I. Need. More. Energy.
This_Is_My_Destiny
Posts: 20 Member
Yeah, so I took a week's hiatus from my eating plan - I guess you could call it a fast food binge. The good thing is I'm not craving anything anymore - the great thing is that the whole time I was doing it, I knew I wasn't going to give up my new way of eating (I refuse to call it a "diet") - the most important thing is that I know my body feels just sick, compared to eating healthier. I'll just chalk it up to an experiment, and get right back on track. The eating part is EASY...
The thing is, I KNOW my progress wouldn't be going so slowly if I had the energy to exercise! And please don't tell me that eating healthier food will give me more energy - that is NOT helping! I've even been taking my thyroid meds religiously for the past 2 months now, and the Dr said I would feel AMAZING once it got into my system - NOT! How on earth do people DO it?? I read about people who work out for 2 hours a DAY, and I can barely do it for 20 minutes! Someone PLEASE tell me how to get off my tired (not lazy!) butt and get this weight off!
EDIT*** I've lost 25 lbs so far, but now I've hit a plateau. It's not that I CAN'T lose weight, or don't know how - it's that I'm so freakin TIRED...
The thing is, I KNOW my progress wouldn't be going so slowly if I had the energy to exercise! And please don't tell me that eating healthier food will give me more energy - that is NOT helping! I've even been taking my thyroid meds religiously for the past 2 months now, and the Dr said I would feel AMAZING once it got into my system - NOT! How on earth do people DO it?? I read about people who work out for 2 hours a DAY, and I can barely do it for 20 minutes! Someone PLEASE tell me how to get off my tired (not lazy!) butt and get this weight off!
EDIT*** I've lost 25 lbs so far, but now I've hit a plateau. It's not that I CAN'T lose weight, or don't know how - it's that I'm so freakin TIRED...
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Replies
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To put it bluntly....
"get off your tired (not lazy!) butt and get this weight off!"
It took me a while to get into the habit of exercising regularly, but now that I do, I usually have soooo much energy during the day and then Im tired and need a good nights sleep, which is what you want!
The Australian Biggest loser host, Michelle Bridges has said... If you can get through the first 10 minutes of your workout, then MOST of the time, you will finish your workout.. Aim small, do big!0 -
Start with a goal to do 15 minutes, if that time is up and you want to do more, do it, if not stop, you met your goal. You'll get more endurance and might even start to like the way you feel after, soon enough you can bump it to 20 minutes, etc. When I started 8 months ago, 15 -20 minutes was a struggle, I worked out for 2 hours today, no sweat, well yes I was sweating, but you know what I mean.0
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It sounds so easy when someone says it - even when I think about it...it's when I get up and start to do it that it gets ridiculously difficult. I don't know what's been making me so unbearably tired lately - I've been chalking it up to getting older, but I just don't know. I've NEVER had a problem with exercise or losing weight - I've lost 50 lbs at least 3 different times in the past 6 years. I gained it back, true enough, but losing it was a breeze compared to this. This time it's a bit different, with me being diagnosed with diabetes - but it's quite under control, due to my eating better.
I'm not here to whine, or looking for an easy fix, if that's what you're thinking - I just want to feel better - to feel like ME again!0 -
I could give you more insight if I could see your food diary. I know for me it was just a matter of getting off my *kitten*. Stop making excuses, set the alarm earlier in the morning a do it.I've recently been through a tough time and the excuses came back and it's amazing how run down I feel. Add me as a friend if you'd like and we can try to keep each other accountable.0
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You said you eat healthy foods, which is great, but also make sure you are eating enough food. I don't know how many calories you eat a day, but that may be an issue if it is too low. By the way, I have thyroid issues as well and I have been on medication for 5 years now. It does help, but honestly, eating the right amount of healthy foods made a big difference in my energy levels.
