Fatigue....nutrition related?

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mkozmik
mkozmik Posts: 79 Member
Hi Ladies! I've been having issues with fatigue. Some of it is sleep related, but I'm wondering if my calorie intake should be boosted. On a hard workout day, I will get so tired by the afternoon that I have to lie down and sleep for at least an hour.

I mentioned this to my doc and she said I was working out too hard. Right. Um, no.

Just curious if anyone else has this issue.
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Replies

  • ktsj2015
    ktsj2015 Posts: 65 Member
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    Fatigue can be lots of things, but yes it can be related to diet.

    Not eating enough is a common culprit, but so as it eating the wrong things.

    Nutrition timing and giving your body the right things both post and pre workout is very important.
  • ktsj2015
    ktsj2015 Posts: 65 Member
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    Oh just to add .... I have no idea of your history, how often you work out or how hard. But its important to take a workout break every now and again, just a week OFF anything but the lightest cardio.

    Your body is telling you something you need to listen and find out what that is.
  • SamandaIndia
    SamandaIndia Posts: 1,577 Member
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    It may be your nutrition, stress, not enough quality sleep or even Candida imbalance in your gut. On the latter, that took me multiple doctors to find one with nutritional understanding sufficient to diagnose it. Good luck with your own modifications and investigations.
  • SamandaIndia
    SamandaIndia Posts: 1,577 Member
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    BTW stable glucose levels can help, so a low glycemic index diet may reduce the highs of sugar spikes andavoid the lows. Suggest you go to different people if you cant change with basic diet and lifestyle modifications. Might even be viral :(
  • mjhatfield152
    mjhatfield152 Posts: 3 Member
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    I've had that before when constantly working out hard. I don't know if it's the same thing, but my blood sugars dropped really low which made me super tired. Truly eating foods with higher natural sugars or something to boost your glucose levels. Heck even try a piece of candy (I know you're probably eating super healthy, but it's effective in figuring out if it's your blood sugar or not). Hope you figure it out!
  • mkozmik
    mkozmik Posts: 79 Member
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    Thanks everyone! I went through a lot of testing last year to rule out thyroid or metabolic issues. It's not that. I do have a lot of food allergies, so it can be difficult for me to balance my diet and workouts.

    Has anyone used a sports nutritionist? I'm not a high level athlete by any means, but I'm wondering if it's worth the spend.
  • Sherryfood95
    Sherryfood95 Posts: 58 Member
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    Too many carbs in relation to protein makes tired. For example, I crashed after eatting a lunch of a big sweet potato and no protein.
  • DiIDE
    DiIDE Posts: 120 Member
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    I have used a dietitian who specialises in sports nutrition. I had to keep an honest food diary for a week before seeing him, and I also gave him a copy of my gym workouts. He was very helpful and told me to increase my protein among other advice. It might be helpful for you to see somebody for dietary advice. As it was difficult to have a reasonable amount of protein after a workout, I now have a high protein shake after a gym session and Find that I have a lot more energy.
  • tcunbeliever
    tcunbeliever Posts: 8,219 Member
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    I find that adding fats into my diet keeps my energy up better than anything - avocados and nuts are sooooo yummy!!!
  • DiIDE
    DiIDE Posts: 120 Member
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    Yes as long as it is good fats and not too much. I was recommended to have a nut and seed mix with low fat plain Greek yoghurt as an afternoon snack. It's very yummy and filling, and gets me through to dinner time.
  • katnoir1
    katnoir1 Posts: 128 Member
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    Difficult to respond not knowing anything about you, but I was having this issue too. Eating more has helped (without affecting my weight) and also giving myself 2 days of rest from exercise per week.
  • mkozmik
    mkozmik Posts: 79 Member
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    Too many carbs in relation to protein makes tired. For example, I crashed after eatting a lunch of a big sweet potato and no protein.

    Mmmmmmmm, I love baked sweet potatoes! But I understand what you are saying.

  • MorganMoreaux
    MorganMoreaux Posts: 691 Member
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    I've been trying to pair high carb foods with fat and protien. I like juicing and was finding that having the juice by itself was making me tired. Now I have a glass of kefir with the juice. I also noticed the same with salads (I don't use dressing), so now I have half an avacado or some cheese with the salad. I've been finding I stay fuller longer, and I'm not having energy drops throughout the day.
  • successiswithinme
    successiswithinme Posts: 91 Member
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    I went through extreme fatigue while working out and after my sessions. The more I worked out, the harder my sessions got, Turned out for me I was severely anemic. I had to take iron sups until I built my iron back up.
  • Notreadytoquit
    Notreadytoquit Posts: 231 Member
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    A nutritionist is a great idea, but I found some I consulted knew very little, others recommended radical eating plans that I could never consider. Self educate ... it's very confusing.

    An holistic MD of some sort might be more helpful. While my fatigue is related to lyme disease symptoms, in my gym decades I would get tired after a hard workout. If your body needs a rest you might choose to listen and take a little nap. You've earned it.

    I am a farmer / horticulturist, leading as active lifestyle as possible. I do real life fitness now and have lost 10# and 2" over the past year. Hard core exercise is very different, though no less effective than constant movement and lower intensity activities interspersed throughout the day.

    Healthful eating is a lifestyle, not a diet or fad. Enjoy the journey.
  • DiIDE
    DiIDE Posts: 120 Member
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    I don't know about the U.S. But in Australia you don't need formal qualifications to be a nutritionist. It would be better to consult a Dietitian who is university qualified. The one I saw had also done the extra studies to become sports Dietitian. He was very helpful as I gave him my weekly schedule of workouts and he gave me the advice to fuel my body for the amount of exercise that I do. Good luck.
  • Talkativeartist
    Talkativeartist Posts: 16 Member
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    GNC has a vitamin pack for women that also helps with weight loss and energy. My energy levels always go through the roof when taking it! Otherwise a small banana gives enough energy for a 5 mile run.
  • MaVieEntiere
    MaVieEntiere Posts: 135 Member
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    Trial and error- increase calories for 5 days and see what your body says.
  • Natalie2950
    Natalie2950 Posts: 116 Member
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    A dietician told me it was essential that I eat within 20 minutes of exercise because of adrenal fatigue. I exercise first thing in the morning and was going straight into school runs. Sometimes it was 3 or 4 hours before I ate. She recommended high protein yoghurt and homemade muesli. Not sure if that would help.
  • Dragana_S
    Dragana_S Posts: 28 Member
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    I have fatigue attack when I exercise on empty, first thing in the morning. For some workouts I need to get some carbs before I start.