2 weeks in and low energy

mbriscoe79

I have been doing this for 2 weeks now.

I am on a 1200 calorie diet and burn off about 380 a day through exercise.

The last 3 days I have felt so tired and just blah!

Is this a normal adjustment period??
Has anyone else felt had low energy then came out of it feeling better?

DopeItUp

Did MFP give you the recommendation of 1200 or did you pull that number out of a hat? 1200 is pretty low, unless you're a small woman it's probably too low. Also, if you're doing 380 calories worth of exercise, are you eating those calories back? If not, you're only netting just over 800 calories a day. 1200 is low, 800 is dangerous and would easily make you feel tired.

Pebble321

I'd guess it's because you aren't eating enough to stay healthy and your body is responding by slowing down and tryiing to conserve energy. Most people can lose weight on much more than 1200 cals - it might take longer but you will fell sooooo much better.
And yes, eat those calories you are burning from exercise - your body needs them!

Amburglar

1200 cal is WAY too low...especially if you aren't eating back those workout calories. Essentially, you are throwing your body into starvation mode, in which, your immune system will tank, as well and your metabolism, because your body will hold onto everything not knowing when it will be fed next.

Usually, when I feel tired, it's because I haven't' eaten enough to fascilitate energy output.

muzmacol

i'd agree with the first 3 replies. Your not eaing enough, 1200 is low for anyonne. Eat back your burnt calories and a couple hundred more and you'll be just fine. Dont despair.

cscgal

MFP gave me 1200 calories also and I fill the same way. I try and get as close as possible to 1200 but when I excersie I gain about 400-500 back so that 1600 calories and sometimes I cant always get to that. By the end of the day I just want to go to bed I fill so drained. Wonder what the reasoning is. I have TONS of protein in my diet everyday.

Crystal_Pistol

You have no energy because you are hungry as hell! EAT, EAT, exercise, then EAT AGAIN!!! I've been to the 1200 calorie party and I'm never going again. If I tried to do 1200 calories a day with my current activity, I might pass out.

Munchi8175

I agree... That sounds REALLY low! MFP allots me 1930 calories every day, and I usually earn 500-600 calories from exercise, which I do use if needed. Even with that, I still find myself being more tired in the evening than I normally am as my body adjusts. If you set your own calorie goals, you may want to see what MFP recommends even if only for comparison.

MrsJohnston

My trainer told me that she finds most people say they don't have much energy the first few weeks into a training program. It could be that or it could be what you're eating. Are you getting enough carbs and protein? Tweaking you're diet may be just what you need!

KandieLantz

Listen to these people.... EAT... exercise... and eat those calories back as well... it truly does work as you can see by my ticker... you need to eat to fuel your body to workout and burn fat.... I thoroughly enjoyed 1800 calories today and SHOULD have had more honestly. EAT!

tammi42

yup, I agree with everybody else....wayyyyy to low. You do not want to pass out if you are working out. Your body needs the fuel to move.

Chagama

I agree, sounds way too low. Did you set a goal of too much weight loss per week? That will drive your daily calorie allowance down. Also be sure to balance what you are eating, check the ratio of protein, carbs and fat.

Pebble321

MFP gave me 1200 calories also and I fill the same way. I try and get as close as possible to 1200 but when I excersie I gain about 400-500 back so that 1600 calories and sometimes I cant always get to that. By the end of the day I just want to go to bed I fill so drained. Wonder what the reasoning is. I have TONS of protein in my diet everyday.

Protein is fine, but you need ENERGY and that means calories (wherever they come from - protein, carbs, fat).
Same advice for you - if you are low on energy and low on calories - add calories!

Helloitsdan

Another 1200 calorie forum!




Set calories to 1600-1800 and start cardio 3 times a week.
Youll lose appx 1lb a week.
Go!

sweet110

Low energy is a sign that something isn't right. I've tried a lot of different "eating plans" over the years. And whenever I made a diet change that resulted in low energy...waiting NEVER fixed the problem. If you have low energy, something is amiss. You probably need either more fuel or a different kind of fuel.

More Fuel: IMO, 1200 is too low for more folks than not. Its a pet peeve of mine that MFP seems to tell all sorts of women to eat 1200 calories. I've never done 1200 calories and I'm 4'11. Experiment with eating more. You don't have to go crazy.

Different Fuel: Sometimes when we make a diet change, we aren't use to 'cleaner' eating, and make mistakes in what we need. Here's an example of a common mistake...maybe you ate 70% of your calories from refined carbs before trying to lose weight...you still got plenty of protein and fat because you were eating a lot more calories...say 2700. If you cut down to 1600 calories but are still eating 70% refined carbs, you're probably a little low in something else, like protein...and vitamins. See how that works? Try eating more of...whatever you think you might be missing. Its often protein.

mbriscoe79

I just used the calorie amount that was set by MFP.

Im female and I currently weigh 67Kg (147.5lbs), I do try to eat what I burn off but its not always feasible.

I do eat after I exercise about 30mins after.

My proteins always go over LOL not a day has gone by when I have been under proteins.