Good luck!!0 -
Are you consuming enough calories? Low energy is often a side effect if not eating enough. Just wondering..... This is a good, helpful read if you've never calculated your TDEE and only let MFP set your calorie goals. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-120
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Start with a goal to do 15 minutes, if that time is up and you want to do more, do it, if not stop, you met your goal. You'll get more endurance and might even start to like the way you feel after, soon enough you can bump it to 20 minutes, etc. When I started 8 months ago, 15 -20 minutes was a struggle, I worked out for 2 hours today, no sweat, well yes I was sweating, but you know what I mean.
This sounds like something I could live with - I've read so many articles that say 10-15, even 20 min of exercise at a time just isn't enough. That's really been a depressing thought to me - maybe that's why I don't even bother to try getting started, since they're saying that if I can't do more than 20, I'm just wasting my time...0 -
You said you eat healthy foods, which is great, but also make sure you are eating enough food. I don't know how many calories you eat a day, but that may be an issue if it is too low. By the way, I have thyroid issues as well and I have been on medication for 5 years now. It does help, but honestly, eating the right amount of healthy foods made a big difference in my energy levels.
Good luck!!
Well, when I say healthy food, I'm meaning a lot healthier than I used to eat - it wouldn't be up to standard for someone who's into the "whole foods" idealism, but it's a start. I began at 1350 calories on my MFP app, then as I lost weight (25 lbs so far), it has gone down to 1250, so yeah, at least I think that's enough calories.0 -
Well, when I say healthy food, I'm meaning a lot healthier than I used to eat - it wouldn't be up to standard for someone who's into the "whole foods" idealism, but it's a start. I began at 1350 calories on my MFP app, then as I lost weight (25 lbs so far), it has gone down to 1250, so yeah, at least I think that's enough calories.
Check out the link I previously posted (IPOARM) and it will walk you through calculating your calories. Just figure YOUR numbers using the TDEE system and then give that a shot. Chances are you can eat more, lose more fat and have a heckofa lot more fun doing it. Could be wrong, but it will be worth 10 minutes of your time to check it out. I promise!! :flowerforyou:0 -
Start with a goal to do 15 minutes, if that time is up and you want to do more, do it, if not stop, you met your goal. You'll get more endurance and might even start to like the way you feel after, soon enough you can bump it to 20 minutes, etc. When I started 8 months ago, 15 -20 minutes was a struggle, I worked out for 2 hours today, no sweat, well yes I was sweating, but you know what I mean.
This sounds like something I could live with - I've read so many articles that say 10-15, even 20 min of exercise at a time just isn't enough. That's really been a depressing thought to me - maybe that's why I don't even bother to try getting started, since they're saying that if I can't do more than 20, I'm just wasting my time...
I think I'm gonna go with your advice - although I do appreciate everyone's much needed advice as well. I think if I do the 10 minute spurts, I should be able to increase my endurance, so even if the 10 minutes aren't enough to help me lose any weight, it should help me build my energy level up to the point where I CAN do more to help myself lose it! Thanks again!!! 0 -
Well, when I say healthy food, I'm meaning a lot healthier than I used to eat - it wouldn't be up to standard for someone who's into the "whole foods" idealism, but it's a start. I began at 1350 calories on my MFP app, then as I lost weight (25 lbs so far), it has gone down to 1250, so yeah, at least I think that's enough calories.
Check out the link I previously posted (IPOARM) and it will walk you through calculating your calories. Just figure YOUR numbers using the TDEE system and then give that a shot. Chances are you can eat more, lose more fat and have a heckofa lot more fun doing it. Could be wrong, but it will be worth 10 minutes of your time to check it out. I promise!! :flowerforyou:
Thanks so much! I'll definitely do that!
