Caffeine pills anyone???

2

Replies

  • sarabreck
    sarabreck Posts: 16 Member
    I would try tracking your food diary for a day or two and pay attention to your calcium, potassium and magnesium intake. You may not be getting enough. Deficiency in B12 and Iron can also make you feel tired.

    Caffeine is not a great solution. It does not actually give you energy, like nutrients do. It blocks the depressant receptors in your brain, so you just don't receive the messages that your body is sending you that it is tired. Your body still sends the messages though, so once the caffeine wears off your depressant receptors, you feel even more tired. So you drink more coffee, take more pills, and on and on.
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
    You're probably not eating enough. OR, the nutrients you are getting are not being absorbed by your body because you are lacking in fats.
  • BHKLEIN
    BHKLEIN Posts: 104
    I'm eatting well and plenty. I don't over load on carbs as they always make me feel slow. I eat lots of veggies, fruits and lean meats/chicken/fish 4-6 oz a meal only though, nuts like unsalted peanuts, etc... oh and natural applesause (LOVE THAT). But I am going to start taking a vitamin. I think that may be the issue: I may just not be getting enough in general (EDIT: vitamins that is not food).
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
    You stated in another post that your BMR is 1400. And that you generally eat 1200-1400.
    FYI - Your BMR is the amount they would feed you in a coma just to keep your heart, breathing, organ and brain functioning. People who do not have a lot of weight left to lose should not be eating below their BMR. Your body is starting to send you signals that you are under eating.

    Please eat more food, don't just look for a vitamin pill.
  • _HeartsOnFire_
    _HeartsOnFire_ Posts: 5,304 Member
    You stated in another post that your BMR is 1400. And that you generally eat 1200-1400.
    FYI - Your BMR is the amount they would feed you in a coma just to keep your heart, breathing, organ and brain functioning. People who do not have a lot of weight left to lose should not be eating below their BMR. Your body is starting to send you signals that you are under eating.

    Please eat more food, don't just look for a vitamin pill.

    Nailed it.
  • BHKLEIN
    BHKLEIN Posts: 104
    You stated in another post that your BMR is 1400. And that you generally eat 1200-1400.
    FYI - Your BMR is the amount they would feed you in a coma just to keep your heart, breathing, organ and brain functioning. People who do not have a lot of weight left to lose should not be eating below their BMR. Your body is starting to send you signals that you are under eating.

    Please eat more food, don't just look for a vitamin pill.

    Nailed it.

    GENERALLY eat 1200-1400 not always... it depends on what I'm doing that day! Maybe you didn't see the generally part of my post. Plus I had 63-65 lbs to loose: I don't count that as not having a lot of weight to loose. I've lost a lot before I starting doing MFP. Also you happened to not mention TDEE. I re-evaluated my TDEE - 20% for my current weight and statisics now: 1344-1540 my TDEE- 20% comes in at. TDEE -20% is commonly used to calculate weight loss based on your own statistic. So that being said generally eatting 1200-1400 when my TDEE -20% comes in 1344-1540 is not far off and is usually right on target. Is that for everyone: definently not! Do I eat more some days than others: sure!!! Of course I do, do I eat less than 1200 NEVER NEVER NEVER!!!! So please do not come into a thread I start and tell me that I need to eat more!!! I don't judge you by what you eat or how much you eat. I only offer support and posting from my own personally experience. AND I did just bought some vitamins at lunch from the fitness store and they told me the same thing I just told you... I'll bet I'm feeling better in a few days! You better bet I'll be upping my cals when I get to maintence so just leave it be would you!
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
    Yes but now you are about 10 pounds from goal weight and a 20% cut off TDEE is too much. You should be at 10%.
  • BHKLEIN
    BHKLEIN Posts: 104
    I'm very happy at my TDEE - 20% right now. I'll probably up my cals to more like 1600-1800 to maintain. Maybe 1900-2000 when I start with my trainer in a month to work on toning and building some muscle. But right now, TDEE - 20% feels right to me and my body.
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
    Your body feels so right that you are exhausted and researching caffeine pills.

