no energy and always tired
angiedmbfan
Posts: 2 Member
I am 39 yrs old, with 3 kids, and I'm always tired and just can't get myself to stick to a diet and exercise. Years ago a Dr told me I am getting older, this is life, but I hate feeling like this!! I have around 30 lbs I need to get off, but this no energy nonsense is bringing me down. Are there any healthy ways to boost my energy level so I can be the fun active mom that I want to be?
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Start moving.. I am mother of 2 small kids and work full time... I started with biggest looser dvd at home I would do It before work.. Now I go to the gym before work. I don't want to miss any "family" time so I work out while they are sleeping.... Once you start moving the energy will come.. Lots of water... best of luck.0
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My advice is just do it...you can't accomplish anything without taking the first step. Most of us didn't have any energy in the beginning but unfortunately if you don't take care of yourself and eat better/move more you will continue to have no energy. The only way to get it is to work on yourself. Do what you can, strive to be a little better each day and don't be too hard on yourself. You can do it. Saying this is life is silly...life is whatever we choose to make it. There are 80+yr olds doing marathons..you don't need to aim for a marathon but you certainly don't have to resign yourself to a life where you are unhappy with yourself. As the quote on my page states it starts with the mind and continues with the grind. If you don't think you can you're right, if you think you can you're right. Best wishes in the new year.0
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Eating healthy foods (not processed sugar and chemical loaded junk) can help you feel more energetic. You are getting more nutrients per calorie that your body needs. Also make sure you are eating enough. Having a 1-2lb per week calorie deficit should be fine for you. Some fad diets restrict calories for fast drastic results but leave you feeling really crappy.
Keep hydrated.
Get enough sleep (depending on how old your kids are this may be the biggest challenge).
EXERCISE! It's free, healthy and has benefits other than boosting your energy and mood.
Best of luck!0 -
angiedmbfan wrote: »I am 39 yrs old, with 3 kids, and I'm always tired and just can't get myself to stick to a diet and exercise. Years ago a Dr told me I am getting older, this is life, but I hate feeling like this!! I have around 30 lbs I need to get off, but this no energy nonsense is bringing me down. Are there any healthy ways to boost my energy level so I can be the fun active mom that I want to be?
Welcome, Angie.
Forget what that doctor said. I'm 53 and lost 44 pounds a year ago and have been maintaining for a little over a year. If I can do it, so can you!
If you want to lose weight, set your goals up in MFP to lost 1 pound a week, then when you have 25 pounds left change your goals to lose .5 pounds a week, and then eat that amount of food. Exercise is not necessary to lose weight, but if you like to walk, run, bike, whatever, add it in.
Weigh your food, use portion control, stay at your calorie goals, and you will lose weight. I suggest eating what you like in moderation.Try to reach your macros too, as they are essential for satiety, nutrition, and energy levels.
If you exercise and plan to use the exercise burns in MFP, eat only about half of those because they are way overestimated.
Good luck!
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What kind of a "doctor" would tell you that, for Pete's sake?! Nonsense. Ignore that. It's all about how much YOU want something to change. If you WANT to be a fun, active mom, you will find a way to make it happen. You have to be willing to put forth the effort and make the changes. This is a life-long change. Not a short-term dietary restriction phase.
Do it for yourself and your children / family will reap the benefits. Good advice already given above, also.0 -
What kind of a "doctor" would tell you that, for Pete's sake?! Nonsense. Ignore that. It's all about how much YOU want something to change. If you WANT to be a fun, active mom, you will find a way to make it happen. You have to be willing to put forth the effort and make the changes. This is a life-long change. Not a short-term dietary restriction phase.
Do it for yourself and your children / family will reap the benefits. Good advice already given above, also.