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Are you consuming enough calories? Low energy is often a side effect if not eating enough. Just wondering..... This is a good, helpful read if you've never calculated your TDEE and only let MFP set your calorie goals. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12
HEY, wait a sec!!! As soon as I went to your link and saw what TDEE stands for, I KNEW what you meant! I work in a pharmacy, and I walk a LOT - and very briskly!! I asked my manager/pharmacist if he thought that all of that walking should be considered exercise, and he said that it should not, because it's something that my body has become accustomed to, so it wouldn't use that expended energy to burn calories....so are you telling me that that's not true? Because if you are, then I can SEE why I'm tired - and HUNGRY all the time!!! 0 -
You might also try aqua exercise. It is easier on your joints and a good place to start increasing your over-all fitness. Also, are you sure that you are not eating below your BMR?0
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Yeah, so I took a week's hiatus from my eating plan - I guess you could call it a fast food binge. The good thing is I'm not craving anything anymore - the great thing is that the whole time I was doing it, I knew I wasn't going to give up my new way of eating (I refuse to call it a "diet") - the most important thing is that I know my body feels just sick, compared to eating healthier. I'll just chalk it up to an experiment, and get right back on track. The eating part is EASY...
The thing is, I KNOW my progress wouldn't be going so slowly if I had the energy to exercise! And please don't tell me that eating healthier food will give me more energy - that is NOT helping! I've even been taking my thyroid meds religiously for the past 2 months now, and the Dr said I would feel AMAZING once it got into my system - NOT! How on earth do people DO it?? I read about people who work out for 2 hours a DAY, and I can barely do it for 20 minutes! Someone PLEASE tell me how to get off my tired (not lazy!) butt and get this weight off!
EDIT*** I've lost 25 lbs so far, but now I've hit a plateau. It's not that I CAN'T lose weight, or don't know how - it's that I'm so freakin TIRED...
I really do believe (and it worked for me) that we get more energy if we eat relatively clean food. I know you don't want to hear this but it is what worked for me. I've eaten 100% clean since June of last year and my energy level went up.
I think going for hour-long walks would help you get started. A lot of threads here are on very ambitious types of work outs that are not for everyone. You can power walk, do calisthenics, follow a stretching program and lose weight.0 -
Take it slow. I didn't just start off going from near 0 to 10k steps a day, I started with 2k, then 4k, 6k, etc, over the course of a few months. Exercise doesn't need to be intense to be meaningful
Also, aqua exercise is good! I stopped going to classes out of embarrassment, but... once it's warm enough outside, I'll be in our pool all summer long!
Good luck, and don't give up!0 -
Make sure you are eating enough calories (NO less than your calculated BMR calories and EAT BACK your exercise calories) and have a good macro-nutrient ratio. For me a 50/25/25 is a good macro nutrient ration. Add increments of 5 minutes of exercise a week at a time. I am not sure what you're trying to increase your workout time to, or what your fitness goals are. If you're just tryng to improve cardio than 20 mins most days of the week is sufficient.. If you have different goals in mind then you'll need to workout differently to reach those goals.0
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cutting complex carbs out of your diet even if it reduces calories isn't smart. Your body runs of it even if you are diabetic. You could ask your doctor about supplementing ketones into your diet.0
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Have you ever had a sleep test? You may be so tired all the time because you have sleep apnea and are not getting the restful sleep that you need at night. If you never get into REM sleep you will be tired, no matter how many hours you "sleep". Just a thought - this was my problem.0
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Are you consuming enough calories? Low energy is often a side effect if not eating enough. Just wondering..... This is a good, helpful read if you've never calculated your TDEE and only let MFP set your calorie goals. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12
HEY, wait a sec!!! As soon as I went to your link and saw what TDEE stands for, I KNEW what you meant! I work in a pharmacy, and I walk a LOT - and very briskly!! I asked my manager/pharmacist if he thought that all of that walking should be considered exercise, and he said that it should not, because it's something that my body has become accustomed to, so it wouldn't use that expended energy to burn calories....so are you telling me that that's not true? Because if you are, then I can SEE why I'm tired - and HUNGRY all the time!!!
