I lost the weight I wanted, now having a hard time finding the energy to workout

NHoward84

Does anyone have any tips on how to get motivated again? I used to workout daily, but now it feels like I have no energy at all...my calorie intake was pretty low & after not feeling well I felt like I was lacking nutrients so I upped it and started feeling better and am now at a weight I'd like to maintain, but still would like to be able to workout.

Eddygogo

how long have you had this diet or maintenance diet for? it takes a bit of time before your body's hormonal changes catches up to the new you (Cortisol, Ghrelin, Leptin might still need a certain amount of time before regulating to the new weight and body fat).

Beyond bodily changes maybe finding a new goal to work on (something like being able to run X miles in Y time or lift so and so amount of weight or hitting a certain %body fat).

For me it was mainly weight lifting and setting up certain weight goals for my lifts. trying to hit new personal records always gives me a sense of accomplishment and purpose in the workouts that I do. personally I don't recommend working out without a solid goal as there is no sense of progress to work towards.

SezxyStef

motivation comes from wanting to do the workout. Are the workouts you plan fun? do you enjoy them?

I like lifting so I don't need to motivate myself to go do it.

laineybz

SezxyStef wrote: »

motivation comes from wanting to do the workout. Are the workouts you plan fun? do you enjoy them?

I like lifting so I don't need to motivate myself to go do it.

Like the OP I always worked out daily, enjoyed it. In the last month or so i've lacked motivation. I miss the feeling of wanting to work out. For a while i've wanted to look into lifting.....i just need the motivation lol.

NHoward84

Thanks everyone I was on a 45 day streak of working out for at least an hour a day doing stationary biking & stair stepper...I don't enjoy it at all and that's part of the problem, I would say it's been at least a month since I've worked out...I'm a stay at home mom so my options are limited at the moment.

danika2point0

Check out www.fitnessblender.com - tons of free videos that you can customise by time, style of workout, calorie burn desired, etc....I am sure you have a busy lifestyle and they have short videos! I do them in my apartment all the time. Good luck.

NHoward84

Thank you, I appreciate it

swift13b

Since you're in maintenance mode now, maybe you need to look back on some old photos to help you see how far you've come? I do that to remind myself of the hard work I've put in but also to know that I could also very easily go back to how I was if I'm not careful.

Another thing I like to do is work out first thing when I get up. I've been really stressed at the moment so I'm not sleeping well. Instead of just laying there for an hour waiting for my alarm to go off, I've been getting up and doing 15 minutes on the elliptical and then a 5 minute ab work out from an app. It's not much but it's better than nothing which is what I'd most likely be doing otherwise.

mantium999

Once you have reached a goal weight, and are now in maintenance, your maintenance calories should be more than what you were eating while trying to lose. Have you recalculated what you should be consuming at your new happy weight? Are you getting a good mix of macros to provide the energy you need for your workouts? Might be you just aren't fueling your body properly.

DancingMoosie

You can also try to find group classes in your area. Fit 4 mom is a great company that has classes for moms, like stroller strides and stroller barre.

NHoward84

Thanks all, I was doing well with the workouts early when the kids were in school and now since it's summer break I'm finding it harder to squeeze them in. Also, I have a hard time sleeping so I think that's another part of the problem. I'm going to try and start taking a daily vitamin to see if that helps. I appreciate the advice

animalldy

NHoward84 wrote: »

Thanks everyone I was on a 45 day streak of working out for at least an hour a day doing stationary biking & stair stepper...I don't enjoy it at all and that's part of the problem, I would say it's been at least a month since I've worked out...I'm a stay at home mom so my options are limited at the moment.

Make sure you work in rest days, you're less likely to burn out that way. Maybe aim for every other day?

NHoward84

Sounds like a good plan...thank you

arditarose

NHoward84 wrote: »

Thanks everyone I was on a 45 day streak of working out for at least an hour a day doing stationary biking & stair stepper...I don't enjoy it at all and that's part of the problem, I would say it's been at least a month since I've worked out...I'm a stay at home mom so my options are limited at the moment.

