When losing weight, it’s common to have low energy, increased hunger, increased irritability, and trouble focusing. These effects may occur for two weeks or even as long as 3 months depending on your dietary and lifestyle choices but there are 3 simple steps you can take to stop experiencing fatigue throughout the day.
Why Exactly Do I Feel Drained?
Feeling tired or weak is a common side effect of shedding pounds but here are three main reasons why you feel worn out:
1. Lack of Nutrition
If you have been accustomed to grabbing high sugar snacks and caffeine as your energy source, chances are that you will feel a temporary crash when you transition into healthier diet choices, usually lasting about 7-10 days. However, over the long term, you’ll have more energy when your body is no longer relying on these quick-fix sources.
Solution
For a natural boost of energy, you’re better off eating small, healthy snacks throughout the day. Be sure to eat nutrient-dense foods such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and avoid junk food like candy and pastries. Be sure to also take in a good balance of healthy carbohydrates, fat, and protein.
2. Lack of Sleep
It is highly important that you get adequate sleep in order for your body to perform properly. Sleep apnea also leads to sleep deprivation and wears you out.
Solution
If you are getting less than 8 hours of sleep a night, take a look at your daily routine. Make sure that you are not drinking caffeine too late, are eating smaller meals before bed and not snacking, aren’t watching television, dim the lights, and get that much-needed rest so that your body can reset itself.
3. Dehydration
Your body requires water to keep hydrated and perform various functions that are important to your health. Dehydration can cause you to feel tired, dizzy, and cause you to have trouble focusing.
Solution
Drinking roughly 64 ounces of water a day can be ideal and it is best to drink water plain without additives. Some think that sports drinks are a great way to keep hydrated, however, those are designed for those engaging in an hour or more of high-intensity activity.
Examples of Foods to Boost Energy
Some of the healthy foods that you can implement into your diet to help boost your energy include:
- Almonds
- Air-popped Popcorn
- Peanut Butter
- Salmon
- Bananas
- Kale
- Oatmeal
- Pistachios
- Hummus
- Greek Yogurt
Examples of Foods That Make You Feel Fatigued
Here are some foods that can make you feel tired and should be carefully monitored in your calorie consumption:
- White Bread
- Red Meat
- Cherries
- Sweets
- Coffee
If Your Tiredness is More Serious
If the feelings of exhaustion are unrelenting and don’t seem to go away through lifestyle changes such as the ones above, there could potentially be underlying causes such as anemia, depression, diabetes, anxiety, heart disease, sleep apnea, hypothyroidism, caffeine overload, urinary tract infection, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and other medical conditions. If this may be the case, seeking medical aid is the best course of action.
A healthy lifestyle certainly has its perks and can add pep to your step and years to your life. Being aware of how your diet and lifestyle are affecting you is a great start to turning things around. The body has an amazing way of renewing itself when taken proper care of. It is important that we do our best to pay close attention to what it is telling us.
Mexico Bariatric Center
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I know all junk food is bad probably for u on the sleeve my wife a addiction to chips just tonight 3 weeks after having the sleeve done she now wants chetoos cheese puffs. The ones that melt in ur mouth. To me she shouldn’t eat and form of chips and stuff just due to it’s high in fat and such. What can I do to help her out of that habit