Yes, your body has adjusted to it, but when you put in your activity level, then make sure to set it as active or very active. Especially if you're constantly on the move at work. But, if you can switch up a little for about a week, the burn you get from walking at work should start again.0 -
Yeah, so I took a week's hiatus from my eating plan - I guess you could call it a fast food binge. The good thing is I'm not craving anything anymore - the great thing is that the whole time I was doing it, I knew I wasn't going to give up my new way of eating (I refuse to call it a "diet") - the most important thing is that I know my body feels just sick, compared to eating healthier. I'll just chalk it up to an experiment, and get right back on track. The eating part is EASY...
The thing is, I KNOW my progress wouldn't be going so slowly if I had the energy to exercise! And please don't tell me that eating healthier food will give me more energy - that is NOT helping! I've even been taking my thyroid meds religiously for the past 2 months now, and the Dr said I would feel AMAZING once it got into my system - NOT! How on earth do people DO it?? I read about people who work out for 2 hours a DAY, and I can barely do it for 20 minutes! Someone PLEASE tell me how to get off my tired (not lazy!) butt and get this weight off!
EDIT*** I've lost 25 lbs so far, but now I've hit a plateau. It's not that I CAN'T lose weight, or don't know how - it's that I'm so freakin TIRED...
I really do believe (and it worked for me) that we get more energy if we eat relatively clean food. I know you don't want to hear this but it is what worked for me. I've eaten 100% clean since June of last year and my energy level went up.
I think going for hour-long walks would help you get started. A lot of threads here are on very ambitious types of work outs that are not for everyone. You can power walk, do calisthenics, follow a stretching program and lose weight.
I've been doing the Walk Away the Pounds DVDs, and at first I was able to do them quite easily, until I began to get SO tired, that is! Factory work messed the ligaments up in the bottom of my feet, so it makes it very painful to walk long distances, but the low-impact aerobics of those DVDs, I could do pretty well. Maybe I DO need to eat more calories, judging from all of the walking I do on my pharmacy job now. Maybe that's what the problem has been all along - I'm not including those steps in my exercise logs.
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Are you consuming enough calories? Low energy is often a side effect if not eating enough. Just wondering..... This is a good, helpful read if you've never calculated your TDEE and only let MFP set your calorie goals. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12
HEY, wait a sec!!! As soon as I went to your link and saw what TDEE stands for, I KNEW what you meant! I work in a pharmacy, and I walk a LOT - and very briskly!! I asked my manager/pharmacist if he thought that all of that walking should be considered exercise, and he said that it should not, because it's something that my body has become accustomed to, so it wouldn't use that expended energy to burn calories....so are you telling me that that's not true? Because if you are, then I can SEE why I'm tired - and HUNGRY all the time!!!
Yes, your body has adjusted to it, but when you put in your activity level, then make sure to set it as active or very active. Especially if you're constantly on the move at work. But, if you can switch up a little for about a week, the burn you get from walking at work should start again.
Hey, that might just be the ticket!! I have mine set as "Senendary" or however it's spelled...I'll bet you that's just what the problem is! I'll fix that ASAP, and see what happens then - I'll keep you all informed! Thanks!! 0 -
First of all, it sounds as though you are not getting enough calories. Secondly, exercising and expending energy actually creates more energy. If you do 10 minutes of exercise three times a day, you are getting 30 minutes of exercise. It sounds as though you already do a lot of walking at your job. Maybe you might want to consider dancing to some really great music. Change it up a bit. Try dancing through one song and then add to it gradually. Also make certain you are staying hydrated. If you are not, it will cause you to feel really tired.0
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Have you ever had a sleep test? You may be so tired all the time because you have sleep apnea and are not getting the restful sleep that you need at night. If you never get into REM sleep you will be tired, no matter how many hours you "sleep". Just a thought - this was my problem.
