anything i can do to help energy level go up

check your thyroid?

Believe it or not, sometimes just getting up and moving will likely do it. I will mope and stall in the mornings, and I sometimes have to fight myself to get up and get on my treadmill because all I want to do is flop down on the couch, but once I have gotten up and started walking and moving, my energy levels go through the roof.

I haven't been on track lately, and my poor treadmill hasn't seen me in several weeks and I am trying to take my own advice because I know I'll feel better. When I can get myself up make myself and do at least 3 miles, I find that I can't sit down for long the rest of the day, and I actually end up doing double that because once I start moving, I can't stop.

And why no caffeine? I would tear the hands off anyone who tried to take my coffee away from me in the morning. That's critically important for me in order to be sure I have a good day. lol

I spend about 10 min stretching. It feels so good and helps to energize me in the morning.

Think of how virtuous you'll feel after a bit of exercise. Get your butt out to do whatever you do even for a few minutes (@yayamom3 suggested stretching even). Just do it and you'll feel better. That's what you need to learn: even tho it's hard to get started, you'll feel like a champ after. Valuable lesson to grasp.

Lack of rest, lack of combating stress and incorrect nutrition should be your first issues to address.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

There is nothing in this world that would make me give up coffee. Nothing. If someone said "coffee causes cancer." I'd start smoking again too since I wouldn't be able to give up coffee so I might as well enjoy myself.

Any medical reason you can't have coffee with creamer and sugar? Torturing yourself usually leads to failure in my experience.

You could try caffeinated tea as a coffee replacement if you are able to drink it without a bunch of sugary additives. It is not as strong, but should offer some perk.

Caffeine withdrawal is more awful than sugar withdrawal. just make yourself a double espresso Italian style, and down it as bitter medicine. Really. you will immediately feel better.

you may find that your energy levels stay chronically low at 1200 calories. Is 1200 truly necessary for you? I lose on 1500 per day and my energy is great.

I gave up coffee too for the same reasons you stated. If I cant have it the way I love it....then forget it. Bank calories during the week to have my treat cup of coffee on sat and sun morn. None during the week and only have it on the weekends if Ive earned it...eating right, staying under calories and excersising. Its my present to myself for working hard all week and believe me....I savor every sip. During the week I drink Kombucha in the mornings. Its a chinese natural drink that is loaded with all the b vitamins and probiotics and is a natural liver detoxifier. Tastes alittle funky in the beginning because it is fermented, but now I crave it in the mornings for its natural enery boost. Lots of tasty flavors and they sell it in the supermarket by the organic juices. The chinese have been drinking this for 3000 years so I feel confident that its probably pretty good for you. I really do feel a difference in my energy level in the mornings after I drink it.

If you had recently gone threw caffeine withdrawal it can take several weeks to gain your energy back. I've been through it. The best thing you can do to help is make sure you are getting proper nutrition in your diet. I also get tired and headaches when I don't eat enough. You may need to eat a little more.

exercise.