Health issues since 'getting fitter'

[MeltingDog]

Hi all, first time poster here.

I am just after some advice:

For the last month or so I have increased exercise regime and bettered the meals I eat. I now run a good distance everyday and eat, what I would consider, very healthy (aiming for around 1400 calories a day).

However, though I am getting fitter and losing weight ever since starting this diet health has deteriorated. I get sick very easily and all muscles ache very much. I also get bad headaches.

Should I be eating more and exercising less?

[Boss Man]

More calories would be better, you're underdoing it a bit. You'd be better with another 800-1,000 a day.

Also the exercise may be a problem if it's overkill, and if you're training on empty, that might account for the headaches as training first thing on an empty stomach can cause dizzy spells.

What does your weekly exercise schedule look like at the moment?

[MeltingDog]

Thanks for the advice.

For training, I either run in the park for about 45mins or do a combination of treadmill, bike and rowing machine at the gym for 45-60mins. I do either of these almost every day in the late afternoon, before dinner.

[Boss Man]

I'd limit to 45 minutes of cardio max 5 times a week using this kind of schedule.

Days 1-3; cardio

Day 4; day off.

Days 5-6; cardio

Day 7; day off

This stops you training 5 days straight and then having two days off, which might eat into progress a bit.

You could also consider a weights programme as well, but I'd see how the diet changs and cardio modifications work out first before doing that, so you have a clear indication of what is happening, before throwing another element into the mix.