Can you give advice for extreme tiredness/sluggishness/ho-hu

thatTOPSlady
thatTOPSlady Posts: 199
edited October 1 in Motivation and Support
I am approx. 125 pounds overweight. I struggle (If you want to read my weight loss blog it is here: http://thattopslady.blogspot.com/ It tells a bit more about me)

Anyway................I am just soooooooooooooooooooo tired. All the time. I want to be cheery and stick to my goals and be a great mom and housewife and yet I sit here eating cereal while the kids play video games and the house is a wreck.

If you could only name 3 things I could change, what 3 things do YOU feel are most important for 'getting your groove back" and getting out of the mulleygrubs?!!

Thanks!

Replies

  • NoExcuseTina
    NoExcuseTina Posts: 506 Member
    (1) begin an exercise program
    (2) clean the house 1 room at a time (do not think you can do it all in one day)
    (3) exercise more (cardio and weight training)...good for the mind, body and spirit
  • AZKristi
    AZKristi Posts: 1,801 Member
    exercise, exercise, exercise.

    Its strange, when I joined a gym 2 years ago I was worried I wouldn't use my membership and that I would hate working out because I always have in the past. But, I really found that exercise was not only great for my physical health, it had the power to improve my mental health as well.

    I never would have thought I would love exercising, but the benefits have turned me into a true believer. I was 150 above my goal weight when I started. Just start out with what you can do and try to do a little better with each workout!
  • PandaofDestruction
    PandaofDestruction Posts: 114
    My suggestions would be:

    1. Exercise Regularly- I have about the same amount of weight to lose, and now that I have been working out, it is a habit and I have so much more energy.

    2. Possibly make a list for yourself of 3 to 5 things you would like to accomplish to give you the motivation to do things while your kids are playing.

    3. Eat in regular intervals and don't eat too much in one sitting, when I eat too much I don't want to even move, much less exercise, and when I am hungry I have zero energy to do anything or focus on anything.

    I am wishing you the best of luck! I hope this is helpful, these are just what works for me :)
  • whisperingdragon
    whisperingdragon Posts: 334
    You are probably lacking iron. That was my problem.
  • abg0220
    abg0220 Posts: 42 Member
    I just started a supplement called L-Carnitine. It is for heart health and "assists in the breakdown of fat in cells to produce energy and is essential in making fatty acids available for energy in muscle tissue." I did some research on it before I started it. It is used with people who have chronic fatigue. From what I have read it is actually something our body produces but sometimes it isn't produced enough. I have only been taking it for a week and I am starting to notice a change in my energy level. I am usually a nap taker and I haven't had one in 3 days now. Do some research on it before you try it and make sure to read the drugs that it interacts with. Good Luck!!
  • MrsCon40
    MrsCon40 Posts: 2,351 Member
    The more you make yourself get up and exercise the better you will feel. I promise!

    Today resolve to take a 10 minute walk. Tomorrow go 15. Make yourself get up and walk every day, even if it is just around the block. Once you get outside you will often find yourself walking longer than just around the block.

    Do not try to embark on some complicated workout routine. Just start with walking...

    You can do it! You're worth a little investment :flowerforyou:
  • sarahrosemun
    sarahrosemun Posts: 21
    Hi,
    For me I had to cut out all caffeine to get my groove back. That paired with eating lots of fresh veggies, fruits and lean protein has had a dramatic impact on my energy levels. I was on the roller coaster of coffee and sugar ups and downs and now I have natural energy now so exercising is way more doable. Also, almost all processed foods had to go :(
  • glockster972
    glockster972 Posts: 704 Member
    Let me say this first, I tell it like it is. That being said, get up and move around. Just do it, any movement is better than none.
  • mashanda
    mashanda Posts: 120 Member
    start moving! do you driknk coffee? because there is a drink that can help that it consist of coffee, cocoa and maple syrup.
    google. How to Combine Coffee, Cocoa & Maple Syrup for Hormone Balance
  • thatTOPSlady
    thatTOPSlady Posts: 199
    Thank you!
  • moushtie
    moushtie Posts: 371 Member
    For the house: go to flylady.net for support. Her message of "You can do anything in 15 minutes" I find really helpful

    For you: Think of 3 ways to cheer yourself up that aren't food related ( or as many as you can). Listen to some music, play with your kids, watch a movie, do your nails, have a nice bubblebath. Whatever does it for you. Add them in whenever you can.

