I get exhausted riding 18

[neophyte]

I fear I have a health problem. I walk 9 holes three times a week with little problem. But when I ride 18 holes I am exhausted by hole 15. Drinking lots of water makes no difference. Snack bars and energy drinks don't help. But stopping for a meal yesterday after nine holes seemed to help a lot. My doctor thinks I am crazy but does anyone have an idea what is going on with my body. I am 62 years old and 75 pounds over-weight with a slight sugar problem. Thanks!

[LottaBalata]

I fear I have a health problem. I walk 9 holes three times a week with little problem. But when I ride 18 holes I am exhausted by hole 15. Drinking lots of water makes no difference. Snack bars and energy drinks don't help. But stopping for a meal yesterday after nine holes seemed to help a lot. My doctor thinks I am crazy but does anyone have an idea what is going on with my body. I am 62 years old and 75 pounds over-weight with a slight sugar problem. Thanks!

I'm assuming your body is reacting positively to the exercise you get when you walk. If I ride, sometimes the cart paths suck SO bad, it kills my back. When my back hurts, I feel drained. Is it similar to that at all?

Nothing wrong with exercise!

[Fat Slice]

You mention a sugar problem. I have insulin resistance - not quite Type 2 diabetes, but a problem nevertheless. I switched to a diet that cuts out foods with a high glycemic load. Besides losing 30 pounds, my energy level boosted and evened out and I get 1 hour more sleep a night. It's as simple as staying away from most processed flours and refined sugars, and choosing your fruits and vegetables carefully.

Before I made the switch I would have a breakfast that included foods with a high glycemic load and then later crash, feel weak, and in some cases a little dizzy/nauseous. That's been MY experience, might not apply to you at all. I'd say, though, that -- outside of golf and getting tired -- if you're packing 75 extra pounds and have a sugar problem you might want to look into it anyway. Good luck, I hope you feel better, and walk every chance you get!

http://www.lowglycemicload.com/glycemic-load/index.htm

[scottevans77]

I am 62 years old and 75 pounds over-weight with a slight sugar problem. Thanks!

I think that line says it all.

Not saying that to be a smart ass or anything like that, just pointing out what is obviously a health issue. God knows that I could stand to lose quite a bit of weight myself.

[microcrayfish]

Perhaps you need to take some food with you on the course. You might have a problem with losing energy by not eating for the whole time you're out on the course when playing 18. Keep something healthy that will give you energy in your golf bag that you can eat if you start feeling tired. If you have a sugar problem you should see your doctor to find out what foods will suit you the best. Getting tired out on the course can only ruin your game so best of luck!

[Stacey_E]

How long does it take you to walk 9 vs. riding 18?

And surely it wouldn't be environmental like a gas powered cart with exhaust problems? That one is a total shot in the dark.

[DM4UGA]

Walking keeps your heart rate up and as a result you feel more energized. Sitting for long periods of time can make you feel tired or lethargic. Perhaps if you left the cart on the path and walked out to your ball it would help to keep your blood going.

[LottaBalata]

I think that line says it all.

But don't you think for a man who is of his age, and his weight. . .Walking 9 sounds more difficult that sitting in a cart and riding along, doesn't it?

[neophyte]

Yesterday, I rode another whole round of 18 and felt exhausted after finishing. This morning when I woke up, my legs muscles are real sore and my body muscles are a little stiff.

My sister said maybe I was using different muscles to get in and out of the cart. And they couldn't take that many reps of getting up out of the cart and sitting down into the cart. And the other muscles that I used walking weren't ready to do a double workout.

I also realize that doing this workout with an additional 75 pounds on my body is crazy. I have to lose this weight.

I am newly retired and trying to lose weight, I have cut sugar completely out of my diet and cut back on all the others. The weight isn't coming off yet so more needs to be done.

[neophyte]

Yesterday, I rode another whole round of 18 and felt exhausted after finishing. This morning when I woke up, my legs muscles are real sore and my body muscles are a little stiff.

My sister said maybe I was using different muscles to get in and out of the cart. And they couldn't take that many reps of getting up out of the cart and sitting down into the cart. And the other muscles that I used walking weren't ready to do a double workout.

I also realize that doing this workout with an additional 75 pounds on my body is crazy. I have to lose this weight.

I am newly retired and trying to lose weight, I have cut sugar completely out of my diet and cut back on all the others. The weight isn't coming off yet so more needs to be done.

[allin]

I fear I have a health problem. I walk 9 holes three times a week with little problem. But when I ride 18 holes I am exhausted by hole 15. Drinking lots of water makes no difference. Snack bars and energy drinks don't help. But stopping for a meal yesterday after nine holes seemed to help a lot. My doctor thinks I am crazy but does anyone have an idea what is going on with my body. I am 62 years old and 75 pounds over-weight with a slight sugar problem. Thanks!

I feel it is possible that that the moderate exercise is helping you keep your blood sugar level even. And since you acknowledge some weight concerns, maybe the getting up and down out of the cart etc. makes your blood pressure and stress (positive stress since you are playing golf) increase. Walking may help you stay relaxed, I am never so tired as after a tough day at work, and I sit on my keister most of the day.

[allin]

I'm assuming your body is reacting positively to the exercise you get when you walk. If I ride, sometimes the cart paths suck SO bad, it kills my back. When my back hurts, I feel drained. Is it similar to that at all?

I walk as often as possible because my back is much more of a problem when I ride (sciatica), unfortunately in my age group almost everyone rides. Interestingly carrying a bag doesn't bother me at all, I have never thought that made sense.

[sirshanksalot]

Do you golf as a form of exercise or recreationally? Either way, I think other means of exercise and diet would help you a great deal in battling fatigue for a full round.

[gsu_paintballer]

Not sure if someone has mentioned this, but here is my guess. Walking is a consistent exertion. Golfing from a cart is random short bursts of energy. It's more tiring to you because of these short bursts, not the amount of work.

[jjb333]

I'm not sure about why you might get fatigued riding. However, my Dad was just diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and has similar age and additional weight as you. Two weeks after the diagnosis, he required triple bypass surgery for a clogged heart. Both of these discoveries were very sudden. I'm no doctor but just some advice, get the heart checked out if you haven't.

[flopdarock]

you should see a sports med doc... see what they say about it all

[DM4UGA]

You know honestly, at 62 years old, 75 lbs is a lot of extra weight to carry around. A few others have hinted at it, but you should really look into dieting and trying to lose some weight, because eventually with that much extra weight, being exhausted after 18 holes of golf will be the least of your concerns. And I say that genuinely for your benefit, not to sound arrogant or condemning. I myself have been very overweight before, and losing some weight will make you feel better throughout the entire day.

[FortAsel]

I guess you should see if you have diabetes. One friend of mine has that desease, and we sometimes have to stop for the guy to get his sugar levels back up. Plus, I guess you should walk 9 holes more often