So damn tired all the time :-(

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ok guys this is part vent part HELP PLEASE support needed.

I'm a working mama of a three year old, wife/housewife/chef/maid/stepmom. Yea I wear a lot of hats, and I know im not alone in that. My problem is im so tired all the time. In the morning I feel great, when I rush off to work and sit on my bum for 9 hours, yea 9 HOURS!! UGH. I work for 9.5 hour days and I have one weekday off. Really im lucky to have that schedule but the days are so long sometimes it feels like it will never end, then on my one day off i'm so tired I like to sit around and have a hard time finding the motivation to go out and do anything with my daughter. Most nights after work im so exhausted I push myself to make dinner then all I want to do is sit around for the rest of the evening. But then theres bath time, bedtime (which is always a process) then if I can muster one extra ounce of energy I try to work out for 30 min.

Im sure a lot of it is the following

My daughters age, shes 3 - enough said
My diet - more protein??
My desk job - I try to get outside and walk, in fact I took two long walks during the day yesterday but was more tired than ever when I got home
Im a total stress ball because I'm so overwhelmed all the time

My diet isn't great. I tend to skip breakfast or just eat something small, lunch is usually pretty good and I try to eat a snack in between lunch and dinner. The problem is when I eat a small snack I feel a little sick and still hungry, I think I probably should eat something more substantial to hold me over.

today i'm eating a huge breakfast and well see how I do. I will also be sure to have a bigger snack between lunch and dinner.
If anyone has anything to share either advice or just to commiserate. I'm all ears. We all need a little pick me up sometimes, this is mine! :-D
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Replies

  • La5Vega5Girl
    La5Vega5Girl Posts: 709 Member
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    try looking at what you're eating. when i was eating gluten, i was tired all.the.time. i felt awful, almost like there was a flu hiding underneath, but no fever or outward signs. i gave up gluten and grains and feel amazing. been doing it for years now. powerhouse your energy with walnuts, aged cheeses or meats. olives are good, too. (i try to avoid corn, too because it tends to be like a sugar to me since i don't eat sugar in high quantities anymore)

    oh and by the way, i never eat breakfast. eating a huge meal in the morning used to make me sick to my stomach. i practice intermittent fasting, and i fast 18 hours per day and eat 6 consecutive hours a day. that means that from noon to 6:00, i can eat my foods, but stop cold at 6:00 p.m.

    drink more water, if you dont already. that helps keep your salt leveled.
  • Snip8241
    Snip8241 Posts: 767 Member
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    I think eating in the morning may help. That being said I am not preaching that everyone must eat breakfast. If that works for you fine.

    Not eating all night, not eating very much in the morning, then doing lunch and a snack wouldn't work for me personally. I eat a protein bar in the am because frankly not much else appeals to me.

    Ok adding protein may also help, I think that's a good idea. I try to eat a protein with every meal, even if it's cottage cheese or a hard boiled egg.

    I didn't look at your diary....how many calories are you eating? I had to bump mine from 1200 to 1300 because I was miserable! After that my loss is slower but I can function.

    Keep at it...you are a busy person, you'll find your sweet spot. Don't worry. :flowerforyou:
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
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    Cute profile pic!

    If you'd like us to comment/make suggestions on your diet, please make your food diary public.

    Some other thoughts besides diet - you could be dealing with a deficiency. I'd suggest making a doc appt and getting levels of iron, Vit D and Vit B tested. Maybe even thyroid?

    Also make sure you're drinking plenty of water as dehydration can cause low energy.
  • Hannahp1402
    Hannahp1402 Posts: 85 Member
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    Personally I believe its being a mum/housewife - I find that harder than working 12 hours a day!
  • kwest_4_fitness
    kwest_4_fitness Posts: 819 Member
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    Sounds like stress may play a big role. Ever try yoga or stretching at work?
  • 20yearsyounger
    20yearsyounger Posts: 1,643 Member
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    Even before I started back on myfitnesspal I took VitaminWorld UltraMan Sports Performance vitamins because I felt tired. Those vitamins were kick a** . My wife took the UltraWoman and felt good as well. Maybe you are not getting enough nutrients.
  • La5Vega5Girl
    La5Vega5Girl Posts: 709 Member
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    I think eating in the morning may help. That being said I am not preaching that everyone must eat breakfast. If that works for you fine.


