Can't be bothered - does it matter?

366to266 · February 2013

Some days I just cannot be bothered to do any exercise. Other days I am brimming with energy and cannot stop myself. Does it matter and should I force myself on my off days?

I am 54 and weight 348 and some days I just find myself unable to do anything but lay on the couch all day watching tv and dozing. It's hard to describe but it's like a complete exhaustion, an inertia, a total lack of energy and a revulsion to exercise. I cannot even force myself to go for a five minute walk. I feel a compulsion to just lie down all the day and night.

This is despite near-perfect nutrition, recent 19lb weight loss, vitamin supplements. I go to bed early and allow myself 8 hours, but I MIGHT have sleep apnoea. (I'm not sure I have it as I now sleep alone and the docs cannot tell.)

Does it REALLY matter at this stage, or should I force myself? Or should I be easy on myself and wait till further weight loss makes it easier, or until I have enough energy? I am worried that forcing might give me a distaste for exercise, and I also worry that lying around all day is not good.

Goosiesnougs · February 2013

My opinion (and only take it for what it's worth!) is just try to integrate it into your lifestyle. Even walking for a mile is better than nothing. We all have those exhausted days! The hardest part is getting the sneakers on and out of the house. Best of luck to you on your journey!

MichaelaM94 · February 2013

It's understandable that you don't feel 100% all the time, but the key to weight loss is consistency. Even if you only do 15-20 mins on the days you feel tired, it's better than nothing.

It could be something to do with your diet, perhaps you aren't taking in enough vitamins.

Don't push yourself too hard, especially if you're feeling tired, because you could burn out too quickly. But always try to do something, even just work out your arms or go for a short walk.

Good luck!

beachlover317 · February 2013

Of course you can lose weight by just eating at a calorie deficit. You will get smaller. I guess my question is why can't you move? If you have a disability then I understand. If you have a medical problem or depression then this is a question for your MD. Otherwise, I'm wondering how much you eat a day because eating too little will cause you to be exhausted. Can you make a commitment to get up every commercial and walk in place in front of the tv? Ultimately, it's your decision. I'm your age and I am taking the time to get my body and mind in shape. It's a process, but when I started moving - I started feeling better about my whole life. Good luck!

jimmie65 · February 2013

If you exercise, you'll actually have more energy. Just get up and walk around the block.

daveymac1 · February 2013

Living healthy is easy.......being unfit is hard. The hardest part of getting the exercise is, is getting started. Once you start, the rest is easy!!!!

originalkazila · February 2013

My mom is only a few years younger than you, and I'll tell you like I'd tell - it always matters. You matter. 19pounds is a great loss, keep it going! Kick yourself in the *kitten* a little and go for walks even when you don't feel like it, you might find that once you're out there you feel great!

Brad805 · February 2013

I would say yes, but just some walking and fresh air is probably all you need for now. The daily exercise is going to help change your mindset. This journey is about changing your lifestyle, and many of us need to come to the conclusion that daily activity and avoiding some foods is a reality from now forward. It sounds to me like you might have reduced your daily intake too low in hope of speeding up the process. If so, that is not a great plan as it is much harder to maintain. You should be eating enough to keep your energy and moods high, and cravings low. Just don't eat the same ol crap you used too, and all will be good. At this point you really do not need to make major changes to see progress. At some point, yes, you must dial things down, but be patient and persist daily. All will be good my friend.

deksgrl · February 2013

Just make yourself do it. The more you do, the faster you will make progress, and feeling better will follow.

SaraBrown12 · February 2013

My advice is to try and go for even a 15 minute stroll. I live in the UK so the weather can always be an excuse for me. No matter how crappy and lazy i feel i push myself to go out no matter what weather is doing and i tell u it energises me for the day. I feel like i hit a small goal just by doing something. I find the less i do the worse i feel. Fresh air and exercise for me personally is like a natural anti depressant. Maybe i am just strange but you have to play about and find out what is right for you.

TheChocolatePrincess · February 2013

Do you deal with depression or have any hormonal imbalances? Wanting to lie around all day and sleep isn't really "normal" and could be indicative of a bigger issue. I wouldn't feel so guilty about not wanting to excercise, but I would be concerned about not wanting to do "anything"....You may want to consult a physician.

