Anti-throwing out advice?

[saloufinette]

Ok, here it goes...

I have had two karate classes so far, and at each of them I felt at some point that I was at the very point of throwing up. The first time I had actually eaten two hours ago, the second one (today) I had not eaten absolutely anything during the whole day, except for breakfast at 9am (my class was at 8pm). The worst thing is that it happens at random points: the first time when I was trying to get my side splits during warm-up (I did it ), the second while I was not doing anything at all (a black belt was trying to explain to me the technique for a proper mae geri - problem here: I do not know the words in French for the parts of the body and the various muscles, so it was mostly watch and repeat in slow motion).

Note that at my "normal" gym I never get this. And I had not drunk too much on NYEve.

Next class is on Wednesday. Someone enlighten me please... Karate is hard enough for me to have to focus on my stomach too. And if anything happens, I will die of shame

[DragonMike]

I would recomend a balance between your two scenarios. Definately don't go on an empty stomach, but don't eat real heavy foods before hand either. Msybe salad, fuit, or a source of protein. Also, make sure your body is properly hydrated-this will help your body deal with the stress of a workout.

[Jay]

Dont worry about it i get this as well and no matter what happens you will not chuck up unless you have eaten just before you have gone.

Dont eat too soon before it or you will probably get trapped gas in you stomach which makes you feel sick. Also if you dont eat your so hungry that you feel sick anyway and you wil feel very tired becasue your body hasnt had any food to turn into energy. Plus you may be making yourself feel sick by worrying about feeling sick it makes you nervous and then as a consequence you feel sick. Water is very good for getting rid of aniousness and alcohol works as well but not before training. Also be aware if you are doing any exercise that makes you breath heavily you may actually be swallowing the air instead of breathing it in. You absolutely wont be sick.

[Aodhan]

Along with figuring out how to adjust your eating patterns (I personally can't eat within 3 hours before class), it sounds like you need to learn to breath properly.

When I have been away for a while and come back, my breath control is really bad, and if I don't concentrate, I'll soon feel really dizzy and nauseous. All you need to do for a while is tell yourself to breath, and even take breath breaks if necessary.

Aodhan

[saloufinette]

Thank you, DragonMike, Jay and Aodhan!

I guess I am just too nervous and somehow forget to breathe. I always breathe using the diaphragm through my nose, but sometimes I just keep my breath. So it is either deep breath or no breath at all for me

I experimented at the "Body Combat" session at the "normal" gym today, trying to keep my breath, and I had exactly the feeling that I was going to be sick. (At least it is familiar territory there)!

So, Jay and Aodhan, you were right