i think this is kind of interesting, not sure if it's a good thing or a sign that something's wrong. here's a little background:

i'm 23, and for the most part have been actively exercising for the past 5 years of my life. i was a very chubby kid, but i lost about 30lbs between the age of 18-19 simply by eating better, taking vitamins, and exercising regularly.

i've recently stepped it up-- i know i'm in fairly good shape, but i've never achieved a really sculpted chest or abs. i started seeing a local doctor/nutritionist who has set me on the right track. i've learned why it's so important to drink a lot of water, hadn't really been good about that. they also gave me great guidelines as far as diet and prescribed me with phentermine to help curb my appetite. also they told me to stop doing so much cardio because as of late my workouts would consists of 3-4 weekly half hour cardio sessions through running, and a little stretching. i hadn't been strength training because i thought i'd burn more calories just doing cardio.. i know i was wrong, and i'm seeing the changes now. after about 3 weeks of proper nutrition, phentermine, and regular strength training 3-4 times a week. basically no cardio whatsoever.

the funny thing is that while i give it my all in the gym, i literally exhaust myself every time... usually to the point of nausea and then some. i run through several workouts doing one set on each without a break until i've gone through them all once and i count that as my first set. then i repeat it twice more. i like it because it stimulates a lot of muscle groups and really keeps my heart going. i end up doing my chest, abs, arms, back and legs in one workout. it definitely takes a lot, and i don't think i take it too easy on myself. i'd just be wasting time if i did. but after the last few workouts, almost two weeks now i haven't felt sore really at all the next day. i'm also very good about getting protein immediately after a workout, whether it's a protein bar off the shelf at 711 or a 6" turkey sandwich at subway or something along those lines.

i've always been accustomed to working out and then taking a day to stretch and rest my muscles before going back, but it seems like maybe it'd be alright to strength train the same muscle groups daily. it'd be smart to vary the exercises i know, but based on what i've said is it a good thing or a bad thing that i'm not feeling sore the day after a big workout? is it ok to take less time off or would it be better off to take a day off between each workout even though i'm not sore the next day?

you stop getting sore after a while. It is normal. And honestly, don't workout to the point of nausea.

I rarely get sore anymore, ever. But my progress continues.

since my original post i started to add more weight, and also mixed up my exercise routine a bit more. i'm definitely feeling it the next day now. i still have to work push until i'm squeamish and sometimes dizzy, but not taking it too far or putting myself at risk.. i just come close to collapsing after working out. if that's what it takes then that's what i'll have to do. i also don't spend more than an hour at a time when i'm working out so i think i'm not overdoing it, just seems to take a lot to make an impact.

why are you pushing yourself until you almost pass out just in order to feel sore the next day?

There's no point in killing yourself just to be slim. I was a "chubby kid" and am still working it off myself so I know that you don't want to go back to that, but you're hurting your body. Worse case scenario, you could end up killing yourself. What if you're running on the treadmill, pass out and bang your head? Plus what if the nausea develops into vomiting? Vomiting is never good because it damages the internal organs.

PLEASE stop doing this. Nausea, feeling faint, etc is not a sign that you're on the right path.

what is your rationality beind thinking that working yourself to the point of collapsing is a good idea? What are you trying to achieve and in what time frame?

Stopped reading here..

i appreciate your concern totally, and now looking at it could see myself asking someone like me the exact same questions.

the goal isn't to workout until i hurt myself, fall down and hit my head etc. definitely not. and it's not completely a no pain no gain kinda attitude.. but it is a bit. if i don't feel sore the next day then i don't think i worked hard enough at the gym, and i could have worked harder. i'm not spending more than than an hour at a time there, i don't lift insane amounts of weight by any means, and i go every other day at most. i suppose my body is more responsive to the stress. it never used to be like this either.

maybe it's the phentermine making me a bit nauseas? i get plllenty of water with it though.

like i said, it seems to take a lot to make an impact-- impact being sore muscles the next day, and not sick to my stomach at the gym.. just to clarify that.

your advice is great though, i appreciate all input. it's all constructive. i'd just ask that you guys don't discourage me. i'm here to learn. and my goals are to lean out. my BMI is coming up to 24.2 right now. i'd like to see it around 19 within another three months. i think it's pretty achievable, right?

If your bmi is 24.2 why are you taking phentermine?

And using bmi as an indicator of anything -other than obese - isn't an effective measure -bmi doesn't take into consideration muscle mass, bones, etc...

i'm taking it for the same reason anyone would. it's a low dose that's helping me to curb my appetite through the day, and especially in the evenings. i still make sure to eat 3-4 times a day, i don't skip meals and portions are always sensible. and yes it's been prescribed to me through my dietition, i'm not buying it illegally or anything like that if that's your next question.

I've seen lots of medical professionals prescribe things that aren't necessary... I think it's unusual that someone who has a weight i the healthy range accordin to bmi indicators would be taking a weight loss pill that's usually given to people much much heavier..

I'm not a doctor, I'm just a person on the internet who thinks they know everything.

Is your dietician aware of the reaction you're having to the exercise?

and as has been said - sore muscles aren't an indication of a good workout...

Have you said how many calories a day you're getting?