FitSugar

Too Tired to Work Out or Just Making Excuses?

Anna Monette Roberts — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:40:39 PST

It's hard to know exactly when your body is trying to communicate it's too tired to sweat it out vs. when you are making a lame excuse to avoid a gym session. The other day, my trainer sent me home, because I had the telltale signs of being too tired to handle a strength training session. I was shocked that she could tell just by looking at me walk around the gym for a few minutes. It seems pretty obvious that the brain tries to shut down the body when it's fatigued so that you're forced to rest. However, we often ignore our body when it's trying to tell us something. Take this short quiz to see if you're showing signs that your body is too tired to workout.

3 Natural Ways to Stay Energized - No Coffee Needed

Michele Foley — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 01:22:10 PDT

Whether you wake up in the morning feeling like you have half a brain, or you deal with a regular afternoon slump, there are ways to perk yourself up that don't involve a trip to the coffee shop. Keep reading to see three natural - and easy - ways to lift yourself out of a sluggish streak.

Exercise: One of the easiest ways to beat a bout of fatigue is to get up and get moving! Even a little stretching is enough to get the blood flowing, loosen up muscles, and wake up a tired body. Try this energy-boosting yoga series if you need a little jump in the day, or, even better, get outside. Studies show that regular exercise can boost energy levels by 20 percent, and that a dose of natural light increases alertness and brain activity. Try and fit an afternoon run into your schedule or make a point to go for an outdoor walk during your lunch break.

Eat the right foods: It's easy to make poor food choices when you're tired, but resist the urge to grab a sugar-laden soda or candy bar. Instead, go for a healthy energy-boosting snack instead. Something that's a good mix of complex carbs, protein, and fiber will perk you up and sustain you through the day. If you're feeling exceptionally sluggish, treat yourself to a cup of green tea, which will also help get your metabolic rate up.

Drink water: Sometimes combating fatigue is as easy as reaching for a glass of water - fatigue is one of the first signs of dehydration, after all. Make sure you always carry a water bottle with you or that you sip from a glass throughout the day.

DrSugar Answers: Adrenal Fatigue?

DrSugar — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 09:00:39 PDT

DrSugar is in the house! And she's answering your health-related questions.

Dear DrSugar,
I was researching my recent increased PMS symptoms and discovered they are a symptom of something that naturopaths call adrenal fatigue or adrenal exhaustion. Is this condition or something like it acknowledged in the medical community? Could it be a source of my problems?
- Tired and Confused

Well, I must admit this was a very interesting topic to research, as I had never heard of it before since it was not a subject that I learned of in medical school or residency training. So just what is adrenal fatigue? To learn more about it, keep on reading!

Foods to Fight Fatigue

FitSugar — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 04:30:09 PDT

After suffering through a sleepless night, I had a strong desire to bolster myself with copious amounts of coffee. But I knew that there were healthier ways to treat myself right after missing sleep. It turns out you can fight fatigue with some sensible eating. You just need to know what to eat to help you avoid yawning at inappropriate times. Here are five foods to help you fight fatigue.

Source: Thinkstock

Words From My Yogini: "Take a Cold Shower"

FitSugar — Mon, 24 May 2010 15:10:54 PDT

I've been having a really hard time waking up lately. Regardless of what I eat, how many hours I sleep, or my activity level, I can't seem to wake up. After noticing how sluggish I was in class, my yoga instructor suggested that I start taking cold showers to wake up. "Well duh," I thought. I mean sure, spraying cold water on my face is bound to shock my system, but is it really gonna help me stay awake all day?

My yogini said to take a shower like I normally do except that I should use only cold water for the last five minutes. The sudden change in temperature helps to "shock" your body awake while also increasing blood flow. It's the unexpected jolt of temperature and your body's reaction to it that help relieve fatigue, she says. Disclaimer: my yoga instructor is NOT a doctor. But she does know a thing or two about the body, and since I trust her, I thought I'd give it a try. And guess what? It totally worked.

