an issue i know i have
Simii180
Posts: 5 Member
One of the issues I have that makes losing weight harder is I have no energy. No energy to be sure I make a lunch to take to work...or even a snack. No energy to cook a healthy meal for my self ( My husband is a truck driver so he is not home to eat and my kids still at home are 16 through 19 years old. Old enough to cook for themselves) I am never prepared so i usually end up not eating or grabbing fast food. And neither is going to help me lose weight.
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Replies
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What are your sleep and hydration patterns like?2
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I used to feel that way. Then I started buying quick healthier foods that I love. eg. Berries. Bananas. Yogurts. Nuts. Canned kippers. Snap peas. Individual paks of crackers (checking sodium and fat levels and picking the lowest). I bought things (and still do) that are quick and easy and then I talked myself into eating those, instead of fast food. I would mentally praise myself every time I skipped the junk and chose something healthier. It's a process and and it took quite a lot of arguing with myself sometimes but now I find it much easier. I make new recipes, especially clear soups and simple salads and I don't mind saying I make a killer balsamic salad dressing (because I can control the sodium and sugar and leave out the chemical preservatives). I feel like I have way more energy than I used to and I am getting to the point where I actually prefer to eat a healthy meal than some garbage full of fat and salt and other junk that leaves me feeling hungry, 1/2 an hour after I eat it. I tell myself it's poison and truly, I'm not far off with that statement. Just do your best to make one healthy choice at a time and before you know it, you'll be making mostly healthy choices and feeling a whole lot better.
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@Simii180 unless there is something medically wrong (like thyroid levels, etc.), this sounds like depression. You are here, so you obviously want to change. Perhaps just try changing one small thing and stick to that for one month (like a quick snack to take to work). When you've managed that well, add another small thing. Baby steps in the right direction are still steps.
Be patient with yourself.9 -
Did you have this lack of energy before you started your life style change?
I found that as my reduced caloric intake started knocking off some pounds, my body started to adapt to the remaining calories and it started to conserve energy, making me less energetic....4 -
dralicephd wrote: »@Simii180 unless there is something medically wrong (like thyroid levels, etc.), this sounds like depression.
That's kinda what I was thinking too. OP, have you considered speaking with a doctor to rule out the possibility of a physical issue and maybe address the mental health side if needed?
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Not sure what your work situation is like but when I worked, I would make sure there was snacks in my desk drawer, canned soup, tuna packs, crackers. We also had a refrigerator/freezer, and we would put some frozen meals in there, veggies. I did not take cash and I avoided the vending and fast food.
I wanted fast food but learned to say no to myself. If I did stop, I would try to get the healthiest.
You are going to have those kinds of days of needing to eat there but they will start to fall further apart and much less often. Many times, I would take an apple and peanut butter or almond butter. I would leave that apple right where I could see it.
Dinner time, you have to put yourself first. Do you like to cook? I find if I am making old favorites, and I love to try new recipes. Fix some soups, make a new dish that is simple but tasty. You might be surprised as your children might really love some home cooked meals. Baked chicken is easy, hamburgers, salads. Fish is super simple if you like it.
Breakfast is super important. I used to make a smoothie and head out the door. I would take yogurt, overnight oats. We were allowed to eat in our office.
Most the time when I was thinking ahead, I would do the planning and put in fridge overnight in my lunch bag.
I recently found out my B12 is low and anemic. Started on shots and I take my vitamins. I am making sure or trying my best to include leafy greens in my diet to help boost my iron levels naturally.
Your doctor can run your blood levels and this is a good start.
Welcome to your new world. You will find your way.
Water is super important. If you are a soda drinker...try to stop.
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I agree with @dralicephd. It sounds like depression to me. I would only add to talk to your primary physician. He/She will know how to help. Don't wait.0
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Sometimes, I've found that taking just one day in the week, like a Saturday or Sunday, to make a large batch of something helps out with motivation.
Make a container of salad, a large quiche and a pot of soup and it gets me through 50% of the meals in a given week.
The wintery weather isn't helping anything either, I've never been a particularly active person but going for a walk, jog or out on my bike just makes me feel better, less hungry and more energized, and it really sucks to not be able to do that between the weather and lack of daylight.1 -
Make sure you're eating ENOUGH. If you're eating very little and working out, you likely don't have enough fuel.1
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There are some nice threads for the debilitated. Some dehydrate fruits in large batches, some use frozen veggies so that you can pop that in a microwave, and you can add frozen chicken that isn't high in calories. I was bedridden for months over the years, and I am not the only one. It is slow, it can be done. It takes some creativity. If you can go out to eat, you can cook. It will have to be simple. I remember doing weeks of low cal hot dogs and hot dog buns. Way less calories than going to fast food. And you still feel the same. Low cal tuna fish sandwiches. There is bibigo dumplings that are chicken and veg for 250 calories. I also at different times used the HEB dinner deli thing. I always got a tray with around 300 calories.3
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Sometimes you just have to wake up and change your mindset. Don't make excuses and do the work.1
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I made a similar post here a year ago, I was grossly overweight, and struggling so hard to find the energy to just prepare food, much less exercise. The people here were so rude that I deleted my account that had years of weight loss history (I had only put it back on during the pandemic after years of maintenance).
I'm down 100lbs since then and my energy levels are greatly improved. Here is what the end game was: You just have to keep pushing, and over weeks and months, they will improve SLOWLY.
Last year I would force myself to go for a 1 mile walk (just a mile!) and I'd be so exhausted that I would literally sleep for 16 hours after. But I did it day after day, slowly added more things in, etc. Now a year later I am back to 2+ hours of exercise a day and back to doing martial arts like a kid again.
