I don't seem to have any energy

Sharonks

I have been low carbing for a couple of months. I try to stay around 30-35 net carbs a day or lower. Lately, I've stepped up my exercise and now I'm always exhausted and have trouble concentrating. I'm also losing stamina during workouts.

This morning I ate some berries and greek yog which helped a bit with my stamina. I even ate an apple this afternoon. The extra carbs has perked me up but most likely will elevate my BG very high. My fasting was high this morning. I'm waiting another hour to see what that apple did to me. I have already tried to increase my sodium and fat but this isn't helping. I think my protein is sufficient too.

The yog and fruit didn't seem to spike my BG so I may keep that in. I'm normally over target fasting BG of 110 in the morning so have been avoiding carbs for breakfast. I have to avoid carbs at night too or I have a really high fasting.

Since I constantly have to watch my carbs to keep from spiking BG what else might fix my energy problem?

sicchi

Hi there. Have you checked your salt levels? If your salt is under you will feel weak, especially if you are doing the right thing and drinking 2-3litres a day. You could try a stock cube before working out. Thats what dr.atkins recommends in the book. Also, if your body is needing carbs like fruit to energise, your carbs may need to be lowered for a little bit. Just till those cravings go away. I am on day 8 of induction and think i have read the book 4 times this week (lol). Just passing on info. Hope it helps!

Sharonks

Not sure I can get my carbs much lower. My average net is 25-35. The only non-veggie thing is usually 1/2 an apple or 1/2 c blueberries. I have been eating 1 low carb tortilla a few days a week but I was feeling like this before I got those. I often do a cup of bouillon before I workout but that hasn't taken care of it.

I know that there are endurance runners who low carb and do fine but I'm thinking that my body maybe doesn't work that way. Sadly, low carb isn't a lifestyle choice but a medical necessity for me.

mountainmare

Do you have to stay that low? Can you up your calories?
I had the same problem and did have to add more of both carbs and calories. I was just dragging through my exercise and couldn't even consider jogging.
Can you go by percentages instead of actual grams?

Sharonks

I am trying to add a little more. The reason I low carb is I'm T2 diabetic. My readings tend to swing all over the place so my dr, won't add to my drugs, he's afraid he'll send me hypo with more drugs. My only option is to eat as few carbs as possible. It's hard for me to find balance since one day I can eat something and be fine, then the next day the same food at the same time under the same circumstances will cause me to spike. I have had bouts of neuropathy (nerve damage) for the last 15 years and at 46 I really don't want to rot so controlling my blood glucose is critical.

ZipperJJ

Have you tested your levels after eating the tortilla and the Atkins bars? Do those make any difference for you?

Sugar alcohols can have different effects on people's bloodsugar so "1 Net Carb" might be false for you.

Sharonks

Have you tested your levels after eating the tortilla and the Atkins bars? Do those make any difference for you?

Sugar alcohols can have different effects on people's bloodsugar so "1 Net Carb" might be false for you.

Both do fine, I've tested multiple times. I've actually had days where I eat less than 20 net carbs and only about 45 total carbs and my readings will still be the same. My fasting range from 107-130 with 65 total carbs leaning much more toward 115-125 range. My 2hr pp range from 115-150 eating those carbs. Sometimes I can eat a piece of fruit and do fine and other times I'll be at 200 and that will be the other half of the same apple the next day.

If I actually try to eat regular bread, pasta or potatoes I'll be at about 225-250 after one serving.

The last couple of days I've been eating my fruit for breakfast and that has helped me have more energy since I usually work out mid morning. I have been avoiding that because my fastings aren't great but it seems to be working ok for now. It's just as soon as I think I've found a way to make it work then it will quit working.

