Totally new at this....question about laziness

[firecracker]

Hi. I'm Carmen and I'm overweight. I'm the hula hooper from the Theme Park boards (see the "My hubby made a CRAZY bet with me" post). I've just joined the challenge after lurking here for a bit.

I've been trying to take better care of myself for about 2 weeks...after 8 years of really not caring at all. It's tough and I hurt all over from the exercise...I was SO sedentary. It feels good to move and stretch...I've noticed a difference in my flexibility already.

OK...2 questions:

1. I'm lazy. Trying to overcome it has been awful...I don't know that there is any way to do it...except to DO IT! It's totally a battle of the will. Anyone else struggle with laziness?

2. I'm sleepy all the time. After I drag myself out of bed at 6:15, exercise for 45 min-1 hour, I feel good. But if I sit down, I fall asleep. In the afternoon, I fall asleep. I'm getting enough sleep at night (7-8 hours), but I can't seem to stay awake during the day. Is it just my sedentary body trying to adjust to the new activity or is something wrong?

I'm excited to meet new friends and receive encouragement from you! I'll try to be encouraging too!

Carmen (firecracker)

 

[d.kurz]

Hi Carmen and welcome!! I opened this because I thought you wanted TIPS on being LAZY. THAT I could help you with!!



I just force myself to walk. My CD walkman helps.

About being tired, I wonder if you have sleep apnea? Do you snore?

 

[MelanieC]

Hi Carmen,

Welcome to WISH,
I know what you mean about being tired all the time. I am too. I do snore a lot and I know that has something to do with it.

As far as being lazy, I would imagine that the more you get in shape, the easier that will become. It's hard to change overnight and will probably take some time to get used to it.

Again,
Welcome!

Melanie

 

[Terry S]

Carmen, I had posted on your hula-hoop thread to come on over to the WISH board, glad you found it. I only just found it very recently myself. I have already found a very supportive group of people here and I am sure you will too!

Overcoming laziness is really hard, it is an everyday ongoing battle and I think the only thing you can do is set your mind to it!

As far as the sleepiness goes, the two things I can suggest are a good vitamin and water. My doctor suggests an over the counter vitamin called Z-BEC. It is very strong though so take it after breakfast.

Good luck with your healthy lifestyle as well a the hula hoop thing. I know you have a really good incentive there!

 

[Kabuli1]

No, No, No! I am the most lazy person around here! REALLY! And it embarasses me that I hang out here with these really energetic types.

About your sleepiness? Did it start when you started exercising? Did you used to sleep in later? Do you consider yourself a night person? I'm all for getting up early to exercise - but if you are a night owl your body may "need" to sleep in the morning. My DH used to try to get up with me - but he could never adjust - if he got up too early for his internal clock his body just kept trying to shut down all day - and he needed even more naps than usual. Try to figure out when your body is most receptive to exercise. Don't fight your body's clock. If that means you are raring to go at 9 pm - do it then!

It might just be your reaction to exertion - are you overdoing it to begin with. If it's not one of these issues then you might want to see your doc and ask about other possibilities.

Good luck and if there's any thing we can do to help - just ask!

Karyn

 

[TigH]

Hello and welcome, Carmen!

CONGRATULATIONS to you for deciding to take better care of yourself!

When I first started WW, I noticed that I would lose that momentum through the day. Then someone posted something about taking a vitamin - and I realized I might need to start taking one. So I take a multivitamin every day now.

I've noticed over the last week or so that I have more energy now that I am eating a better breakfast. I was eating either 1/2 cup oatmeal with 1/2 banana or 1/2 an English muffin with 1/2 banana and 1 tbsp. of whipped cream cheese. Now I am eating 1/2 cup cooked multi grain cereal with 1 tbsp raisins, a 6 egg white omelette w/ 1/4 FF shredded cheddar cheese. That really energizes me and I'm able to make it through my morning workout and to lunch without feeling sluggish or tired or hungry.

Whatever you do, don't give up! You might think you are lazy right now, but over time your body will adjust to the changes you have made and you will really look forward to exercising. It might take a while to make that adjustment, but it will happen. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water too.

Glad you came out of lurkerdom to post! Hope to see you here often!!!!

