It's Hard To Lose Weight With No Energy!

[StolenMockingbird]

Hi, I'm new to this board and I just wanted some advice on a subject that has truly concerned me for a while, now.

At the end of 2009, I weighed close to 300 pounds. Wow! It was bad, and I was only 20 years old, nearly 21. After I turned (21), I decided that was it. I was sick of being fat, unhappy and unhealthy. I lost about 45 pounds, and then I fell very ill as I had at various points in my life. After I got over that illness, I went back to the gym and dropped even more weight. I was closing in on the 200 pounds mark but I got even sicker. I battled hard until last year, when I discovered my wheat sensitivity. I was 22 at the time, and I'm 23 right now. After cutting out wheat, I lost nearly 15 pounds in 2 weeks, and I felt damn amazing. I felt great and I was so glad I could continue my journey to a healthy weight. I was wrong, though.

TLDR; I was a big guy who lost a lot of weight between multiple cycles of extreme illness.

This is my current predicament. I simply have no energy to work out, you know? I manage a food food establishment, and I work very hard. That never stopped me, though. I went to the gym and it brought me even more energy for work. But now, I don't eat a lot of carbs. Since I'm a manager, I don't get to leave the store to eat and I can count my (very unfilling) food options on one hand. Also, I don't get a lot of time to eat, and I work for long periods of time without food. Also, sadly, I don't make a whole lot of money. Gluten free food is expensive and I honestly can't afford to bring food to work every day when my grocery bill stacks up as it is.

I know it's my diet. After only an hour of looking, I discovered Rabbit Starvation. Too much protein and not enough carbs or fat, and it sounds right on the nose. So there are my questions to any of you great people that might be able to help!

1) Could my issue be rabbit starvation, realistically?

2) Is it a common issue with any particular group of people?

3) What would or do, or have you done, to avoid it?

4) What steps would you recommend so that I can work out without feeling terrible and out or energy.

Again, my budget is tight. I know you're all thinking "Get a better job!" but I actually like my job most of the time, and I plan to stay until I finish college in a few years.

Any help would be great, you have my gratitude just for reading this!

Jeremy

[concerned about gluten]

Hi. Having no energy is the worst. Take some iron or b complex for a few days and see if you feel better. Think of a gluten free protein shake. Once you get used to buying gluten free, it's easier. Unless I am wrong. You can eat Wendy's baked potatoes and french fries in a crisis. Also their chili. Their sour cream has gluten in it. Taco Bell's crunchy taco with hot sauce. All the other salsas have wheat. I love Burger King and McDonalds ice cream in an emergency. Hershey bars, 7-up, Lays regular potato chips, Corn chips, cheddar cheese dipping sauce for tortillas. You will find that you get better faster by just being strict. Eat fruit, vegetables, cheese cubes, turkey and chicken.

I would say not to work out for now. If you are out of energy, your body needs a bit of time to recover and heal. Let it have the energy to do that.

If you are really really feeling bad, read up on food combining.

[concerned about gluten]

I have to add...if you are stuck at work and on a tight budget and need gluten free food. Hormel chili is gluten free. Get yourself some corn chips, heat up the chili and sprinkle with cheddar cheese.

[AandGsmomma]

There should be lots of low cost healthy gluten free options. Keep to whole foods like fruit, veggies, protien and nuts. Possible look at cutting out caffine. Also if you have insurance, have your doctor check your thyroid and vitamin levels.

[Rachelcooks]

Hi,

What kinds of things do you eat at work? If you think that you have rabbit starvation my guess is that you aren't eating many high nutrient foods. That makes me nervous for you. I'm not sure if rabbit starvation is possible but the likelihood that you are not getting the nutrition that your body really needs seems likely.

The thing is, gluten free food is expensive if you buy pre-made gluten-free food (and a lot of meat). BUT per serving fresh foods and healthy foods don't have to be expensive. I know that when you don't feel energetic making food just seems like too much of a hassle. That said, I know for myself that the more food I eat outside of my house the more likely I am to get glutened and even if I'm not, the more likely I am to eat junk and feel slow. I would suggest thinking of the cost of food on a per serving basis. Fruits and veg, beans, rice, seeds, and nuts are really not as expensive as you think when you look at how much it costs per serving and these servings are going to bring you way more energy and make you feel more satisfied than any processed food. Animal proteins can be very expensive but vegetable sources like beans, lentils, nuts, seeds are relatively cheap. I always have some nuts and cut veg/hummus, apples and peanut butter with me and try to bring food with me to work as much as possible. Think of the cost of a banana (maybe $.79 if you are buying fancy organic ones maybe as low as $.29 if they are cheap. I know that the food at work might be free/super cheap but I would start thinking a little creatively with what you can make at home and bring at least to supplement. Just make sure that whatever you buy you prioritize to eat. The real waste/expense happens when food goes bad in the fridge.

As to the weight problems, I have struggled FOREVER with my weight. You don't need to eat only protein to bring it under control. Eating much less processed food has allowed my weight to go down and allows me the energy to exercise and feel good. Protein on its own is not the ultimate answer in good health and weight loss you need some nutrients to stay strong!! It might be overboard for you at the moment but if you have time I would read Dr. Fuhrman's "Eat for Health". It was a revelation for me. It might be more than you can commit to right now but it may give you a new perspective on health and weight and the value of feeding yourself quality foods.

Hope this helps! Sorry it isn't an easier answer!!!!