Can shakes really increase energy??

seesaey
seesaey Posts: 231
edited September 26 in Food and Nutrition
So I am insanely exhausted - having 3 kids under 3 is kinda wearing me out!!! lol I'm looking for ways to have energy without getting more sleep (because at this point there is no way I can get more. Kids don't nap and baby girl nurses throughout the night). I have been reading that some shakes can cause energy levels to increase throughout the day. One of those is Shakeology (but can't exactly afford that one right now) and one I just read about is Amazing Grass Green SuperFood that one of the girls on my friends had on their food diary. So do these (or other shake powders) really increase your energy level? I am literally exhausted, can't keep my eyes open in the afternoon. The last few days I've actually slept for a few minutes which resulted in crayons marks on the walls and my son's hair cut by my daughter... twice.... :(!!!! Can't keep passing out everyday!

Replies

  • skeele
    skeele Posts: 72
    I just started Shakeology! Great tasting. Only been a few days so can't really say that it has changed my life. I'm gonna wait out the rest of the month to really get a feel for it. But yes... it is expensive.
  • kjb0976
    kjb0976 Posts: 68
    I drink 1/2 of a 5 hour energy when I am feeling like I can't stay awake. The dose of B12 vitamins gets me going. If you are eating a lot of sugar for lunch, you could have the crashing feeling in the afternoon. It's tough with kids.. Good Luck!
  • CassieLEO
    CassieLEO Posts: 757 Member
    Do you have any family in the area that can come give you a break lady? How about your hubby? You need your sleep to be healthy and to keep your milk supply up. Im so sorry your so tired :(
  • reldnahcire
    reldnahcire Posts: 5
    Since I started doing cardio exercise regularly, which means 4-5 times a week with an average of an hour per session for me, I have found that I can function significantly better without the 10+ hours of sleep I used to need, I can make it through a 9 hr work day and a cardio session on 6 hrs of sleep now. If you can work a little cardio into your routine, that might really help.
  • seesaey
    seesaey Posts: 231
    I drink 1/2 of a 5 hour energy when I am feeling like I can't stay awake. The dose of B12 vitamins gets me going. If you are eating a lot of sugar for lunch, you could have the crashing feeling in the afternoon. It's tough with kids.. Good Luck!
    I don't like carbonated drinks... don't like the bubbling... strange I know! I'll check the sugars for lunch.
  • seesaey
    seesaey Posts: 231
    Since I started doing cardio exercise regularly, which means 4-5 times a week with an average of an hour per session for me, I have found that I can function significantly better without the 10+ hours of sleep I used to need, I can make it through a 9 hr work day and a cardio session on 6 hrs of sleep now. If you can work a little cardio into your routine, that might really help.
    i
    Doing TurboFire every night. :) You are right, it does help with energy I've noticed.... I'm not as tired so early. So definitely keeping that even if I feel too tired to do it (I'm energized after tho!).

    As for family, my dad takes the two older kids for a few hours a week. I try to rest then instead of cleaning but the break isn't very long and by the weekend I am pretty tired.

    I'm trying to eat clean, I make probably 90% of our food and cut out junk food, candy, ect. Maybe I should just make the kids take a nap so I can try to sneak one in too (easier in theory!).
  • bmontgomery87
    bmontgomery87 Posts: 1,260 Member
    I don't see how shakeology would give you more energy. As opposed to any protein shake. I think thats BeachBody blowing smoke up your butt. I don't trust a company like that to put out quality supplements.


    I have heard great things about wheat grass.A friend of mine swears by it. Says he felt much better after taking it.

    The main thing is finding a way to get rest.
  • ktanderson05
    ktanderson05 Posts: 207 Member
    Maybe try to figure out how get your baby to sleep during the night, so you are getting more solid sleep. I know I don't have kids, but I have seen many friends who were nursing as well, get there kid on a schedule to where they were sleeping during the night. If that doesn't work explain to the kids that from 1-3 everday, or something like that, that it is quiet time and they are to lay in there bed, on the couch or something and have them watch a movie or something. I guess that is some suggestions to help maybe, and I hope I'm not coming across as rude.
  • seesaey
    seesaey Posts: 231
    Candles, not rude at all. Thanks for the suggestions! Seems like what everyone is suggesting is to just to try to get more sleep! :P
  • knittnponder
    knittnponder Posts: 1,953 Member
    The reason Shakeology and other "green" shakes give you more energy is because they have a lot of nutrition packed in there (usually in the form of dried "superfoods" that are high in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.) I tried a sample of Shakeology and it tastes fantastic (the chocolate one does anyway!) but like you I can't afford that right now.

    Since the end of August last year I've been drinking at least one green smoothie a day and that has made a HUGE impact on my energy levels and how I feel. When I started making them it wasn't anything other than fruit and vegetables but now I add a green powder I get at my local supplements store. I have fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue and achy body is a part of that so when I say the green smoothies had a huge impact, well I can't really stress it enough. :) I feel good enough now that I'm 60 days into P90X and my family can tell the days I don't have a smoothie.

    The other thing is, exercise. Doing both cardio and strength training will help build endurance and you will find you're feeling better over time. Make sure you're eating enough calories to support yourself and breastfeeding baby along with your exercise though or you'll be making things worse.

    And give yourself a break! Having three little ones that young would exhaust anyone even without adding in the broken up sleep schedule. Just remember this is a stage and will soon pass. Before you know it they'll all be sleeping through the night and you'll find your energy again. Make sure you take time to take care of yourself in the meantime though. I always made mine have "quiet time" even after they outgrew naps. They were required to hang out on their beds and read/look at books for an hour. I set the timer and no one was allowed out (other than a potty emergency) until the timer rang. This was more for me than for them! :D
  • bmontgomery87
    bmontgomery87 Posts: 1,260 Member
    ^^ Great info knittnponder.
  • Sigra
    Sigra Posts: 374 Member
    Spark - made by Advocare is pretty much the best drink I've ever had. Drink it in the morning - it lasts all day AND tastes amazing when put in water. Quite a few people swear by it.
  • jamielangner
    jamielangner Posts: 165
    I would try vitamin B12 first before any of that. It's definitely the cheapest option & probably the healthiest also. Not that I'm an expert or anything, just putting in my two sense.. that's what I use to keep myself from falling asleep cause I'm in the same situation (minus one kid & plus full time job) :P
  • Steph_135
    Steph_135 Posts: 3,280 Member
    I can't afford shakology either. The price is ridiculous!!

    I'd go for something green instead. Wheat grass is a good bet! I'd recommend going to your local health food store, and getting an employee opinion on what might be best for you. :flowerforyou:
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