Tired all the time...

ChristineOlivarri
ChristineOlivarri Posts: 62 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
So I have been staying true to my 1200 cal a day intake and I have been working out an hour a day M-F , since I started this new lifestyle change I have been feeling extremely tired. Is this happening because my body is getting used to eating normally?
«1

Replies

  • onecatleadstoanother
    onecatleadstoanother Posts: 70 Member
    Are you eating back your exercise calories? I can't exist on only 1200, so I eat more and try to space them evenly throughout the day
  • ChristineOlivarri
    ChristineOlivarri Posts: 62 Member
    No I just eat the 1200 and do not eat back the work out cals.
  • sammys1girly
    sammys1girly Posts: 1,045 Member
    I think it's probably the exercise, if it's a new thing for you, as well as not eating nearly enough calories. You may lose weight fast initially, but it's much better and more maintainable to lose more slowly. You need energy to work out and 1200 calories isn't enough.
  • jennegan1
    jennegan1 Posts: 677 Member
    Are you getting enough protein? I notice when I do Im not as tired but I also eat more then you do
  • jsj024519
    jsj024519 Posts: 400 Member
    In my humble opinion, you should try and eat your exercise calories back if you are feeling tired. Listen to your body. That is my two cents.
  • _Calypso_
    _Calypso_ Posts: 1,074 Member
    No I just eat the 1200 and do not eat back the work out cals.

    Id be lethargic if I ate only 1200 and not eat back any exercise calories!! Think of your body as a car....you need fuel to make it go. Without the calories you will be tired!!! You need energy.

    1200 is often too low for most. You need to calculate your BMR and eat (perferably NET) at least that amount. You dont' have to eat back all your exercise calories, but you do need to eat more.
  • chunmi
    chunmi Posts: 38 Member
    eat more. 1200 kcal isn't enough, for anyone.
  • ChristineOlivarri
    ChristineOlivarri Posts: 62 Member
    I went from eating probably in the ball park of 3,000-4,000 cals a day and NEVER working out, I'm hoping my body will get used to this normal intake so I will start having more energy. I agree on the protein, I am going to work more of that into my diet.
  • st_scrivener
    st_scrivener Posts: 26
    You're tired because you're not eating enough calories. On days you exercise an hour, try eating around 1400-1500 calories, then on the weekends eat around 1300-1400. You're eating way too little and all it's going to amount to is you hurting yourself and/or crashing, caving, and binging.
  • KarenJanine
    KarenJanine Posts: 3,497 Member
    No I just eat the 1200 and do not eat back the work out cals.

    Well that's likely the problem.

    MFP is designed so that you eat back exercise calories and lose weight in a healthy, sustainable way. Try eating a bit more and see if your energy levels improve.
  • freddi11e
    freddi11e Posts: 317 Member
    it's the adjustment! just give it some time.... i would just keep doing what you're doing. Maybe eat some eggs after your workout.. but i don't believe you generally need to eat back everything you just worked off lol. just allow your body to get used to it.
  • jess135177
    jess135177 Posts: 186 Member
    1200 calories is not much. Try eating back your exercise calories and see how you feel. MFP wants you to net 1200 calories.
  • Shoechick5
    Shoechick5 Posts: 221 Member
    No I just eat the 1200 and do not eat back the work out cals.

    I think you just answered your own question :flowerforyou:
  • My0WNinspiration
    My0WNinspiration Posts: 1,146 Member
    Eat more
  • _Calypso_
    _Calypso_ Posts: 1,074 Member
    I went from eating probably in the ball park of 3,000-4,000 cals a day and NEVER working out, I'm hoping my body will get used to this normal intake so I will start having more energy. I agree on the protein, I am going to work more of that into my diet.

    I don't know how tall you are, but I put 5'6" into the calculator

    http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/

    Bascially you should be eating at least 1600 calories a day!! So if you are working out an hour each day (give or take 200 cal burn) you are netting below 1,000 cal per day. No wonder your tired.

    If you feel 1600 cal is too high right now. Get up to 1400 cal a day, that way with a burn you'll still net over 1200. Then slowly increase til you get up to 1600.

    You'll still lose weight, it may be at a slower pace. But it will be at a much healthier pace and will aid in long term success!!
  • Escloflowne
    Escloflowne Posts: 2,038 Member
    No I just eat the 1200 and do not eat back the work out cals.

    And you're wondering why you're tired?
  • myurav
    myurav Posts: 165 Member
    It's definitely the calories - when I restrict myself too much, my mood goes downhill quickly and I feel very sluggish.

    For someone at your weight and height, you should be eating more calories, especially if you used to eat 3,000-4,000 cals per day. Most people I know who started out like that either increase their calories or they end up binging because they're starving themselves.

    Have you calculated your TDEE and BMR? That's probably the best way to start. Good luck!
  • seltzermint555
    seltzermint555 Posts: 10,740 Member
    In my humble opinion, you should try and eat your exercise calories back if you are feeling tired. Listen to your body. That is my two cents.

    I agree with this, especially if you're set to sedentary or lightly active (which you must be, with 1200 calories!)

