Fatigue

Tantravaya · #1 02-08-2009, 01:41

I am just 4 kg from my higher end goal weight and have been hit by extreme fatigue. My food hasn't changed, nor my supplements, I'm not deviating, weightloss seems to be continuing as usual but I am so tired that I can't manage my usual chores and getting to work is a real effort.

The only difference I can see is that I spent about 30 minutes playing "games" on the Wii, so I got a little exercise one day.

Any suggestions or ideas to help me recover some of that wonderful energy I have had on the diet up until a week ago?

thanks

tomorrowisnow · #2 02-08-2009, 08:39

I feel exactly the same way Tantra with about the same amount to go. I think our body is just adjusting to it's new size. I am taking an extra vitamin in the afternoon, having early nights and resting up whenever I can. It's not easy as I have 3 kids a shift working husband plus I also work but I am just listening to my body and if it's saying to s l o w down then I am gonna listen to it. One thing I think was my problem was that I cut out red meat to see if I could speed my losses up and I noticed a DRAMATIC loss of energy. Make sure you are having red meat once a day (it made no difference to my losses) and on top of that I take an iron supplement as I suffer constantly from anemia at the best of times. The one I use is Ferrograd C, you will have to ask for it over the counter at the chemist as it's not with the other vitamins and my clinic (Brisbane) said it was allowed.

It helps heaps - but don't be scared if you notice your poop turning black, that's normal lol.

I don't think it will last long but if you are concerned ask your consultant for her views.

Shellbelle · #3 02-08-2009, 10:11

hey Tantra and TIN,

I have 6.9 to go and I feel the same. I thought I must be coming down with something as I feel weak. I have eaten red meat the past two nights (rarely had red meat on the program) as I have craved it. Perhaps I should try the iron supplements too as I have had issues with low iron in the past. As crappy as I feel at the moment, it is kind of nice to know that it is normal at this stage of the program.

FlaMie · #4 02-08-2009, 14:56

You guys are not alone on this tiredness issue. I'm totally tired out most of the time and I can now suddenly fall asleep by my computer table - it didn't happen before. It happened twice last week and at 7-8pm...so totally NOT me. Gee...I'm so afraid of falling asleep while driving boy!

Tantravaya · #5 03-08-2009, 06:02

Thank you all so much for your input. It is comforting to hear that I am not alone. I think you are right Tomorrowisnow, the adjustment is probably physical, mental and emotional. I am a vegetarian so I should check out the issue of iron. I have been eating fish on the program since I had to make a choice to include fish, chicken or red meat. I have eggs, tofu and cheese as well. It seems the tiredness for everyone that responded is at the better end of the weight loss journey. Perhaps our body is telling us that it is getting close to time to up the food intake.

Lorner · #6 03-08-2009, 14:32

Hi Tantra

I have been lacking in energy to do basic chores more than anything. At night it takes me about 30 seconds to get to sleep but I do wake up alot during the night to go to the toilet and then am wide awake very early. I just put it down to the small amount of carbs we eat.

I do look forward to having some energy again but I still think the diet is totally worth it.

Shellbelle · #7 19-08-2009, 17:37

I still feel this way after 2-3 weeks and have just started refeed, so am on slightly larger portions at the moment. I spoke to my consultant today who told me that it is most unusual and that she did not think it likely to be connected to the diet at all. She seems to think that I should go to the doctor and have my blood pressure and iron levels checked. I took today off of work as I struggled to walk out of the school yard when dropping my daughter off this morning. I cannot get into the doctor until tomorrow morning, so I guess that will be another day off work for me. I feel quite guilty about not being at work but I guess health must come first. Has anyone been to the doctor about this type of issue, and if so, has the doctor been able to resolve it?

tomorrowisnow · #8 19-08-2009, 18:14

Hi ShellBelle - because I always struggle with anemia it's always my first thought when I am feeling really tired and run down, usually taking a supplement and increasing my red meat intake helps me out. A few years ago though I had issues with fatigue that went way beyond which I had ever experienced before. I could sometimes not even force myself out of bed to get the kids ready for school and would often sleep through my baby waking at night and the alarm in the morning. I was taking my iron supplements so when my blood work came back my levels were all OK. My doctor tested me for EBV (Epstein Bar Virus/Glandula Fever) and it came back POSITIVE.

Unfortunatley there isn't anything you can take to fix it so you just have to rest up, eat healthily and take it easy until eventually you get better. It was really aweful and I really had a hard time getting better but eventually I fully recovered.

I'm not suggesting you have this virus but since it is very common perhaps it wouldn't hurt to ask your doctor to test you for this also when you visit him tomorrow if you are concerned.

I am still 2kg's away from my top end range set by Dr Cohen but I am going to start re-feed early this Monday on suggestion from my clinic. They say I have very obvious re-feed symptoms and I am most definatly ready despite not being in the range Dr Cohen set. I really wanted to get to my goal range (or below) and had been ignorning my bodies signals for 2 weeks, I feel really disapointed to start early but they assured me that range is just a number and our bodies decide when we are ready.

'Passing' or 'failing' the Cohen's program is not about the magic number in the end, it's about following the program 100% until you reach your metobolic equilibrium, completing refeed at this stage and then maintaining your new weight for life.

Perhaps this has just been your body telling you that you have reached this point also and once your refeed is complete you will be back to your old self.

Anyways, just my two cents worth hope it helps you out and I also hope your doctor's visit eases your mind a little and you are up and about real soon!

Tantravaya · #9 20-08-2009, 00:14

I began taking Flaxseed Oil. Although fish or flaxseed oil is recommended along with multi vitamins I didn't actually take the oil supplement earlier. Now I have noticed an amazing turnaround. My fatigue has eased, the hot flashes that were plaguing me have become almost non existent and I feel good again. For those who have this fatigue, do you need an omega supplement?