Lethargic

MyPumps · 08-17-2006, 03:43 PM

I just started working out and am just trying to get used to the whole 5-6 meals a day thing. I've always eaten a pretty clean diet, but I usually only ate once a day, just because I was never hungry. Obviously that's not good, which is why my body stored so much fat even though my caloric intake was so low. I've started eating breakfast and lunch again with a protein drink between, another between lunch and dinner and again between dinner and bed time. I've been doing this for about a week now and have noticed my energy level drop significantly. It's all I can do to get out of bed and stay awake, extra hard to motivate myself to workout, though I still do and feel fine while I am. The only time I feel like I have any energy is while working out. I also take CLA with my meals and BCAA pre- and post-workout. Is this completely way off base? Or is this just a period of adjustment for my body? Anybody else have this problem?
BTW I started working out about two and a half weeks BEFORE changing my diet and I didn't have any problems with lack of energy, just since the protein.

twinnett · 08-17-2006, 04:11 PM

Why don't you list your diet? Height/weight/sleep schedule/work out routine? Are you getting in fats? Also, that's a lot of shakes..any way you could have real food instead ?

MyPumps · 08-17-2006, 04:34 PM

I usually wake up around 5ish.
1 large cup of coffee
Around 6-6:30 am
I choke down about 1 cup of oatmeal
I piece of fruit, usually an apple
CLA

On way to or at school (around 9:30-10:00am)
One protein shake with water

Lunch about 12:30
1 can of tuna
1 apple
1/2 cup of peanuts
CLA

Around 3pm
1 protein shake with water

Around 6pm dinner
Steak about the size of my palm
About 1 cup of potatoes
1.5-2 cups of fresh cooked vegetables (I grow my own)
CLA

About 15-20 minutes after eating, I'll have the 2 tablets of BCAA's (rec.dos.)
7:00 pm
Weight training (usually total body workout) for about 1 hour to 1.5 hours just because I get into it and lose track of time
3 times a week I follow this with 30-60 minutes of cardio

Immediately following workout I'll have another protein shake with water.
Then wait until after my shower before having the other 2 tabs of BCAA's

Around 9:30 - 10:00pm I go to bed)
I also drink lots of water throughout the day.
I'm 5'5'', currently at 174lb.
The guy at the supplement store (NOT GNC) suggested taking Mega Milk before bed because of the micellar casein.
I am currently a student so fitting in the eating schedule is a bit of a challenge but definitely doable. When I go back to school in September, my schedule is going to be even crazier, with 16+ hour days so I thats another reason why I've started taking supplements so soon. I want to establish a workable schedule and work out any kinks I'll have being at school for such long hours before I jump in the deep end.
Any help is appreciated!

twinnett · 08-17-2006, 04:37 PM

I would egg some egg whites for protein to your first meal. Are they shakes just whey and water? You could have more veggies, good fats, and complex carbs. I'd have something like cottage cheese and PB before bed.

MyPumps · 08-17-2006, 04:45 PM

Yes, I've been using Dymatize Elite which is a WPI blend and mixing it with straight water because of the difficulties transporting/maintaining proper temperature of milk, especially in Sept.
I'll definitely try the cottage cheese thing before bed. It's got to be cheaper than Mega Milk and the like, and obviously a more natural source of casein as well.
I was thinking about adding eggs for breakfast, too, so thanks for validating that!
Thank you so much for your input twinnett!

Amris · 08-17-2006, 05:24 PM

I think you need to up your carbs. Add in some more complex carbs, veggies are AWESOME, but they don't really contain all that much carbs (sorry, they don't).

You probably have no energy because... you're not eating enough energy.

And right after workout, you want to have some good energy, so you might consider having an apple juice drink or something with a bit of a "pick me up" to get the body replenished with energy right after your workout.

twinnett · 08-17-2006, 05:38 PM

I agree...more carbs. Shakes should be limited to right around workouts and even then, you need a carb w/ them, not just protein. Low carb=low energy most of the time. Are you getting any good sources of fat?