    Okay, whatever, I'm out.
  • _HeartsOnFire_
    _HeartsOnFire_ Posts: 5,304 Member
    You stated in another post that your BMR is 1400. And that you generally eat 1200-1400.
    FYI - Your BMR is the amount they would feed you in a coma just to keep your heart, breathing, organ and brain functioning. People who do not have a lot of weight left to lose should not be eating below their BMR. Your body is starting to send you signals that you are under eating.

    Please eat more food, don't just look for a vitamin pill.

    Nailed it.

    GENERALLY eat 1200-1400 not always... it depends on what I'm doing that day! Maybe you didn't see the generally part of my post. Plus I had 63-65 lbs to loose: I don't count that as not having a lot of weight to loose. I've lost a lot before I starting doing MFP. Also you happened to not mention TDEE. I re-evaluated my TDEE - 20% for my current weight and statisics now: 1344-1540 my TDEE- 20% comes in at. TDEE -20% is commonly used to calculate weight loss based on your own statistic. So that being said generally eatting 1200-1400 when my TDEE -20% comes in 1344-1540 is not far off and is usually right on target. Is that for everyone: definently not! Do I eat more some days than others: sure!!! Of course I do, do I eat less than 1200 NEVER NEVER NEVER!!!! So please do not come into a thread I start and tell me that I need to eat more!!! I don't judge you by what you eat or how much you eat. I only offer support and posting from my own personally experience. AND I did just bought some vitamins at lunch from the fitness store and they told me the same thing I just told you... I'll bet I'm feeling better in a few days! You better bet I'll be upping my cals when I get to maintence so just leave it be would you!

    I didn't tell you anything. I agree with deksgrl.

    So wait...you don't want people to make suggestions...or offer their opinions...then why do you post in a public forum?
  • BHKLEIN
    BHKLEIN Posts: 104
    I said I'm tired not exhaughted and it's not exclusively from what I'm eatting for god sakes! I really think you are just being rude!!! I wish you could block people from your own posts..... MFP please make this possible to do!!! I do think it's a vitamin thing though. Researching is not the same thing as taking caffeine (note: it is a good thing to research these sort of things before you actual do it): also it's not much different than people who drink coffee or pop to get a perk! I don't do any of these things currently, so YES I would like something that would help perk me up a bit.
  • BHKLEIN
    BHKLEIN Posts: 104
    You stated in another post that your BMR is 1400. And that you generally eat 1200-1400.
    FYI - Your BMR is the amount they would feed you in a coma just to keep your heart, breathing, organ and brain functioning. People who do not have a lot of weight left to lose should not be eating below their BMR. Your body is starting to send you signals that you are under eating.

    Please eat more food, don't just look for a vitamin pill.

    Nailed it.

    GENERALLY eat 1200-1400 not always... it depends on what I'm doing that day! Maybe you didn't see the generally part of my post. Plus I had 63-65 lbs to loose: I don't count that as not having a lot of weight to loose. I've lost a lot before I starting doing MFP. Also you happened to not mention TDEE. I re-evaluated my TDEE - 20% for my current weight and statisics now: 1344-1540 my TDEE- 20% comes in at. TDEE -20% is commonly used to calculate weight loss based on your own statistic. So that being said generally eatting 1200-1400 when my TDEE -20% comes in 1344-1540 is not far off and is usually right on target. Is that for everyone: definently not! Do I eat more some days than others: sure!!! Of course I do, do I eat less than 1200 NEVER NEVER NEVER!!!! So please do not come into a thread I start and tell me that I need to eat more!!! I don't judge you by what you eat or how much you eat. I only offer support and posting from my own personally experience. AND I did just bought some vitamins at lunch from the fitness store and they told me the same thing I just told you... I'll bet I'm feeling better in a few days! You better bet I'll be upping my cals when I get to maintence so just leave it be would you!

