I have no energy to work out :-/

Eat more, definitely. . but everyone else said that already..

I've found that when starting or re-starting an exercise regime. . I'm very low on energy and have a really hard time "getting back" into it. . It's hard to get motivated because I feel I just won't be able to do much so why bother. .

but for me. . it's the doing it that fixes that problem!. .If I just force myself to do it. .within a week or so I'm back on track and loving it!. Even if you don't go all out the first few times. but just show up and do what you can. .

Also. .if you ARE doing some exercising then it's easier to get past that fear that you might be feeling of increasing your intake.

Good luck!

Very true! The trick is to "fake it until you make it" with exercise. Just force yourself to do it every day (or every other day, whichever your goal is), whether you feel like it or not and then you'll find that you want to do and feel better when you do!

You only average 1000 calories of food per day and you say you work out, there's your answer, fish bulb!

Eat more....that is literally the best thing I heard all week :-D I love the sound of that...what can I increase? Carbs as in pasta, potatoes etc? and what fat is good fat? otherwise I will shovel doughnuts and other junk down my throat lol!

I am thinking of eating carbs during the day and not in the evening?

i like that you said that.

eat what you'd like. good fat is usually from places like nuts and vegetables like avocados, or fatty fish like salmon, and just regular cooking oil.

some people do prefer carbs during the day, as it's usually a good source of quick energy, but eat how you'd like. if you want a big bowl of pasta for dinner, go for it!

This...and make sure you're getting plenty of rest.

I was in the same position - exhausted. My trainer put me at 1,600 calories per day because I was too low. (I'm in the gym 3 days/wk lifting and 2 days cardio, around an hour each time. I have a desk job and am a student - so lots of time sitting when I'm not at the gym.) Keep everything balanced between protein, carbs, and fat by staying within the percents given - don't load any one category. I've also been eating more whole grains for my carbs - quinoa, bulgar, etc -. and that seems to help keep me steady all day with no spikes of energy. I've also been told to avoid fruits in the evening because they spike your sugar levels. Also try to eat every 2 hours with a bit of protein in each "mini meal". It keeps me from getting overly hungry and prevents a binge or making poor choices.

Good luck!

I think a mixture of both will make the world of difference! you can never go wrong with Vitamins!

Will defo add more carbs into the equation...some nuts etc...and a chocolate bar every now and then....

it would be great to look at someone's diary who is eating a balanced diary.

Alright, everyone is buzzing about eating more carbs, true, if you're starving yourself then it's fair enough that you have no energy. Carbs - energy. But that's just a part of a game. Supplement your body with decent multivitamins! You'll see a big difference in your body. Energy levels, mental alertness, better focus, etc... So Carbs + vitamins.

No, she needs to eat more. not take a multivitamin.

I just started this, so my results aren't in. .but here's a spreadsheet that works with MFP that helped me figure out my dietary ratios (macronutrients: Fat, Carbs, Protein). . The idea is to keep all these balanced. .After you find a meal plan that balances these according to the percentages from the spreadsheet, you tweak it for other important nutrients like sodium / sugar / fiber / etc. It's very easy to use as it tells you EXACTLY how to set up your MFP profile. Anyway. . here's the link. I downloaded a copy for myself. If you can fit a chocolate bar in there, great!. but you'll find that this method steers you toward healthy foods, which is the idea.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Amt7QBR9-c6MdGVTbGswLUUzUHNVVUlNSW9wZWloeUE

Sounds like a lot of work with no real benefit

I think a mixture of both will make the world of difference! you can never go wrong with Vitamins!

Will defo add more carbs into the equation...some nuts etc...and a chocolate bar every now and then....

it would be great to look at someone's diary who is eating a balanced diary.

Alright, everyone is buzzing about eating more carbs, true, if you're starving yourself then it's fair enough that you have no energy. Carbs - energy. But that's just a part of a game. Supplement your body with decent multivitamins! You'll see a big difference in your body. Energy levels, mental alertness, better focus, etc... So Carbs + vitamins.

