No Energy :(

Did anyome else struggle with energy and motivation when you first started? My biggest weakness is soda and I havent had one in a week. I cant beat off this tired sluggish feeling amd I just cant find the motivatiom to begin exercising :( how did y'all overcome this?

Replies

  • dakotababy
    dakotababy Posts: 2,407 Member
    For me, I found the healthier I ate, the more energized I was. Also, working out (even on days I did not feel like it) energized me. When I first started, I would just walk. Even if it was around the block once or twice.

    Make a goal to do an exercise for 10 mins at least and if you are still not up for it, then you can stop. Once you get started, usually you are good to go. I often say "The Hardest Part About Getting To The Gym, Is Getting To The Gym".
  • langel89
    langel89 Posts: 56 Member
    I've been having the same difficulty! I'm working out and eating healthier than before so I don't know why my energy isn't better than it use to be. Feeling tired all the time since starting this 2 weeks ago. I just push on and workout though, which gives me more energy when I'm done. If you want it, you'll do it. You might have more energy than you think you do. Mind over matter.

    I also gave up the soda.. diet coke addict... GOOD LUCK!
  • mgleason01
    mgleason01 Posts: 78 Member
    Yes. I struggled with the no energy. I convinced my sister n law to workout with me in the morning. She only stuck around 3 weeks but long enough that I was able to keep going on my on.

    Start slow and slowly build - you won't regret it. Once I started working out, I got that extra boost I needed to keep going. I started to see inches fall off.

    For help with your energy, look up Vitamin B12. I took that when I first started working out and once you get going, your energy level will increase,
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    i read somewhere that an apple has the same amount of energy as a can of soda. so i replaced my regular 3pm soda with an apple. doing great.

    also, i drink a lot of coffee.
  • emdeesea
    emdeesea Posts: 1,823 Member
    Part of that is likely the caffeine withdrawal. And the shock that your body is not getting the amount of sugar it once was.

    Several years ago, I managed to lose 20 pounds by doing nothing more than quitting soda. I didn't do anything else.

    That sluggish feeling will eventually go away. Just go for a walk every day. Build up from there. Just be patient. It takes time.
  • ana3067
    ana3067 Posts: 5,623 Member
    The only time it has been an issue is when under-eating and/or overtraining. I use TDEE method, not MFP, as MFP is likely to result in undereating as most don't eat back exercise cals (if they log exercise) or choose sedentary when they are really lightly active, or choose 2lbs a week instead of 1lb a week.
  • seamandi
    seamandi Posts: 25 Member
    What are you eating for breakfast? Of course breakfast is the most important meal of the day and all that, but what you eat can really affect your energy. I cut my last bad habit, energy drinks, out 3 weeks ago and started eating fruit only for breakfast, and lots of it. My energy levels are better than ever! I sleep so great and get up every morning before my alarm. If you've been a long time soda drinker, you're probably going through dual withdrawal from the caffeine and sugar. Good luck!!!
  • cirellim
    cirellim Posts: 269
    Coffee coffee coffee

    I drink it black but you can certainly add a very small amount of cream or some zero calorie sugar if you prefer.
    Don't oversleep as well. I always find my optimal sleep window to be anywhere from 6 1/2 - 8 hours max usually around 7 though. I tend to feel groggy if I sleep more than 7 1/2. Just an idea
  • Thanks guys. Im thinking it may seriously be the soda withdrawels....I would easily drink 4-5 44oz sodas a day. It was my go to stress relief. Im eating about 2k calories a day...im not hungry...I jist feel so drained., anyway to get through the withdrawels faster :( this is miserable
  • CariJean64
    CariJean64 Posts: 297 Member
    Giving up the soda is probably the best thing you've ever done for your health. It's only natural that it would be a struggle, but hang in there. All you need is time to win this battle.

    Are you getting enough water? If you could drink all that soda, try replacing it with water. Perk it up with lemon or something if you need to, but dehydration is very draining, too. Drink more water! :-)
  • donnat238
    donnat238 Posts: 309 Member
    Make sure you are getting enough water and protein in! You can do this! :)
  • LivyMarie93
    LivyMarie93 Posts: 134 Member
    Yeah. But once I pushed myself to start working out I got into the routine. Now I just work out as soon as I wake up to get it over with. Just make sure you get a lot of rest.
  • itsbasschick
    itsbasschick Posts: 1,584 Member
    have you also cut your calories? if so, you might be cutting them too low. i dropped to under half my long-term daily calorie intake and felt pretty crappy and weak for a while. ultimately i added some daily calories back, felt a little better and adjusted. i found i felt much more energetic when i started taking daily walks, and a slept better, too.
  • Just keep at it! All you got to do is one day...just what is in front of you now....not next week.

    I drink diet dr pepper, the small plastic bottle ones about 3 a day.

    And yes I have had times of low energy too, and some too much....jittery kinda.
  • emdeesea
    emdeesea Posts: 1,823 Member
    I would say wait until you start to come off the soda cravings before you start to exercise. Honestly, if you were drinking 4-5 of those a day - you'll lose quite a bit of weight just ditching the soda alone. And all that soda is terrible for your teeth and bones as well.
  • I loved soda before I started my diet. But I always asked myself: which is more important? Looking good and fit for the rest of m life? Or drinking soda for 10 minutes? This helped me tho: I drink coffee now with No cream! Only a small cup will do your day. And make sure you get a lot of protein in ur meals! Good luck :)
  • Jetta_C
    Jetta_C Posts: 58
    Make sure you are drinking enough water! Sometimes when we give up our favorite beverage we forget to replace to liquid!
  • lovebig30
    lovebig30 Posts: 167 Member
    more water most people don't drink enough, healthy foods spread out though out the day and just a few min of exercise a day can really help the energy levels.
  • FitOldMomma
    FitOldMomma Posts: 790 Member
    Thanks guys. Im thinking it may seriously be the soda withdrawels....I would easily drink 4-5 44oz sodas a day. It was my go to stress relief. Im eating about 2k calories a day...im not hungry...I jist feel so drained., anyway to get through the withdrawels faster :( this is miserable

    What liquid are you drinking now to replace the 176+ ounces of soda? That is a LOT of fluid you were drinking and perhaps you are now getting mildly dehydrated?

