Low to No energy!!!

Asoum

I've been eating heaps of raw fruit and vegies (sometimes cooked), with occasional fish, chicken and red meat. I've also been aiming to attain natural sugar from fruit, honey etc as opposed to junk. However, I'm constantly feeling fatigued and out of energy!

I used to rely on my coffee to give me a quick fix of (temporary) energy but I'm also trying to keep away from caffeine and instead drink water and drink green tea (decaf).

Any ideas to help raise my energy levels? I also power walk on most days.

Thanks in advance!!!

Wisks

Are you getting enough sleep?

BeautyFromPain

bump

skinnybearlyndsay

I had this same problem a few years ago. I had a bunch of blood tests and it was determined that I have iron-deficient anemia, which causes the fatigue. Honestly, I would have your doctor check you out to be on the safe side, but I would try adding in more iron to your diet.

Kirsty_UK

When you first cut out lots of sugar/caffeine etc, you will feel pretty low for a while, but after a couple of weeks you should find yourself feeling better again.

Try getting some slow release energy foods - some carbs, some nuts etc. Getting up and having a quick walk like you say helps, but otherwise you might just have to accept that your body takes time to adjust to any new eating pattern, but it will adjust.

Coltsman4ever

http://www.mylifetime.com/lifestyle/health/diet-nutrition/your-diet-making-you-tired

Kirsty_UK

there were 4 replies to this but they seem to have vanished :S

morganadk2_deleted

I don't think you are eating enough, 1200 is the min for a small sedentry woman and your not sedentry calories

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/10589-for-those-confused-or-questioning-eating-your-exercise-calo

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/61706-guide-to-calorie-deficit

Go to the tools section and figure out your BMI:

Generally someone with a BMI over 32 can do a 1000 calorie a day (2 lbs a week) deficit
With a BMI of 30 to 32 a deficit of 750 calories is generally correct (about 1.5 lbs a week)
With a BMI of 28 to 30 a deficit of 500 calories is about right (about 1 lb a week)
With a BMI of 26 to 28 a deficit of about 300 calories is perfect (about 1/2 lb a week)
and below 26... well this is where we get fuzzy. See now you're no longer talking about being overweight, so while it's still ok to have a small deficit, you really should shift your focus more towards muscle building, and reducing fat. This means it is EXTRA important to eat your exercise calories as your body needs to KNOW it's ok to burn fat stores, and the only way it will know is if you keep giving it the calories it needs to not enter the famine response (starvation mode).

This is just a part of it! please read the link above

koosdel

Probably just need to eat more. This is one reason why VLCD's are frowned upon.

boehle

I have no energy in the mornings! Until my shower that is.
I try to keep waking up early to work out but havent been able to drag myself out of bed.
Good luck!

morganadk2_deleted

http://www.mylifetime.com/lifestyle/health/diet-nutrition/your-diet-making-you-tired

Very intresting , thank you

FindingMyself239

I take one a day vitamins.....either the energy vitamin or the vitamin that helps boost your metabolism and energy level it works really good for me:)

It cheap and you can but them anywhere i got mine at walmart... 60 pills for like 5 bucks

Rompa_87

Considering how you have consumed 1200 cal of energy a day or less it isn't suprising you are getting to feel a little fatigued.

Try upping your calories to 1400-1500 a day for a week or two and see if you feel less fatigued

prestonmay

gp back to green tea caffeinated - Give me more a boast then coffee

erickirb

Eat more, much more.

Looking at your diary, some days you are under 1000 cals. You should be eating your MFP goal everyday (this included eating back calories you burn from exercise)

Food (calories) = energy, so if you don't get enough food, you will not have much energy.

morganadk2_deleted

double post :blushing:

MamaDee2

Me too! So tired

CaliSweden

Your food looks really good and healthy. But it seems that you're lacking long lasting complex carbs.

I eat low GI and low GL, it's pretty similiar to how you eat, but we eat complex carbs. Like have some oatmeal, quinoa, rye crackers or bread, seeds, nuts, beans, barley, and oats. It'll give you long lasting energy, that also helps you stay full feeling.

larr91

Maybe a little bit of carbs, pasta/rice? can get brown or wholewheat versions

TavistockToad

whats wrong with eating potato or rice...?

morganadk2_deleted

Good luck on your journey!

Uerzer

You are on a 1200kcal diet.... That's not a lot of energy, so it's not easy! XD

Forget about coffee, just eat 5 times a day, and time it so you refill your energy when you're running out of glucose! I find eating apples useful for that purpose!

If you can't adapt your diet to be able to not feel fatigued, consider increasing your kcal daily allowance :flowerforyou:

Shannafo

I take a super B vitamin everyday, I can tell a difference if I miss a day. You might try that. Also may have to have your iron level checked at the dr. Of course there are the obvious ones too make sure you are eating enough and getting enough sleep.

kenyonsmom10

You most likely are not eating enough calories for your body. I would suggest using LIVESTRONG.COM and determining your BMR. You use the BMR tool and it will do all the calculations for you. If you are not exercising, pick either Sendentary for your activity level or Active, depending on your amount of normal activities in a day.
I also know of a meal replacement shake that is phenomenal! It costs $4.00/day and will regulate your body and give you great energy! I use it on a daily basis and have been doing so for about 3 months. I absolutely LOVE it! You can add me/ message me and I will give you the webpage I use.
It is important too, to make sure you are eating meals 5 times a day. They should be based of course on your needed calories for the day. For example, if I do not work out, my caloric goal is 1500/day so I eat 5 meals at 300 calories each. I eat every 2-3 hours! When I work out and burn 500 calories, I add a meal somewhere in my day, or add those calories and make my last 2 meals more like 500 calories each.
I hope this helps! If you need anything, please feel free to message me and I will do all I can to help you! Good luck!
-Shawnna

savismommy

Are you getting enough sleep? And are you sure you are eating enough?

Nikstergirl

You need some good carbs for energy, along with enough protein. Sounds like you're making good choices, but don't discount those good grains, brown rice with veggies and chicken is a great supper. Add some quinoa in a salad for lunch... some whole grain bread works great with some natural peanut butter. Those good fats are also essential for making the machine that is your body work the best it can.

Make sure you're hitting your calorie goal as well, it can be hard when you try and cut out all the "bad" stuff.... there's really not much "bad" food... everything in moderation is my motto.

Justjoshin

Why are you relying on fruit to receive all of your daily nutrients?

You say you are using them to get your Sugar.. did you think the sugar would give you energy?

In my opinion you need to balance your diet, give your body some days without so much fruit and see if that helps.

wadesha

Maybe try taking a multivitamin

dezedeze

I definitely agree with the folks who say you need to eat more...looks like some days your cals are low.

The other thing it could be is some carb flu (you can google that)...lots of folks experience this when they change diet to lower carb. Lower carb is not necessarily a bad thing like some folks believe, especially if your cardio is power walking and not high-intensity stuff, but your body will go through an adjustment period which could be a few weeks for those who used to eat very high carb diets.

Keep your net calories to at least 1200 and give it some time.

Asoum

Thanks for the prompt responses, advice and informative websites.

I must admit that I haven't been able to have a full night's sleep for more than a year now - mainly waking up about 5 times during the night to a crying baby/toddler!

I will need to get to bed earlier than usual and definitely add more carbs to my diet.

Asoum

Thanks for the prompt responses, advice and informative websites.

I must admit that I haven't been able to have a full night's sleep for more than a year now - mainly waking up about 5 times during the night to a crying baby/toddler!

I will need to get to bed earlier than usual and definitely add more carbs to my diet.