I Give Up on Working Out

jsuh1993

6ft, Male, 203lbs

I just have no energy. And I feel like there is no point of me trying to eat 1800 cal or so just to have sufficient energy to burn another 500 off with work outs. I just found myself being easier eating much less and not working out instead. Basically, I am having hard time finding energy to workout and I have to consumer more cal to find that energy - which kind of defeats the purpose of a work out..

If I am taking bare minimum that is recommended, I won't have the energy to work out. And I don't want to eat more because then I would have to work out to burn them and I will end up being even more lethargic. What are some suggestions??

robertw486

Well, you aren't going to raise energy levels by not working out. Or fitness levels. But that's a decision you have to make. If you've been losing weight for a while, you might just be a bit tired from the long term deficit.

Personally when I work out I find it much easier to create a deficit that day if I want. I eat very little during the day, and if I work out in the afternoon I often have 2000-2500 calories I can eat before I go to sleep.

VintageFeline

Suggestions? Eat more than the bare minimum. There is no need for you to be starving at your height and weight.

And working out isn't about just burning more calories to eat more (it's a happy bonus for me) it's about health and vanity too.

Aemely

Are you eating back at least some of your exercise calories and logging accurately? Also, you don't have to work out to lose weight! You are free to do other activities instead. Walk, swim, etc. Good luck!

pinkraynedropjacki

If I don't workout at least once a day then I find I have no engergy & can't even make it to midday without wanting to die in bed.

middlehaitch

You work out for the health benefits and to have a better looking body, not to lose weight.
You are supposed to eat back your exercise calories as your deficit is built into your basic MFP calories.
You are tired because you are continuing to under eat.
Don't exercise and end up just a smaller version of what you are now. Your choice.

Cheers, h.

srecupid

middlehaitch wrote: »

You work out for the health benefits and to have a better looking body, not to lose weight.
You are supposed to eat back your exercise calories as your deficit is built into your basic MFP calories.
You are tired because you are continuing to under eat.
Don't exercise and end up just a smaller version of what you are now. Your choice.

Cheers, h.

Thos. Humans aren't meant to sit all day.

thunder1982

Depending on how long you've been at it can affect how you feel. When I gave up coke (temporarily) and started a new food plan I was exhausted for a week. In bed at 8 some nights. Week 2 I felt a bit better and by week 3 I was up for doing some exercise which grew to exercising every day and I also found my need for a weekend nap was gone.

Then my husband went away and I took a diet break over Christmas. The exercise slipped off to nothing as life just seemed to get in the way. Adjusting to 3 kids going back to/starting school and a new daily home routine has made it tough to start again. ATM I am concentrating on food since thats 80% of weight loss and hoping that in a few weeks after getting food back on track I will feel up to exercising again. I actually enjoy exercising but I do find I am a bit all or nothing (Everyday or not at all), stop start doesnt work well for me.

PAV8888

You are under-eating hence you have no energy. EAT MORE. WORKOUT MORE. STOP LOSING LEAN MASS YOU DON'T HAVE TO LOSE.

You can sit there and eat the minimum while your body shuts down around you to conserve what it can while you over-ride that adaptation by eating less and less so that you can lose.

Or you can eat 20% less than you total daily energy expenditure (25% while obese) which is what is usually defined as a safe rate of loss as a percentage of your TDEE.

Now, playing with percentages you can understand why expanding your TDEE through exercise means you can afford to have a higher deficit.

1000 cal deficits are suitable for people with a TDEE of 4000 or 5000 calories a day. If you ain't go that kind of TDEE (i.e. you're not eating 3000 Cal while having a 1000 Cal deficit), then you're over-doing your deficit. Extremely few people on MFP fall in this category.

750 cal deficits for people with TDEEs in the 3000 to 3750 range (i.e. eating 2500 Cal and losing). A few people on MFP who are extremely obese or obese and active or overweight and very active or normal weight and very very active fall in this category.

500 cal and 250 cal deficits is pretty much where the vast majority of MFP users should be.

Of course most chose 1000 cal deficits which are too much. Then they don't eat back exercise calories. Then they end up where you are.

Maxematics

Hi. I remember your name and, based on that alone, I know your problem is undereating and goals that are far too aggressive.

Last month, you made this thread about wanting to lose 4.4 pounds per week on 800 calories per day even though you knew it was unhealthy: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10315945/how-to-lose-2kg-week-4-4lbs-week-advice

Then you made this one yesterday where you admitted that some days you eat 2200 to 2400 calories per day at times, but sometimes eat 1000 to 1200 per day, even though people told you that as a young man 1800 should be your baseline: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/comment/35348739#Comment_35348739

Don't give up on working out; give up on trying to achieve rapid weight loss because it's unhealthy. Stop the 1200 calorie days because they are leaving you with no energy to workout. That's your body trying to tell you it needs more fuel whether you like it or not. Period. As a 6 foot tall man at 203 pounds, you shouldn't really be trying to lose two pounds per week anyway. Also, how are you certain you're burning 500 calories per workout?