    Also, how much sleep are you getting? i've heard that people that don't get enough sleep are more likely to be heavy, because they eat to compensate for being tired. I know with kids getting to bed at a reasonable hour can be difficult, but just thought I'd put it out there.
  • fireflyangel22
    fireflyangel22 Posts: 85 Member
    When I get that way I talk myself into going for a short walk. Often that short walk then turns into a longer walk, and gives me more motivation/energy afterwards. Get the kids involved too. Take them to the park so they can play while you walk around the playground, or take them for a walk with you.
  • Cynthiafaron
    Cynthiafaron Posts: 114 Member
    protein- for energy , eat less sugar and starches -to avoid highs and lows in blood sugar , exercise regularly -this boosts energy naturally ! Works for me !
  • Shutterpillar
    Shutterpillar Posts: 208
    have you seen a doctor? are you depressed?
  • kkauz42
    kkauz42 Posts: 537 Member
    I totally agree with the exercising!! For me personally, if I exercise in the morning I have more energy through out the day. I kind of wake up and I'm ready to go. Maybe you can go for a little walk in the mornings??
  • TDGee
    TDGee Posts: 2,209 Member
    Exercise regularly. Do what you can and work up.
    Eat right. Do your best and be honest with yourself.
    Stop using the word mulleygrubs.

    Good luck!! You CAN do it!
  • SKP1986
    SKP1986 Posts: 392 Member
    I started feeling less tired by exercising more and cutting my carbs. I think my carbs were just completely weighing me down (300g+ a day, now TRYING to keep it under 100, definitely under 150).

    I hate veggies, but I have noticed that the more veggies I add into my diet the better I feel in general.

    Go for a walk or something every day. The point is do something, ANYTHING, active. Clean the house 1 room at a time, turn it into a game, get the kids to help. Eat more veggies and really try hard to get to bed at a decent hour so you can get a good amount of sleep. I know that can be hard in generally, even harder with kids.
  • Qarol
    Qarol Posts: 6,171 Member
    I used to be really sluggish. Cutting back on carbs really helped. Now, I'm not necessarily suggesting you try a low carb diet like I'm on, but it couldn't hurt to cut out processed carbs and sugars. Those really weigh me down. I call it the carb coma.
  • aldale
    aldale Posts: 118 Member
    FlyLady is great!!! Sign up for her emails and check out her website. She also offers links to healthy eating and fitness. Check her out. I am a flybaby. My house is cleaner than ever. Now that I have tackled the house, I am tackling my weight! Remember as the flylady says we have to take babysteps. Habits are not created overnight.
  • buzzcogs
    buzzcogs Posts: 296 Member
    I'm with exercise more, make sure you are getting adequate protein, veggies, and fruit in your diet. I'm a "carbo-holic" and it can mess with your blood sugar and make you sluggish if you eat too many simple carbs.

    Also the hardest thing for me and the best thing for me was to realize that dieting and increasing my exercise was going to make me more tired. Our bodies are not programmed to lose weight, they are programmed to gain or at least maintain. Your body will everything initially to "stop" you from dieting, tire you out, give you cravings, etc.

    Especially in the initial part of dieting (say the first month or so) try to get a little more sleep at night. (I know seems laughable when you have small children but try!), take a walk or do some chores around the house when you feel like giving in to cravings. Finally the thing that helped me the most was just accepting I was going to feel like crap in the short term but in the long run I would feel better.

    You know what, it works! Now when I plug away and stick on my diet when I feel crappy and tired it actually cheers me up! I think, "Oh yeah, I must be burning fat if I feel this bad!" ;-)

    Baby steps, remember we can't always feel like a million dollars. It's keeping to the plan even when we feel bad that builds "intestional fortitude"!

