Boost Your Energy

For me, losing weight or maintaining weight requires energy. It takes energy to prepare a healthy meal instead of pulling up to the drive-thru window. It takes energy to get yourself off the couch and do physical exercise.

The problem is, I don’t have very much energy. And I know this is a problem for a lot of you. I’m unable at the moment to exercise as hard as I once could due to excessive blood loss resulting in anemia. I’m now eating a high-iron diet and taking iron supplements.

If you suddenly feel tired or can’t perform regular activities as well as you could, you should ask your doctor to check your blood levels.

If you’re not anemic, it could be due to lack of proper nutrition. Eating not enough of the good things and too much of the bad things can really drain you.

Some foods to keep in mind are:

• Whole wheat bread, pasta and cereals
• Brown rice
• Lean meats
• Foods high in iron like spinach and kidney beans.

What to avoid:

• Caffeine will provide you with a little energy burst, but leave you feeling drained when it’s run out.
• Sugary foods will give you the same burst of energy, but again do not provide true energy like carbs do.
• Eating too much at once can cause your body to exhaust itself by trying to digest it all.

There are other ways to boost your energy and things to stay away from that can leave you feeling drained:

• Turn off the TV. When I lay on the couch in front of the boob tube, it seems to suck the energy right out of me.

• Turn up some upbeat music. Cranking up some of my favorite tunes helps lift up my spirits and gets me in motion.

• While exercising, dehydration can really hinder your workout. Keep yourself hydrated by keeping water near and sipping it regularly.

• If your exercises are longer than an hour long, you may want to have some sports drinks that are made specifically for those situations. They contain calories, vitamins and minerals to provide you with enough energy to finish your workout.

• If you choose the right energy bar, it can be a very nutritious supplement. Again, if your workouts are less than an hour long, you probaby won’t need it. If you do opt for the energy bars, make sure you are still hydrating yourself with water.

• Keep your blood sugar levels stable by eating small meals frequently throughout the day, starting with a nutritious breakfast.

• Get plenty of sleep, even if that requires you to go to bed an hour earlier than usual.

By following these guidelines you should hopefully see an increase in your energy levels and will help you workout more efficiently. Losing weight won’t seem like such hard work if you have the energy to do it.