The thing is, it was MONTHS of feeling so exhausted. But it does get better, it just takes a lot of time. You have to learn to love yourself in the process. Be kind when it doesn't happen and remember that even if you move an inch at a time, you're still moving.10 -
Have you had your thyroid checked lately? There could be improper thyroid functioning causing your weakened feeling. The tiredness could be a indicator of other health matters too, like perhaps anemia, vitamin B12 deficiency, or lots of other things, some of which are major things, other are minor things. I urge you to discuss it with your doctor.4
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One thing I can say is a lot of our food choices can make a huge difference in our energy level. Fast food is the worst they can make you feel tired and drained Take time for you. Preparation is the key!1
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Along with all of these great ideas, I can add a strange one. Invest is a few kitchen appliances that make food prep easier and faster. A slow cooker/instant pot, that cooks your food slowly over the day, or makes it in minutes to the hour that you'd spend cooking it normally. Maybe an air fryer, that's my go to right now, originally purchased to make good home cooked french fries, and now used for cooking chicken, pork chops, fish fillets, and last night? 2 chicken legs and 3 perogies, the entire meal cooked in 20 minutes with only about 3-5 minutes prep time. But like many others, I would stress getting your blood checked by your GP, that should honestly be the first step. Best wishes!1
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boilerdawg2009 wrote: »What are your sleep and hydration patterns like?
lol well I work night shift at a prison (I am a nurse) that is crazy short staffed so being mandated to work a double is common.6 -
Did you have this lack of energy before you started your life style change?
I found that as my reduced caloric intake started knocking off some pounds, my body started to adapt to the remaining calories and it started to conserve energy, making me less energetic....
yes, i have been like this for a while now. at one point i believed it was because i was anemic but I ended up having to get a few blood transfusions and ferritin infusions every week for a few months and i don't feel any different.1 -
dralicephd wrote: »@Simii180 unless there is something medically wrong (like thyroid levels, etc.), this sounds like depression. You are here, so you obviously want to change. Perhaps just try changing one small thing and stick to that for one month (like a quick snack to take to work). When you've managed that well, add another small thing. Baby steps in the right direction are still steps.
Be patient with yourself.
yes, I do have a history of depression but even when on meds I don't feel/see a change in energy lvls.1 -
Did you have this lack of energy before you started your life style change?
I found that as my reduced caloric intake started knocking off some pounds, my body started to adapt to the remaining calories and it started to conserve energy, making me less energetic....
yes this has been way before any changes i have made0 -
If you are working long hours, often temporarily in the single parent mode due to your husbands job, and have two older teens life if often hectic and the best thing you can do it work on time management.
Involve the kids and give them some responsibility. Split up the work load, and work together to either meal prep, shop, or cook as a group that splits things up so you can all eat. As for work stuff get creative, and either do it in bulk when you can, or find out what things you can do really quickly that will get you through your shifts.
If you buy pre-packaged salad, you can make a killer salad in a couple minutes. Either buy a protein you like such as canned salmon, chicken... whatever... or make some proteins you can use multiple ways and refrigerate them. I often made Mexican spiced chicken for tacos, and can also use it for wraps, or salads, etc. My daughter loves to just heat it up with some cheese for a quick snack or mini meal.
Crock pots.... easy. With the right stuff whoever is the one that is home in time tosses it all in and turns it on. Make more than you need, and you have leftovers or some to freeze. Take some of your little free time and energy, and figure out how to give yourself more free time and energy!6 -
Have you thoroughly discussed your issues with your doctor? A therapist? Can you delegate more help at home from your adult children?
If it's been an ongoing problem, maybe it's because your work and lifestyle are both so draining and exhausting(whether emotionally or physically or both), and you're not refilling your own personal well enough to keep up. It doesn't sound like you have time to take care of yourself.
Food can be super simple, just make sure you're eating enough of the right things. Yes, fast food is quick and easy but healthy food you buy at the store can be as well. I don't cook much; just don't like to. But I eat tons of veggies, 0% nonfat yogurt, eggs, fruits, oatmeal, veggie burgers, very little meat but sometimes chicken. My diet isn't varied but seems to work well for me. Lots of water.
Good luck in regaining your energy!!
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Did you have this lack of energy before you started your life style change?
I found that as my reduced caloric intake started knocking off some pounds, my body started to adapt to the remaining calories and it started to conserve energy, making me less energetic....
yes, i have been like this for a while now. at one point i believed it was because i was anemic but I ended up having to get a few blood transfusions and ferritin infusions every week for a few months and i don't feel any different.
Yes, your OP reminds me of my energy levels (or lack thereof) when my anemia is not under control.
Your anemia management was more aggressive than mine - I just had one blood transfusion, and since then two iron infusions about once per quarter.
I have the impression that your treatment is in the past because you didn't feel like it was helping? When is the last time your iron levels were tested?
I work with a hematologist and get my iron levels tested several times per year. I get much better treatment from this specialist than I ever did with just a primary care provider. In fact, one over-prescribed oral ferrous glutamate, which sent me to Urgent Care with the worst pain I've ever had in my life. I was literally in too much pain to roll over and get pain meds >.<
After my last blood work, my crit, ferritin, and hemoglobin counts are all much better than they were, but my iron stores are still low, so he did prescribe another set of two infusions, but now my next check is six months out.
While I did feel a difference after the transfusion, the changes after the infusions are much more subtle.
If you are not currently working with a hematologist I encourage you to get a referral to one ASAP.0
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