    If you feel weird about eating back all of your exercise calories, just eat back some of them until you notice that you have a better energy level. Or under-log a bit. That is what I do. If I walk around a mall for 90+ min at various speeds, I'm not going to enter that full amount. I usually put in like 30-40 min and eat back those calories, or most of them.

    Also play around with your meal sizes and times. I am at around 1,300 calories (when I don't have any exercise) so not much higher than you. For awhile I was having a medium breakfast, light lunch, and medium to heavy dinner. I was always a bit hungry in the afternoon and exhausted or HANGRY by the time I left work at 5 pm. Now I add more calories to my lunch and/or have a small treat at lunch and it puts me back to my energetic self.

    Best of luck to you!
  • gheubach
    gheubach Posts: 1 Member
    You need to drink additional water, when working out. Not only water, you have to replace electrolytes as well. I'm not a guru, but I've been learning that myself.
  • ChristineOlivarri
    ChristineOlivarri Posts: 62 Member
    I am going to try eating back some of the workout calories if not all, on those days I really feel tired. I just wasn't sure if it was my body just adjusting, keep in mind I have never tried eating correctly or working out so this is all new to me.
    Thank you all for your input .
  • TheSlorax
    TheSlorax Posts: 2,401 Member
    I went from eating probably in the ball park of 3,000-4,000 cals a day and NEVER working out, I'm hoping my body will get used to this normal intake so I will start having more energy. I agree on the protein, I am going to work more of that into my diet.

    No, 1200 calories without eating back anything earned from exercise is NOT "normal intake". MFP intends for you to NET 1200 calories. That means 1200 calories after exercise. You are tired, lethargic, and I'm guessing weak. That is not normal, and no, your body does not need an "adjustment period". Eat more, at least your exercise calories. You will still lose weight.
  • seltzermint555
    seltzermint555 Posts: 10,740 Member
    I am going to try eating back some of the workout calories if not all, on those days I really feel tired. I just wasn't sure if it was my body just adjusting, keep in mind I have never tried eating correctly or working out so this is all new to me.
    Thank you all for your input .

    I am excited for you. It sounds like you're very dedicated.

    I don't mean to be rude but I checked out your profile, and I am really surprised that MFP guideline would be 1200 cal for you even sedentary w/ no exercise. I'm older at 37, and 5'8" but when I was at 235 lb last summer and set to lose 1.5 lb/wk I think my daily amount was between 1470-1600 somewhere.

    If 1200 is not actually your MFP guided amount...have you considered going w/ the amount the system suggests?

    Again I don't mean to pry. I just know that my only real "plateau" since joining the site came when I was right around your weight & tried to overachieve by eating closer to 1200 and when I went back to 1400+ I resumed losing.
  • Shoechick5
    Shoechick5 Posts: 221 Member
    Just my opinion, but if I was you, I'd up my daily calories to at least 1,400 and then eat back at least half of your workout calories. that way you're always going to net over 1,200. Do it for a month or so and see how you feel. Baby steps! going from 3,000 - 4,000 calories down to 1,200 is a brutal shock to the body and you're really going to struggle. Better to make it easier on yourself and slow it down a titch.
  • jennegan1
    jennegan1 Posts: 677 Member
    I forgot to ask did you get your thyroid checked or your iron levels checked?
  • mandikaye
    mandikaye Posts: 72 Member
    I've been struggling with this as well this week, but for me I'm 90% sure it's just my body reacting to the sudden activity. I've been sedentary and now I'm not. And it's frustrating. I slept 10 hours the other night and was a ZOMBIE at work the next day because I could have slept another 10. I just have to get used to this new routine.

    But I will agree with what these other folks are saying - your body needs fuel when you're working out. So feed it! :)
  • monty619
    monty619 Posts: 1,308 Member
    So I have been staying true to my 1200 cal a day intake and I have been working out an hour a day M-F , since I started this new lifestyle change I have been feeling extremely tired. Is this happening because my body is getting used to eating normally?

    its what happens when you lose weight.. the body is in a deficit it will cut down all extra movement in order to conserve (energy)calories.. this is why you need to cut calories slow and get lots of sleep whenever you are trying to lose weight
  • QuietBloom
    QuietBloom Posts: 5,413 Member
    1200 calories is not the magic number ladies. Enter your height, weight and age. Then let MFP set your NET calorie intake (which will likely be quite a bit higher than 1200). Add your exercise calories burned by logging your exercise, and eat at least 50% of them back.
  • wilsoje74
    wilsoje74 Posts: 1,720 Member
    From your ticker you have a lot to lose. You need to eat probably 1600-1800 cals. Are you losing currently? Also, cutting back so drastically is not sustainable long term and you may end up giving up, be more reasonable and you have a greater chance to stick with it
  • nataliea683
    nataliea683 Posts: 64 Member
    when i first started MFP suggested 1200 cals a day and after a week i was so tired! i adjusted my weight loss goal to 1lb a week and MFP upped my calories to 1380 - not a huge difference but i definately feel the benefit of those extra calories. if you aren't eating back your exercise calories - DO IT! :)

    good luck with your weight loss journey
    x
  • Greytfish
    Greytfish Posts: 810
    Increase your protein and iron and magnesium (taken with B and C vitamins and *not* with calcium).

Categories