    that is true. eating a large breakfast might work wonders for you and fuel you all through the day. everyone is different, i think that is important to know. :smile:
  • NastyNinja
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    I can identify with what you are saying complete. My wife works 10 hour days mostly (which is nice for overtime money). In return, I am responsible for running the house for the most part. I get up and get myself and the kids (age 2 and 7) ready, pack lunches, change clothes, and then do my best to get myself ready. I drop them off at the baby sitter and drive an hour to work to sit for 8 hours in cubicle and drive an hour home. Then I pick up the kids, go home, and make dinner. I am also cleaning up the house and basically maintaining the normal. I get dead tired and sometimes feel like I shut down emotionally. When I do get a day off, I don't want to do anything healthy either. I have found that eating steady meals throughout the day has helped a lot. I eat breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner, and snack. I feel that keeps me even the whole day with energy. The biggest thing I have found is to workout as much as you can. It will get your body used to moving for those days off. When you get that first workout in, it is amazing how your body just wants to keep going. It is like that commerical says.."a body in rest tends to stay at rest." I recommend those two things to help overcome the tired feelings. Eat regularly, remember, food is nothing but fuel for the body. Workout often to keep that energy flowing. That has helped me so I hope it helps others too. We are all different, but it's a start.
  • ZombieMom79
    ZombieMom79 Posts: 70 Member
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    Have you had your thyroid checked? Shakey hands? Hair loss? those are other symptoms of an under active thryoid. I have been on meds for 15 years and they make a world of difference.
  • brisingr86
    brisingr86 Posts: 1,789 Member
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    Any chance you can do your workout in the morning before work (if you have more energy then)? Other than that, agree with what others have said. Increasing protein is generally a good idea, but maybe change things up with when you eat. Do you feel better or worse when you eat breakfast? Do you feel better with small snacks throughout the day or 2-3 full meals and less snacking? Good luck!
  • independant2406
    independant2406 Posts: 447 Member
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    Maybe try small meals throughout the day and not skipping breakfast?
    Also Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D can help with energy.

    Have you had a fasting blood sugar check recently? I have hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and a lot of what you describe is similar to what I experience. If you skip breakfast it makes sense you'll have energy in the morning hours (no spikes or crashing of your blood sugar). And then after a larger meal (dinner) your blood sugar will spike and then crash making you feel exhausted.

    I really highly recommend visiting your doc. It might just be stress and exhaustion from your very busy life but can't hurt to get a blood panel check. Have them check your thyroid also (full one not just the regular one). Take a day for yourself and schedule a doc appt and a massage. You deserve it! :)
  • farmerpam1
    farmerpam1 Posts: 402 Member
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    It would be helpful to see your diary, are you getting enough calories, carbs, protein? You've got a busy life, sounds stressful, being aware of what your body needs to perform at it's peak can help. Wish I could offer more advice, maybe just some quiet stretching after your 3 year old is in bed can help. Good luck to you.
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,268 Member
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    INteresting...I too, along with a lot of women/men here, do exactly the same thing...work, take care of family etc.

    you are lucky to get a weekday off most of us work 9-10 hour days (or more) and only get weekends...

    As for being tired....because of this...you have a husband.

    Alternate dinners, bath times and while he is doing bath time go for a walk or do a workout.

    Exercise requires energy...but it creates a sense of well being and energy...so if you just do it you will see the results...

    As you can tell I won't commiserate as this is everyday life for me too except the being tired...because I do exercise.
  • The_GingerBeard_Man
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    How much do you sleep? It sounds like you are super busy. Perhaps try going to bed 30 min, or an hour earlier for a week and see how you feel.

    I switched up my hours this year once school started for my kiddo. I now get up an hour earlier. I did not start going to bed an hour earlier, but I need to because I am in the same boat as you now. Making sleep a priority is something we all have to do, even if it feels like we are wasting precious time we could be doing stuff.
  • Ladybug1250
    Ladybug1250 Posts: 366 Member
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    Thank you thank you I appreciate each and every one of your comments/suggestions!


