how do you cope with fatigue?!

EMergise

I frequently have to work long hours and get really tired. In these sisituation s I can reach for the carbs and chocolate..... What are your tips for avoiding the t fatigue binges?!?

salgal33

Reaching for carbs is so easy....I have started keeping an apple in the car for my drive home - along with a bottle of water. I eat the apple and try to drink the whole bottle before I get home. That puts a serious stop to the picking and bites when I get home.

But really you need to ask yourself before each and every food choice "does this fit in my plan for today?" If it does, go ahead. If not, walk away or choose something else.

Sedna_51

Oh man, I completely feel you. I have definitely had days where I get through the door and go "everything I can reach is going into my mouth RIGHT NOW". There are a couple of tricks I've found that help me out, though. I keep pre-measured snacks in my drawer at work (granola bars, 100 calorie cracker packs, mini bags of microwave popcorn, tea and coffee, etc). I've tried to pick snacks and food that are higher in protein and/or fiber, which tend to make me feel more satisfied for longer. And I try my best not to let myself get too hungry! It's a lot easier to make good food choices when you don't have to fight with you body going I AM STARVING AND WILL START DIGESTING MY OWN STOMACH LINING, GIVE ME CHOCOLATE RIGHT NOW.

21million

The whole hunger problem with dieting is my problem! I don't want to be hungry or tired, goddamn it.

I make sure that I hydrate and keep busy so I can't dwell. The hydration is usually caffeniated to keep me up.

wheird

Unholy amounts of caffeine.

lastfarewell

I enjoy hot tea and some fruit or veggies and a TBS of hummus.

TossaBeanBag

Up the protein, eat smaller meals (5x a day)... and avoid the ups and downs. I hated those ups and downs.

JenniferIsLosingIt

Keep good for you snacks and plenty of good ol H2O on hand!~ IT goes a long way towards helping keep you on track

PumpJockeyy

Coffeeeeeeeeee

flatlndr

I keep fresh fruit and unsalted nuts to hand at the office, along with plenty of water. Fatigue used to be an issue ... along with the evening cookie binge ... but no more.

sylviedrozz

try liquid vitamin B drops. they're great. Give mate tea a try -it's a stimulant without the crash you get with caffeine. if getting up in the morning is hard try a body clock And if all else fails = zero calorie energy drinks x

999tigger

Make sure I get proper nutrition in the first place.
Proper hydration.
Eat a banana.
If I needed a boost and was really struggling, then caffeine.
Good sleep the previous day.

999tigger

Also at times where I have to work all nighters or really late, then the radio keeps me awake or music.

RaspberryKeytoneBoondoggle

Make sure you are eating enough protein. For me, a hearty breakfast and lunch with adequate protein helps. Also, sometimes on really long days, I find I'm craving a snack when really I'm thirsty, so drinking water helps.

pleasurelittletreasure

When I struggle with fatigue, I have to avoid carbs or it makes it worse. So I try to broil up enough chicken for dinner that we can have leftovers. That way, if I am tired and peckish, I can grab the protein instead of carbs. Also, it helps to pre-measure out some smaller containers of fruit or veg and pop them in the fridge so that when you get home you can grab one of them to munch on while you let your brain fog clear a bit. Once something is settled in your stomach, it becomes easier to make healthier choices. And if you do want carbs, just measure out a bit and put the package away. I know that helps me quite a lot. You get some of what you are craving without mindlessly eating the whole bag/box.

*Edited 'puckish' to 'peckish'. Although at times I admit to feeling puckish as well.

missiontofitness

I stay full throughout the day. Eat a lot at lunch, so when I get home I am full until dinner. Not only that, but I try to make myself work out or stay active so I don't get into that sluggish tired slump as well.

MamaMollyT

Hydrate, healthy snack and make sure I'm not eating simple carbs that make me crash. When I worked at a desk I used to walk around anytime I could. Instead of emailing something I would walk it up to someone. Part of that fatigue is that our bodies just aren't meant to sit still all day. Yes I probably wasted some time here and there but I never took long lunch breaks or smoke breaks like others so I figured it evened out. I tried to walk at lunch if I could as well. Sunshine is great!

arditarose

I don't really equate fatigue with eating poorly...at least not anymore. With working out, maybe.

EMergise

Thanks guys, lots of good tips!!! I think my main solution is to get more sleep, but it's not always possible!!

I agree that since upping my protein I definitely seem to snack less, so will keep up with that :-)

kcaitbpaitw

I tend to make really bad decisions on my hour-long commute home if I get too hungry and tired. I keep a Fiber One protein bar in my purse, and make sure I have a water or iced tea as well. If nothing else, it keeps me out of the McDonalds drive-thru on the way home, and I make less ravenous decisions when I get home. Plus I still get the carbs, chocolate, AND protein. win-win-win

CarolinaAcorn

wheird wrote: »

Unholy amounts of caffeine.

Same.

meltedkeys

B vitamins!!!!

Dangerdat

Burpees.

Icandoityayme

Coffee and protein. I find a few minutes after I have eaten some protein, I tend to perk up quite a bit.

tibby531

I make myself go to bed at a lame time, just so I'll get enough sleep. I also pack a lunchbox of healthy foods to take with me. instead of reaching for a candy bar towards the end of my shift, I can grab some cottage cheese, peanuts, and crispy/crunchy veggies.

EmmieBaby

I always force myself to check MFP before I put something in my mouth,...I tell myself "does this fit in my macro today" if the answer is no...put it down. I always keep healthy snacks at my desk to avoid going to the corner store and buying chocolate

ponycyndi

wheird wrote: »

Unholy amounts of caffeine.

^^^^^^This.