No, she needs to eat more. not take a multivitamin.

I just started this, so my results aren't in. .but here's a spreadsheet that works with MFP that helped me figure out my dietary ratios (macronutrients: Fat, Carbs, Protein). . The idea is to keep all these balanced. .After you find a meal plan that balances these according to the percentages from the spreadsheet, you tweak it for other important nutrients like sodium / sugar / fiber / etc. It's very easy to use as it tells you EXACTLY how to set up your MFP profile. Anyway. . here's the link. I downloaded a copy for myself. If you can fit a chocolate bar in there, great!. but you'll find that this method steers you toward healthy foods, which is the idea.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Amt7QBR9-c6MdGVTbGswLUUzUHNVVUlNSW9wZWloeUE

Sounds like a lot of work with no real benefit

Yeah. .you're right. . I had to click my mouse and measure my thigh. . it was a Nightmare!

Alright, everyone is buzzing about eating more carbs, true, if you're starving yourself then it's fair enough that you have no energy. Carbs - energy. But that's just a part of a game. Supplement your body with decent multivitamins! You'll see a big difference in your body. Energy levels, mental alertness, better focus, etc... So Carbs + vitamins.

No, she needs to eat more. not take a multivitamin.

vitamins and minerals compensate for lack of food she eats. So it's essential on low calorie diet.

Alright, everyone is buzzing about eating more carbs, true, if you're starving yourself then it's fair enough that you have no energy. Carbs - energy. But that's just a part of a game. Supplement your body with decent multivitamins! You'll see a big difference in your body. Energy levels, mental alertness, better focus, etc... So Carbs + vitamins.

No, she needs to eat more. not take a multivitamin.

vitamins and minerals compensate for lack of food she eats. So it's essential on low calorie diet.

Um, no. More food compensates for food she doesn't eat. It's essential she eats more food.

I have no idea how much she eats and probably she needs more food as everyone here keeps on saying that, but on top of that she also needs vitamins to stay energised throughout the day. (That was the point of this topic) You can't get all the necessary vitamins through food, therefore you need to supplement yourself with it. And as far as she is on a deficit diet that means that she won't get enough food and she needs extra edge from somewhere like vitamins. There are loads of people here who starve themselves and by saying eat more you won't change their attitude they would still think that if they want to lose weight they have to starve with severe deficit.

Alright, everyone is buzzing about eating more carbs, true, if you're starving yourself then it's fair enough that you have no energy. Carbs - energy. But that's just a part of a game. Supplement your body with decent multivitamins! You'll see a big difference in your body. Energy levels, mental alertness, better focus, etc... So Carbs + vitamins.

Um...no. You should get all the nutrient you need from food. Only if and when you cannot for particular reasons should you depend on vitamins. Your organs process food differently than vitamins. Not to mention the research currently ongoing linking certain vitamins to disease. I am on a low calorie diet but I choose to get my the nutrients I need first before consuming things that have less value. If you aren't getting the proper amounts through food you are not eating a balanced healthy diet.

In addition to everyone else's submissions about eating more....quitting smoking will cause light-headedness/dizziness too. You are actually getting more oxygen in your body now and it will take a few days to readjust. Read up a little bit on what quitting smoking does to your body, or more accurately what SMOKING does to your body. Smoking affects your blood sugar levels and it is why many smokers can skip whole meals, usually breakfast, without any problems. Your blood sugar level is trying to fix itself. I leaned heavily on www.whyquit.com . Just try to ignore all of the scary posts there and focus on what your body is going through when you quit.

Good luck with your new healthier lifestyle!

~D

Solid first post.

Um, no.

Alright, everyone is buzzing about eating more carbs, true, if you're starving yourself then it's fair enough that you have no energy. Carbs - energy. But that's just a part of a game. Supplement your body with decent multivitamins! You'll see a big difference in your body. Energy levels, mental alertness, better focus, etc... So Carbs + vitamins.

