Good morning, with a question or 2,

Avatar for dmm11730
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-06-2003
Good morning, with a question or 2,
7
Mon, 08-25-2003 - 9:49am
Lets see, I have been bad in the sense I did not follow up with the Curves diet and found myself right back into my bad eatting habits. I am angry with myself, especially after loosing 3 pounds. I have not gotten on a scale but I am sure those 3 are back and with a few extras too. I am not going at allow myself to get back on the scale. I need to work on feeling better, and getting more energy into my body. I feel drained. I had a good nights sleep last night but I am still tiered. I wish I knew why. Any ideas? I had a busy couple of weeks but not that,that should be a reason or an excuse. My questions are simple, how can one get their bodies going? I need to increase my energy level. I feel like a 90 year old lady, who walked a marathon, at 42. This is ridiculious. Especially after reading what you all do and acomplish each day. I know I am busy with my kids and my household chores but I need more. I feel like I am drowning and I do not know how or even if its worth retrying. This is sad, and like I said I am angry at me. I find the days I am out running errands, I eat poorly, and I do not "fit" any type of exercise into my program. I am getting up to late, sleeping in until I just wake up. I have heard of St. John's Wart as a natural boost, any comments? I need to buy new vitamins too, I have not taken one in 2 weeks, because I ran out. Any ideas which may be a better brand to purchase? Well I am going to try and do Phase I of the Curves plan starting today. I need to dig out my little pink journel book and start writing things down again. Well any ideas you have are more then welcomed. I just need something to get me going. Heck the kids go back to school next Wednesday, and then I have to be up early. I had promised myself I was going to get up most mornings with my hubby at 6:30 but never did. Lazy! As Phyllis pointed out in her daily post about starting off this week feeling fresh, that is what I sooooo want to do. Help me!!!!

Deb

Debbie

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Registered: 01-06-2000
Mon, 08-25-2003 - 11:04am
Hey, we all struggle with *staying* motivated, but for most of us, we keep plugging along to find what works for us (ie. what we enjoy), which makes it easier to stick with it. Also, timing can work. I'm not a morning person either, but I'm more likely to get exercising done in the early part of the day. I usually "don't feel like it" at night, though I'll sometimes fit running in at night. Unfortunately, only you can motivate yourself. You say you're angry at yourself, but are you serious enough about wanting to make a change to stick with it? Anger on it's own won't accomplish anything.

What time are you going to bed? If you're not getting to bed until midnight or 1am, and your body needs 8-9 hours of sleep, you'll more than likely to sleep late. I need about 8-1/2 hours of sleep, and when I'm really tired, 9 does me better; I get to bed around 10:00pm, fall asleep around 10:30pm, and am mostly ready to arise by 6:30 or 7:00.

If you can't stick with the Curves diet, perhaps you should try something else? Some of our gals do Weight Watchers which allows more freedom in your choices, but you watch how much you eat. Same with the ChangeOne diet of Readers Digest, which doesn't have you counting calories, but has you making reasonable choices rather than the pound cake for lunch.

Lately I've been tired too, but I've yet to fully recover from travels and vacation. It just seems to be taking longer to get back to normal. Plus I've been heading up the Care Train for my little friend Mason in Canada, and that's taken extra time (I'd do it again in a heartbeat, but I'm glad the "busy" work on it is over). Have you had any extra things going on that might be draining you more? Kids going back to school? Extra races as the summer winds down?

I confess total ignorance on herbs. I frankly don't trust them, since there seem to far less testing on them, and if you're on other medication, you have to be sure about drug interactions - unfortunately, you don't read about that possibility on the labels of herbal supplements as much, since herbal labeling isn't regulated (ie. you have to go to other sources yourself).

I just take a multivitamin and certain supplements (Calcium/Magnesium and E), but it's my understanding that B-vitamins (B-12 in particular, I believe?) helps with energy. I know the B vitamins were stressed in the book I read on peri-menopause.

Cussette

C

Avatar for eclectic5777
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Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 08-25-2003 - 11:08am
Good Morning Deb,

For me the energy level rises when I am eating a healthy diet. When I'm eating poorly I feel sluggish and worn out. I'm wondering if this is what is happening with you. I too fell off the healthy eating plan this month and I think it made me feel even more tired and stressed. I'm back on plan and hoping to start feeling better next week once all the bad carb cravings have passed. You are not alone!

Margie :)

You Were Born An Original...   Don't Die A Copy

Avatar for jody_mom
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2003
Mon, 08-25-2003 - 11:22am
Good Morning, Deb. You know, I was in the same boat as you -- no energy, couldn't get up in the morning, etc. I found that once I joined Curves and started to exercise regularly, my energy levels went up. Just try different things and do whatever works for you. For me, it's the checking in and the monthly weight and measuring that is keeping me on track so far (I only joined 8/1, but I'm still there!). I just feel so much better, even after only a few weeks. I don't think I've lost an ounce, but I feel better. Hope you find a solution.

