Tired all the time? Am I not eating enough?

j34lr
j34lr Posts: 32
in Health and Weight Loss
I feel tired ALL the time lately. This hasn't really been so much of a problem the past 3 months because I've been working out and having more energy to do things, but lately I get so tired randomly. I do Jillian Michaels 30 DS in the morning, and then usually run a little over 2 miles for 20 mins in the afternoon. I eat at a calorie deficit and usually stay under my goal. I haven't been drinking too much water lately so maybe that could be it? I'm just confused as to why I feel so tired, but I can't even take a nap when I try. Plus I'm getting enough sleep at night. Probably around 7 or 8 hours...6 at the least.

Replies

  • _Zardoz_
    _Zardoz_ Posts: 3,987 Member
    How much are you eating?
  • Ninkyou
    Ninkyou Posts: 6,666 Member
    Hard to say without seeing your diary/knowing how much you're eating....
  • j34lr
    j34lr Posts: 32
    I eat probably at the LEAST 1,200 cals sometimes I go a little under and I KNOW that's bad...I don't mean to, really. At the most I eat like 1700 I think...maybe 1500. I'm not sure it's harder for me to count cals because most of my meals come from my college dining hall and it's really hard to log that stuff haha..
  • j34lr
    j34lr Posts: 32
    Sorry about that. Just made my diary public.
  • CharlesNGreggo
    CharlesNGreggo Posts: 1
    Keep your carbs down and you won't get so tired!
  • SuperTiredMom
    SuperTiredMom Posts: 172 Member
    Are you eating your exercise cals?
  • priyamvada_k
    priyamvada_k Posts: 27 Member
    Your diary seems reasonable. You might want to check your thyroid levels.
  • hkristine1
    hkristine1 Posts: 950 Member
    There can be all sorts of reasons for fatigue - some are neurological/chemical within the body (e.g. thyroid isn't functioning well, etc). Or you can have an illness that just isn't showing up in extreme ways yet (when I was in college, I started feeling tired in October... the doctors didn't figure out that I had mono until Christmas time - and my only real symptom was extreme fatigue).

    Other causes can be the TYPES of food you're eating. I agree with the MFP general "mantra" that a calorie is a calorie in terms of weight loss - but there are definitely foods that sit more "heavy" and make me feel like I need a nap. If you're eating a lot of heavy foods (e.g. heavy starches, fats), even if those are in small quantities so you stay in your calorie deficit, you're likely not giving your body the healthy fuel it needs to function at optimum.... or if you're eating a bunch of your daily calories all at one time instead of lots of little quantities throughout the day... larger meals = me wanting a nap!

    I have heard that an iron deficiency is a common cause of fatigue, so you may want to look at that. Also, what are you doing in terms of fruit/veggie intake?

    What is your caffeine use? Caffeine in moderation can be helpful. (I do not do caffeine in the morning, but often have a cup of tea in the afternoon as a little pick-me-up).

    You mentioned that you eat below your calorie deficit goal - how much below? And do you add back any of your exercise calories? If you're way below goal on a regular basis and don't add back exercise calories, it is possible you're not eating enough.

    Also, 6 hours of sleep is not enough. I really think people need 8-10 hours a night to really be well rested (of course everyone is different, and some people need less, but on average, I think 8 is a minimum).

    If you can't figure out a food-related cause, you may want to go see your doctor to see if there's something more going on with you.
  • Autk79
    Autk79 Posts: 286 Member
    I dont know if this has to do with being tired but it seems you skip lunch alot and eat ALOT of protein bars or fiber bars. Maybe you should try to eat some protein like chicken, tuna, fish or something to fill you up more.

    I know Id be exhausted if all I had was a quest bar for lunch . Just sayin
  • Autk79
    Autk79 Posts: 286 Member
    I dont know if this has to do with being tired but it seems you skip lunch alot and eat ALOT of protein bars or fiber bars. Maybe you should try to eat some protein like chicken, tuna, fish or something to fill you up more.

    I know Id be exhausted if all I had was a quest bar for lunch . Just sayin

    Oh and anytime I go under my calories deficit and I have a low amount like you Im falling asleep at my desk.
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
    Are you one of the girls in the picture? Is it somewhat recent? If so, I would guess your calories are low.

    ETA: Also, looking at your diary, there are some days it doesn't look like your nutritional values are being met with a variety of real foods, fruits, veggies, meats. Many days there is one meal with real food and the rest protein bars and snacks.
  • RobinAlexader
    RobinAlexader Posts: 196 Member
    Ever had your iron checked? I'm really anemic and occasionally i'll feel really tired all the time, no matter what I do. just a thought.

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