    I didn't tell you anything. I agree with deksgrl.

    So wait...you don't want people to make suggestions...or offer their opinions...then why do you post in a public forum?

    Yes suggestions on caffeine pills: have you ever taken them, have you not and why, what do you know about them, etc..... actual helpful information about the topic!!!! Some people on here are really great about posting helpful information about the topic at hand, others: not so much!
  • Candi_land
    Candi_land Posts: 1,311 Member
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  • BHKLEIN
    BHKLEIN Posts: 104
    Haha... I remember that episode and caffeine! :smile:


    And my Dr. said all my levels are fine. Nothing is off...... I'm just very busy. Also, I didn't even think about caffeine pills it was a co-worker who suggested them so I thought I'd look into it and see if anyone has any helpful info on them. I'm not exhaughted but who wouldn't want a little extra energy now and then.
  • ATT949
    ATT949 Posts: 1,245 Member
    If you feel tired to the point where you're considering taking an addictive drug* to feel "normal", I would think it wise to check in with a doctor - a medical doctor, that is.


    *I'm not knocking caffeine - I'm a regular caffeine user.
  • jdm_taco
    jdm_taco Posts: 999 Member
    They work great!

    brb taking one before I go run...
  • ILiftHeavyAcrylics
    ILiftHeavyAcrylics Posts: 27,732 Member
    I don't have a problem with caffeine, I generally drink 4 cups of coffee in the morning.

    But I can tell you that this week I tried to drop my calories down to 1500 gross (my BMR is 1400) and I felt like crap. I was completely exhausted and dragging. I don't know if it was calorie level or a vitamin deficiency, but bumping them back up to 1700 helped right away. Maybe you should consider adding just one extra small snack for a couple of days and see where that gets you.

    Also check your protein, consider MFP's default to be the minimum.
  • BHKLEIN
    BHKLEIN Posts: 104
    I don't have a problem with caffeine, I generally drink 4 cups of coffee in the morning.

    But I can tell you that this week I tried to drop my calories down to 1500 gross (my BMR is 1400) and I felt like crap. I was completely exhausted and dragging. I don't know if it was calorie level or a vitamin deficiency, but bumping them back up to 1700 helped right away. Maybe you should consider adding just one extra small snack for a couple of days and see where that gets you.

    Also check your protein, consider MFP's default to be the minimum.

    This is great advice: thanks! I don't always eat under 1400 cals... sometimes I go over and up to 1600 it just depends on what my body needs. I tried eatting more cals regularly but I just felt over full and my body always seemed to maintain and not loose. I eat when I need to and never eat until l actually feel full. Usually that's every few hours. I do eat very frequently, just not a ton at one time. Don't know if that helps any, but just what I experience with myself. I'll try the vitamins for a few days and see if that helps since I'm not taking any suppliments right now, if that doesn't work then I'll incorporate another small snack into my day. Should be interesting considering I eat really frequently already. :smile:
  • _HeartsOnFire_
    _HeartsOnFire_ Posts: 5,304 Member
    You stated in another post that your BMR is 1400. And that you generally eat 1200-1400.
    FYI - Your BMR is the amount they would feed you in a coma just to keep your heart, breathing, organ and brain functioning. People who do not have a lot of weight left to lose should not be eating below their BMR. Your body is starting to send you signals that you are under eating.

    Please eat more food, don't just look for a vitamin pill.

    Nailed it.

    GENERALLY eat 1200-1400 not always... it depends on what I'm doing that day! Maybe you didn't see the generally part of my post. Plus I had 63-65 lbs to loose: I don't count that as not having a lot of weight to loose. I've lost a lot before I starting doing MFP. Also you happened to not mention TDEE. I re-evaluated my TDEE - 20% for my current weight and statisics now: 1344-1540 my TDEE- 20% comes in at. TDEE -20% is commonly used to calculate weight loss based on your own statistic. So that being said generally eatting 1200-1400 when my TDEE -20% comes in 1344-1540 is not far off and is usually right on target. Is that for everyone: definently not! Do I eat more some days than others: sure!!! Of course I do, do I eat less than 1200 NEVER NEVER NEVER!!!! So please do not come into a thread I start and tell me that I need to eat more!!! I don't judge you by what you eat or how much you eat. I only offer support and posting from my own personally experience. AND I did just bought some vitamins at lunch from the fitness store and they told me the same thing I just told you... I'll bet I'm feeling better in a few days! You better bet I'll be upping my cals when I get to maintence so just leave it be would you!

