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Too tired to exercise?
Started
by Stephanie
on January 24, 2010
Hello all.
I've been vegan for about a month now and at first I felt great. I had a lot of energy and lost weight.
Now, a month into it, I am beginning to feel very run down and I am constantly feeling exhausted. I am also finding it difficult to wake up in the mornings and too tired to even consider working out. I feel I eat enough protein, but then again maybe I don't.
I guess what I am wondering is how much protein should I be eating and what else should I be eating? What can I do to get out of this slump I am in?
just keep as you are. everyone goes through this 'slump' it's like 'hitting the wall' when you're running a marathon (although a lot less painful!). The reason people loose weight in the first few weeks is usually down to water retention. Your body is just readjusting. Just stick with it and try not to get to fixated on losing weight, your body will sort itself out and it'll hapen naturally. i knowit's hard and horrible. Honestly so many people go through this rough patch.
Re - exercise; do natural exercise, like going for a walk everyday - it doesn't have to be far but just walking and getting out in the fresh air should help you feel better mentally, get the endorphins going and you can build it up over the weeks. it should help you're energy too. Boring but water will help!
let me know how you get on.
Also when i'm feeling a bit blurgh, i eat loads of green veggies, superfood salads (avacado, pinenuts, salad etc) and veggie stir-fry's, make me feel good and happy or a little happier!
x
Thank you so much for the advice. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who has gone through this little spell.
I will definately start getting out and take brisk walks and add more veggies to my meals.
Thanks again.
Steph
Can I ask what you generally eat throughout the day?
It might not be protein that you are missing, but some other nutrient. You might want to take stock of your whole diet with that in mind.
Usually I start with a whole grain cereal with soy or almond milk for breakfast. Then I'll usually whip up a salad and top it with tofu for lunch. Dinner is where things get tricky because I work at a restaurant where I am constantly running around and usually don't have time to sit down and eat so I always pack snacks I can eat on the go like almonds, walnuts, carrots, cuccumbers, and any other snack I have on hand.
That would be a typical day for me. It doesn't seem like much now when I write it out.
You need to add more grains! Carbs will bring you the energy you need... In the kind diet book she really emphasizes that grains should be in all of your meals especially when it comes to the superhero diet. Try for a meal made of half veggies and then a quarter protein and a quarter grains. Check out some of her suggestions in the book. My personal favorites are brown rice and quinoa. I've only been doing this a couple of weeks and I have incredible energy. Good luck with the workouts!
Hi Stephanie!
Have you looked at your B & B12 Vitamin intake?
That's a big cue for me for when I start getting tired because eating this way makes me feel amazing! Take a look at if you are geting enough grain, then make certain you are getting enough B vitamins, especially B12. A big sign of B12 deficiency is fatigue and your Doctor will be able to do a blood test to check on you (and also to see if there is something else you perhaps need!)
It also could be your body just re-adjusting, espeically if you are coming "off" of sugar and caffeine. Your bod could be just maxing out it's new steady blood sugar levels! But def get it checked out!
Have a great day and good luck!
Lita
Are you eating everything in balance? I remember when I first went veg I didn't eat anything in balance and threw off my bodies natural way. Make sure you are getting a healthy source of b12's (which are only found in animals fats, but they do make supplements.) Most people who go veg or vegan have the biggest problem with this cause it is essential, but can only be found in animal fat, unless you get the supplement. And you also want a healthy dose of protein, which not only makes you feel full but in my experience gives me energy to run on the tred mill, and it will also help build muscles to continue weight loss. Lastly make sure you are getting enough sleep, with any new diet it could affect your rem cycle.
Hope this helped.
Sandra
I agree with what has already been said. More protein, more carbs, B12 & balance. Also, eat more through out the day to keep your blood sugar & energy sustained--think smaller meals.
http://www.vegsoc.org/info/b12.html This had good info concerning B12. Good luck--let us know what ultimately helps!
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