I feel sooooo drained...what to do?

  • Ugh, I'm so tired. I'm not sure why. I've been exercising a lot, I'm eating at LEAST 1200 calories a day (lots of fruits and veggies in there).

    I have been having a hard time getting up in the morning (this shouldn't be) I should have soooo much energy from working out and eating good, right? Where is my energy. I've been having to take a nap smack dab in the middle of the day...I know it's probably good for me if I can get one in, but with that and sleeping in late, I feel so lazy.

    What's up with my body?
  • Try upping your calorie intake.
  • I agree, 1200 calories may not be nearly enough for you at your current weight. Keep in mind that as you lose weight, you may need to decrease calories since your body won't need as many. Also maintenance frequently requires fewer calories. Starting out at 1200 doesn't give you any room to wiggle. It's usually better to start out much higher, then reduce a little each week if you aren't losing, allowing a goal of about 2 pounds per week.

    Good luck
  • Make sure that you have enough lean protein and supplement with essential fatty acids. Veggies and fruit are excellent, but you also need protein to rebuild tissue and essential fatty acids for energy. Also, are you taking vitamins? Nowadays a good multi is a must no matter how clean you eat.

    Another thing you might want to take into consideration is electrolyte depletion, especially if it's hot where you live (plus you are exercising). Supplement with salt, potassium and magnesium or add some Emergen-C to your water bottle when you exercise
  • Hey Sheila,

    At 309 pounds, you should be eating more than 1200 calories a day, even to lose weight! Your resting metabolism even if you are sedentary would be between 2100 and 2500 calories at that weight (I don't know your age, though). You can look up what different websites say by searching for "metabolic rate calculator."

    So to lose weight at a pound a week, you would need to eat 500 calories a day less than the resting metabolism level, or burn 500 calories more with exercise. Or, a combination of the two. That means you should probably be eating closer to 1600 calories per day--perhaps more, depending on your exercise.

    Which is the long way of saying what lovelypurple said! That's probably why you are tired.

    Jay
  • Thank you guys for this info....I'll start off by telling you what exactly I'm doing.

    Centrum multivitamin everyday
    3 quarts of water every day
    I am definitly getting enough protein..

    My eating plan is as follows:
    -3 shakes that are 110 calories each (I usually add a cup of fruit)
    -2 entrees (I have a variety of 13 or so to chose from)....they are full of protein and good stuff and they average 180 calories each.
    -I also eat at LEAST 3 veggies and 2 fruits but generally average 5 veggies and 4 fruits a day.
    -I also have bars that I'm allowed to eat, but I see them more as a dessert so I tend not to eat too many of them.
  • Hey again Sheila,

    You need to figure out how many calories all of that adds up to. Use one of the online calorie counters like FitDay or CalorieKing--these tools make it easier. I can't really figure that from the information you've given.

    Jay