~Jody~

~Jody~
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 08-25-2003 - 11:40am
I have my setbacks - boy, do I!!!! You are not alone, sweetie! Hang in there. Try to post everyday with us if at all possible. Misery loves company, but more importantly, happiness loves a crowd! We're here to cheer you on!

You do have to experiment, though, to find what really works for you in eating & workouts. Everyone's schedule is different & mine is so hectic - I don't always fit a workout in to my day. I don't beat myself up over it, though. Psychologically, I have to rationalize that eating well is best for my health. Although, when I see photos of myself - I definitely see room to lose! I try mind games with foods such as the broccoli, other green stuff, & "purest" foods I can lay my hands on as keeping the old body looking young & cleaning the impurities out. I also try to picture what eating things like doughnuts, cake, even my faves like ice cream on a regular basis will do to me and my arteries. I even think of the cellulite on my thighs when I get ready to buy doughnuts. This may not work for everyone, but it works for me (most of the time). I like to eat healthy 90% of the time and the other 10% I eat the sugary, fatty stuff. I don't always succeed, but keeping my health in mind is the biggest deterrent to letting myself completely go on the eating. If I ate a bunch of bready, sugary, fatty things every day, I know I would feel sluggish. It is good to get some protein in your meals, besides the good carbs & fats that you need for energy. Last night, I made ds eat some baked chicken along with his broccoli & green beans - he's been sluggish lately from all the M&M's, popcorn and fruit snacks he eats. My fault for not making sure he eats healthy. I don't believe in deprivation, but the healthier one eats the better one feels. I know from experience!

Now if I could just add more hours to my day for workouts - let me know if you solve that one . . . I'd have even more energy if I made sure I got my workouts in everyday.

Hugs,

Kat

Katherine (Kat)
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 08-25-2003 - 12:52pm
Boy, Deb, we sound so much alike on this! I know the right things to do. The problem is just making myself do them. I've had a lot of stress since April, and I think my hormones are finally on a roller coaster, so that probably has a lot to do with it for me. Also, I'm not getting to bed early enough (Think my days and nights are mixed up), not eating as well as I was, and not taking my supplements the way I should. I know I go through bouts of chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia and have for years. Also, the end of the campaign was a real letdown after all the excitement. I'm hoping that as things get jumping again that will motivate me.

If you're doing any or all of the things above, they could be contributing to your tiredness. Is this just something recent. or is it an ongoing thing? If it's ongoing, maybe you should have your thyroid checked. You could also be checked for fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue, but the treatment is moderate exercise, healthy eating, supplements, and proper rest. Darn!

Natrol makes one of the most complete supplements I've found called "My Favorite Multiple." It's at health food stores. I've yet to find "the perfect" one, because there are just too many things to fit into it. When I'm good, I take extra antioxidants, extra magnesium, extra potassium if I'm eating more protein, separate amino acids, and a "green" drink called Jade GreenZymes. I have other individual C, B's, bromelain, enzymes, and tons of others, depending on the situation.

Are you affected by the weather or change of seasons? Do you have an interest or activity with other people that invigorates you? Maybe some of these things would help. I'm just throwing out ideas here as I think of them in the hope that they might strike a chord with you.

Hope you're feeling better soon. If you find a great energy source, please share it with us!!

Hugs,

Rhonda

       ~~Rhonda~~


<

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 08-25-2003 - 2:49pm
Deb-

I'm going along with what everyone else is saying. I haven't been in a regular routine of exercise or taking my supplements lately and I'm getting those darn night sweats. I find that if I'm eating right, exercising and supplementing, I do really well physically and mentally.

As for supplements; I've never found anything that's really superior to another. I would suggest something in capsule form so that your body can break it down. Also, I'd pick a daily vitamin that's high in the b vitamins.

Getting started is the hardest part but once you do, you'll start feeling better again.

Phyllis

Live With Passion!

Phyllis

Avatar for bootywhompus
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 08-25-2003 - 3:28pm
First things first...try to forget about the good vs bad thing. We spend so much time putting labels on things! It breeds guilty feelings and makes me want more. I know you've heard this before, but moderation is the key. Eating on the run is hard too. Have you planned a menu? Do you think that would help?

As far as motivation goes, find something you love to do and suddenly you will have time for it everyday. At least that's the way it was for me. I was shocked to discover just how much time I was devoting to TV and other sofa spud activities. Life is hectic and a little crazy sometimes. I find that making time for my exercise helps relieve the stress and helps to decrease that feeling like I'm doing things for everyone but me. You and I both know that those dishes and that laundry will be there when you get back from Curves or a nice walk. It won't miss you while you're gone.

I hope things start going better for you. I've been in this boat before and my eating lately hasn't been super, but I'm trying. Give yourself credit for the good things you do and let yourself slide a little for the rest.

Lori

Lori