 

[ohiominnie]

Originally posted by Terry S
As far as the sleepiness goes, the two things I can suggest are a good vitamin and water.

And drink enough water and you won't be able to fall asleep....you'll be running to the bathroom all the time!

Seriously, welcome to WISH. We're glad to have you!
I used to get really tired a lot too, before I started taking care of myself! Now that I've gone back to the plan that works best for me (Weigh Down) I've got tons of energy! I'm feeding my body only what it needs and not more (overindulging or gorging) Not sure about the physiology of why this is happening, but I can venture a guess and say that the blood isn't always rushing to my stomach and intestines to help with food digestion. Now it can go to more important parts like muscles (to keep me moving) and my brain (to keep me alert)

(the first time through the plan, a few years ago, I noticed the same transformation....unfortunately, I didn't stick with it, but now that I'm reminded of the benefits, it'll be harder to stray!)

 

[lmhall2000]

I lost 90 pounds in college and had to take a nap everyday!! Naps help your body restore and repair what you're trying to fix by changing from a sedentary life to an active one. I kept my weight off for 8 years then starting having babies and nauseous pregnancies- I gained it all back plus some- I have been on a "WON'T LOOK BACK" kick since 4/1 and have lost almost 30 pounds- I'm now consistently walking 24 miles a week (4 miles at 6am 6days a week). Now I need a nap about every 3 days and I go to bed at 10 and wake up at 5:45- 3 weeks ago I almost had to have a power nap everyday.
It does get better! You'll eventually have more energy- and this is from someone who avoids all caffeine- the only thing I drink is water and lots of it. Also TigH's advice about the vitamin is very true. I can tell (if I can remember!) that I have so much more energy if I take my vitamin. When you lose weight you tend to throw off your B-complex vitamins- lack of B-12 and you're lethargic and sleepy- so keep some of those in ya.
Give it time- I plan to keep on this walking kick until it starts freezing rain outside- then I'll have to hit the Y more- but if you keep up the exercise you'll lose weight and feel much stronger! You've got a lot of walkers on this board- and lots who are committing to walking the 1/2 marathon in 1/2005- wanna join us??? We'll keep ya inspired!!!
Great JOB on getting started!
Tara

 

[Luvinit]

Welcome Carmen!!! You can do this...We can help you..!!!

Have you ever thought that maybe you Are Addicted to Carbs???? Do you find yourself tired after you eat? Maybe you need to tweak your diet a little.

Please know that I WAS the Sleepiest Person EVER!!! I thought my DH was going to take me to a sleep institute. (I even thought it was depression...but the DR said no).

Since starting Atkins...I sleep 7 maybe 8hrs a night...and thats it!!! I exercise reguarly...but I am never NEVER tired!!! Something to think about. I never knew about carbs and how they affect my body...I am glad I learned....I wish I could lose weight on Atkins...but the way I feel is enough to keep me motivated for life!!

Tracy

 

[disboo]

If you are seriously tired all the time, and a nap doesn't refresh you, you might have an underactive thyroid. It is very common, easy to detect with a simple blood test, and the tiny pill you take to fix the problem is cheap and has virtually no side effects.

Another possibility is diabetes.

Please tell your doctor if you haven't already, and have the simple blood tests to rule these things out.

(I'm lazy, too!)

 

[Christine]

Carmen,
I am lazy too. I have been consistently walking for 3 weeks now. I can tell you that the more I get out and walk the worse I feel when I "don't" walk. So, give yourself some time to form the walking habit and then you will be a bit more motivated.

On the weekends I try to do my walking early in the morning. When I come back I feel pretty good, but I really do fizzle out throughout the day. As long as I keep moving I'm okay, but if I sit down I pretty much fall apart. Haven't needed a nap yet, but I feel pretty bad.

See how it goes after a few weeks. If you are still feeling sleepy like that you need to have it evaluated. I young woman in my office was having problems as you describe. She is very much in shape but she was needing to sleep about 10-12 hours a night on weekends and, at work, she had a hard time staying awake all day. She went through a myriad of tests and they finally figured out she has some mild form of narcolepsy (which just means that her brain wants to fall asleep all the time).

Just see how you feel after 3-4 weeks, your body should start to get used to the exercise by then.