Are You Dieting and Exercising and Feeling Worn Out?
Friday, January 22nd, 2010For some people being on a diet means being tired and lethargic. It’s times like these that some people may be more likely to reach for chips, chocolate or soda. However, these types of foods are absorbed so quickly by the body that it causes your body to think that it has run out of fuel soon after eating them and it’s not long before you begin to crave more of these snacks again. Often these foods offer a quick rush of energy; however they don’t help the body deal with the cause of energy deprivation.
The key, therefore, in dealing with the lack of energy that many people experience when they are dieting is to provide the body with all of the right elements needed to support the body and give it the energy that it needs.
Exercising For Energy
Surprisingly as it might seem, exercise helps to give the body energy by providing you with more stamina for your activities. Additionally, the increased blood flow to your brain which exercising provides helps you to relieve stress and fatigue.
Additionally, exercise also:
- Burns fat
- Helps your body deal with stress
- Lowers Cholesterol
- Lowers high blood pressure
- Increases your energy level
- Reduces your chances of cancer and heart disease
Even simple exercise such as walking is beneficial. A 1995 study indicates that just walking twice around a suburban block a few times per week is enough to make a significant difference in your life. However, exercise which increases the heart rate such as hiking, skiing, swimming, jogging, and bicycling should also be included in your routine.
Eating For Energy
Because of the reduced food intake during a diet, many people experience a lack of energy. However, it doesn’t have to be that way. Long lasting energy can be achieved through careful selection of the right foods. To maintain your energy during your diet, try to eat 3 well-balanced and nutritious meals a day which include the following:
- Wholegrain cereals, brown rice and oats
- Fresh vegetables including broccoli, zucchini, cabbage, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, and beans
- Fresh fruit
- Soy foods
- Fresh herbs including mint, basil, dill, thyme, and parsley
- Fish, particularly oily fish such as Salmon, Mackerel and Sardines
- Lean meats and poultry
- Nuts and seeds including a small amount of almonds, walnuts sunflower and sesame seeds
- Sea vegetables including wakame, nori and arame which can be purchased at your local health food store
Additionally, taking a supplement which contains Vitamin B helps the body to turn food into energy and to metabolize properly.
Sleeping For Energy
Getting a good night’s sleep each night is also a way to increase your energy level. Deep, restful sleep helps your body to recover from your activities and revitalize it for the next day. A lack of sleep on the other hand interferes with your mental abilities including your memory and drastically depletes your energy level. If you have trouble sleeping check out a few natural herbal sedatives such as Valerian, Passion Flower and Hops to get you back on track.