    I didn't tell you anything. I agree with deksgrl.

    So wait...you don't want people to make suggestions...or offer their opinions...then why do you post in a public forum?

    Yes suggestions on caffeine pills: have you ever taken them, have you not and why, what do you know about them, etc..... actual helpful information about the topic!!!! Some people on here are really great about posting helpful information about the topic at hand, others: not so much!

    On an earlier post in here I DID make suggestions. But that doesn't mean I can't agree with deksgrl. I know if I don't eat enough that does have an effect on my energy level. All those diet pills that ended up killing people had caffeine in them too...Caffeine in pill form is much different than a soda or coffee...it's more potent in most cases. So if you want to speed up your heart rate, have borderline high blood pressure, then try them out!
  • BHKLEIN
    BHKLEIN Posts: 104
    You stated in another post that your BMR is 1400. And that you generally eat 1200-1400.
    FYI - Your BMR is the amount they would feed you in a coma just to keep your heart, breathing, organ and brain functioning. People who do not have a lot of weight left to lose should not be eating below their BMR. Your body is starting to send you signals that you are under eating.

    Please eat more food, don't just look for a vitamin pill.

    Nailed it.

    GENERALLY eat 1200-1400 not always... it depends on what I'm doing that day! Maybe you didn't see the generally part of my post. Plus I had 63-65 lbs to loose: I don't count that as not having a lot of weight to loose. I've lost a lot before I starting doing MFP. Also you happened to not mention TDEE. I re-evaluated my TDEE - 20% for my current weight and statisics now: 1344-1540 my TDEE- 20% comes in at. TDEE -20% is commonly used to calculate weight loss based on your own statistic. So that being said generally eatting 1200-1400 when my TDEE -20% comes in 1344-1540 is not far off and is usually right on target. Is that for everyone: definently not! Do I eat more some days than others: sure!!! Of course I do, do I eat less than 1200 NEVER NEVER NEVER!!!! So please do not come into a thread I start and tell me that I need to eat more!!! I don't judge you by what you eat or how much you eat. I only offer support and posting from my own personally experience. AND I did just bought some vitamins at lunch from the fitness store and they told me the same thing I just told you... I'll bet I'm feeling better in a few days! You better bet I'll be upping my cals when I get to maintence so just leave it be would you!

    I didn't tell you anything. I agree with deksgrl.

    So wait...you don't want people to make suggestions...or offer their opinions...then why do you post in a public forum?

    Yes suggestions on caffeine pills: have you ever taken them, have you not and why, what do you know about them, etc..... actual helpful information about the topic!!!! Some people on here are really great about posting helpful information about the topic at hand, others: not so much!

    On an earlier post in here I DID make suggestions. But that doesn't mean I can't agree with deksgrl. I know if I don't eat enough that does have an effect on my energy level. All those diet pills that ended up killing people had caffeine in them too...Caffeine in pill form is much different than a soda or coffee...it's more potent in most cases. So if you want to speed up your heart rate, have borderline high blood pressure, then try them out!