I would have stopped working out if I had done 45 days straight of cardio too. Good lord woman.

I hate cardio though, therefore I don't really do it (maybe once a month tops), and do things I enjoy instead.

FitForL1fe

lift some heavy *kitten*

it's awesome

pkw58

I find that 10 to 15 workouts work for me.. I am 56, but the workouts I do were originally designed for moms and new moms.. check out barre3.com... the mobile ap is excellent.

RaspberryTickleChicken

Continue to set goals ... instead of weight loss focused aim for long term goal purpose. ie. Run a 5K or Tone arms etc. Otherwise yea, the 'finish line' mentality of achieving wt loss goal will not be enough to carry you through in maint.

SarahSloth342634

Maybe check iron levels? I always find it hard to get enough iron in my diet since logging on MFP.

NHoward84

Thank you all, everyone's suggestions have been really helpful

I_Will_End_You

sarahsloath wrote: »

Maybe check iron levels? I always find it hard to get enough iron in my diet since logging on MFP.

Also agree to check on your iron levels. But keep in mind your iron numbers may not be accurate on MFP. A lot of foods simply don't have iron included in their nutritional information.

OP, you can always just try to do more active stuff with your kids, instead of dedicated workouts. Even a daily walk would help get some activity in.

aylajane

You have kids... that alone can be cardio. Go outside and play with them. Depending on age, play frisbie, 4 square, shoot hoops, tag, hide and seek, catch butterflies, swim, whatever. Best advice I got was to stop thinking of it as exercise and call it what it should be - recess

LivingtheLeanDream

To be able to keep up workouts it has to be something you enjoy. ..try some other exercise, walk, run, swim, dance. ..and throw in some strength training as well - you'll have no problem getting moving when you actually like it

Could you be lacking in energy because you're not fuelling your body enough?

NHoward84

Thanks we'll be going swimming here very soon which I'm excited about, but as far as other activities with the kids, my older daughter has an anxiety disorder as well as some other problems so she's in physical therapy and she isn't overly active so things as taking walks don't last very long and the girls are only 5 & 6 so they also have short attention spans..once they're back in school I plan to start walking again which I actually do enjoy & I feel I'm getting enough calories just perhaps not the right kind of foods.

LivingtheLeanDream

The right kinds of foods definitely contribute to energy levels for sure... keep an eye on your macros ok

NHoward84

I will!

lifeisbueno

make sure you are eating enough food too... eating at a deficit for too long of a period will throw your energy out the door. if i eat below 1500 for more than a few days in a row it always catches up with me. (i am 5'5 and maintain on about 2200 calories a day, 20 minutes of cardio and 30 minutes of heavy weights 4x a week)

4thhorseman

Always take at least one day off a week, and never go more than 90 days without taking a full week off. I've manipulated my weight up and down for years, anytime I go up or down by 10 or more pounds in the same 90 day period I have my blood checked (you'll be surprised what you learn) if not definitely at least once a year. Stay on you calories you need to eat to maintain (I need 3500-4000 a day when in the gym and about 2200-2800 when maintaining), also find a good quality daily multi vitamin and get plenty of sleep.

NHoward84

Thank you both I'm definitely working on getting enough calories & more sleep & I'm also not pushing myself too hard with working out to where I'll feel sick and give up this time around

triciab79

I watch TV while I am on the machines. I find even if I do not want to work out I want to watch TV in peace without little ones hanging on me. I get up and go to the gym where the daycare will give me 2hrs of peace as long as I bust my rear for it. It hurts and I sweat but for 2hrs I don't have to settle fights, fill sippy cups, or clean little boy messes, and that is motivation enough for me.

ninerbuff

It's more of the dislike of your exercise choice being the reason you're not motivated. Try something you may like. Walking for me is something I do daily. I get to listen to news or music and it's not complicated nor do you need any equipment but a decent pair of shoes.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

NHoward84

Thanks, I had started swimming for about 2 hours a day when the weather cooperates, but lately it's been nothing but thunderstorms...hopefully this week the weather will be nicer, so I can get back out there....I do enjoy walking and plan to do a lot of it when the kids go back to school in August.