MyPumps · 08-17-2006, 06:48 PM

See, I was thinking I was getting enough carbs with the potatoes or like that I eat everyday. I have actually been looking for foods with very little carbs, so I guess I'll have to rethink that strategy because no energy sucks.
As far as fats, the tuna I eat is grilled tuna steak packed in sunflower oil, plus the nuts I consume. I'm going to get some of that NutraSea Omega-3 tomorrow as well. I also drink about a cup of 2% milk a day when I think of it but I guess that's not enough, huh?
Since I'm also looking for a good multivitamin, someone else suggested that I take the prenatal one's. I'm not sure how different that would be from the others except maybe more folic acid.
I really do appreciate your feedback, thank you!

*supermomma* · 08-17-2006, 07:18 PM

If it's that hard, you really don't have to eat 6 times a day. The reason so many do this is that it tends to keep cravings at bay and binging to a minimum.

However, it is a myth that eating more frequently speeds up your metabolism, so if that is why you do it, I wouldn't bother.

Once a day is no good, but 3-4 is fine.

And if you are eating low carb, you need to increase your fats considerably. You need an energy source -- either is fine, but neither is not.

moskalski · 08-18-2006, 11:06 AM

Perhaps your body is just getting used to having to digest things more frequently. Blood gets diverted to the stomach when digesting, which can make you feel tired. This will happen to anyone who eats a larger than usual meal, but you've only recently stoped eating once per day. Maybe just an adjustment period?

Mango · 08-18-2006, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *supermomma*

The reason so many do this is that it tends to keep cravings at bay and binging to a minimum.

That's not entirely true. A lot of us eat of pre and post workout nutrition, which accounts for 2 extra meals. We eat frequently because some of us are always hungry, and splitting the daily caloric allotment into more frequent meals allows us to keep hunger, not cravings, or binging, at bay. Finally, a lot of us can't sit there and stuff our faces with the calories our bodies need in just 3 meals a day, and spreading the cals out allows us to ensure we are not undereating.

2lean2Bmean · 08-18-2006, 12:25 PM

[QUOTE=*supermomma*]
However, it is a myth that eating more frequently speeds up your metabolism, so if that is why you do it, I wouldn't bother.[/QUOTE

wow, that's a loaded statement......SP is this really a myth?....it seems as though it is pounded into us that we HAVE to eat 5-6 times a day to keep our metabolism running smoothly(therefor more speedy/efficiant). and smaller meals so that you use what you eat instead of storing the rest for later.....it's a stretch for me to eat 6 meals so i do supplement w/shakes so any more info/opinions on this would be great

MyPumps · 08-18-2006, 01:34 PM

[quote=*supermomma*]
However, it is a myth that eating more frequently speeds up your metabolism, so if that is why you do it, I wouldn't bother.[/QUOTE

Obviously my eating once a day wasn't a good thing, so that's one of the reasons I take the protein drinks. I'm just trying to get my body used to a schedule in the hopes that the consistency of intake will let it know that it doesn't have to store everything for fear it won't get anymore for a long time. But I have read elsewhere too, that the more regular, smaller "meals" would aid in a more efficient metabolism. Is that totally wrong?

MauiZos · 08-19-2006, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *supermomma*

However, it is a myth that eating more frequently speeds up your metabolism, so if that is why you do it, I wouldn't bother.

It takes your body about 3 hours to digest a meal. By keeping a constant flow of food into your body, you stablize your blood sugar throughout the day. Your metabolism IS increased for a period of time after you eat because it takes calories to digest food. If you eat smaller meals more frequently you get the benefit of stable insulin levels and the little boost from breaking down food more often.

When you allow yourself to get to the point of feeling hungry (actual stomach growling) by concentrating you nutrition in only three meals a day spaced 5 or more hours apart you are experiencing a drop in blood sugar. This can make you feel tired or moody and may lead to the binges mentioned previously.

However, the whole point of eating more frequently is to make you feel BETTER. If it's too stressful or hectic in your day to spread your calories out in 6 meals and you feel ok with 3 or 4, then don't worry too much about it. As long as you get enough calories with a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat, you'll be fine. Sometimes I think we get too caught up in trying to do everything absolutely perfect down to the letter everyday.