Hitting the exhaustion wall

Obviously, this is open to anyone, but I would really love to hear from Joe and Jill and any of the other post-ops who've become exercise junkies like me. Here is the problem I am having. I feel like I am totally sucking wind. It is just the oddest thing and I don't understand it. Workouts that I was breezing through a month ago now are zapping me. I get this overwhelming feeling of exhaustion about 30 minutes in now. The odd thing to me is that I was blowing past this when I was 50 lbs. heavier. I spoke to my nutritionist about this, and she suggested I eat more. Is it realistic to say that I just had more excess body to burn then and I am having to move to another phase. I only have about 30 lbs. left to go, so there's not as much there to burn. This is going to be tough for me because I am so busy it's hard for me to eat much more. When I was at my heaviest my problem is that I would eat HUGE meals. Now I struggle to carve out my meal times. That being said, I'll try anything, so if she says 6 meals, I'll do 6 meals... Did any of you go through this?

Yes - it started for me at about 6 months.  I make sure to eat carbs within 30 minutes before exercising and protein by 30 minutes after exercising.  Small amounts - usually yogurt  before (NOT low carb) and a protein bar after.  Except for dinner, my "meals" take less than 15 minutes. I usually have simple meals, 3 of them are snacks that are portable (cheese, yogurt), and I don't vary a lot.  That way it's easier to get my food ready to take to work and to plan for the pre/post exercise nutrition. 

OK, I'm not an exercise junkie by any means, but here's my experience... I was told to add a few calories at my 6 month visit...simple things like a handful of peanuts or (if you can tolerate it like I can) a glass of milk. I wasn't eating enough for my body. You'd be amazed at how little things add a few more calories and *bam* back comes the energy. Also be sure you're a vitamin junkie along with your exercise...I know when I slack off my vitamins my energy is the first thing to suffer.  Just some thoughts...

There are a number of reasons as to why you have hit the wall.  Eating is only one element int he big plan....... I am like you....I've been told to eat more and it is hard....both psychological and physical.  You are probably at the point where you need to increase your carbs and possibly lower your proteins a bit.  I'm not sure where you are at, so I cannot give you a real assessment.  But, here are a few tips that have really helped me: I add a banana to my morning chocolate protein shake. I add 2 tablespoons of grapenuts Trail Mix cereal to my yogurt I have an apple with 1 tablespoon of peanut butter as  a snack in the afternoon I eat a Kashi bar in between my dance classes (or in between my workouts if I am doing more than 1 hour) During my long runs, I eat 1/3 of a performance bar.  For me, I eat it at about the 3 mile mark.  Yes...I eat it WHILE running..... I eat something about every 2 - 3 hours or so, stpping at 800PM (basically ending with my protein shake). My evening protein shake contains a serving of fruit. if I have oatmeal for breakfast, I add 2 tablespoons of fresh blueberries while cooking. I've reduced some of my protein at my meal to add a little bit of brown rice, sweet potato or other starcht veggie.  For example, in the past I would have had 3 1/2 ounces of meat with 1/4 cup of veggies.  Now I have about 2 1/2 ounces of meat 2 tablespoons of brown rice and 1/4 cup of veggies. In addition, If I have not eaten in the past hour or so before working out, I eat something small about 30 minutes before my workout.  A chunk of banana w/ peanut butter, 1/2 of a protein bar, etc. the next element is over-training.  You may be hitting the wall, because you have over-trained.  Fatigue is a big symptom to this, along with weight gain, weight loss, lack of appetit, stress feeling, lack of sleep, too much sleep, etc.  You may need to give your body a rest.  How often do you give your body a chance to recover?  Do you only run?  If so, you really need to look at incorporating some cross training as you could be over using the same muscles.  I am guilty of this and really had to take a step back and re-evaluate my training program.  In most training programs for 5K, 8K, etc, they only have you run 3 or 4 days a week.  Other days are either for rest or for cross-training - such as the ellipticle, biking, swimming, etc.  The point is to use your muscles in a different manner than what you do when running.  Plus, it will keep your body challenged so you will continue to lose.   Do you incorporate any strength training into your fitness regime?  Strength training is just as important. Also, look at your hydration level.  Are you adequately hydrated?  I drink a Propell or a Crystal Light Hydrated about 1 hour before my workout, and ending it about 30 minutes before I actually start.  Then, while running, I drink a little something at the 2 mile mark and roughly every mile after than.  Sometimes I may wait until 4 miles, but I try to duplicate the water station set up of a 10K (that's my current training plan).  This way  can hydrated as best as possible, and train my body to match the 10K route. I hope all of this information helps you.  Alot of this is going to be trial and error as to what works for you.   PS:  Overlook the typos - I'm at work trying to hurry and write this for you before I log off - haha

