I've long complained about my never-freaking-ending fatigue; in fact, I just got the results of blood work screening to check my blood sugar level, iron level, thyroid, cholesterol, and some other stuff I can't remember. While I felt like a shit for secretly hoping there was something wrong with me simply so I'd have an answer and hopefully a course of action, I am, in fact, fit as a (pleasantly plump) fiddle (I *may* have uttered the words "healthy fat" to my doctor; she *may* have given me the stink eye and chastised me soundly for focusing on weight and/or body size).
Ms. Rubin writes about a study that showed that when "persistently tired" people exercised for 20 minutes three times a week for six weeks, their energy levels improved. Since workin' on mah fitness (hat-tip to Fergie) is already something high on my priority list, I think I'll give this formula a try (mostly because at this point, I'm willing to try damn near anything - I'm so tired of being tired).
So, on top of exercising more/regularly, getting my behind in bed at a decent time, and eating well, what else can I do to boost my energy? I do take a full compliment of vitamins and supplements (B100 complex, multivitamin, calcium, etc). I sit at a desk all day - it's not like I'm doing physically demanding work for eight hours a day - yet, by the time I get home at the end of 9.5 hour day (including commute) and drag my ass up 48 stairs (because some days that's the ONLY exercise I get (other than up and down the stairs at work: my office is downstairs and literally everything else is up 15 stairs)), I'm exhausted. I can't even motivate my ass onto the elliptical for a measly 10 minutes. This is not cool.
Thoughts? Suggestions? Tips and/or tricks? Share with me your wisdom you will, please?
I think the elliptical is really, really hard. I do treadmill instead and then add some elliptical at the end. Like, 25 min treadmill, 6 min elliptical. My PT started me on 20 min treadmill, 5 elliptical, so I try to bump it up a little each time I go to the gym (not often since it's summer). I usually just walk outside and do my specific back exercises in my home. I haven't noticed a difference in mental fatigue--I still feel like I am walking around in a bubble, and I've felt that way for years. HOWEVER, I do notice that it is easier to get motivated to do things I need to do, so I think it is making a difference. I try to take that walk every single day--it helps my back a lot.
ReplyDeleteWell walking 30 miles would DEFINITELY get you started :P
ReplyDeleteWere you tested for Lyme disease?
ReplyDeleteIf I do it in the morning, it will get done. If I try to exercise later, forget about it. But I'm about to get my blood work done too, for this same reason. . .and I'm secretly hoping that there's some physical reason for my fatigue.
ReplyDeleteJobs where you sit all day are often much more tiring than their more physical counterparts I think. I think your stretching breaks every hour are a good start, are you only tired in the evenings or is it an all-day thing? I'm thinking a healthy snack mid afternoon could help if you don't already do that, it helps me avoid that early evening energy slump. I usually try to have a piece of fruit and a small serving of protein (an apple with peanut butter or a nectarine w/a string cheese, etc) around 3 or 4 (which also helps me not overeat at dinner a couple hours later or mindlessly nibble while I cook for that matter). I do find I have a lot more energy on days that I work out, but I've got to be careful not to do it too late in the evening or the adrenaline will keep me up so I know it can be rough to schedule around work. I don't know, this comment is a little stream of consciousness, but I hope you find something that helps.
ReplyDeleteI think the first step is to just get on the machine and go. No excuses about being tired. You can do anything for 20 minutes, right? Put on your favorite tunes and by the time 5-6 songs have played, you'll be done! You could even set up a reward of new music (if that tickles your fancy) - a new song for every day you spend 20 minutes on the elliptical. You can do this!!
ReplyDeletealso, if you are truly tired: SLEEP. honor your body.
ReplyDeletesometimes I trick myself and say that I'll only do 10 minutes, and I usually do more. Are you a morning person? Do it then. Sometimes taking my bad day out on the elliptical works. Sometimes only red wine works, but that's another post for another day.
ReplyDeletesometimes having a creative passion outside of weight loss helps with the energy stuff, too. sometimes I just lay on the sofa and try again tomorrow.
Get your doc to check your B12, just to make sure. Mine was way low, I started taking B12 supplements and I had a bazillion percent increase in energy.
ReplyDeleteDo you commute via public transit? at my last job I worked a mile-long walk into my trips to and from work by getting off a stop early and walking a little further to the office. My coworkers and I also like to take "constitutionals" at lunchtime, which helps, and I walk the dawg for an hour right when I get home. I also try and remind myself that awake-and-lying-down rest is still rest, and let myself have it.
ReplyDeleteGo us!
Are you in my head?
ReplyDeleteI need to find that energy boost that regular exercise provides.
For me, it is just a matter of putting the dvd in and doing it........but the walk to the dvd player can feel so far (and the chips taste so good).
Looking at that comment...it is totally uninspiring.
ReplyDeleteSo.
Listen, Chibi! You CAN do this!! Monday, Wednesday, Friday. Step up to that elliptical machine, and when you feel tired or discouraged, offer yourself a reward (time spent reading, or blogging, or a movie, or whatever!) that you can NOT have until you have finished your 20 minutes.