Low energy?

[e.e.cummings]

I have been really fatigued lately and I cannot pin it on any one thing in particular. I do have an appointment with my doctor next Tuesday for a follow-up.

Early last year I tried to lose weight. I started cycling and I actually gained weight. I thought that was strange, so I went to the doctor, got all sorts of tests to see if I had a thyroid condition, etc. - all tests gave me a clean bill of health. I joined a gym, worked with a trainer and nutritionist and finally I started seeing results. From January 2009 to now, I have lost about 40 pounds.

Now I am thinking, have I lost too much weight? I can fluctuate within 5 pounds of my target weight set for me by the gym. Is that why I am fatigued - is it too much for my system to handle? I often feel exhausted, sleepy. I barely need to do any workouts at all to feel that way. I rode to work twice last week (26 k ride return, all flat terrain), rode to work on Monday, I do ten minutes of abs, and 20 minutes of pm yoga. Forget about the swimming and running that I want to do, I don't have the energy.

I take vitamin supplements and I think I well, according to my nutritionist. And I go to bed at a decent hour, I am not a night owl.

I am 46 - it is frustrating not to be able to go like the Energizer bunny that I used to be in my 20s.

Anyone else have problems with fatigue?

[shootingstar]

And that means your iron levels are fine?

Because that was part of my problem. Under doctor's orders I was prescribed more iron for a month.

I know for me it comes down to not eating the right foods.

You know, e.e....I get disappointed with myself, but I accidentally close my eyes during the day occasionally. Really, I do attribute abit of this to age.I was never like this in my 20's.

I am approx. same weight now as I was back then (maybe 4 lbs. more)...which means I am still in excellent health (but exert alot more effort to stay healthy) , but 30 years older. In my 20's, my metabolism was higher but I was not as physically active on a regular basis compared to now. I was not cycling at all at that time in life. Just walking around to use transit, etc. because I don't drive.

Relook at your diet. What has been the most drastic change to your long-term diet and then fine-tune it.

[Vega]

I would talk with your nutritionist about adjusting your diet. I would also visit your doctor to make sure it's not a health issue too. But it sounds like you may not be getting enough calories or eating the right foods for energy.

[NbyNW]

Sorry you're not feeling well. I hope your doctor is able to help you get some good information as to what is going on.

I lost a lot of muscle weight due to the stress of my first year of grad school. I was probably 15-20 lbs. under what I felt was my optimal weight. Normal for me was 105-112 lbs, I went down to about 92 lbs at my lowest. It definitely did not feel like a good place to be, like what you described. I fatigued easily even though I was making a point of getting good nutrition and good sleep.

Nothing wrong with me at the doctor, the only thing that stood out was my blood pressure was 10 pts higher, but still in a range considered low.

It took a while for me to build myself back up. I think it was a wake-up call for me to take better care of myself in general, and to not let my life get out of balance.

[ny biker]

It's kind of hard to know if you've lost too much weight without knowing more details, such as your current weight and how tall you are. I agree that iron levels might also be a factor. A visit to the doctor is the best place to start. Good luck!

[PamNY]

Are there any emotional factors that might be contributing to your fatigue? That happens to me and is worth considering.

Pam

[e.e.cummings]

I am 5'4 1/2" and I hover around the 130lb mark. I got down to 124 at one point and when I got out of the shower and looked in the mirror, I looked like Gollum from Lord of the Rings. I started eating more when that image sank in.

[Dogmama]

e.e. - did you get any news from your doctor? I've been experiencing the same kind of fatigue. I did 30 minutes of weights yesterday & I was wasted. I can usually easily go over an hour in Jillian Michael's fashion - supersetting & tri-setting. Yesterday, I'd do a set of chest presses, sit up & find myself staring into space...