Hello all! Do your energy levels ever level out? I am so tired! I drink a vitamin rich Slim Fast for breakfast and take a multi-vitamin around lunch time, but I just seem to live my life tired.

What else do you eat? A real food breakfast would stay with you longer.

Oh, the Slim Fast is just my little compromise. I should have written "Protein shake". I've never liked breakfast and am not hungry in the morning. Forcing myself to eat just makes me gag. So I've learned to compromise with a protein shake and Slim Fast is my preferred choice for the number of calories vs. cost. I get the generic form.

I think I have a very balanced diet. I'm eating six mini-meals a day to keep my metabolism revved up. Lunch and dinner include protein and usually two servings of veggies.

What is your total calorie intake for the day? And how much are you exercising?

Do you track proteins, fats, carbs also? How much of each are you eating?

Jay

1200 calories. Don't yell at me. I have PCOS and losing weight has been a major struggle. My cousin lost 100 lbs eating 1200 calories so I jumped in. It's working so I hesitate to bump up the calories. I figure if I hit a plateau, then I'll bump up the calories. And no, I'm not exercising. See, I did this before. I exercised like a maniac hitting the gym for 1.5 hours SIX days a week, three hours when I could. I did strict South Beach with no cheats. I lost 30 lbs, but it took six months. This time with calorie counting and no exercise, I've lost 27 lbs in a month and a half!!! Again, once I hit a plateau, then I'll add exercise.

No, I don't track specific proteins and carbs because I'm trying to make this something I can stick with for life. I don't journal either because I know that's something I wouldn't stick to. I just have a running total in my head of how much I've had so far for the day. It's extremely easy for me and is something I can stick with and it's working.

...but I'm tired. So I guess either change something or stop complaining?

Believe me, I understand wanting to lose all the weight as fast as possible. However, I'd guess that it's losing the 27 pounds in 6 weeks that is the cause of you being so tired. To lose that quickly you need to deprive your body of about 2250 calories a day. So, assuming that this is the case your body needs 3450 calories a day and you're giving it 1200(*). You're fueling your body with about 35% of the calories that it needs to maintain, it's bound to fight back.

In the end it is up to you what you do. Some people lose well on 1200 calories, others eventually bonk for lack of a better term. Also, you may start to lose less as you go. It would be natural for you to start doing less, as you're tired (therefore burning fewer calories). I'd personally take the chronic tiredness as a sign that you're not eating enough, but it seems like you're pretty set on that 1200 calorie number. So, best of luck with that.

(* the numbers are based on none of that initial weight lost being water, which it often is)

I hadn't put the numbers to it like that before. It's not so much that I want to lose weight quickly...I just want to be successful.

I wish I had a crystal ball. I wish I could look into the future and know what will work for me.

With the 1200 calories, I do not feel hungry. I don't suppose that plays a role at all? Or the fact that was I tired BEFORE I started dieting? Just not quite this tired.

Blah!

Also, with the holidays I haven't been very good about counting my calories. I've probably been under eating in an attempt not to over eat. I'm so glad the holidays are over and I can count everything!

I have PCOS also and 1200 a day is a no go for me. Can't do it. Period. I'm about 1500 a day and losing slowly which is just fine for me. Can you give yourself even 100 calories more a day and use it up with protein as that will help you with your energy!

I have PCOS too and agree maybe you should increase your calories by 100 or so but also maybe get a blood test from your doc to check your iron levels? SInce doing this and especially since i added exercise to the mix i have had low iron so im often tired...so it may be worth looking into

kazz =]

Is it ok to ask what PCOS is?

Of course. It stands for PolyCystic Ovarian Syndrome. It affects women in different ways and no two women have the same symptoms. A very common symptom is insulin resistance. Our cells are resistant to insulin which unlocks the cells and allows sugar to be carried out of the blood stream. Consequently we tend to have too much sugar in our blood which gets stored as fat. It can be more difficult for us to lose weight. BUT NOT IMPOSSIBLE!

The last time I was on 1200 calories a day I got sick and felt like a walking corpse and was never hungry. I found that for me (when I was counting calories) 1400 worked best for me. Or you can switch it up. Some days eat 1200, some days eat 1500 etc.

That's pretty much been my Christmas break! LOL!

Have u had your thyroid checked? (just a thought )

Well, I tried that when I was 30. I asked my idiot doctor about it and he told me that some women just gain weight after pregnancy and to deal with it. And when I told him I hadn't had a period in 9 months, he told me I was in early menopause. I found a new doctor and found I had the above mentioned PCOS.

So no...I have not. I'm not real fond of doctors. Probably something I ought to look into again.