Eating when I'm tired...

sarahwebb81
sarahwebb81 Posts: 46
edited October 5 in Food and Nutrition
Some mornings I am so tired that I literally can't keep my eyes open, and that's when I reach straight for the sugar. Usually a candy bar. I know what I should do instead: take a walk around the office, drink some water and wait a few minutes, get a cup of coffee or tea... But I don't. I even pause when I'm about to grab that candy bar and think, "Sarah, this is going to make you sorry later!" but I still cave. Any words of wisdom on how to stop in that moment before I grab the sugar and make a healthier choice?
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Replies

  • UponThisRock
    UponThisRock Posts: 4,519 Member
    coffee
  • nycko20
    nycko20 Posts: 31
    Coffee!
  • carrie_eggo
    carrie_eggo Posts: 1,396 Member
    Is there a bowl of candy bars just sitting around or something, where you can just grab it? Just like that? No pauses? Or do you have to go back to the break/conference/lunch room and get it out of the vending machine? Do you pay money for it? Doesn't make sense to me......
  • Figuringoutme
    Figuringoutme Posts: 330
    Coffee, tea, water are good choices. Jump up and down for a few minutes. That helps me :)
  • AMIS456
    AMIS456 Posts: 34 Member
    Dont keep candy bars handy? Of if you are buying them from a vending machine keep your change in your car that way you have to take the walk to get it and can talk yourself out of it. Oh and definitely COFFEE!!!:smile:
  • crazycat80
    crazycat80 Posts: 121 Member
    Why not buy yourself a box of breakfast bars, energy bars, clif bars... something so when you think about grabbing the candybar, you grab something healthier instead. Stash them in your desk. It's better for you and cheaper! I love chocolate chip Clif Crunch Bars. Yum!
  • katcj
    katcj Posts: 32 Member
    Eating a sugary snack might give you an instant 'hit' to make you feel more awake, but it won't last and you'll probably end up feeling even more lethargic and hungry! Why not try something like a banana instead? Sweet(ish) tasting but loads better for you!
  • Helloitsdan
    Helloitsdan Posts: 5,564 Member
    Ice water.
    Your body has to work hard to cool it down.
    If water had calories it would be negative calories due to thermogenesis!
  • wonca
    wonca Posts: 81
    I keep protein bars around for specifically this reason.
  • ShapeUpSidney
    ShapeUpSidney Posts: 1,092 Member
    Ice water.
    Your body has to work hard to cool it down.
    If water had calories it would be negative calories due to thermogenesis!

    Yea, you can burn a whopping 33 kcals per LITER of ice water
  • Helloitsdan
    Helloitsdan Posts: 5,564 Member
    If you do cardio in a fasted state it tends to wake you up also!
  • therealkatarr
    therealkatarr Posts: 32
    Why not buy yourself a box of breakfast bars, energy bars, clif bars... something so when you think about grabbing the candybar, you grab something healthier instead. Stash them in your desk. It's better for you and cheaper! I love chocolate chip Clif Crunch Bars. Yum!

    I do this! I definitely suggest going the breakfast or granola bar route.
  • Still_Fluffy
    Still_Fluffy Posts: 341 Member
    I like diet pop. Dr. Pepper with cherry is sweat and has a lot of caffine.
  • ShapeUpSidney
    ShapeUpSidney Posts: 1,092 Member
    Some mornings I am so tired that I literally can't keep my eyes open, and that's when I reach straight for the sugar. Usually a candy bar.

    Do you eat a healthy breakfast before leaving the house in the morning?
  • sjcsviola85
    sjcsviola85 Posts: 40
    Some mornings I am so tired that I literally can't keep my eyes open, and that's when I reach straight for the sugar. Usually a candy bar.

    Do you eat a healthy breakfast before leaving the house in the morning?

    Try Porridge !!
    This time last week I was struggling to get up before 10am ( havent got a job atm due to lack of teaching posts) but now i've started going to the gym every morning i've had to start dragging myself out of bed at like 7am, literally roll out of bed, have a glass of water and make some porridge (dunno if you have the same over in the US but we have microwave flavoured porridge here - 2 mins and done ... brilliant for winter too.

    anyway back on track/topic - this past couple days when i've been less rigid about when I go to the gym, i've struggled to actually SLEEP past 7am.... my bed times havent changed ( about 12-1am) but my energy levels during the day have been through the roof (and thats taking into account 1 or 2 fitness classes like zumba/step plus some gym work plus a 20-40 min swim!) ....

    I deffo recommend porridge lol!
  • carrie_eggo
    carrie_eggo Posts: 1,396 Member
    I like diet pop. Dr. Pepper with cherry is sweat and has a lot of caffine.

    Yum! Me too!
  • questionablemethods
    questionablemethods Posts: 2,174 Member
    How about trying to address the sleep quality issues? I realize that this is easier said than done, but is there a reason you aren't getting enough sleep? Are you nursing an infant, working shift work, or something?
  • maddymama
    maddymama Posts: 1,183 Member
    How about trying to address the sleep quality issues? I realize that this is easier said than done, but is there a reason you aren't getting enough sleep? Are you nursing an infant, working shift work, or something?