    Im eating a big breakfast now and need to get back into the habit. Also I tried to workout in the AM im just too tired to get a decent workout in that early (5am for me) and often times I can't drag my butt out of bed so then I stress out cause I feel like a failure. not a good way to start the day for me.


    stress is a huge factor for me and I put a lot of pressure on myself because I really want to get in better shape and drop some lbs but it's a constant battle and sometimes i'm just too tired and the healthy eating and exercise are the first to get tossed aside. Yesterday I was so tired and miserable when I got home I made frozen egg rolls and mac and cheese (with broccoli) for dinner and I didn't measure cause I didn't care, I ate way too much but then I felt better...


    Water intake is good, that's one thing I stay pretty good with. I usually only drink water (not juice, tea or soda) and my morning coffee of course.

    I need to ask my husband for more help. In fact on Tuesday night he gave our little one and bath and attempted to put her to bed while I worked out. I felt awesome after!! then yesterday was a huge blow cause I felt more tired than ever and thinking of getting on the elliptical made me want to cry. I was in bed by nine, which also made me want to cry lol
  • 2013sk
    2013sk Posts: 1,318 Member
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    If your tired all the time, try taking some multi vitamins to pick you up!

    How much fruit & veggies are you consuming?

    Drink lots of water

    I find if I eat lots of carby foods, I feel tired.

    Exercise is really good : )
  • VeryKatie
    VeryKatie Posts: 5,937 Member
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    Thank you thank you I appreciate each and every one of your comments/suggestions!


    Im eating a big breakfast now and need to get back into the habit. Also I tried to workout in the AM im just too tired to get a decent workout in that early (5am for me) and often times I can't drag my butt out of bed so then I stress out cause I feel like a failure. not a good way to start the day for me.


    stress is a huge factor for me and I put a lot of pressure on myself because I really want to get in better shape and drop some lbs but it's a constant battle and sometimes i'm just too tired and the healthy eating and exercise are the first to get tossed aside. Yesterday I was so tired and miserable when I got home I made frozen egg rolls and mac and cheese (with broccoli) for dinner and I didn't measure cause I didn't care, I ate way too much but then I felt better...


    Water intake is good, that's one thing I stay pretty good with. I usually only drink water (not juice, tea or soda) and my morning coffee of course.

    I need to ask my husband for more help. In fact on Tuesday night he gave our little one and bath and attempted to put her to bed while I worked out. I felt awesome after!! then yesterday was a huge blow cause I felt more tired than ever and thinking of getting on the elliptical made me want to cry. I was in bed by nine, which also made me want to cry lol

    Aww, don't cry! Why don't you just commit to doing an exercise every 2 - 3 days? You can always increase it as you find more time or feel better :) I didn't even start exercising for about 8 months when I started dieting. It was too much all at once for me and I don't even have children!

    I do also recommend a multi-vitamin since iron could also be low - make sure to take it with food though - I find they upset my stomach.

    How long have you been eating at a deficit? I remember when I first started, I was tired, grumpy and cried a lot for a full 3 to 4 weeks! But once I was over that hump I felt better.
  • Tammy_1971
    Tammy_1971 Posts: 93 Member
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    Ummm... what is the hubby doing? Maybe he can step in and help out. My husband loves to cook dinner, so I luck out there. But we both step in when needed. We both work full-time; I work 9 hour days with every other Friday off. The house chores, kids, running errands, etc. for us is not a 50-50 split, it is an alternating 80-20... stepping up for each other when needed. Maybe enlisted some of his help? If he doesn't cook, maybe he can take over bathtime, etc. We all want to be "super-mom", and it looks like you are very much a super-mom... but we ALL need a little help.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
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    your diary isnt open... how much are you actually eating?
  • independant2406
    independant2406 Posts: 447 Member
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    Remember to be kind to yourself. Take special time each day to just do something for you... something you enjoy. If this means putting hubby in charge while you spend 30 minutes to meditate or do yoga... or go for a walk... or even take a nap. You need to take care of YOU. :)