    Good luck!
  • nickikole1
    nickikole1 Posts: 21
    I only have two things for advice. Hopefully they are decent enough to make up for the lacking third idea.

    1) Just Take it in steps. When you are sitting there and the last thing you want to do is get up and workout, just focus on getting up and putting your workout clothes on. Then do whatever small thing that gets you started. When I don't want to run, I just get out the door and walk. If I'm doing calisthenics, I start with the laziest thing and work my way up.

    2) Find music that gets you motivated. Whatever music you like that boosts your mood. I used to try to exercise without an mp3 player or radio or anything. It was okay, and enjoyable half the time. Now that I run with an ipod, I can't imagine being without it. It helps every time. Now whenever I hear those songs, it's just enough pick me up to get me off the couch. (It even works when I don't feel like doing something in the house, like cleaning or dinner.)
  • mermx
    mermx Posts: 976
    first...sort the kids out get them off the video games... I know they won`t appreciate it but you are doing them a favor...DO AS I DO NOT WHAT I ASK

    2nd when you go shopping take the kids with you educate them to pick healthy foods, tell them you will help them to cook dinner with their healthy choices.

    3rd... Ask them if they can help you to do some exercises...what can they suggest???

    I am a retired childrens psychologist...and kids love to be involved in adults choices...and you can help them to make healthy choices and prevent them becoming overweight at the same time..


    make a fun time/game of everything including housework...`how fast can you do this/ bet I can beat you to it....you could have fun big time x
  • cownancy
    cownancy Posts: 291
    I think that you should go to your doctor and have a full blood panel done to be sure that you are not deficient in any specific vitamin because just starting to take supplements and vitamins can be dangerous. Make sure you do not have Epstein-Barre Virus and/or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Make sure you don't have high blood pressure and/or high cholesterol.

    If you are depressed, try anti-depressants because they can help.

    A pulmonologist can tell you if you have sleep apnea, which would cause extreme fatigue.

    I agree with many of the other suggestions here, cut the carbs, move a little at a time, etc. BUT, you should have a complete physical prior to starting so that you are at your best and can put our your best effort.

    The blood testing can let you know where you have to adjust your diet. Good luck!! I wish you the very best!
  • DestinyDarbi
    DestinyDarbi Posts: 260 Member
    First of all.. I love the word mulleygrubs!! :laugh:

    1. Getting out there and doing it anyway... even when I don't feel like it.
    2. Constantly taking pictures of myself so I know what I don't want to look like anymore, and I'll notice changes when I'm looking back at the old ones.
    3. Caffeine. Don't tell anyone... I drink a soda every morning. I have a 7 month old son who still wakes up several times during the night, I work full time, and I go to school. I have to have a little help getting myself to wake up!

    Motivation isn't something you just get.. it's something you dig really deep for. You got this
  • brittanyjeanxo
    brittanyjeanxo Posts: 1,831 Member
    I've told many people on this site the same thing I'm going to tell you now. Ask yourself one simple question. Are you willing to let food control your life? If the answer is yes, prepare to be overweight forever. If the answer is no, then put down the fork, get off the couch, and exercise. As long as you keep over-eating and under-exercising, food will be the locus of control in your life. Do you really want anything or anyone other than you to be the boss of how you live, especially an inanimate thing? Food is good. You should enjoy what you put into your body. But, it's also your fuel. If you start to see it as more than fuel, and something you can eat to make you happy, you lose sight of things. That's not to say never have any cheat meals, I do. Had one today. But don't lose sight of the fact that food is your fuel, and treat it as such. Once you start fueling up your tank with the right kind of gas, your engine will run better than ever. Be kind to your body.
  • Laceylala
    Laceylala Posts: 3,094 Member
    1. start changing your diet to slowly eliminated processed foods - one meal a week. Processed foods make you feel terrible.
    2. make YOU a priority in your life.
    3. do some form of exercise for 1/2 hour each day. Walking is a great way to do it.

    Small steps lead to permanent change. Don't think you have to everything at once.
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