Agreed - get a new doctor. For inspiration Google Matt "The Bear" Novakovich. He is a Spartan Elite racer. He is in his 40s and was overweight in his 20s. He has (I think) 3 kids and consistently beats men in their 20-30's at obstacle course races! He is a beast! Getting old does not mean you have to be tired all the time and take a back set to life.0 -
Get moving more ..get fit
I'm 47 ...in the last 7 months I've got so much fitter and stronger that I feel 20 years younger..and yes it's hard to begin with and you are exhausted and sore but it changes so quickly ...in a few weeks you're fitter...in a few months taking on challenges you never thought you would and you won't be on the sidelines being supportive mum any more...but going for it with them
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PS the doctor who told you that is an idiot
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Sounds like a quack doctor to me. You have to make and keep your health as a priority. As soon as you stop making it important, it will become less important. You don't have to go gang busters overnight. Start with a reasonable and achievable goal then add on as you go along. Focus on the food and follow MFP’s calories recommendation. Add any exercise you enjoy along with adequate fluid and sleep. Reassess after about 4-6 weeks.0
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Have you had a proper physical lately? Were the routine blood & thyroid tests done? I just have to mention it, because no amount of exercise or good food will help if there is something fundamental that's gone wonky; for example, anemia, thyroid dysfunction, or a problem with vitamin absorption. Also a good multivitamin supplement can possibly help. I use one that is similar to a One-a-Day except that it has bio-active B vitamins. This has made an incredible difference in my energy level. (I mean, I went from being a blob with no energy to energetically embracing my whole day and then wanting to exercise at 10:00 pm.) (it's Seeking Health Optimal Multi Chewable; but since they're temporarily out if stock, I'm temporarily using Pure Encapsulations Junior, because the formula is so similar. Of course I'm just telling you something that helped me, in case it's helpful, and not trying to give medical advice. ) And of course eating right and exercising, as the others have said. I hope you find your energy!!!
--Amelia, 37, also mom to 3 young ones running around the house0 -
Some doctors just don't take weight gain/tiredness etc. seriously. It's hard to believe that a medical professional would tell a 30 year old to get used to it they are just getting older. Maybe you don't have anything medically wrong, maybe you are stressed or just used to not making yourself do things. Try to make yourself do activity, any activity, for any little bit of time ie: 5 minutes of squats during tv commercials, parking far away and walking and, count calories? But you should also rule out any medical conditions with a different doctor. 0
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angiedmbfan wrote: »I am 39 yrs old, with 3 kids, and I'm always tired and just can't get myself to stick to a diet and exercise. Years ago a Dr told me I am getting older, this is life, but I hate feeling like this!! I have around 30 lbs I need to get off, but this no energy nonsense is bringing me down. Are there any healthy ways to boost my energy level so I can be the fun active mom that I want to be?
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Did your doctor do any blood work on you?
My doctors told me the same thing for years. First it was, "Well, you're a single parent who works full-time. Of course you're tired." Later it was, "Well, you have young children." (I remarried and had two more children.) In addition, my middle son has special needs, so that was always dragged out by the doctor too.
Then my smart OB asked me to get tested for hypothyroidism. I actually put it off for months because I had been tested about 10 years earlier and that doctor had said my "levels were fine." I didn't bother even asking what the actual numbers were. I was too tired to argue about it, I just wanted to be onto the next thing to figure out what the problem was. When I finally did go back for that second test, it was discovered I have Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
I'm not saying everyone who is tired has a thyroid issue. Just stating my experience. If you are always more tired than other people you know, keep investigating. That would be my advice. It might not be anything medical; it could be as simple as moving around more, as some people here have said. But there's tired, and then there's tired. If you're the latter, don't give up on finding out what the issue is.
I do agree that if you get up and move a little, it can help. That even helps me, and my body isn't working all that amazingly well.
But if the suggestions here don't help, I'd look into it further. You don't have to, but it's what came to my mind when I read your post. 0 -
I am a mom of four and work full-time, I feel the same way. Always tired and very un-motivated. I know that if I eat right and get some exercise I will feel better, but it's so hard to find the time to do it. My 9 month old is not sleeping through the night yet and I can't count on my husband to get up with her so I can go to the gym early. And I have no time after work, I work until 5 and then pick up all 4 kids and take them to practices or start dinner or breastfeed my baby. I know that she won't be little forever, but I'm ready to lose this weight and feel better!0
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I am 42 and feel always tired also. I have no real will power. That is my down fall and it's hard just to do it. I have been on different diets and diet pills. Still nothing really works. I am going to try a dietician to help me and get my daughter to help me walk. I need to have someone to keep me accountable for my actions. I really understand your feelings and thoughts about this. I know this doesn't help but it's nice to know there is someone out having the same bouts.0
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Definitely get a new doctor. You need your iron levels, vitamin levels, thyroid levels, etc checked to see why you feel like crap. It's not all in your head. There are reasons and there are solutions. If it's not a deficiency of hormones or nutrients, depression can do it as well.... and that, too, has treatments! I would not just accept this as my life. I'm hypothyroid and that's how I felt until I pursued testing and treatment.