    This is not about eating enough..... this is about caffeine pills. Period! Not that I'm pro or con, I'm just getting feedback. Not all those pills are extremely potent either. They do make different strengthens and some are more natural than others... I don't know all the details about them I just started researching these, but I do know that you could accidentally overdose by taking them and consuming other caffeine rich foods/drinks at the same time. However, there are a lot of known benefits as well provided you are healthy and only take these occasionally and in low doses. I would think you'd want to be educated about this sort of thing before starting it. I have decided to not take these, but I think the topic is interesting. I do have a friend though that takes these and she hasn't had any negative issues thus far. High blood pressure is a possible side effect, not a guaranteed. Every pill has possible side effects including aspirin, birth control pills, etc....
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
    Seriously, I am not trying to be rude to you or be adversarial. I wouldn't waste my time on that, I'm simply trying to pass on some knowledge because I see here time and again people unknowingly causing themselves problems.

    The point of this is the same as any other question about some magic shake, or magic cleanse. You don't need them, so find the cause of your complaint and fix it at the root of the problem, not by looking for a magic pill. Many things can be fixed by diet. And of course, you should check with a doctor. Just because your levels of this or that vitamin were fine last time you went 8 months ago (or however long ago) doesn't mean they are now, especially since calories have now been restricted, and eating less food and different foods may have unbalanced some nutrients or effected how nutrients are absorbed by your body. Also, how you eat and the demands you put on your body with exercise effects your hormones, it can cause excess cortisol which is a stress hormone (this is another cause of fatigue). Taking caffeine or stimulants isn't going to help in that case and probably would cause further damage.

    And just as I was typing this response, I heard of a new study on the radio that concluded that people who drink 4 or more cups of coffee a day have a 21% higher risk of dying prematurely, and that the risk was 50% higher in those who were less than 55 years old. I can't find a link to the actual study but here is a link to an article about it: http://www.prevention.com/food/healthy-eating-tips/coffee-affects-mortality-rate-study
  • _HeartsOnFire_
    _HeartsOnFire_ Posts: 5,304 Member
    Seriously, I am not trying to be rude to you or be adversarial. I wouldn't waste my time on that, I'm simply trying to pass on some knowledge because I see here time and again people unknowingly causing themselves problems.

    The point of this is the same as any other question about some magic shake, or magic cleanse. You don't need them, so find the cause of your complaint and fix it at the root of the problem, not by looking for a magic pill. Many things can be fixed by diet. And of course, you should check with a doctor. Just because your levels of this or that vitamin were fine last time you went 8 months ago (or however long ago) doesn't mean they are now, especially since calories have now been restricted, and eating less food and different foods may have unbalanced some nutrients or effected how nutrients are absorbed by your body. Also, how you eat and the demands you put on your body with exercise effects your hormones, it can cause excess cortisol which is a stress hormone (this is another cause of fatigue). Taking caffeine or stimulants isn't going to help in that case and probably would cause further damage.

    And just as I was typing this response, I heard of a new study on the radio that concluded that people who drink 4 or more cups of coffee a day have a 21% higher risk of dying prematurely, and that the risk was 50% higher in those who were less than 55 years old. I can't find a link to the actual study but here is a link to an article about it: http://www.prevention.com/food/healthy-eating-tips/coffee-affects-mortality-rate-study

    This. I also was not then and am not now trying to be rude or adversarial. It seems like you don't want to hear suggestions that might help you from being tired all the time, eating more really could be a solution but no, you don't want to hear that. You don't want to find the root of the problem you just want to mask the symptoms, throw a band-aid on it or find a magic pill and you want someone to say yes, that'll do it! Again I agree with everything deksgrl said. None of us were trying to be rude or mean or anything, but day in and day out people want to post on here and they get mad when they hear something they didn't want to hear and get all bent out of shape for nothing. For people who are just making suggestions to you in the public forum you chose to write in. There's no need to get all bent out of shape because people aren't saying what you want to hear.