I would also consider looking into some natural energy supplements. Good Luck!

HJMAYES · February 2013

I hate exercising almost every minute of the day. UNTIL, I get on the treadmill, or pick up the weights, or sign into class, etc. I KNOW it's not the "funnest" thing in the world for me some days. So I make a deal with myself every morning I wake up and I can't stand the thought of that treadmill, I do this:

Get ready, get dressed, get on the treadmill and walk 5 minutes...IF after 5 minutes, I still feel like strangling myself with the safety cord attached to the treadmill, then I give myself permission to get off and try again later/next day/whatever.

I have never stopped after 5 minutes, and it may not be my best workout, but it's a workout, and I chalk that up as success. Try it.

HJMAYES · February 2013

Also, I agree that if you are getting enough sleep, nutrition, etc., the loss of energy may be indicative of a more serious issue - and you may perhaps want to consult a doctor.

myofibril · February 2013

Does it matter and should I force myself on my off days?

No and no.

Do as much as you feel comfortable doing for the time being.

Focus your time, thoughts and efforts on improving your diet and eating habits.

flyingv555 · February 2013

Sure sounds like depression to me. I'd check in with a medical professional because there may be treatment out there that would help you immensely and get the ball rolling! Does it matter? Of course it matters. Every pound matters. Every day you get up and say, "I'm gonna do this today!" matters. Who wouldn't want to be healthier? Something that I've learned is that it's way easier for me to fall into the rut of work-dinner-sofa on weeknights when I let my exercise slip. Am I a dedicated work-out freak? No way. I do Zumba maybe two nights per week and try to squeeze in walking when time allows, but when I don't exercise, the difference in my physical AND mental well-being is very noticeable.

alpine1994 · February 2013

If you exercise, you'll actually have more energy. Just get up and walk around the block.

Yep, was going to say this. I know it sounds counter intuitive but it's true. I work 60 hours a week and have days where I'm so exhausted that I can't think straight, but I never skip the workout because I know I'll feel so much better after. Also, as you lose weight and your body gets lighter, it will be a lot more enjoyable. I know it's hard right now, but really the best thing for you to do is just get up and move. Force yourself. I promise it will get better if you stick to it, plus you'll feel really accomplished!

RunningOnPurple · February 2013

I started out about the same weight as you. Congratulations on losing 19 pounds so far! I'm a little bit confused as to how your doctors do not know if you have sleep apnea or not. Have they done a sleep study? This should make it clear to them. Otherwise, do you have problems with depression? I do and some days it can be an effort to move but you've got to make a choice to live a healthy life. You have to chose to go forward even if it's just a few baby steps everyday. You can do this.

Good luck to you and feel free to add me as a friend if you'd like.

flyingv555 · February 2013

You're absolutely right, SarahBrown. No matter how crappy I feel, I always feel at least 50% better after a nice walk. I never regret it.

366to266 · February 2013

Thanks everyone for replying -- replies come lightning fast on this forum so I had to cut and paste this further down!!

hope516 · February 2013

If you exercise, you'll actually have more energy. Just get up and walk around the block.

word

MsMargie1116 · February 2013

You already know the answer to this, but as someone who has been where you are (8 years ago, I was almost 400lbs-2 years ago, I was at 335), let me tell you as kindly, but sternly as I can... Yes, you HAVE to make yourself get off that couch and do something. Even if you start out walking down the street, do it... At first it'll be like pulling teeth, but after a while, you'll start enjoying it more and more. It's not easy, but it IS soooo worth it!!

elyelyse · February 2013

when i first started moving, and i hated it, I told myself... do ten minutes.

Ten minutes was long enough to get my blood flowing and fresh air into my lungs, without getting to the point where my back hurt and i hated myself for being out of shape.

I think sometimes we feel like unless we do a certain amount, why bother? but 10 minutes is more than no minutes, and after a while, 10 minutes feels like no big deal and it becomes 15, 20, 45, an hour. (and if 5 minutes is all you can handle some days? still more than none)'

ETA: i saw your update about not being able to walk much. my comment holds true for any activity, though. i think there are a bunch of youtube videos of exercises for those in your situation, who need to get active but can not bear weight. I'd try that for ideas.

danimalkeys · February 2013

your normal doc can't tell if you have sleep apnea, you need a sleep study for that. If you are tired all day then you just might have it. What happens is you stop breathing, so your brain wakes you up enough to start breathing again, but not enough to wake you all the way up. This keeps you from getting the deep REM cycles that really get you rested and restored. It's not something to mess with because it has some side effects that can be serious- heart issues, etc.