Actually, I have. I just did the in-home test with the portable equipment and such - my Dr said he thinks I have Apnea. I turned in the equipment and called for the results, and it said I do have moderate Apnea, but my insurance has a high deductible, so I have an out-of-pocket amount to meet, and it just isn't in my budget at this time - maybe in a few months I can get my C-PAP and get to feeling better! 0 -
EDIT******I also need to mention again that before I started getting so tired, I WAS working out (feel free to check out my exercise logs) - I was using resistance bands and doing Walk Away the Pounds - PLUS walking a mile around the inside of the Walmart, which I work at as a pharmacy cashier, on my lunch hour. I love to exercise - my complaint is NOT about having to exercise - it's about having the ENERGY to do so...just to answer some of the posts that I've gotten. While i appreciate the advice, I don't want my request for help to be misconstrued. As I said in my initial post, I am not LAZY - just extremely TIRED...thanks! :ohwell: 0
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I could give you more insight if I could see your food diary. I know for me it was just a matter of getting off my *kitten*. Stop making excuses, set the alarm earlier in the morning a do it.I've recently been through a tough time and the excuses came back and it's amazing how run down I feel. Add me as a friend if you'd like and we can try to keep each other accountable.
I also need to mention again that before I started getting so tired, I WAS working out (feel free to check out my exercise logs) - I was using resistance bands and doing Walk Away the Pounds - PLUS walking a mile around the inside of the Walmart, which I work at as a pharmacy cashier, on my lunch hour. I love to exercise - my complaint is NOT about having to exercise - it's about having the ENERGY to do so...just to answer some of the posts that I've gotten. While i appreciate the advice, I don't want my request for help to be misconstrued. As I said in my initial post, I am not LAZY - just extremely TIRED...thanks! :ohwell: 0 -
Have you considered taking a multi. vitamin to increase your energy? I would recommend a multi. vitamin and also a vitamin-B complex to increase energy. Also, maybe in the morning you should take a greenfoods energy drink. Additionally, if you are trying to increase your energy levels I would recommend stretching in your down time. Stretching allows muscle tissue to develop properly and if you stretch before and after you get exercise you wont feel as sore the next day. I hope this helps!0
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BY THE WAY... I noticed you're diabetic. If you're on insulin you may want to check to see if you need an adjustment. If you're not on insulin maybe you need to contemplate it? You may want to discuss this with your doctor.0
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BY THE WAY... I noticed you're diabetic. If you're on insulin you may want to check to see if you need an adjustment. If you're not on insulin maybe you need to contemplate it? You may want to discuss this with your doctor.
No, I'm not insulin-dependent. The last time I went for a check-up, my Dr put me on an additional diabetes medicine. I was eating badly at the time, and this is one of the factors in my decision to get the weight off. I know that additional meds is just another step towards being insulin-dependent, so I was having none of it. After losing just 10 lbs, I discovered that this new medication was causing my glucose to drop dangerously low, so I stopped taking it. After that, my blood sugar levels are staying in the normal range, simply by eating better and losing 15 more lbs.
My goal is to be off all diabetes meds, which my Dr says is a real possibility if I get the weight under control. Thus my urgency at losing more weight than I have already - my next check-up is coming up next month. I want to be able to show him that I am at least trying to get the weight off. I haven't gained much back - only 3 or 4 lbs, and I know the binge didn't help matters, but I think we all have those from time to time - maybe not week-long ones, but binges, nonetheless. At least I am being open and honest about the over-eating..why not? It's not hurting anyone but myself. 0 -
You know what gives you more energy? Exercise. So, basically get off your butt and go do it - after a week you'll have more energy than you know what to do with ...0
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It's possible you're not on quite the right thyroid medication or dosage for you. If you're still really exhausted, it's possible that your body isn't processing the medication you're taking the right way, and it's not giving you the full benefit it should. If you haven't already, ask your doctor to run both a TSH test (the standard one), as well as a free T3 and free T4 test. If your free T3 is still really low, something is preventing your body from properly converting the T4 (ie synthroid, levothyroxine, etc.) to T3 (which is the active form of thyroid hormone your body actually uses), and can result in you feeling really tired. Lots of things interfere with that conversion process, from stress to other hormone imbalances to nutritional deficiencies.
I completely understand about the exhaustion. Exercise should give you lots of energy. If you're still hypothyroid, though, it can have exactly the opposite effect: totally, utterly draining you. Definitely follow up with your doctor.0
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