Blair, The advice from Cleo, Christina, and Jill is right on the mark in my book.  It really depends on what you are or aren't doing, so more info would be useful to pinpoint your specific situation. However, that being said, let me take a blind shot at a couple of things as I experienced them. 1.  First round of exhaustion after the 6-8 weeks surgery recovery; increase B-12. I have progressed from post-op recommendations to 2500 mcg (sublingual pill) in the morning with a B-Complex sublingual liquid that contains B-2, Niacin, B-6 (2 mg), and B-12 (1200 mcg), and a separate B-1 (250 mg).  All energy and metabolism resources.  They help quite a bit.  2.  Second Wall of exhaustion. Fatigue can be a by product of low iron.  I went from 1a day multi-vit with 18 mg of iron to 2, then the nurse told me to take a prenatal that has 28 mg of iron, and I now do that 2 a day.  I have also learned taking Vit C with the multi (that has Vit C in it but not enough) enhances the bloods ability to absorb and carry oxygen more efficiently than with just taking the iron alone. 3.  Third and most recent wall of exhaustion hurdle; Protein. 60 gms is the MINIMUM.  That didn't soak in originally for me, plus meeting it was a chore earlier on too. Our malabsorbsion means we absorb somewhere around 60% of what we take in (depending on what it is and what form it is in).  Protein-wise if you are taking in 100gms, you benefit about 60 gms.  I raised my intake from 60 gms at the first wall of exhaustion to 120 when I was walking regularly 30-60 mins a day.  That helped but it happened again when I started running more prepping for 10Ks.  Now I do approx 180-200 gms a day.  I don't count carbs but did purposely increase them and it resulted in a weight gain.  I have since learned, the body prefers to burn carbs when exerting itself and uses protein to rebuild/recover.  It can burn protein but it takes more energy than readily available carbs.  Be careful, more carbs can also mean more calories so select well and stay active. I have also learned Biotin is not just about hair loss recovery, it actually is a water soluable vitamin that assists in the metabolism of fat and protein for energy. And garlic, I take a odorless 1000mg softgel that aids in heart and cardiovascular health. I recntly read I believe in a Runner's World article that it aids in stamina and endurance.  It sure is not hurting mine.  But be cautious. One a day, I see benefits, so two is better? Two a day; I see the potty; frequently. Whey Isolate is the protein most easily absorbed and is low calorie. It is what we consume it with that adds calories.  My protein bars (Pure Protein) are 20 gm of whey protein but are also 170-180 calories and 17 gms carb. So while they help me immensely in getting in my protein, I have to watch the carb and calories with whatever else I chose to eat in a day. My last recommendation is a terrific book called BUrn the Fat Feed the Muscle (BFFM) by Tom Venuto. on the Burnthefat.com.  It has a lot of guidance on eating protein rich and carb-wisefood that maximize metabolism for weight loss (body fat vs. muscle).  I have adjusted my diet and am seeing gains and feel better too. Best of luck.  Hope you can use some of this to help you.  Keep us posted on your results so we can all get smarter. Joe

Not really an exercise junkie but did want to mention, a lot of us go through the energy slumps at 3-4 months out as our bodies start to adjust to what it is experiencing.  You may just be in a natural surgery stage.  Definitely talk with your nutritionist/surgeon to get the best advice.