Reason Why I Run Out of Energy? page

[Shelley]

Why do I run out of energy at towards the end of the day? My usual schedule is up at 5ish and to bed around 9ish. Some days I am totally wiped out by 6:30 pm, like yesterday. What could be the nutritional causes of that? Need more protein or fat or something?

I am currently doing no dairy, caffeine, or sugar of any kind.

Thanks,
Shelley

[Neckhammer]

Post what you eat along with some stats (height weight sex exercise)

[Shelley]

48 year-old female, 5' 3.5", 141 lbs, BMI 25, lost 42 lbs over the last 6 months

I am not athletic nor extremely active, but busy. I have a desk job and get up 3-4 times a day to walk up and down the stairs for 2 minutes and take a 5 minute walk outside. When not at work, I am busy doing cooking, cleaning, errands, and other mom things. I try to walk at a moderate/brisk pace 20-30 minutes daily as well.

I think I do move around more on weekends cleaning, gardening and running errands. Yesterday morning was unusual in that I spent 45 minutes in the morning carrying wood logs to mend a fence. I was moving at a comfortable pace, not overly strenuous.

I eat grass-fed and mostly organic. My food log for yesterday is below. (50g fat, 63g carbs, 71g protein)

Breakfast:
About a cup of hash made with beef bacon, onion, mushrooms, white potato, sweet potato, green peppers
Smallish roasted chicken thigh

Lunch:
4 ounces beef brisket, it did not contain a lot of fat
Couple cups of salad with spinach, kale, romaine, carrots, green peppers, ounce of olive oil and balsamic
Banana

Didn't really eat dinner. I wasn't very hungry. Just tired.
Couple ounces of Hanger Steak
Few slices of mushrooms

The only other thing I can think of is a small bit of dairy. I do not have a known intolerance to dairy. I prepared the steak with blue cheese crumbles for everyone else. I didn't intend to have any, but I could taste it on my steak. Couldn't have been much because I sure didn't see it. Early afternoon I had a small taste of the smoothie I threw together for my son to make sure it would be yummy. It had strawberries, bananas, and heavy cream.

Today I have done no extra activities, just life. I have not been hungry at all, but have eaten anyway. It is about 5:00 pm and I am really tired. I slept about 10 hours last night. I would say 7 of them were uninterrupted.

Today is below: (47g fat, 48g carb, 30g protein)

Breakfast:
About a cup of hash made with beef bacon, onion, mushrooms, white potato, sweet potato, green peppers
A egg scrambled in coconut oil

Lunch:
About a cup of hash made with beef bacon, onion, mushrooms, white potato, sweet potato, green peppers
A egg scrambled in coconut oil

Snack (an effort to up the fat):
2 ounces blueberries
2 tablespoons almond butter

As far as food goes, this is fairly typical of how much and what kinds of foods I eat daily.

Thank you for your advice,
Shelley

[magicmerl]

When I hit the wall, it's a lack of one of the following three things:
1. Water
2. Walt
3. Fat

[Drumroll]

Wow, I eat upwards of 100 to 130 grams of fat a day if I'm not on a fast. You're regularly not hitting even half of that. I think that may help explain things... Just a guess.

I realize your caloric requirements might be different of course, so I am not suggesting that you hit full-on with my intake level, but an increase may be in order.

[Kochin]

Seems like you need more fat. If you can't alter your food quantities much, try having oily fish more often, olive-oil dressing on any salads and (my trick) put a spoonful of unsalted butter on the side of your dish and, as you get a forkful, put a bit of butter straight on. Good fat boosters.

[teach2183]

I think you need more fat and protein. If those numbers are right, you're under 1000cal/day. You need to eat more.

[Shelley]

Yes, I tend to run 800-1100 cal a day. It bothers me a bit, but I try not to stress about it. I eat when I am hungry and here lately even when I am not. I stop when I am full. I would say satisfied, but that point goes by pretty quick, like last night's dinner. I know I am not going to be hungry again tonight, but am thinking I ought to eat anyway. I am wondering if I ought to be using low energy as a gauge for hunger instead of the signs I am used to.

Thank you for your input. Pretty sure I can easily add fat to my meals without adding bulk. I will see what I can do about protein.

[Shelley]

I am already at 557 calories today and have a lot more energy. I am eating because I need to and not because I am hungry. I fill a bit full and a little bloated. Do you suppose this is ok? Has anyone else experienced this problem? I just find it odd that I am force feeding myself.

So far today: (38g fat, 31g carb, 22g protein)

Breakfast
Green Smoothie: 1/4 can coconut milk, 1.5 eggs, 3 strawberries, 1/2 banana, 1/2 handful spinach

Morning Snack
Handful Spinach
12 Almonds
3 4x2" pieces homemade beef jerkey

[bostonwolf]

800-1100 calories a day doesn't sound like enough food for someone at your activity level and size.