Edit: I should state, I'm 46 years old.0 -
I don't think age has anything to do w/ energy problems (and I'm older than you).
Are you bored-tired (stuck in the house too long!) or tired-tired (running around in circles with no downtime)? If the former, do you get a chance to get out of the house, see the scenery, go to the park w/ the kids, or go for walks (even if it's walking around the Target)? If the latter, can you drink coffee and get more sleep? Recent research has shown than 7 hrs. of sleep is optimal (not 8 as previously thought):
http://www.wsj.com/articles/sleep-experts-close-in-on-the-optimal-nights-sleep-1405984970
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2011/09/27/140837983/caffeinated-women-may-be-fighting-depression-with-every-cup ~ "A study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine finds women who drank two to three cups of coffee a day reduced their risk of depression by 15 percent, compared to women who consumed only one cup or less per week."0 -
So this might sound weird, and maybe the opposite of how it sounds like it should work, but as others have said start working out. The first few days you will probably be pretty tired BUT you will also probably sleep so soundly and have a restful night's sleep. The more we sleep, the more tired we get though. When you start expending energy your body will produce more energy. It's almost like if you're not using it, why should your body produce it right? Before Christmas I got really sick with some kind of chest infection and a long story short I stayed away from the gym for about a week. My body got so antsy because even though I was sick I still wanted to go for that run or lift for an hour . . . and then Christmas happened and I was away for another few days doing nothing but sleeping and eating. I felt horrible and disgusting and by December 28 I was like get me some compression pants, my iPod and a treadmill, I'm running and I don't care. I slept soooo good that night - I can't explain it, it's just everything is better for me when I work out. I get antsy if I don't go . . . but then on my rest days (Thursday and Sunday) it's like my body knows today isn't a gym day, so don't produce as much energy as yesterday. Our bodies are incredible, really!
Have a consistent work out (4 times a week, 30 minutes a day or something) for a week or two. Give it that time and start eating properly. I hate and don't want to say eat clean, but eat unprocessed foods and more whole, natural foods like lean meats, fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, eggs, etc. I promise you will feel better and you will have more energy. You won't get more energy without putting some work into it, that's how your body knows you're using what it gives you. If you overtrain, however, you will still feel tired and you'll probably be pretty sore. There is a fine line when first starting out And if, with regular workouts and proper nutrition you are still exhausted then it could be, as other suggested, medical fatigue of some kind. I am thinking to try this working out and eating first simply because it's something you can do yourself, without going for tests and you can rule out that as a possible reason if, in 2 weeks or so, you really don't feel any better. Although if you're going to do it, give it an honest shot. If you half-*kitten* it, you will still probably feel pretty tired.
Good luck though and feel free to add me if you ever need some support or to chat0 -
Using age is not an excuse...not a very impressive thing for a doctor to say. He's either not that bright, or just doesn't want to take a few minutes to give advice.
