Feeling a bit tired

Leanbean65

So I've been doing this for about 3 weeks now, lost about 4 lbs, Yay! But I'm a bit surprised that my Fitbit is telling me I'm only sleeping around 7 hrs/night.

I go to bed around 10 pm and am up by shortly before 6 am. some nights more restless than other, I'm feeling a bit tired lately and am wondering if it is the sleep or the weight loss.

I'm walking my 10,000 steps a day and light weight training around 3 days a week. I'm eating with in the 1,300-1,400 calorie range and hitting my targets for macro nutrients. I'm happy with the weight loss so far.

Any ideas for getting more energy?

mperrott2205

Exercise is supposed to make you sleep better, not worse.

I know this sounds simple, but have you considered just going to bed a little earlier?

MelodyandBarbells

Could perhaps stand to eat a bit more food. If you're hitting your 10,000 steps and weight training a few days a week, and the 1300 calories are total calories, not net calories, you could start by adding 100 cals per day for about a month and see how you feel, as well as how it affects your weight loss. Chances are your weight loss results would still be acceptable

Sobus76

My experience was that when i started MFP my energy level was kinda low, but i think after a month or two i was use to the change in food intake and my energy came back. my body was use to taking in around 4000-4500 calories and i cut that in half.

itsbasschick

you don't mention your height, weight, age or gender, so it's hard to guess whether you're eating enough. but if you're doing all that walking and some exercise, are you getting enough protein? also have you cut out carbs since you started or are you still eating some complex carbs?

Leanbean65

I'm a 5' 4" , 49 yrs old woman. I'm at 136 lbs trying to get to my pre-baby weight of 120 lbs. Although my "baby" is now 12 yrs old

I'm eating about 110 gr protein, 90 gr carbs and 60 gr fat per day

wonderwoman234

According to theTDEE calculator, you should be eating 1481 calories a day (and not adding in "exercies calories"). This is 10% less than your total calorie needs and would probably produce .5 lb. of weight loss per week. This factors in 3 days of exercise per week.

If you were eating a lot of refined carbs before you started your weight loss and have drastically cut back on them, you may be feeling tired from that. Or you just might be going to bed too late.

melaniecheeks

Is 7 hours not a good amount if sleep?

chrissyrenee1029

Do you have the sleep setting on normal or sensitive? I had mine set to sensitive and figured out that it was picking up my husband's movements as well as my own. He's a very light sleeper and is up and down throughout the night, so even though I was in bed for 8 hours it only had me sleeping 4-5 hours. Once I switched it to normal it started showing that I was really only restless a few times a night.

Since you say you're feeling tired though I suspect it's not the issue, but I wanted to throw it out there just in case.

Leanbean65

Thanks, I'll check that. I find getting to bed before 10 hard to do, you know, after the kids are put into bed and the kitchen cleaned and lunches made fr the next day....

aleggett321

I've found in the past that when I make changes like increasing my exercise or changing my eating habits I'm starving and exhausted for about the first four to six weeks. After that I feel great. Maybe that's just me bit I thought it was worth a mention.

Leanbean65

I actually felt a bit better after working out, so I guess it is part of the process....

Psychgrrl

Stress can make you tired and not sleep well. Caffeine after 2pm can impact sleep as well. Or, you could be coming down with a cold--I always feel run down when I'm fighting off something. Maybe what you're eating when. I do better with less carbs at lunch.

If your Fitbit tracks motion, it could very well be picking up your partner's movements. Or your pets, if they sleep with you.

Leanbean65

I'm feeling much better these past few days, I added back a few more calories, my weight loss has slowed a bit only 0.5 lb lost this week but I think I was being a bit too aggressive with the calorie cutting. Anyway I'll see how it goes this week then maybe cut back again and see how I feel. I'd rather lose weight slowly and feel OK than lose it quickly but be drained.

anyone else have a similar experience?

xsmilexforxmex

I'm feeling much better these past few days, I added back a few more calories, my weight loss has slowed a bit only 0.5 lb lost this week but I think I was being a bit too aggressive with the calorie cutting. Anyway I'll see how it goes this week then maybe cut back again and see how I feel. I'd rather lose weight slowly and feel OK than lose it quickly but be drained.

anyone else have a similar experience?

I've been exhausted (I'm aiming for 1300-1450 calories, 0 excercise cals back) and have only been getting about 7 hours of sleep according to my fitbit as well. I'm actually starting to think it's not the food but the sleep (bc the food just started this week and this has been happening x1 month) or another medical issue since it also feels similar to having lymes and mono a few years ago... If the increase in food helped, awesome! If not, try getting a nap during the day or to bed earlier.. and if all else fails, see a doctor (my next step)!

MelodyandBarbells

I'm feeling much better these past few days, I added back a few more calories, my weight loss has slowed a bit only 0.5 lb lost this week but I think I was being a bit too aggressive with the calorie cutting. Anyway I'll see how it goes this week then maybe cut back again and see how I feel. I'd rather lose weight slowly and feel OK than lose it quickly but be drained.

anyone else have a similar experience?

No. I wish I had your problem of a propensity to eat too little. I'd be oh so thin :laugh:

Kalikel

I'd you aren't eating enough, eat more.

If you aren't sleeping enough, sleep more.

Periods suck the life out of me. I'm so drained at period time. It's crazy.

SLLRunner

Exercise is supposed to make you sleep better, not worse.

I know this sounds simple, but have you considered just going to bed a little earlier?

This, because we don't fall asleep right away. We get up and go to the bathroom sometimes too. These factor into a good rest.

Also, what are your activities just prior to falling asleep? If I'm on my computer just before trying to sleep, my brain is still going and I have a harder time falling asleep. However, if I go to bed and red for about a half hour, I fall asleep right away and have a better night's sleep.

On the mornings I get up at five to workout, I am in bed by 8:30 and asleep by nine.

On the mornings I get up at 5:30, I am in bed by nine and asleep by nine thirty.

On any night, I spend a half hour reading a good novel prior to going to sleep.

Also, it looks like you are set to lose 20 pounds. This needs to come off slow, so your goal should be set at about .5 pounds per week. My guess is you have it set to lose 2 pounds per week, which is too aggressive and is not sustainable in the long term.

SLLRunner

Thanks, I'll check that. I find getting to bed before 10 hard to do, you know, after the kids are put into bed and the kitchen cleaned and lunches made fr the next day....

Any way you can make lunches a family project--maybe have the kids help you before bed?

How about asking the hubby for help in cleaning the kitchen? Or, maybe one of the older kids?