Not enough energy...need advice. (Diet included)

I have no energy. I get up, get my kids ready and one stays home, she's young while the other one heads off to school. Right now I'm unemployed (fresh college grad whoop whoop) and expect to hopefully land a job soon. I do a lot of housework..but find myself tired after about 12 pm (wake up at 7 am). I am a creature of habit, well a creature of schedule.

My day: wake up at 7 am
8:30am - breakfast. Usually and egg win cheese on a tortilla; sometimes cereal with it if I'm really hungry
12ish (super tired)
1:30 lunch 1 whole apple w/ 1 tbsp of peanut butter; salad with carrots and croutons and a little ranch; grapes and a few teddy Graham'
3 - sometimes I'll have a snack. Always random and not big
5-5:30 dinner . Usually fairly healthy like baked chicken with veggies; bean soup; or pasta with veggies
7-8pm - snack sometimes. Random again.

Maybe 5 cups of water during the day (not a lot I know).

I know I don't have exact measurements but I know my servings are not large. Im not a vegetarian but i dont like the taste of meat :p. I'm a very petite person and right on target for weight. I shouldnt lose and I shouldn't gain. I have realized I need protein in the mornings or its hard to wake up and stay fueled.
I don't work out much because when I do I'm SPENT. I'm done for the day and exhausted. I get my share of "exercise" through housework I beleive. Maybe not. I try not to sit around. No health problems, not anemic

The thought of taking my kids to the park seems daunting though. I don't have The energy to keep up with them. :(. I drink green tea in the AM but that's it. Occasionally if I need a real boost ill get a coffee. And a 1/2 cup coffee will get me goin all day.

Any advice from anyone? I feel like there has to be a solution to this!

Edit: vitamin levels all in good range!

Replies

  • StaciMarie1974
    StaciMarie1974 Posts: 4,138 Member
    Perhaps a vitamin deficiency? Though if this is something that has become an issue recently, and nothing in particular has changed in your nutrition/daily routine - maybe a checkup is due?
  • kyliesuebam
    kyliesuebam Posts: 22 Member
    I've felt like this fr a year or so and went for test after test and everything was tip top. That's why I'm hoping its something simple I need to add or take out!
  • WickedPineapple
    WickedPineapple Posts: 698 Member
    How's your sleep? If you're not getting enough quality sleep that'll throw everything off. Maybe you need a short nap in the afternoon.

    You also may want to try a little bit of moderate to high intensity cardio. That's helped my energy levels.
  • TheStephil
    TheStephil Posts: 858 Member
    I second that exercise can help your energy levels. Force yourself to do a higher intensity exercise a few times a week and see how you feel after two or three weeks.

    I also second the sleep question.

    Nothing is wrong with caffeine, if you are tired drink more coffee or tea.
  • IGbnat24
    IGbnat24 Posts: 520 Member
    Seems like very few calories to me.
  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
    What time do you go to bed? Do you wake up during the night?
  • kyliesuebam
    kyliesuebam Posts: 22 Member
    I go to bed about 10ish but I don't fall asleep right away.
  • pplastics
    pplastics Posts: 135 Member
    Seems like very few calories to me.

    That's what I was thinking.

    I would definitely add a snack between breakfast and lunch. Nuts, cheese and fruit / veggies always work for me.

    Some kind of protein at lunch would be good too. If you don't like meat, there is yogurt, hummus, hard boiled eggs on your salad, soy milk, beans, etc.

    Having kids is a lot more work/stress than most people will admit. Do you take a little time each day just for you? When mine were little, even just 15 minutes alone with a cup of tea did wonders for my stress level. Stress can wear you down quickly.
  • afortunatedragon
    afortunatedragon Posts: 329 Member
    too low calories have been mentioned.
    Vitamin B complex could help and also as already mentioned some exercise.
  • 3laine75
    3laine75 Posts: 3,069 Member
    Your diary's closed so can't really see if you're missing something in your diet.

    Doesn't sound like you're getting out much though? Go and have a runabout with the kids, might make you tired at first but if you make it a regular thing you might have more energy.
  • SophieNinja
    SophieNinja Posts: 1 Member
    You're going for too long without food. That's 5 hours between meals (breakfast and lunch), so it's not surprising that you're lacking in energy. Perhaps move your apple + pb snack to mid morning, and then have something like protein + salad for lunch? Then another snack mid afternoon. Even if your snack is just a handful of almonds, you'll probably find it keeps you going a bit longer.
  • cassique
    cassique Posts: 164 Member
    You're going for too long without food. That's 5 hours between meals (breakfast and lunch), so it's not surprising that you're lacking in energy. Perhaps move your apple + pb snack to mid morning, and then have something like protein + salad for lunch? Then another snack mid afternoon. Even if your snack is just a handful of almonds, you'll probably find it keeps you going a bit longer.
    This is exactly what I was thinking.
  • kyliesuebam
    kyliesuebam Posts: 22 Member
    Thanks everyone!
    I'm usually running around and feel too busy or too stressed to eat. Def something I need to make more time to do. I never feel quite hungry, but perhaps this is because I'm not thinking about it! I'm Only 105 Lbs so I feel like my caloric intake should be lower t
    Since I'm only 5 feet tall