Hi all:

I'm relatively new here, but not new to dieting by any means. I'm 25, starting weight about 257/currently 240/ goal 140.

I'm trying to re-lose the 50 lbs that I lost in '05, then regained over the following year and a half, plus about 50 more! I've been dieting and exercising for about 5 weeks and have lost 15-ish lbs (I'm right around 240 now)! I have felt very motivated, but I'm feeling that is starting to decrease...

My problem is for the last week-and-a-half, I have felt EXHAUSTED all the time. I'm not sure if it's because I introduced working out into my routine a couple weeks back, but I have never experienced this during prior attempts to exercise and lose weight.

Last time I lost 50 lbs, I did it by following a very low-cal diet, approximately 1200 cals per day. It came off quickly, and I still had the same level of energy than with my prior (bad) eating habits.

Does anyone have any suggestion as to why? It could just be the simple fact that I'm older now (sadly enough, I felt like I had a lot more energy when I was 23). Should I increase my caloric intake? I'm really not overdoing it at the gym - usually 30-45 minutes of cardio at 70-80%, and *sometimes* weight training. I go about 3-4 times a week.

Do you take a mutlivitamin? They really do help, when I miss mine I can tell a big difference. Also, you might need to raise your calories since you started working out. 1200 really is not that much, especially if you are hitting the gym. It wouldn't hurt to try raising them for a week and if it doesn't help, then at least you tried! Also, Don't forget to drink your water!!!

If I'm reading correctly, you now weigh more than you did the first time you lost weight. So, though 1200 calories may have worked then, you now weigh more than that and probably require more calories - even during the weight loss process.

Also, and I'm just throwing this out there - could you be depressed? Fatigue is one of the warning signs.

Calories may be the key. It doesn't look like it usually, but for instance, if you're anything like me, something as silly as a drop in seasonal temperatures would be enough to demand that you up your intake a little for some time. Besides, at your current weight, I'm not sure if 1200 is enough at all, regardless of such potential influences.

1) Not depressed. Life is actually pretty great: especially compared to where I was at the first time I lost weight! I'm happy at work, at home, have great BF and friends, so I don't think that's a possibility.

2) I was at my current weight when I was losing last time - doing the 1200 calories. I kept it on the low side because it helped me with self control. Allowing myself a higher amount led to a lot more temptation (ex. "I probably have enough calories left today to have that order of fries...") I realize it's probably not enough, so maybe I'll try bumping it up for a while.

3) I tried taking a multivitamin, but it made me NAUSEOUS. I suppose maybe I should switch brands? Any recommendations?

I take One A Day-Active, it made me a little shaky and nauseous the first couple of days I took it, but my body adjusted to it pretty quickly.
I think you should try upping your calories, but it is completely up to you. It may acutally help the weight come off quicker, if it is what your body is needing, because obviously it is trying to tell you something! And even if you do have enough calories--Stay away from the french fries!! and all fast food for that matter lol.. it's addictive!!! I loath fast food, I think it should be banned!!

How many hours a night do you sleep?

What kinds of foods are you getting your calorie intake from? Are you eating enough protein? You need lots of protein when you are exercising.

Also, I take a B-vitamin complex on top of my multi-vitamin. This gives lots and lots of ebergy. (Truth be know, I take a 1/2 B-vitamin). This vitamin (B-6 and B-12) is what they put into energy drink. If you take a supplement its like drinking energy drinks, but without all the sugar and carbonation. Mine also has zinc which aids in the production of testosterone<----sex drive and energy The B vitamins work to convert food into energy.

Good luck!

I take One-A-Day Women's multivitamin and it used to make me nauseous too. I take it with food now and that seems to have fixed the problem.

How's your eating routine? I find mini-meals, you know...breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner, dessert...works better than 3 big meals. It keeps your metabolism revved all day and your body doesn't worry about starvation mode because it knows it is going to get food in about 2-3 hours.

I can't believe no one's asked this yet, but are you getting enough sleep? It could just be that pre-diet, XX amount of hours of sleep was enough for you but now that you're eating right and exercising you need another hour or 30 minutes of sleep each night.

I get about 7-8 hours of sleep per night, sometimes more. I don't have a strenuous job - I sit at a desk all day. I don't know. I'm just sick of feeling like I *NEED* every afternoon when I get home from work.

Yeah, I'd say not enough calories. Try going up closer to 1300, or between 1300 and 1400. You should still have a deficit that will lead to weight loss, and I bet you'll feel better! You may even be able to go higher, but I wouldn't move too fast--you want to see what results you get.

By the way, there is no way that anyone on a weight loss plan ends up with "enough calories left" for an order of fries. Check it out. Fries are huge in calories.

Jay

sitting at a desk all day IS exhausting!

I know working all day at my desk tireds me out. Also, I drink a lot of coffee and often coffee and sugar withdrawls leave me crashed.
Also, fatigue is a sign of diabetes and could be a sign of other serious health problems too.
Also, another thought is that you can benefit from more weight training that would allow you to be a stronger person, physically, and that might help.
Just my opinions.