Sharonks

The added and rearranged carbs seem to be helping. I'm eating 45 to 55 net carbs and my BG is no worse than usual. The biggest change is I'm eating a piece of fruit and some greek yog for breakfast. I normally workout about 9 am and just really need the carbs to fuel that workout. I know there are long distance runners who don't need to fuel with carbs I seem to need to. I'm happy that I now have enough energy that I can run, elliptical and HIIT (not all int he same morning) without feeling like crap for the rest of the day.

cramernh

Here is a suggestion I would like to throw at you:

After viewing several week's worth of entries, the one thing that sticks out the most for me is your zig-zag healthy carb counts.

On average (yes, I actually did the math on this, LOL), your breakfasts are averaging 14g of healthy carbs in the morning.

Your average lunch healthy carbs are 80g of carbs.....


You need print out at least a month's worth of your food logs and take it to a Registered Dietician who works with low-carb intakes for diabetic patients...... Not your PCP, a real RD with low-carb intake training for diabetics.

Part of the picture Im seeing is that you are not giving your body enough carbs in the morning for your body to appropriately function for the start of your day.

Look at it this way - for the last 8 or so hours you slept, you arent eating, drinking or exercising. There is no nutritional intake and therefore your overnight FBS will reflect how well your body digested the last food(s) you consumed thus giving you a morning reading.

Consider reviewing what your ideal carb intake SHOULD be in the morning when you wake up and coordinate it with your breakfast meal, your FBS reading and get some better meal planning in.

The average low-carb intake for people who follow a 100-120g daily, should be no more than 30-40g each meal.

I would imagine where you are under the care of a medical professional(s), they have a predetermined number for you to focus on.... and I truly believe better meal planning and perhaps having an absolute minimum requirement on your carbs will greatly help you.

Your carb intake is too low in the morning but again, I dont know what your physician(s) have outlined for you...

So, moving forward I would continue this discussion with the healthcare team who is overseeing your care where you are a Type 2. Get an RD involved.....

Sharonks

I don't think you were looking at my diary since I seem to average closer to 80 total carbs per day rather than just at lunch.

I have upped my morning intake by putting my piece of fruit there which has helped my energy level. I have tried to avoid carbs for breakfast because my FBG is almost always high.

My insurance doesn't cover an RD. I'm not even allowed to go to an endo at this point. The ADA diet puts me into the 200s so I don't eat it. If there was any way I could remove all carbs from my diet I would probably still have high BG. Yes, I need more drugs but the dr. doesn't want to put me on more because I no longer go into the 200s because I don't eat a lot of carbs. The only way I'll get to go onto more drugs is if I rot for a year, then they'll decide that I need more drugs. I don't want to do that, I finally got my eyes healthy again and the neuropathy is mostly gone.

cramernh

You have several days of this: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/food/diary/Sharonks?date=2012-04-28

Your lunch meal is extremely high with carbohydrates.. so yes, I did review it..

Its nothing personal, just telling it like it is.

Your mornings are way too low, and your lunches are way too high....

cramernh

You can always contact your local health department and ask if they offer free nutritional/dietician visits for residents who reside in the community to which they serve.

You can also contact your PCP's office and ask if there are any available community resources that could help you as well.





CramerNH
LowCarber Daily Forum Moderator

Sharonks

You have several days of this: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/food/diary/Sharonks?date=2012-04-28

Your lunch meal is extremely high with carbohydrates.. so yes, I did review it..

Its nothing personal, just telling it like it is.

Your mornings are way too low, and your lunches are way too high....

That was Gmas Bday party. I think that is the only day I've eaten like that. It is the first time I had a piece of bread in about a month.

My average lunch is about 25 to 30.

Sharonks

You can always contact your local health department and ask if they offer free nutritional/dietician visits for residents who reside in the community to which they serve.

You can also contact your PCP's office and ask if there are any available community resources that could help you as well.





CramerNH
LowCarber Daily Forum Moderator

Thanks for the suggestion. I live in a very low income county and our health department seems to only offer inoculations, STD, and reproductive health along with the general public safety stuff.

cramernh

http://www.co.yamhill.or.us/index.asp

http://www.co.yamhill.or.us/ph/index.asp?sel=home