levels also go down when you're dehydrated, it might also explain why you felt a little bit better after eating the bananas.

[mrraw]

Yes indeed, I drink about 3 liters of water before I even workout. Usually keep 2 bottles of 1.5 litre fiji at my desk during the day.

I actually did buy some sun warrior powder yesterday and made a smoothie with it.

You're talking to a guy who was eating close to 170 grams of protein a day though before going raw. I think my workouts are just really kicking my ass and recovery is longer due to not as much protein. I've considered continuing to supplement with ON WHEY, as I don't think 60 grams of protein is going to cut it a day.

[mrraw]

I'm wondering if I am experiencing some mild hypoglycemia from all the fruit.

[lafsalot]

Here's a link you may want to check out - it's q+a with Tim Van Orden on weight-lifting while raw. http://www.veganbodybuilding.com/?page=bio_tim

[Samalmarr]

Try spiralina as a alternative to whey protein powder.