Fatigue

[AZWILDCATS]

Today is my first day back to work since having surgery. I am so fatigued and weak. My normal work day is a long one with a 1.5 hour commute into NYC each way plus a 9 hour work day.

This morning I had:

Pediasure mixed with a can of Starbucks double shot espresso
1 packet of cream of wheat
1 cup orange juice
1 cup coffee
1 small protein smoothie from Jamba Juice
1 cup of watered down tomato bisque

but I still feel exhausted.

Any suggestions on how to maintain energy levels?

[changes09]

Mmmmmmmmmm! Jamba Juice!!!!!!!!! Where I moved they don't have a Jamba juice....i miss it so!

[Tlwood99]

Drink more water. You're pounding down caffiene which is a natural diuretic. I'm sure recovery has a lot to do with it but the first symptom of dehydration is fatigue.

Also remember this it takes 4hrs for your body to eliminate 1/2 the caffiene that is inside. (yes so technically you will never eliminate all of the caffiene)

PLUS your'e pounding down a lot of simple sugar. So you're getting a sugar and caffiene high and then when your body starts eliminating it you crash.

You actually need more protien and fat in your diet to sustain your energy leve. Now that doesn't mean ALL fat. Just a little. Carbs/Sugar is the first thing yoru body burns up and everything in your list is ether sugar or caffiene heavy causing you to crash.

If I were you I would do this.

AM Breakfast
Protien smoothie
: 2 scoops of fav protien
1 Banana
Couple of cups of frozen fruit
Ice
12oz milk
1oz honey if you like it sweeter
1 cup of yogurt

1 5hr energy shot.

Then sip on water all day long.


Make sure you're getting plenty of rest at night as well. MINIMUM 8 hours since the body is recovering.

Also go for a little walk when you get home to get the blood pumping.

hth

[Tlwood99]

OR it could also be that you're just not getting enough calories.

Maybe add 1/2 a cup of Greek yogurt mixed with skim milk in your shake as well.

Oh and V-8. Sip on some V-8 through out the day.

[Tlwood99]

1 Banana
1 HUGE scoop of peanut butter
1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
ice
Skim milk
2 scoops pro-complex. protien.


Watchout for refined sugars. Jamba juice and other smoothie places tend to use frozen fruit mixtures that are LOADED in syrups. Also juice is typically pure sugar. You're better off blending whole ones yourself.


Maybe for lunch try blending some roast beef with V-8 and steak sauce, Stewed tomatoes, stewed potatoes, and other various veggies you would find in a stew. Eat WARM.

The idea here is to get creative and get GOOD calories from the right foods. The crap you're putting in your body is just going to make you crash later even if you weren't recovering from surgery. Now you've got this added stress to your body and you're depriving it of nutrients.... naturally your body wants you to go lie down and sleep.

[Tlwood99]

Mexican... blend tortillia soup with some crushed tortilla chips.

Or try some butternut squash soup with a little cream (you need the calories trust me) Honey, and sprinkle some protien powder (vanilla of course)

Cream (1-3 tbs) and protien powder are going to be your friends when you're looking for slow burning calories.


Hth!

[PJ]

If you don't have time to make stuff, maybe a high protein bottle of Ensure, in addition to what you are already eating, would help.

[AZWILDCATS]

Thanks for all the advice. I do pretty well when I am at home, blending organic soups and whatever my husband is eating for dinner...

I found a new place near work that does all natural smoothies. Today I am having soy milk , all natural peanut butter, bananas and protein powder smoothie.

[nomadic myth]

I've been tired, and I think digestion is taking a lot out of me. Post-surgery and antibiotics the stomach bacteria are hurting--I had this happen when I had a lung infection and was on antibiotics--so maybe some yogurt is in order. I forgot about this.