You don't have to workout but you should know that if you're not working out and just dieting that your physique will suffer. If you actually want any sort of muscle tone to your body, that requires exercise. You also risk losing whatever muscle mass you may have now by eating low calorie and not working out to preserve that muscle mass.

Conclusion? Just because 1800 is the recommended bare minimum for men to eat doesn't mean you should be aiming for the bare minimum. You need a healthier approach to all of this because you're already clearly burning yourself out.

Dez11B

Sounds like your problem is just not enough energy. You didn't say if you're sleeping enough on a regular schedule. What are the types of foods you are eating. When you do workout are you working out for over an hour.

I'm 6 foot. 195 pounds. I take in for a deficit 2300 calories. To maintain I eat 2800 to 3000 calories. I try to stick with high protein moderate carbs and low fats. I notice if you hit your protein the rest falls in place as long as you're hitting your calories. If I do high carb moderate protein. I feel a little lazy. Place with your macros. Maybe you will find a sweet spot.

Sued0nim

jsuh1993 wrote: »

6ft, Male, 203lbs

I just have no energy. And I feel like there is no point of me trying to eat 1800 cal or so just to have sufficient energy to burn another 500 off with work outs. I just found myself being easier eating much less and not working out instead. Basically, I am having hard time finding energy to workout and I have to consumer more cal to find that energy - which kind of defeats the purpose of a work out..

If I am taking bare minimum that is recommended, I won't have the energy to work out. And I don't want to eat more because then I would have to work out to burn them and I will end up being even more lethargic. What are some suggestions??

As a 5'8 female I ate at 1800 to lose weight

Do you think your lack of energy may be down to an inappropriate calorie limit - I'd have thought that was too low

If you are following MFP and 1800 is your guideline then you eat back your calories from exercise to fuel your body

Also what foods are you eating - hit your protein and fat minimums based on decent minimums in defecit (0.64-0.8g protein and 0.35-0.4g fat per lb bodyweight as minimum), get wide range of nutritional foods to hit your macro and micros and consider your carb intake as not something worth monitoring within the scheme of things .. as long as you're hitting your calories, protein and fats then carbs as a matter of personal choice

I mean if you don't wish to workout that's on you - it won't affect weight loss but will affect body composition and general health

callsitlikeiseeit

middlehaitch wrote: »

You work out for the health benefits and to have a better looking body, not to lose weight.
You are supposed to eat back your exercise calories as your deficit is built into your basic MFP calories.
You are tired because you are continuing to under eat.
Don't exercise and end up just a smaller version of what you are now. Your choice.

Cheers, h.

allll of that.

Sued0nim

MFP Consensus

... incoming armageddon

Slasher09

It's a decision you have to make for yourself. The nurse in me says that you should workout for other reasons besides how you look. Exercise will lower your risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer. It will keep your body feeling younger longer. You don't need to do some multi-hour weight lifting and cardio expo to workout, take a walk or a jog, ride a bike, do some pushups.

cafeaulait7

jsuh1993 wrote: »

6ft, Male, 203lbs

I just have no energy. And I feel like there is no point of me trying to eat 1800 cal or so just to have sufficient energy to burn another 500 off with work outs. I just found myself being easier eating much less and not working out instead. Basically, I am having hard time finding energy to workout and I have to consumer more cal to find that energy - which kind of defeats the purpose of a work out..

If I am taking bare minimum that is recommended, I won't have the energy to work out. And I don't want to eat more because then I would have to work out to burn them and I will end up being even more lethargic. What are some suggestions??

But you shouldn't try to burn those off. The lethargy is from too few calories. So if you ate some more you'd get to enjoy more, you'd have enough energy to lift and keep your muscle, and then you'd get another snack after, too... while still losing the fat. It's actually pretty awesome.

eldamiano

Pull yourself together son....

pkw58

So I just got more active. Walked more steps, do yoga or barre3- but not for an hour, just 15 minutes a day. I have worn a fitness band of some sort and I make sure I stand enough. Start small, add more activity every day. I tried the gym and a personal trainer in 2014... so not my thing, but learned I love TRX. Find your own way. the lethargy fades and you sleep better.

crb426

Maybe your workouts are too aggressive? I walk. Everyone can walk. I walk quickly, outside, for 4-5 miles which takes me about an hour. And I'm left with a LOT of energy, even though I only get my walks in about 3 times a week.

allenpriest

synacious wrote: »

Hi. I remember your name and, based on that alone, I know your problem is undereating and goals that are far too aggressive.

