Always Tired

Jajanda
Jajanda Posts: 7
in Health and Weight Loss
I don't know if this is posted in the right section; if not I apologize. Anyway, since I started my diet I am always tired. I forget to log my exercise most of the time (even though I do exercise), but either way I am usually within 100 calories of my goal (1200 per day, and when I say within 100, I mean that I sometimes go over this; very rarely under). This is including my exercise calories.

I don't know why eating better is causing me to be tired. I was less tired when I ate bad! It could be my medication (Metformin for PCOS), but that isn't a side effect that is listed. My doctor told me all the side effects; tiredness wasn't something he mentioned.

A little about my diet: I eat a GNC Lean Protein Shake for breakfast; if I don't take one of those I eat something like the Weight Watchers frozen breakfasts. Depending what I eat, it is usually between 200-250 calories.

For midmorning snack I have something like cottage cheese, or yogurt; these are between 90-120 calories.

For lunch I usually eat one of those healthy frozen dinners (they have multiple brands); these are usually somewhere between 250-300 calories.

For afternoon snack I eat a 100 calorie pack (anything from single serve popcorn to brownie bites; there are a variety of choices). If I don't eat that I will have something like cottage chees and strawberries, or an apple, or a banana (calories really vary between these things).

For dinner I have a frozen dinner, or something like chicken and veggies with milk, or turkey with veggies. Again, calories vary on these things, but they are usually between 250-450 calories.

For my last snack of the day I have anything from a fruit salad (homemade with fruit only; no cool whip like some of them are made), to yogurt, to a 100 calorie snack pack, or frozen yogurt (the 100 calorie servings).

I really dislike most meats; especially fish, and red meats. I only semi-like chicken and turkey. I also don't like nuts too much (I guess they have protein too). It's just me living at my house, so I don't like to cook. That's why I like my healthy cuisine TV dinners. I do cook on occasion, but more often than not I don't. I don't know if my tiredness comes from not eating enough protein. I don't think I ever meet my goal for that.

What can I do; any tips?

Replies

  • Xingy01
    Xingy01 Posts: 83 Member
    I think you should talk to your doctor about it. Maybe you're not sleeping well or sleeping enough...could be stress or a medical issue like sleep apnea. Are you depressed? That can cause people to lack energy. If it's diet related, maybe you just need to give your body some time to adjust.
  • glassgallm
    glassgallm Posts: 276 Member
    Not eating meat could mean you are anemic, especially if you are not eating enough iron-rich vegetables. If you are still tired, you should check with your doctor to make sure this is not the case. Also check about the Merformin you are taking to make sure that is not causing your fatigue. Looking at your diary, I see you are over on your sodium (at least last week) which can happen when you eat a lot of packaged foods. I would try to eat more cleanly: lean meats, vegetables, fruits, whole grains and some dairy daily and have a consult with your doctor.

    I am not seeing much daily exercise. getting outside for a 30 min. walk might help.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,974 Member
    2 things are the usual cause:

    Lack of rest
    Incorrect nutrition

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • AllOutof_Bubblegum
    AllOutof_Bubblegum Posts: 3,646 Member
    Try eating more.

    MFP is quite notorious for setting calorie goals FAR too low, regardless of height and weight. For example, it told me to eat 1200, and my BMR (the bare amount of calories I need to LIVE) is 1280. And I am extremely tiny, only 5 feet. So unless you are smaller than me, or bedridden, it is almost a CERTAINTY that you are eating too little. (This can result in lean muscle loss, chronic fatigue, metabolism damage, and bingeing due to over-restriction.)

    Go to

    http://iifym.com/tdee-calculator/

    and enter your height/weight/activity level.

    Subtract 10-20% from the number it calculates for you, and that is the number of calories you should be eating a day in order to lose weight. With this method you do not eat back your exercise calories, as they are already figured into your daily goal.
  • gmallan
    gmallan Posts: 2,099 Member
    If your sleep patterns haven't changed then either you're not eating enough and/or you are defficient in a particular nutrient or you have some kind of hormonal imbalance.

    I guess your options are to start eating more and see if that helps or, preferably, head to your doctor for some blood work to check for defficiencies or hormonal imbalances
  • HikeCyclist
    HikeCyclist Posts: 153 Member
    Frozen dinners have little nutrition. You might want to replace those with fresh foods... Cooked protein n veggies.
  • kittikat1119
    kittikat1119 Posts: 96 Member
    Second not eating enough. Without knowing your stats no one can say for sure but it is rare that just 1200 cals will be enough for your body to function on, and if you are exercising there is no question.
  • _HeartsOnFire_
    _HeartsOnFire_ Posts: 5,304 Member
    Eat more food.
    According to your ticker you have 1 lb to lose? Is that correct?
    Eat more food.

    Read these:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1235566-so-you-re-new-here?hl=so+you're+new+here

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

    Also, consider talking to your doctor and check your vitamin d and b levels.
  • Jajanda
    Jajanda Posts: 7
    I must've done something wrong if it says 1 pound left to lose. I will check that. I have about 45-49 pounds left to lose. My vitamin D levels are dangerously low, and my dr. has put me on a vitamin D pill. As far is vitamin B12 (I think that's what it's called) is concerned, Metformin is notorious for depleting B12 levels. I get check every few months, and my next check in isn't for another 2 months.
  • _HeartsOnFire_
    _HeartsOnFire_ Posts: 5,304 Member
    What about your iron levels?

    At the very least call your MD tomorrow and talk to them. I also still think you need to eat more food.

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