I have/had it. I weighed about 280 when I had a sleep study done. They told me I was waking up 32 times an hour- no wonder I needed a nap after work. I snored like Fred Flintstone.

They gave me a CPAP machine, and while inconvenient, for the 1st time in years I was able to sleep. I actually had long, vivid dreams again, which I never had before.

Now I've dropped 50lbs and find I don't need the CPAP as often. My wife will tell me if I'm snoring and I'll put it on, but I'm no longer having problems with my breathing stopping like it was before. I should probably have another sleep study done and see if it's gone, but once I get down to my target weight, I imagine it won't be an issue anymore.

As far as not wanting to exercise, if you've led a sendentary lifestyle for a long time, it's hard to flip the switch. You have to find something to light the fire. The health benefits alone, getting your heart in shape, were worth it to me. Now I look forward to my sessions. Yes, sometimes you dont' feel like doing it- those are the days you do it anyway and those are the days that you'll benefit from in the future.

Deekay8008 · February 2013

My sleep apnea went undiagnosed for a couple of years which got to the point where I was passing out at my desk and had to take time off work as I had to wait months for a sleep trial, at its worst point I was experiencing waking dreams, which were a bit like seeing things. (Once at work my keyboard turned into a plate and instead of typing I felt like I was trying to cut up a sausage) This is how bad it got. Once I was diagnosed I started my CPAP treatment and after 1 week felt like a different person with so much energy and three years later, I’ve never looked back! Sleep apnea can put a strain on your heart if it goes without diagnosis and it can affect your mental and physical well being in general. Please get it checked out as soon as possible.

RunningOnPurple · February 2013

Maybe you aren't eating enough if you are totally wiped out after exercise. i had this problem at one point and increasing my calories really helped.

As far as doctors, I'm sorry, but I think that's nonsense. Your health is important, keep at them. Sleep apnea is a serious concern and a hot button for me as I lost my boyfriend last summer due to obesity and sleep apnea for which he would not ever wear his CPAP mask. Keep pushing until they take you seriously. And i realize that no one wants to be medicine dependent for the rest of their lives, but guess what? For some of us we need that medicine or else our lives would be short indeed. I can honestly say without my meds that I would not be here today. Like I said, make your health your priority and do what you need to fix it. Believe me, it can be done.

runningbs · February 2013

If you exercise, you'll actually have more energy. Just get up and walk around the block.

:drinker:

366to266 · February 2013

These slug days come the day after my exercise days. It's almost as though I need a whole day to recover from the exercise of the day before.

I can't walk, it's just too painful. My thighs are gigantic and rub together. I get terrible back pain from walking about 100 metres. My doc told me only last week not to do any exercise that makes my legs bear weight.

I've been doing one hour of water aerobics for eleven years, but only once a week. Last month I stepped that up to a goal of 7 days a week (I get a taxi there and back, which is quite costly). I have a good workout in the pool and enjoy it, and the next day I can do nothing but slump on the couch all day. (Sorry I should have explained all this in the first posting, but I feel so tired and sleepy I am not that sharp today.)

There is no point in my going to the doc's about anything. The system seems to be completely different in the UK than the USA. I have tried consulting my doctors about many things and I never really get an answer other than "take these pills". I don't want to be a drug dependent person.

We cannot easily change doctors in the UK without raising a formal complaint, and even if we do we then get allocated to another, possibly miles away, and he/she will be working in exactly the same way as the one we left. I have never had any joy telling them about obesity, tiredness, depression, arthritis, panic attacks, even sleep apnoea. It's either just giving me pills or telling me it'll get better when I lose weight, OR being placed on a long waiting list to see a specialist who then tries to put me on the same pills or tells me to lose weight, but provides no advice for so doing. I told my doc about sleep apnoea about 3 years ago and was placed on the waiting list to spend the night in a sleep clinic. When I reached the top of the list, about a year later, the sleep apnoea had disappeared, so I was told not to attend. When I share a bed with someone, sometimes I have it and sometimes I don't, and so, even if I get myself back on the waiting list and wait a year to go to the clinic, there is no guarantee that I will have apnoea on that particular night that I spend in the clinic. And even if they find I have it, that doesn't cure it. They just get you issued with a C-PAP. Hopefully in a year I will be 100 lb lighter and won't have apnoea any longer.