Last month, you made this thread about wanting to lose 4.4 pounds per week on 800 calories per day even though you knew it was unhealthy: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10315945/how-to-lose-2kg-week-4-4lbs-week-advice

Then you made this one yesterday where you admitted that some days you eat 2200 to 2400 calories per day at times, but sometimes eat 1000 to 1200 per day, even though people told you that as a young man 1800 should be your baseline: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/comment/35348739#Comment_35348739

Don't give up on working out; give up on trying to achieve rapid weight loss because it's unhealthy. Stop the 1200 calorie days because they are leaving you with no energy to workout. That's your body trying to tell you it needs more fuel whether you like it or not. Period. As a 6 foot tall man at 203 pounds, you shouldn't really be trying to lose two pounds per week anyway. Also, how are you certain you're burning 500 calories per workout?

You don't have to workout but you should know that if you're not working out and just dieting that your physique will suffer. If you actually want any sort of muscle tone to your body, that requires exercise. You also risk losing whatever muscle mass you may have now by eating low calorie and not working out to preserve that muscle mass.

Conclusion? Just because 1800 is the recommended bare minimum for men to eat doesn't mean you should be aiming for the bare minimum. You need a healthier approach to all of this because you're already clearly burning yourself out.

If you keep making similar posts and you keep getting similar answers, at what point do you stop asking the same questions and instead start following the advice.

Professional help may be in order for you at this point.

LivingtheLeanDream

sounds like you're not fuelling your body properly.... weight loss happens in the kitchen first and foremost but exercise is good for heart health and actually leads to us feeling more energised in general as well as burning calories being a plus.

perdygreeneyes

I have just started adding in mild cardio etc .. And it boosts my energy!!!!! Sworkit is a awesome app!

Aemely

synacious wrote: »

Last month, you made this thread about wanting to lose 4.4 pounds per week on 800 calories per day even though you knew it was unhealthy: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10315945/how-to-lose-2kg-week-4-4lbs-week-advice

Then you made this one yesterday where you admitted that some days you eat 2200 to 2400 calories per day at times, but sometimes eat 1000 to 1200 per day, even though people told you that as a young man 1800 should be your baseline: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/comment/35348739#Comment_35348739

Oh dear... 1800 cals. is already ~170 calories under your BMR (http://www.myfitnesspal.com/tools/bmr-calculator). Try listening to and following the advice of people that have successfully lost weight and maintained for years. Eat consistently a minimum of 1,800 cals. day, log your exercise and eat some of the calories you earned back, and come back in a month with your results!

Francl27

Go there. http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/

Enter your info and pick a 15-20% deficit.

Commander_Keen

jsuh1993 wrote: »

6ft, Male, 203lbs

I just have no energy. And I feel like there is no point of me trying to eat 1800 cal or so just to have sufficient energy to burn another 500 off with work outs. I just found myself being easier eating much less and not working out instead. Basically, I am having hard time finding energy to workout and I have to consumer more cal to find that energy - which kind of defeats the purpose of a work out..

If I am taking bare minimum that is recommended, I won't have the energy to work out. And I don't want to eat more because then I would have to work out to burn them and I will end up being even more lethargic. What are some suggestions??

I had one trainer tell me this.
Eat to maintain, then just exercise. What ever you do as an exercise will cause a deficit.
On Week1 /day 1 work out for 10min
On week 2 /day 1 work out for 20min
On week 3 /day 1 work out for 30min.

10 min is not allot of time. The longer you go, the bigger the deficit.

janejellyroll

Congratulations. You're realizing that your plan -- under-eating -- isn't working and it is impacting your ability to reach your health and fitness goals. Now you have the opportunity to begin listening to what people have been telling you, consistently, in the threads you have started.

Eating to fuel your body's needs will give you the energy to work out while you're losing weight.

ninerbuff

If you have no energy, you're likely just not getting enough rest.

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

cafeaulait7

ninerbuff wrote: »

If you have no energy, you're likely just not getting enough rest.

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

He didn't say it here, but he has 1000 calorie days. A 6ft dude only eating 1000 calories is bound to feel it the next day or two. Then apparently want to binge on tacos (that was his thread), which is also unsurprising. I do think he needs to even out his calories and not go too low.

Or OP, you might like intermittent fasting. The fast day may make you too tired (it would me), but if you are just trying on diet types and not going mental about the process, it could fit how you like to eat. OTOH, if this is already a longstanding problematic relationship with food you have, it's more like an eating disorder and you shouldn't try anything approaching fasting days. I never know when to suggest intermittent fasting because of that last part!