I think I will try to eat a little more. :-)


Oh and Helloitsdan, not everyone on here has been around as long as you have. I sure dont know what Im doing and thats why Im here asking for advice and information. Cant say your reply made me feel good

xraychick77

since there is no such thing as 'starvation mode'..its a myth.

anyways..since that, it could just anything really. You could try eating more. But I've done this before too. Its just one of those things. Our bodies are dynamic things. It changes and sometimes even when we havent changed any habits. I had low energy for about a month once over the summer. I got blood work done and everything was fine. I was eating 1800 cals at the time and doing no cardio, only lifting. One day literally I just started having energy again.

If you really feel lethargic, I'd suggest a visit for a checkup to your doctor. Feeling worn down and tired could be caused by anything, from yes not eating enough, to abdnormal body chemistry, to depression, or just plain not getting enough sleep.

Helloitsdan

since there is no such thing as 'starvation mode'..its a myth.

anyways..since that, it could just anything really. You could try eating more. But I've done this before too. Its just one of those things. Our bodies are dynamic things. It changes and sometimes even when we havent changed any habits. I had low energy for about a month once over the summer. I got blood work done and everything was fine. I was eating 1800 cals at the time and doing no cardio, only lifting. One day literally I just started having energy again.

If you really feel lethargic, I'd suggest a visit for a checkup to your doctor. Feeling worn down and tired could be caused by anything, from yes not eating enough, to abdnormal body chemistry, to depression, or just plain not getting enough sleep.

I wouldnt say its a myth but its damn hard to get into "starvation mode" We are talking about not eating for days. Who wants to do that?! Except the ED peeps that is!

mbriscoe79

Turns out Ive got a head cold.

I may have had it coming for a few days and that combined with maybe not enough food, I think made me feel tired :-(

Hopefully in a few days I will have more energy

samatalma

I haven't read any of the other comments, but you're not eating enough. Simple as that. You're tired because your body has no fuel. Eat and you will no longer be tired.

soniaa777

maybe try taking vitamins or vitamin shakes

chachita7

Your calorie intake might be too low... you might try to brake you meals in to smaller meals at a more constant basis, if you are firm on keeping the 1200.

MFP had me at 1200 and I upped it to 1500 try my best not to eat the burnt calories... I usually hit the 12-1300 actual which is not bad at all

Lift_Run_Eat

I suggest checking your iron level and maybe eating more iron rich foods.
Depending on what you are eating, it you are not getting enough iron, it will make you feel tired and worn out too.

MaximalLife

I have been doing this for 2 weeks now.

I am on a 1200 calorie diet and burn off about 380 a day through exercise.

The last 3 days I have felt so tired and just blah!

Is this a normal adjustment period??
Has anyone else felt had low energy then came out of it feeling better?

Glad to hear you are eating back your exercise calories. That can lead to what you're feeling.

Also, 1200 is kind of low; be sure your settings are reflective of 1 lb per week weight loss.
Don't self-sabotage trying to overreach.
Steady, slow weight loss is best.

And if you're sick, rest up and hit it hard when you're all better.

Good Luck!

chrisc16

I would continue to exercise and, for a week or so, eat all your calories (1200 + exercise). See how you feel. If your still tired, I would go see a nutritionist or dietitian so they can give you sample menus and maybe provide a more accurate goal than the formulas used here.

If you haven't had a physical in while (blood work especially), get that done as well.

The formulas are not right for everyone, they are just guidelines.

knecoalmc

For reference, I'm a small women, I work a desk job and the only exercise I've been getting is walking a couple of blocks to the bus each day and a ton of stairs. I'm trying to lose about 20 pounds, I'm on 1200 calories, it's been almost three weeks and I'm not feeling sluggish at all but I've been eating only veggies, complex carbs, protein and good fats. There are days I go a bit over and days where I have to really try to get those calories in.

I bought an elliptical machine that will arrive next week and I'll definitely be eating my calories back.

YassSpartan

I've seen people saying 1200 is kind of low, which I totally agree. Also, have you been eating enough carbs? People really believe carbs are evil, but they are the source of energy. So make sure to keep a balanced amount of complex and simple carbs in your diet.

Amburglar

Love this!

Another 1200 calorie forum!




Set calories to 1600-1800 and start cardio 3 times a week.
Youll lose appx 1lb a week.
Go!

_Kitten_Kate

since there is no such thing as 'starvation mode'..its a myth.

anyways..since that, it could just anything really. You could try eating more. But I've done this before too. Its just one of those things. Our bodies are dynamic things. It changes and sometimes even when we havent changed any habits. I had low energy for about a month once over the summer. I got blood work done and everything was fine. I was eating 1800 cals at the time and doing no cardio, only lifting. One day literally I just started having energy again.

If you really feel lethargic, I'd suggest a visit for a checkup to your doctor. Feeling worn down and tired could be caused by anything, from yes not eating enough, to abdnormal body chemistry, to depression, or just plain not getting enough sleep.

Starvation mode isn't real? From what I have read on here and else where... it seems pretty real. ?? But I prob. know nothing.

Helloitsdan

It takes days of not eating to go into starvation mode.
People often think they are in starvation mode when eating a very low calorie diet but they arent.
What they are doing is robbing nutrients from vital organs though.
Its better to aim high with calories then create a deficit through working out.

walterld

make sure you are adding back the calories you burned back into your daily intake. Also make sure you are getting enough rest. maybe 2 days on 1 day off for your exercise. and don"t do the same thing each day. walk one day run one day bike one day. you use different muscles with each exercise and you shoud give the muscles used that day 48 hr for recovery. hope that helps.