Need Energy Fast!!

I need some help everyone. I workout for 1 hour a day/6 days a week on the treadmill. I usually just have coffee for breakfast and then lunch and dinner. The last few days, I have no energy by noon and for the rest of the day, I'm fighting sleep. I know I should eat breakfast, but I always feel so bloated and hate that feeling. Could you give me some ideas on what to do. Is it protein I should be filling up on for energy? I'm open to any advice. Thanks!
Margo

Wed. Oct 18, 9:26pm

have breakfast-straight and simple. perhaps it's what you eat for breakfast and not the meal itself that makes you feel so boated afterwards? At least have a piece of fruit or a hard boiled egg. those are enough to give you an energy boost but not enough to weigh you down.

are you getting enough sleep at night too? that always can be a culprit if the food thing isn't.

Wednesday, October 18, 2006, 9:42 PM

I'm getting about 7 hours of sleep which seems enough. I'm a stay at home mom with a 3 year old, so she keeps me on my feet. I'll have to try the eggs and fruit. Thanks
Margo

Wednesday, October 18, 2006, 9:54 PM

I generally don't like dealing with breakfast thru the week at all.

So, I eat a energy/protein/diet bar every morning.

Depending on where I grocery shop, I basically try to find a box of health bars that have at least 10+ protein and less than 15 carbs and then narrow it down by looking at calories and vitamins.

The "gen2soy" is a good ratio. So are the "atkins" bars. Kashi isn't bad, but the first two are better.

Wednesday, October 18, 2006, 9:54 PM

fresh bananas, frozen fruit, juice, and a blender. Throw a handful of frozen fruit in the blender (My fave choice: strawberries or raspberries) a cup and a half of juice (my fave paradise blend by tropicana- it has carrot juice in it so I can pretend it's got a veggie serving in it...) and blend til smoothish. Then add the banana and blend til really smooth. Total time: less than 4 minutes to make. I drink mine in the car on the way to work- you can just sip it for an hour or so, and you're not likely to feel bloated for it. Plus it gives you about 4 servings of fruit. (For the record, I'm not a calorie counter I'm a whole foods kinda person who aims for 3-5 cups of fruit and 4-6 cups of veggies with 3 servings of protein a day kinda person...)

Wednesday, October 18, 2006, 11:31 PM

I love the South Beach Diet Cereal bars in the Peanut Butter flavor. 140 calories, 10 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber!

Thursday, October 19, 2006, 10:09 AM

Margo, the only answer is breakfast. You've got to force yourself. I have a small portion of homemade granola each morning, and on weekends try to do an egg with toast. You're sabotaging your day if you just go for coffee. Trust me, I used to do the same, and the difference is phenomenal.

Also consider your vitamin B levels. Fatigue is often attributed to a vit B deficiency.

Thursday, October 19, 2006, 10:14 AM

Thanks for all your answers. As hard as it will be, I will have to force myself to eat breakfast. Thanks again!
Margo

Thursday, October 19, 2006, 10:39 AM

10:14 poster - what is your homemade granola recipe???

Thursday, October 19, 2006, 11:09 AM

Sugar-free granola:
Boil over medium heat one cup water with one cup chopped dates. Stirring frequently, reduce until it is a thick paste. Allow to cool.
Mix 6 cups raw rolled oats, 2 cups shredded coconut, 1 cup flax seed (not oil), 1/2 cup sliced almonds, 1/2 cup raisins, 1/2 cup walnuts, 1/2 cup sunflower seeds. (You can change the nuts, raisins, etc, according to your tastes.)
Spread thinly on a baking tray (you can do it in batches) and toast for 7 minutes on 350F.
Remove, and add 1/4 cup vegetable oil, 1/4 cup apple concentrate (thawed) and the date paste mixture. Mix well.
Spread thinly on a baking tray and toast for another 7 - 10 minutes, stirring every few minutes, until toasted brown.
Granola will crisp up as it cools. Keep in an airtight container.

Thursday, October 19, 2006, 11:48 AM

If you work out in the mornings definitely have something. I workout in the am and always have at least a banana before, then about an hour after I eat something small, usually high in protein.

Friday, October 20, 2006, 11:44 PM

What I've learned through a running class is that after exercise you need to take in some carbohydrates and calories within the first 30 minutes after you are done--what this does is to help replenish the glycogen lost during exercise.

For me, this truly works!!! Even if you eat a small slice of whole wheat bread with peanut butter or something simple like that, it will help to keep you from "bonking" and feeling more tired the next day... (or later in the same day.)

Also, breakfast in general is a good idea.

I only eat a banana in the mornings, but find that when I forget to eat breakfast, I'm hungrier at lunchtime and dragging through the day...

Saturday, October 21, 2006, 1:07 AM

have a hard bioled egg and a decaffinated drink

Saturday, October 21, 2006, 12:14 PM

Related Content: How To Lose Weight- The Basics Weight Watchers Points System The Fat Smash Diet The Eat To Live Diet The Beck Diet Solution How To Get The Motivation To Lose Weight		How To Be Successful Using PEERtrainer How To Burn Fat Online Weight Loss Support- How It Works Does Green Tea Help You Lose Weight? Tips On Using PEERtrainer Visit The PEERtrainer Community Diet and Fitness Resources
Fitness Weight Watchers Meetings Learning To Inspire Others: You Already Are Writing Down Your Daily Workouts Spending Money On A Personal Trainer? How I Became A Marathon Runner		Preventive Health How To Prevent Injuries During Your Workout Flu Season: Should You Take The Flu Shot? Are You Really Ready To Start PEERtrainer? Super Foods That Can Boost Your Energy Reversing Disease Through Nutrition
New Diet and Fitness Articles: Weight Watchers Points Plus How To Adjust Your Body To Exercise New: Weight Watchers Momentum Program New: PEERtrainer Blog Archive Review Of The New Weight Watchers Momentum Program		Weight Loss Motivation by Joshua Wayne: Why Simple Goal Setting Is Not Enough How To Delay Short Term Gratification How To Stay Motivated How To Exercise With A Busy Schedule
Real World Nutrition and Fitness Questions Can Weight Lifting Help You Lose Weight? Are Protein Drinks Safe? Nutrition As Medicine?		Everyday Weight Loss Tips How To Eat Healthy At A Party How To Eat Out And Still Lose Weight The Three Bite Rule Tips On How To Stop A Binge