No, she needs to eat more. not take a multivitamin.

vitamins and minerals compensate for lack of food she eats. So it's essential on low calorie diet.

Um, no. More food compensates for food she doesn't eat. It's essential she eats more food.

I have no idea how much she eats and probably she needs more food as everyone here keeps on saying that, but on top of that she also needs vitamins to stay energised throughout the day. (That was the point of this topic) You can't get all the necessary vitamins through food, therefore you need to supplement yourself with it. And as far as she is on a deficit diet that means that she won't get enough food and she needs extra edge from somewhere like vitamins. There are loads of people here who starve themselves and by saying eat more you won't change their attitude they would still think that if they want to lose weight they have to starve with severe deficit.

She opened her diary. It takes three clicks of the mouse to see her food diary. This girl is eating less than 1,000 calories per day and is asking why she is feeling light headed and dizzy when she tries to work out. That is not a deficit diet, it is starvation. She is on the verge of an eating disorder. I am trying to help her learn that she needs to view food as okay, and up her food intake on a daily basis to a healthy level. Taking vitamins won't stop her from starving to death if she doesn't eat more. Please stop giving her that advice.

Amm, did you take into consideration her weight, height? Do you know her BMR for sure? ~400 cal deficit is not starvation you silly. If she has a low TDEE in general, then it wouldn't be starvation in this case.

She opened her diary. It takes three clicks of the mouse to see her food diary. This girl is eating less than 1,000 calories per day and is asking why she is feeling light headed and dizzy when she tries to work out. That is not a deficit diet, it is starvation. She is on the verge of an eating disorder. I am trying to help her learn that she needs to view food as okay, and up her food intake on a daily basis to a healthy level. Taking vitamins won't stop her from starving to death if she doesn't eat more. Please stop giving her that advice.

Amm, did you take into consideration her weight, height? Do you know her BMR for sure? ~400 cal deficit is not starvation you silly. If she has a low TDEE in general, then it wouldn't be starvation in this case.
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Please find scientific evidence of anyone 26 years of age with a BMR of 1,000 calories per day or less. Just to be safe in this case, OP, if you're still here, what is your weight and height, if you don't mind me asking?

Alright, everyone is buzzing about eating more carbs, true, if you're starving yourself then it's fair enough that you have no energy. Carbs - energy. But that's just a part of a game. Supplement your body with decent multivitamins! You'll see a big difference in your body. Energy levels, mental alertness, better focus, etc... So Carbs + vitamins.

Um...no. You should get all the nutrient you need from food. Only if and when you cannot for particular reasons should you depend on vitamins. Your organs process food differently than vitamins. Not to mention the research currently ongoing linking certain vitamins to disease. I am on a low calorie diet but I choose to get my the nutrients I need first before consuming things that have less value. If you aren't getting the proper amounts through food you are not eating a balanced healthy diet.

Yeah, that would be the best case scenario, but statistically speaking very little people get all necessary vitamins from food. For average person who doesn't "lift" and has relatively well balanced diet that would work, but if you 'lift' you need additional boost. :P And please, show me a link with the research which linked vitamin usage to a disease.

I do not have to post any links to your requests. Your lack of knowledge is not my burden sir. If you want the info find it yourself. Unless you want to pay me for my services of course.

my lack of knowledge or your lack of evidence? Overdosing vitamins could cause problems on the other hand.

congrats on giving up smoking!!!!! awesome!
i agree with the majority - more food needed.
personally i feel light headed and nauseous eating low carb but equally iv seen plenty people on here who feel great on low carb and get results. whatever works for you i guess.
certainly if you eat more and you do find the energy to exercise, then exercise will make you feel more energetic. Im addicted to exercise lol and have bags more energy from all the exercise i do! find something you enjoy, fuel your body and
good luck!