Why am I so tired?

schustc
schustc Posts: 428 Member
edited December 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
I have been dieting for about a month now. Down about 16 pounds. Working out with a trainer 3 times a week. My body fat percentage is down (ok not a ton but it is moving down).

I am trying to avoid caffeine, but even when i get a good night's sleep, I just don't have the energy I think I should have. I have more than i did, that is for sure. I walk faster, I take the steps at work (mostly). I have more physical energy I think than I used to, but I am still so tired.

I'm 43, female, and weigh about 253. How can I be getting stronger, getting in shape, and STILL feel so tired? what gives? I thought by now I'd be bouncing around with the energy I used to have when I would lose weight. I mean, it is better, but I swear I could take a 2 hour nap right now.

I know I still have a lot of weight to lose, but this tiredness is baffling me. I just want to sleep all the time.

any ideas??

Replies

  • ZugTheMegasaurus
    ZugTheMegasaurus Posts: 801 Member
    It could be any variety of things. Were you relying on caffeine before? If so, you might just not be used to going without it. Eating less and exercising more could also result in less energy, at least in the beginning (and while a month seems like a long time, your body doesn't see it that way). Also, it does seem like you do still have a lot to lose (as you say), and just keep that in perspective. You are noticing a difference in overall energy already, just imagine how much that will increase as you continue.

    It might help you to just keep a brief log of your energy level. Every day, just jot down a quick summary of how you felt that day: when you got tired, when you felt energized, and anything you noticed that might have affected it. Over time, you'll probably see a general change. Just a suggestion.
  • schustc
    schustc Posts: 428 Member
    Thank you !

    Actually, I have a strong sensitivity to Caffeine. one cup in the morning, will result in a night of tossing and turning in bed, and not getting a deep sleep. Doing that for a week or so, and by the end of it, I'm dragging. Which is what happened a few days ago. I stopped (after about a week of having it) - switched to Decaf on Thursday AM. was extra tired all day, but slept really well. Yesterday was a bit better, and I slept well last night. I still don't have much energy. 2 nights of decent sleep I thought would have made a big difference, but it's not.

    I try to drink Decaf 90% of the time, because I have such a low tolerance level for caffeine, but, unfortunately, I LOVE coffee... :( so sometimes I think "oh, I can do this.." and do it for a week or 2, then pay the price.

    Anyhow - thank you very much for responding. I DO have a lot to lose, and it's a bit overwhelming at times. I try to attack it in smaller goals (like 20 lb mini goals, 5 or so more of those should get me close to where I want to be)

    I just hate not getting much done because I am so tired all the time. It's not laziness, it's exhaustion, and I just want it to go away!
  • Ravenesque_
    Ravenesque_ Posts: 257 Member
    could you be doing too much too fast?

    Cut back a bit and actually get that extra hours sleep and see how that goes?
  • mccarol1956
    mccarol1956 Posts: 422 Member
    Perhaps you are not eating enough!! How many calories a day are you eating? Are you eating your exercise calories back? Numerous things could cause how your feeling. Diet is the first to come to my mind.
  • xHelloQuincyx
    xHelloQuincyx Posts: 884 Member
    i just wanted to mention that you should try black tea. its 15 mg (about) per cup so you could get a tinny boost at least without affecting you to much
  • Edestiny7
    Edestiny7 Posts: 730 Member
    Have your doctor check that you are not anemic. If you are not consistently consuming iron rich foods and/or lose large amounts of blood each month, you could be anemic. Kale, black beans, spinach are foods high in iron that I consume on a daily basis.
  • cat3nv
    cat3nv Posts: 389 Member
    Maybe you should consult your physician. When my son was 7 he was super tired all the time and he looked like a little old man with bags under his eyes. Turns out he had sleep apnea. We had his tonsils and adenoids removed and it made a great difference. You may need to have a sleep study done.
  • schustc
    schustc Posts: 428 Member
    Thank you so much everyone!

    As for the calories - maybe?? I tend to not be hungry - i eat filling foods, so most times I'm not starving, but maybe my calories are too low. I'm not sure. I'm averaging around 1500 a day. I think that's aggressive for my current weight/activity level (heavy, but not too active). I'm building muscle so maybe I need to be eating more, I just don't know.

    I also went to the store and bought vitamin B complex vitamins and Iron pills.

    I don't know exactly what it is, but I am hoping that taking the vitamins helps. If this doesn't help, I will go to the doctor. I can't live like this all the time.

    Thank you everyone.
  • myjourney2
    myjourney2 Posts: 424 Member
    I think you should see your doctor just to make sure it is nothing serious. I had a similar problem and turned out my thyroid was out of wack.
  • schustc
    schustc Posts: 428 Member
    I may. I'll call on monday. I've also noticed I am colder than normal. I am attributing that to just fat loss but who knows.
  • amnsetie
    amnsetie Posts: 666 Member
    I recommend you log your exercise. You don't seem to be eating back your exercise calories. Not eating back can make you tired. Also no harm in seeing the doctor for a blood test to check iron and vitamin D etc
  • rowenaaitken
    rowenaaitken Posts: 48 Member
    I find that taking a supplement like Berocca helps a lot. Also drink plenty of water. I drink ~3ltrs a day + coffee and green teas, I feel so sluggish if I don't drink enough h2o
  • hsrunningmom
    hsrunningmom Posts: 134 Member
    I would definately see you doctor. There are a number of things that could be causing it. It could be a vitamin deficiency like Vitamin D or Vitamin B12. It could be your thyroid. All of those can be found with a blood test. Another possiblity is sleep apnea. I was just diagnosed with that several months ago with a sleep study. No matter how well I ate, exercised or how much I slept, I would wake up exhausted and continued to be exhausted through out the day. Hope you are able to figure it out. It can be tough to keep at it when you feel so tired. Just keep at it.
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