    Have you thought about maybe drinking cold tea? You could use a sugar substitute for a bit of sweetness and you'll get some of the caffeine you're missing.

    Good luck.
  • debubbie
    debubbie Posts: 767 Member
    To kick my Dr. pepper habit I bought a bunch of different flavors of Mio and a few of the Mio Energy that contain caffeine to flavor water. It made a big difference because I had something cold and with a taste, now because of the cost I am trying to wean myself off of the Mio! Just beware if you get the Mio energy do not drink it later in the day or you will be up late at night. It kept me up until 4 in the morning the first few days I drank because I had cut out most of my caffeine consumption and I was drinking it before bedtime. I felt pretty crappy when I first broke my habit months ago, but the feeling eventually gave away and I have more energy now.

    Also, I have found that when I really don't feel like working out if I at least go for a walk or ride on my bike for a little while I feel better and more energized and sometimes I will push myself farther than I thought I could do for that day.
  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,603 Member
    Exercise will give you energy. Start doing it and in a week, you'll see that you feel more energetic already.

    The more healthy food you eat, the better you'll feel. Fruits. Veggies. Lean, white meat (e.g. baked chicken). Tuna. Whole grains. Fat-free or low-fat dairy. Some eggs.

    Everyone should visit a doctor when beginning their weight loss journey. He will be able to determine if the lack of energy stems from a medical problem, give you advice about the type of foods you should and shouldn't be eating, help you set a calorie goal and recommend an exercise program. He can also guide you through your weight loss.

    Doctors aren't just for when you're sick. If you don't get a yearly physical, now is the time to start. Go see the doctor.
  • lovelycurves2014
    lovelycurves2014 Posts: 12 Member
    Did anyome else struggle with energy and motivation when you first started? My biggest weakness is soda and I havent had one in a week. I cant beat off this tired sluggish feeling amd I just cant find the motivatiom to begin exercising :( how did y'all overcome this?

    I have the exact same problem, my biggest weakness is soda too, and I haven't had any in a week as well. I swear I have low energy right now because I'm detoxing from all the crap that was in it. I feel like just getting out a moving, like going for a walk helps. Add me we can kick the soda addiction. Oh drinking lots of water is helping too.
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  • RonnieLodge
    RonnieLodge Posts: 665 Member
    Did anyome else struggle with energy and motivation when you first started? My biggest weakness is soda and I havent had one in a week. I cant beat off this tired sluggish feeling amd I just cant find the motivatiom to begin exercising :( how did y'all overcome this?

    Wow, you will be having a bit of withdrawal!

    Replace all that soda you used to drink with water. I drink about a gallon a day. It will motivate you to exercise - at least walking to the loo a lot! :laugh:

    Put sliced lemon and/or limes and cucumber in it to jazz it up a little. Or drink sparkling water if you like it.
  • Mhgretsch
    Mhgretsch Posts: 259 Member
    For me, I found the healthier I ate, the more energized I was. Also, working out (even on days I did not feel like it) energized me. When I first started, I would just walk. Even if it was around the block once or twice.

    Make a goal to do an exercise for 10 mins at least and if you are still not up for it, then you can stop. Once you get started, usually you are good to go. I often say "The Hardest Part About Getting To The Gym, Is Getting To The Gym".

    ^^this^^ After a long day at work I'm sometimes tempted not to go to the gym or walk my dogs...I tell myself to go and at least do a bit of treadmill, or at least walk the dogs 1 mile...most times I do a complete workout and do the usual 2 mile neighborhood circuit with the dogs, and end up feeling MUCH better than when I started.
  • 2013sk
    2013sk Posts: 1,318 Member
    Drink lots of water to replace the soda

    If you have no energy to work out - I personally would look at your diet.

    How much protein & fat are you actually consuming a day?

    You want to get in lots of yummy fruits & veggies

    For me when I eat really well, I feel amazing!! I have lots of energy to power me through my work outs.

    If I eat crap.... I feel like crap.... Zero energy... .
  • jrline
    jrline Posts: 2,353 Member
    Celery and peanut butter and push yourself. Constant and consistent will get you to where you want to go

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  • fox6411
    fox6411 Posts: 1 Member
    You also may want to make sure you're getting enough sleep, getting in your vitamins, etc. :-)
  • AngelaRoberta
    AngelaRoberta Posts: 24 Member
    The time of day that you exercise might also me affecting things. I used to work out after work and half the time I felt too exhausted to go. I changed my work schedule and started going before work- found I had a lot more energy then. But you also need to keep in mind that lifestyle changes don't happen over night. Take your time and ease into it so you don't burn yourself out or get frustrated. If you only have energy to go on a walk around the block, then do that. It's better then sitting on a couch somewhere and it's a start. After a week or two, add some weights or jogging or increase the distance. As you become more fit, things will get easier. You'll get there.
  • gothchiq
    gothchiq Posts: 4,590 Member
    I used liquid B vitamin supplements to get some energy. Be sure to take these half an hour before exercise if you are having trouble getting enough energy to get through your workout.