I neeeed energy - help please!

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Replies

  • historygirldd
    historygirldd Posts: 209 Member
    are you getting enough B12. I was always zapped until I started taking a B complex supplement.
  • engineman312
    engineman312 Posts: 3,450 Member
    it's all in your head. i have almost the same schedule, up at 430am, leave at 515am, work from 6a-6p, home by 7ish. bed time is usually no later then 10pm. i usually have enough energy through out the day, and a little left over in the tank to do a work out when i get home. i do this for 3-4 days in a row, have a couple of days off, then i have 3-4 night shifts, a couple of days off, etc etc.

    just got to eat right, get enough sleep at night, drink plenty of water, and start working out when you can. energy filled snacks, like a trail mix can help out.

    also, i used to be a big "i'm dragging *kitten* at 3pm so let me get a soda" person, and i read somewhere that an apple has the same amount of energy that a soda has. whether that is true or not, i replaced my 3pm soda with an apple, and it seems to help.

    then again, it all might be in my head.
  • gooiyw
    gooiyw Posts: 114 Member
    I think if you can start fitting in exercise regularly you'll find that you have more energy. Also try to eat slow burning carbs. High protein, beans, lentils, veggies (not starchy carbs/veggies).... I find that just from exercising regularly, I have a ton more energy and now wake up by 6am (FOR NO REASON! Boo! haha). Also, are you eating ENOUGH calories? If you're not eating enough, that will make you sluggish too. :)

    ^^^ That exactly! :happy:
  • MelanieAG05
    MelanieAG05 Posts: 359 Member
    I would suggest that you try to get out during the day (at lunchtime?) for a walk/jog if possible even if it is for 10-15 mins - this will defo give you a bit more energy and the feel good hormones will come out to play! Also, I had a look at your diary and you might not be eating enough - which you have already recognised which is great! Try increasing by a couple of hundred a day to start with and see how you go.

    There are some great threads on here about how to work out how many cals you should be eating. I have recently been advised the following:

    Get your BMR (from tools on MFP or from fat2fit.com)

    Then work out your TDEE which is BMR x activity level and the multipliers are as follows:

    If you are sedentary (little or no exercise) BMR x 1.2
    If you are lightly active (light exercise/sports 1-3 days/week) BMR x 1.375
    If you are moderatetely active (moderate exercise/sports 3-5 days/week) BMR x 1.55
    If you are very active (hard exercise/sports 6-7 days a week) BMR x 1.725
    If you are extra active (very hard exercise/sports & physical job or 2x training) BMR x 1.9

    Your TDEE less 20% should be the calorie intake you are aiming for per day. If you workout then you should only eat back exercise calories so that you at least NET your BMR.

    My example is
    BMR = 1384
    I am moderately active so my TDEE is 1384 x 1.55 = 2145

    2145 less 20% = 1716 which is my calorie goal

    If I burn more than 332 cals then I would eat some back to NET my BMR.

    I hope this makes sense!! I learned all this just this week and it is difficult to get my head around eating 1700 calories a day but I am giving it a go!

    Also, have you tried Berocca supplement? I drink a Berocca every morning as I was suffering from an "afternoon slump" and this has helped!

    Good luck

    Mel x
  • AngelAura777
    AngelAura777 Posts: 225 Member
    Craze is hectic I get SO much energy from it!! I love it! it has creatine in it as well and I like the grape flavour or sometimes I use hydroxycut hardcore for a bit extra energy

    Sorry to sound thick but what is craze?!! xxx

    Its a pre workout supplement search it on google you mix it with water there is heaps of different pre workout supplements that help give you energy
  • Helloitsdan
    Helloitsdan Posts: 5,564 Member
    How tall are you?
    How often do you work out?
  • How tall are you?
    How often do you work out?

    Im 5 foot 4 - and i workout sparingly. Sometimes can be 4 times a week..others none! x
  • cramernh
    cramernh Posts: 3,335 Member
    How tall are you?
    How often do you work out?

    Maldivesbeach - TRUST this guy.....

    Helloitsdan (he and his group are awesome) and his group of MFP buddies can run some numbers for you based on some information (BMR, TDEE, etc) and it will GREATLY help you...

    BTW, sent you a private message
  • Informative thread....TYVM :))))))
  • Helloitsdan
    Helloitsdan Posts: 5,564 Member
    I would suggest that you try to get out during the day (at lunchtime?) for a walk/jog if possible even if it is for 10-15 mins - this will defo give you a bit more energy and the feel good hormones will come out to play! Also, I had a look at your diary and you might not be eating enough - which you have already recognised which is great! Try increasing by a couple of hundred a day to start with and see how you go.

    There are some great threads on here about how to work out how many cals you should be eating. I have recently been advised the following:

    Get your BMR (from tools on MFP or from fat2fit.com)

    Then work out your TDEE which is BMR x activity level and the multipliers are as follows:

    If you are sedentary (little or no exercise) BMR x 1.2
    If you are lightly active (light exercise/sports 1-3 days/week) BMR x 1.375
    If you are moderatetely active (moderate exercise/sports 3-5 days/week) BMR x 1.55
    If you are very active (hard exercise/sports 6-7 days a week) BMR x 1.725
    If you are extra active (very hard exercise/sports & physical job or 2x training) BMR x 1.9

    Your TDEE less 20% should be the calorie intake you are aiming for per day. If you workout then you should only eat back exercise calories so that you at least NET your BMR.