    That was my thought.......
    Beyond addressing getting more sleep, coffee is a good one. So is eating more protein.
  • 226Muriel
    226Muriel Posts: 138 Member
    Why is it in the house?

    Had to detox mine....Now, tired or not, only choices are healthy ones.:flowerforyou:
  • killagb
    killagb Posts: 3,280 Member
    I like diet pop. Dr. Pepper with cherry is sweat and has a lot of caffine.

    Yum! Me too!
    Ew...cherry flavored sweat with caffeine?
  • ilookthetype
    ilookthetype Posts: 3,021 Member
    Don't keep candy bars around? Do you eat breakfast? Maybe change what you are eating earlier in the day, keep nuts on hand. I eat oatmeal and PB2 or Justin's Nut Butter (justinsnutbutter.com) when I'm starting to drag.
  • doobabe
    doobabe Posts: 436 Member
    I work out first thing in the morning and that gives me a ton of energy.....
  • k2quiere
    k2quiere Posts: 4,151 Member
    I like diet pop. Dr. Pepper with cherry is sweat and has a lot of caffine.

    Yum! Me too!
    Ew...cherry flavored sweat with caffeine?

    LMAO

    I prefer to keep nuts around for just such an emergency...a variety of nuts
  • killagb
    killagb Posts: 3,280 Member
    keep nuts on hand.
    But people start looking at me weird...
  • AngelikaLumiere
    AngelikaLumiere Posts: 862 Member
    I am just like you, when I am tired I make poor choices. What works for me is finding something I wanted more. I set a goal for myself every week. I will loose 2 pounds this week and if I do I get..... (in my case it is a trip to a French bistro that I adore) because I really really want my Saturday treat I am able to fight the urge to give in to quick fix calories that I will regret later. I am able to switch to the healthier choices that you already know about. It's all about motivation. Find SOMETHING that will motivate you to make the right choice. (do you want to buy a new dress, are you going to a high school reunion, do you want to fit into a bathing suit for a trip to the beach? ) I recommend a weekly reward, because it works for me, but ramping up your motivation to combat those tired impulses is a good idea.
  • Skeith5
    Skeith5 Posts: 89 Member
    Grab an apple. They are healthier than anything listed so far and studies have shown they are better for waking you up in the morning than coffee.

    Scott
  • sara709
    sara709 Posts: 170 Member
    Coffee and a banana.
    Coffee has caffeine. The banana has natural sugar.
    That'll get you perky in no time!

    If coffee makes you tired, you're dehydrated. Get a couple glasses of water in you and you're good to go.

    Candy bars are crap and they make you feel that way. Let them goooooo.
  • sally125
    sally125 Posts: 40 Member
    How about trying to address the sleep quality issues? I realize that this is easier said than done, but is there a reason you aren't getting enough sleep? Are you nursing an infant, working shift work, or something?

    If you are that tired I would suggest with an extra half an hour of sleep or address whatever is causing you to be so tired instead of reaching for a temporary pick me up.
  • ShapeUpSidney
    ShapeUpSidney Posts: 1,092 Member
    Grab an apple. They are healthier than anything listed so far and studies have shown they are better for waking you up in the morning than coffee.

    Scott

    an apple is healthier than suggestions of "a healthy breakfast" or "porridge" ?

    Oooooooookay.
  • lord_lethris
    lord_lethris Posts: 40 Member
    Had to reply to this one quickly. So I'm sorry if someone has already mentioned/suggested it.

    Feeling tired in the mornings after a nights sleep is usually a sign of a sleeping disorder, or sleep apnea. And Reaching for the sugar bars or even Coffee (as some people have mentioned) IS BAD! All it does is fuel the problem. You may have nodules that affects your breathing at night. caffeine is a huge contribution to swollen nodules.

    Basically in most cases, and its perfectly normal because it happens to everyone, during your sleep sometimes your airway gets blocked and you struggle to breath, can last from a few seconds to minutes, SO your body naturally wakes up in a half dozy state to deal with it then fall back asleep again. Your body's defense could be as simple as rolling over or letting in a huge gulp of air (Basically, A loud Snort). Again I would highlight - >EVERYONE<- does it at least once or twice a night. You don't notice because your in a semiconscious state... you partner might if they are fully awake, but you wont.

    HOWEVER. There are some cases that you will wake up in this state more than 5 to 30 times... this leads to feeling tired in the mornings, and it IS an issue. (For the record, im not trying to scare you, im just trying to help)

    Do you snore? or at least know if you snore?
    There is no shame in snoring, we all do it at some point, so don't worry about feeling embarrassed to answer :)

    Do you know if you fidget in your sleep?

    Do feel fatigue during the day, not just the mornings, say mid morning or 12-1pm?

    -> SEE A DOCTOR <-. Book a double appointment and talk to them about sleep apnea. There is no harm in checking.

    Without sounding like a *kitten*, being a "little" over weight will also causes this type of apnea, especially if you sleep on your back. But a simple diet can resolve that, and STAY AWAY FROM CAFFEINE!

    :love:

    Sorry if i've offended/scared anyone. I only mention this because I myself suffered mild sleep apnea, and diet and change to my bed time routine really helped - At the request of my doctor.!!
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