You're tired because you're overweight (although it doesn't sound like you're fat by any means) and because you don't stick with exercise/healthy dieting. I know many say don't worry about what you eat...just watch your calories. But, what you eat IS a huge part of it. Eating nutrient rich foods, drinking lots of water, and exercising will boost your energy. When I'm feeling sluggish, a good run or workout usually picks me up. The more I keep myself going and in shape, the more I can (and want) to do throughout the day.0 -
acorsaut89 wrote: »So this might sound weird, and maybe the opposite of how it sounds like it should work, but as others have said start working out. The first few days you will probably be pretty tired BUT you will also probably sleep so soundly and have a restful night's sleep. The more we sleep, the more tired we get though. When you start expending energy your body will produce more energy. It's almost like if you're not using it, why should your body produce it right? Before Christmas I got really sick with some kind of chest infection and a long story short I stayed away from the gym for about a week. My body got so antsy because even though I was sick I still wanted to go for that run or lift for an hour . . . and then Christmas happened and I was away for another few days doing nothing but sleeping and eating. I felt horrible and disgusting and by December 28 I was like get me some compression pants, my iPod and a treadmill, I'm running and I don't care. I slept soooo good that night - I can't explain it, it's just everything is better for me when I work out. I get antsy if I don't go . . . but then on my rest days (Thursday and Sunday) it's like my body knows today isn't a gym day, so don't produce as much energy as yesterday. Our bodies are incredible, really!
Have a consistent work out (4 times a week, 30 minutes a day or something) for a week or two. Give it that time and start eating properly. I hate and don't want to say eat clean, but eat unprocessed foods and more whole, natural foods like lean meats, fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, eggs, etc. I promise you will feel better and you will have more energy. You won't get more energy without putting some work into it, that's how your body knows you're using what it gives you. If you overtrain, however, you will still feel tired and you'll probably be pretty sore. There is a fine line when first starting out And if, with regular workouts and proper nutrition you are still exhausted then it could be, as other suggested, medical fatigue of some kind. I am thinking to try this working out and eating first simply because it's something you can do yourself, without going for tests and you can rule out that as a possible reason if, in 2 weeks or so, you really don't feel any better. Although if you're going to do it, give it an honest shot. If you half-*kitten* it, you will still probably feel pretty tired.
Good luck though and feel free to add me if you ever need some support or to chat
Fantastic advice! Thank you for sharing.0 -
Thank you all for the advice!! Once I get on my husbands insurance I will find a new doc and have tests done, that Dr told me I was normal and didn't need testing. I don't know if I'm just lazy or what, I do hate sitting home, I try to get out as often as I can, but when I am home I'm just sitting around. Last summer I ate healthy and walked 2 miles almost everyday for 3 months and didn't lose an ounce so I got discouraged and gave up. I do have many work out videos, and hopefully I'll get off my butt and start doing them, and I'm starting to eat healthy again, maybe I will gain some energy soon?0
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My daughter seems to be tired all the time, and she is a parent, too. Working full-time on top of all that and her all-consuming hobby, she fills her days. So there is something to be said for a busy parent being tired! It's a lot of work!
I on the other hand am in my mid-fifties and an empty nester with loads of free time. I am exercising and getting energized.
So in a way I am suggesting you be kind to yourself if you have been tired or overwhelmed. It does come with that season of life.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xn3mMmy_ghY0 -
angiedmbfan wrote: »Thank you all for the advice!! Once I get on my husbands insurance I will find a new doc and have tests done, that Dr told me I was normal and didn't need testing. I don't know if I'm just lazy or what, I do hate sitting home, I try to get out as often as I can, but when I am home I'm just sitting around. Last summer I ate healthy and walked 2 miles almost everyday for 3 months and didn't lose an ounce so I got discouraged and gave up. I do have many work out videos, and hopefully I'll get off my butt and start doing them, and I'm starting to eat healthy again, maybe I will gain some energy soon?
Eat for weight loss, exercise for health. In order to lose weight, you need to eat less calories than you burn. You can eat "healthy" and still eat too much. If you aren't logging your food, you should. Exercising can buy you some extra calories, but it all comes down to how much you eat. Good luck!0 -
Here is a link to get your started. There are more located at the top of the main page:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants0 -
angiedmbfan wrote: »I am 39 yrs old, with 3 kids, and I'm always tired and just can't get myself to stick to a diet and exercise. Years ago a Dr told me I am getting older, this is life, but I hate feeling like this!! I have around 30 lbs I need to get off, but this no energy nonsense is bringing me down. Are there any healthy ways to boost my energy level so I can be the fun active mom that I want to be?
Have you thought about multi vitamins? I was the same way. I started taking multi vitamins and I seem to have more energy.0
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