Running out of energy- sometimes get sick

Men,

I'm almost 8 months out, been losing steadily (slow month in Sept), and generally eat healthy averaging about 1200 cals per day.  Here's my dilemma:

I coach a mite hockey team (6-8 yr old boys) and I use the ice time to my advantage by often skating hard with the boys and pushing them by closely following them on the drills.  In other words, I rarely stay still during these sessions ( 70- 120 minutes, 2-3X per week) and really get a decent workout from it.

At the end of the sessions, I am drained physically and feel that I am very susceptable to getting sick. It may just be a coincidence, but since we started the season I have become ill 3 times right after practices.  Usually the symptoms are chills, lack of energy, flu-like symptoms, and at worst the squirts.  In fact, I had a session on Wed this week and had to leave work mid day on Thurs.  I was recovering today and am still not quite right.

So my question is does anybody think this lack of energy and system drain is because I don't  get enough sugar to fuel the glycogen replenishment of my system?  I rarely take in sugars and it's the only thing I can think of that might cause this. 

Btw, blood work is all normal.

Thanks.

Guy

Guy,
I have found, as I get more active I have to eat more often.  I have to keep snacks around, (high protein, little bit of sugar)...and eat about every 2 hours instead of 3.  If not, my blood sugar falls off the charts, and I get those symptoms you describe.  My sister gets them also. 

the way it was explained to me is it is because of the different way we metabolize food now.. if we don't keep a small amount of food in our system, we crash, and get those 'flu like' symptoms.. at least I do.

What works for me for a quick boost is peanut butter, walnuts, or even a couple bites of a Payday bar if nothing else is around (watch those sugars tho).

Dale

 Why don't you start drinking Powerade or Gatorade whichever you like and see if that helps. It kind of sounds like dehydration of some sort...doesn't explain the squirts, but the other symptoms are spot on. 

Good suggestions, I haven't tried sports drinks yet.  Peanut butter sounds good too.  I usually do have a small meal after the workouts, like half a ham-turkey sandwich or something.

I think the onset of flu-like symptoms results from being so low on energy and thus lower immune capability. 

I'm just not sure how to fuel up for upcoming "harder" events like my adult hockey league which will be starting up in 2 weeks.

Any further advice is appreciated.

Guy

These are things I carry in my pocket, in small amounts and at different times...they may help.  Plain walnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, dry roasted peanuts, raisins, beef jerkey, banana chips (no sugar added).  They may help on the energy level.  Again like others have said...stay hydrated.  Brian

It's those filthy little kids, freaking germ factories. Fill a bucket with listerine and spla**** on them as they skate by. You won't win coach of the year, but you'll deffinatly be raising attendance at the local school. ;P

Thanks for the laugh, the visual was just too funny

Jim

couple of thoughts.

Do you have a snack prior to the work out.  I recently read someplace a suggestion for some carbs prior to exercising (a non WLS site, so may not apply to us), they suggest some cheerio, low sugar type carbs prior to hitting the gym.

Are you drinking during the practice.  You could get dehydrated very easily during a 2 hour work out if you are not drinking.  I was told not to drink Gatorade type drinks by my Doc's office, due to all the sugar.

Have you spoken with you Surgeon / Nutritionist / Dietician?  They might have some input for you and easily put you on the right track.  It seems like they have seen it all.

Good Luck

Jim

You defintely should be hydrating yourself. Also what is your vitamin regimen. You may be depleting faster than you are replacing. Do you have a protein shake before you start coaching and one afterward. You may need to supplement more. 

I would definitely be doing Vitamin B12 and C  supplements and hitting the B12 high. I do a lot of B12  and I'm a couch potato. Even though blood work is showing normal right now what exactly are the numbers.

My doc said 248 was normal and that is low for a WLS person.  Defintely eat a protein bar or shake though

Those all sound like they could be symptoms of dehydration ..     Are you sure you are taking in enough fluids on the days you are skating?       I'd think you may have to drink extra fluids on those days, esp. if you are perspiring heavily ..   Just drink plain water, or vitamin water ..  I'd stay away from the sugary stuff like Gatorade or Powerade (b/c of dumping risk)  ..