Sorry for writing this but it seems important to tell y'all because everyone always says, "see your doc". I've all but given up on them for anything but blood tests and suchlike. I only went last week because to join the gym I had to get a blood pressure checkup.

(PS I just got up and walked to the kitchen and my legs feel like they are made of lead. I am almost dragging them along.)

myofibril · February 2013

These slug days come the day after my exercise days. It's almost as though I need a whole day to recover from the exercise of the day before.

I can't walk, it's just too painful. My doc told me only last week not to do any exercise that makes my legs bear weight. I've been doing one hour of water aerobics for eleven years, but only once a week. Last month I stepped that up to a goal of 7 days a week (I get a taxi there and back, which is quite costly). I have a good workout in the pool and enjoy it, and the next day I can do nothing but slump on the couch all day. (Sorry I should have explained all this in the first posting, but I feel so tired and sleepy I am not that sharp today.)

Try water aerobics 3 times a week then.

Once you feel comfortable with that try 4 a week and so on. The try a more challenging exercise which you like after you have built a decent base. Progress accordingly.

Diet is really the key at this stage as I said before.

You are doing well. Keep at it.

BeccaBollons · February 2013

Hi I am from the uk too. My dad has sleep apnoea. It is horrendous- he couldn't really hold down a full time job for years until he had it diagnosed. He now is a much happier and more motivated person. Get this sorted before forcing yourself to run round the block etc. Do what you CAN do. And for now don't worry too much about what you can't. (Just don't eat rubbish on 'slug'days)
I agree docs can be rubbish, but if your GP agrees sleep apnoea could be a consideration, try and get him/her to agree to a sleep study (1 night in hospital).
Hope you get sorted soon, keep trying.

MinnieInMaine · February 2013

This is a tough one. I get where you're coming from with the concern that you'll get burnt out - it is a valid concern - but at the same time, I think it's good to make compromises with yourself.

How about doing something at home for exercise every other day and committing to go to the pool every other day. Even without being able to do weight bearing exercises, there are some things you can do. Here is an excellent guide from the University of Georgia with chair exercises:

http://www.livewellagewell.info/study/2007/12-ChairExercisesUGA113006.pdf

You can google for plenty of other ideas and/or videos. Good luck!

p.s. Just had another thought on this - ultimately, if you're going swimming at least 3 times a week for an hour, I think that's pretty damn good! Try doing something on your off days but don't stress yourself out about it.

366to266 · February 2013

As far as doctors, I'm sorry, but I think that's nonsense. Your health is important, keep at them. Sleep apnea is a serious concern and a hot button for me as I lost my boyfriend last summer due to obesity and sleep apnea for which he would not ever wear his CPAP mask. Keep pushing until they take you seriously.

Dear friend, I can assure you that I am not talking "nonsense". Once a UK doc puts a person on a waiting list to see ANY specialist, it is futile to keep going back to her/him and "pushing" or "keeping at them". Everyone has to wait their turn. The docs cannot order the hospital to let a patient leap-frog others just because the patient is pushy and impatient. It's not like that in the UK.

I waited 19 months to see the endocrinologist to sort out my hormonal (insulin?) problems and when I did, he spent 90 minutes taking my complete dieting history, then when it was his turn to speak and advise me, told me to go and "lose three stone" (42 lb) and to make an appointment to see him again when I had done that. I replied "Yes, but how do I lose three stone?" and he smiled and said: "If I knew that, I'd be a millionaire!" then opened the door, shook my hand and ushered me out. It's all extremely frustrating. I think if I were wealthy I could go private and get some proper treatment.

I am extremely sorry about your boyfriend.
==================================

THANKS again to everyone for the latest replies and suggestions.

I have found a great guy on Youtube who does "chair-robics" but I am so knackered that even sitting here watching him I just could not even lift one leg more than once to join in.

There is a GREAT danger that I will turn to refined carbs to give me that instant energy "BOOST" but I must resist this at all costs.

Can't be bothered - does it matter?

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