    My example is
    BMR = 1384
    I am moderately active so my TDEE is 1384 x 1.55 = 2145

    2145 less 20% = 1716 which is my calorie goal

    If I burn more than 332 cals then I would eat some back to NET my BMR.

    I hope this makes sense!! I learned all this just this week and it is difficult to get my head around eating 1700 calories a day but I am giving it a go!

    Also, have you tried Berocca supplement? I drink a Berocca every morning as I was suffering from an "afternoon slump" and this has helped!

    Good luck

    Mel x

    This=success

    Do this!
  • smiley245
    smiley245 Posts: 420 Member
    All good advice so far :). I would also second getting outside at lunch time/breaks. Not only for excercise but for sunshine. It does do a world of good energy wise. Seeing as your long hours keep you inside from sun rise/set.
    Although Im just restarting at this and no where near an expert, perhaps revising your food quality and adding more fresh veggies and lean protein? (Also a Starbucks fan, i noticed your Soy latte wasnt showing up the protein count. it shows 0 but it should have about 10g....I imagine your soy cant be too far off from the soy here in Canada :) )
    L.
  • Helloitsdan
    Helloitsdan Posts: 5,564 Member
    How tall are you?
    How often do you work out?

    Im 5 foot 4 - and i workout sparingly. Sometimes can be 4 times a week..others none! x

    BMR 1363
    TDEE 1874


    Lifting weights takes priority over cardio.

    Set MFP to 1500 a day.
    Dont eat back calories.
    Lift weights 3 times a week for appx 20-60 mins and walk 3-4 times a week for 20-40 mins.

    Enjoy your fat loss.
  • bump
  • How tall are you?
    How often do you work out?

    Im 5 foot 4 - and i workout sparingly. Sometimes can be 4 times a week..others none! x

    BMR 1363
    TDEE 1874


    Lifting weights takes priority over cardio.

    Set MFP to 1500 a day.
    Dont eat back calories.
    Lift weights 3 times a week for appx 20-60 mins and walk 3-4 times a week for 20-40 mins.

    Enjoy your fat loss.

    wow! really? that seems like LOADS!!! what sort of foods should i eat?? xxx
  • engineman312
    engineman312 Posts: 3,450 Member


    wow! really? that seems like LOADS!!! what sort of foods should i eat?? xxx

    the foods you like. everything in moderation. allow yourself some treats. here is a study about how a group of dieters did better then another group, and they were eating some chocolate in the morning http://beginnertriathlete.com/cms/article-detail.asp?articleid=2459

    there is no special food "eat this and only this and you'll lose weight" diet. yes, eat more fruits and veggies, stop deep frying things as much, and look for healthier ways to cook your favorite foods (i.e. poach chicken instead of frying it)
  • loope1
    loope1 Posts: 14
    bump
  • Hi Helloitsdan ...i have heard that you are great at calculations, please could you advise me.

    BMR 1364

    TDEE 2114.2 - 20% = 1691.36 CALORIE GOAL.

    Do i eat back some calories burned from work out?? or not.
    I have struggle to lose weight since January, i have lost 8 lbs in total and have a permanent plateau.
    I am on Level 2 , day 2 of 30 day shred, losing inches but the scale will not move....yet????
    I started MFP in March...and was on 1200 calories.

    Any advise will be greatly appreciated...Thank you :)))
  • katy84o
    katy84o Posts: 744 Member
    Try a B12 tablet.
  • Helloitsdan
    Helloitsdan Posts: 5,564 Member
    How tall are you?
    How often do you work out?

    Im 5 foot 4 - and i workout sparingly. Sometimes can be 4 times a week..others none! x

    BMR 1363
    TDEE 1874


    Lifting weights takes priority over cardio.

    Set MFP to 1500 a day.
    Dont eat back calories.
    Lift weights 3 times a week for appx 20-60 mins and walk 3-4 times a week for 20-40 mins.

    Enjoy your fat loss.

    wow! really? that seems like LOADS!!! what sort of foods should i eat?? xxx

    90% whole foods and 10% junk!
  • MelanieAG05
    MelanieAG05 Posts: 359 Member
    Hi Helloitsdan ...i have heard that you are great at calculations, please could you advise me.

    BMR 1364

    TDEE 2114.2 - 20% = 1691.36 CALORIE GOAL.

    Do i eat back some calories burned from work out?? or not.
    I have struggle to lose weight since January, i have lost 8 lbs in total and have a permanent plateau.
    I am on Level 2 , day 2 of 30 day shred, losing inches but the scale will not move....yet????
    I started MFP in March...and was on 1200 calories.

    Any advise will be greatly appreciated...Thank you :)))

    Only eat back exercise calories to NET at least your BMR - i.e. if you burn more than 327 cals then eat enough back so you net 1364. You have similar stats to me and this is what i do and it is working!!
  • dollaqie
    dollaqie Posts: 74 Member
    I also see that according to your dairy that you are not drinking any water, or maybe you forget to log your water intake. Drinking no water can make you feel dehydrated and also have alot to with your energy levels!!!
  • Hi Melanie,


    Thank you so much for replying, i appreciate it very much.

    I will do that for sure :)

    Well done on your weight loss and hope you get to your goal very soon :))

    Ellie :)
  • Bullielvr
    Bullielvr Posts: 1
    I recently asked my dr. about my low energy level and she suggested I try Vitamin D pills... Not sure yet if it works, I just started it but thought I would toss it out there.