Admittedly, it did not feel good. In fact, it kind of sucked to end my shower in the freezing cold. The payoff was that it definitely woke me up and I stayed that way throughout the day. It also looks like my yogini's theory may have some science behind it: researchers found that cold water therapy has some success in treating chronic fatigue syndrome.

Fab Finger Discount: J.Crew Boyfriend Fatigue Jacket

FabSugar — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 13:00:22 PST

If you already have an army jacket, Fab. If not, consider this J.Crew Boyfriend Fatigue Jacket ($111, originally $148). It's cool for so many reasons - the color, slight wrinkles, the pockets, the long fit. It would look superb over a leopard top. Urban safari, here you come. Make sure to enter SNOWMAN at checkout to receive the special discount!

For more great deals, check out SaleHabit.com! Also scope out the Frugalosity! and Cheap Chic FabSugar Community groups!

Increase Your Energy Today and Tomorrow

FitSugar — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 07:00:52 PDT

It feels like the dreary weather and shorter days conspire to zap my energy. How about you? You can fight back in the moment and the long term with these five strategies.

DrSugar Answers: Menstrual Fatigue and Exercise?

DrSugar — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 08:00:00 PST

DrSugar is in the house and answering your questions.

Hi DrSugar,
Last year I was busy training for my first triathlon, a half marathon, and cycling a lot for fun. Toward the end of my training, I would become extremely fatigued and often just pass out after work randomly a few days here and there. I had plenty of rest days, ate well balanced meals, and took vitamin supplements. I was tested for anemia but my blood iron levels were fine.

I'm in my off season and not training nearly as hard, but the fatigue is back. I was wondering, might this fatigue have something to do with my period? I am in between cycles, ovulating I suspect, but would that cause this type of fatigue?
- Why So Tired

To see what the doc has to say on this matter,

read more. I have found as a doctor that fatigue can be one of the most difficult symptoms to diagnose and manage. There are hundreds of potential causes of fatigue. Some causes are easy to detect with blood tests and iron counts as you mentioned, but some causes are much more difficult to diagnose. It is very common to blame fatigue on various points in the menstrual cycle, such as ovulation, menstruation, or premenstruation. However, medically speaking, ovulation is not thought to be an adequate explanation of fatigue. Some women do have fatigue associated with PMS, but it doesn’t sound like this is relevant to you. Endurance runners, like you, are more prone to certain types of fatigue. Fatigue in endurance athletes is commonly due to over-exertion, dehydration, inadequate caloric intake, electrolyte imbalances, and hormonal imbalances. Other common causes of fatigue include depression, anxiety, anemia, infections, and drug or alcohol use or abuse. I would start by making sure you’re getting adequate hydration and nutrition. Once that is in place, then I would make sure you’re getting plenty of sleep and are taking occasional days off from exercise. If these efforts fail, it is time to see a doctor for further evaluation. It sounds like you had some basic blood work done in the past like iron levels, but there are many other blood tests that may be useful. Good luck! If you have a question for DrSugar, send me a private message here, and I will forward it to the good doctor. DrSugar's posts are for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Click here for more details.

10 Ways to Increase Your Energy

FitSugar — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 05:30:00 PDT

If you're feeling a little sluggish and lack of zzz's isn't the problem, here are some ways to put a little pep back in your step according to MSNBC.com.

Source

Feeling Drained? Clean Up Your Desk

FitSugar — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 14:30:00 PDT

Around three in the afternoon, my energy often feels zapped. Sometimes all I need is a handful of walnuts, but other times a snack is not enough.

I have found that clearing my desk of clutter actually helps me think more clearly. When my desk is a mess and covered with Post-it notes and dirty coffee mugs, my brain feels muddled, too. Generally, I clean my desk at the end of the day, but when my energy is dragging in the afternoon I clean it thenk. On these slow days, I clean up my virtual desktop, too. If you're dragging right now, why not try it?

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