    I'm all for getting educated on things you might take, however, why would you want to mask the problem or throw a band-aid on it? Typically, in the long run, that just makes symptoms or the underlying issue worse. I agree with deksgrl again that you should talk to your doctor and possibly get your levels checked, and in standard blood tests they don't check for everything that could be causing this (I worked in a doctors office for 5 years, so I do know what's standard and not standard), so it is worth a talk to your doctor.
  • JessG11
    JessG11 Posts: 345 Member
    People are going to put down caffeine. There are some definite cons to it. Yes it is addictive...I can't go a day without it without getting a bad headache. And I'm glad some people can go without it. I myself have done energy green shakes in the am and still didn't have the same results as I do with my two cups of coffee. I'm not looking for energy to get me through the day. I know if I've ate properly then I don't have that 3 o'clock crash at my desk. I take my vitamins, drink plenty of water and have regular blood work. So maybe people are thinking that your wanting to use caffeine pills to make it through your day????...I don't know...but if you're just like me then that's not the case. I am a caffeine user (2 cups of coffee in the am) and I'm not ready to give caffeine up. I have my cups in the am and then pretty much drink water throughout the rest of my day. But I'd love some sort of replacement because I don't want the added calories I have from the coffee I drink because I don't drink it black. If I could find a pill, like an herbal supplement that would JUST be equivalent to the caffeine in two cups of coffee, so I could wake up easier in the am and be bright eyed and bushy tailed, I'd love to know about it! I'm not trying to Jessie Spano wig out or anything...just want to start my day with a little more pep in my step....

    I've been looking at some herbal supplements and checking them out and someone on this thread discussed green tea. I might have to drink four cups of green tea...hahaha....but that may be a good replacement for myself because I know I don't have to put sugar in that to enjoy it.

    Good luck to you. I'd suggest just researching it out further.
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
    I don't have anything against caffeine personally. I drink coffee. I don't drink too much though because if I do, it keeps me awake at night.
  • JessG11
    JessG11 Posts: 345 Member
    I don't have anything against caffeine personally. I drink coffee. I don't drink too much though because if I do, it keeps me awake at night.

    Me too. That's why I cut back to two cups in the am and try to keep it there.
  • Get your vitamin levels tested - a lot of deficiencies can cause this, I had a severe D & B12 deficiency but once I got that taken care of my energy levels are normal. Don't just start taking them on your own, might be a waste (for example, B12 pills do nothing for you unless you are actually deficient).

    This, I had a severe vitamin D deficiency. A few weeks after taking mega doses I was a whole new person! I've just started taking it again, waiting for it to kick back in, but I can already tell a difference after just one week.
  • ksuh999
    ksuh999 Posts: 543 Member
    Get your vitamin levels tested - a lot of deficiencies can cause this, I had a severe D & B12 deficiency but once I got that taken care of my energy levels are normal. Don't just start taking them on your own, might be a waste (for example, B12 pills do nothing for you unless you are actually deficient).

    This, I had a severe vitamin D deficiency. A few weeks after taking mega doses I was a whole new person! I've just started taking it again, waiting for it to kick back in, but I can already tell a difference after just one week.
    You had rickets?
  • Babygi6003
    Babygi6003 Posts: 356 Member
    I take 1 caffeine pill per day when I am really tired in the afternoon after an early morning workout.

    I figure it is better than drinking a ton of soda and I don't like coffee
  • jessiefied
    jessiefied Posts: 167
    Check your iron levels as well - I always used to feel tired and eventually found out that I was iron deficient. Its common problem for women.
  • BHKLEIN
    BHKLEIN Posts: 104
    I just wanted to say that I took some of your advice and went to the Dr. I have really bad seasonal allergies! Who would have thought!!! So I'm taking care of that thru a prescription. Probably take a few days to really get in my system. Also, my Dr. suggested I start taking a multi-vitamin. We went over my food intake and I was very honest with him. Although I'm not eating tons and tons (1600+) of calories, I am eating very clean and select foods that give me the maximum amount of nutrients as possible. He suggested whey protein and a good multi-vitamin. Also, he did bring up a Super B-complex vitamin that helps with energy and gives extra Vitamin C. He was overall very happy with my weight loss. I have bulged discs in my lower back that have cause me a lot of pain the past 10 years and with physical therapy and the new weight loss I'm finally having days with no pain at all!!! :happy: