Need to vent: over a month and still very low energy and tired

[Jango's Girl]

It's been over a month, I'm getting really frustrated, I'm having a hard time getting through the day, I'm still not sleeping very well at night and I'm always shuffling my feet. I eat really well! I eat a lot of potatoes, vegetables, tons and tons of fruit, mostly water, chamomile tea, nuts and sometimes juice: for those times where I feel like I will not make it through the afternoon. I eat more too but more good food and I often get really bloated and lethargic, especially after I eat lunch. My biggest weakness is organic chocolate but that is pretty much it, especially since I have a gluten and corn intolerance. I'm so discouraged: I don't really feel like doing anything because I'm too tired, I only find energy to work out for my Sunday exercise class and I now feel like I want to punch the instructors out because I still can't keep up with their routines after a month!

My question is: When do all these so called benefits come into my life? I try to do everything right, go to bed early enough, eat well, exercise a little... I'm so discouraged I want to start again.... I had the most energy when drinking! So ironic and frustrating! I'm so dissapointed! I try to be optimistic and hopeful but when you have no energy it's hard! I'm not trying to find excuses to drink again but I'm very bloated, tired, dragging my feet and frustrated....

Sorry for the rant any comments or advice are very appreciated!

[HollyJM]

Hi JG,

Hang in there! I know how discouraging that feels because it took me a long time to get my energy up, too. Everybody's different. If you're not sleeping well, that could account for your lethargy.

You didn't say if you've had a general checkup at the doc since you quit, but if not I'd recommend it. Also, there's a reason why we feel lethargic after lunch, but I don't remember what it is. I'm sure Ronnie could help with that.

Try not to feel discouraged. The benefits will come. I know what you mean about feeling more energetic while drinking. I seemed to gain energy slowly, compared to other warriors I was reading about. At one month, I was still a dishrag. Taking a green health drink powder mixed with juice every morning helps me. I notice when I use it faithfully I feel much better.

A month is really great!

[Charlie]

I think the thing to remember is that since we abused alcohol, we're about our instant gratification. Doing some light to moderate exercise several times a week may help your energy levels a bit. It takes a little while to undo the damage that's been done though.

[Jango's Girl]

Thanks for the positive words, I guess I'm just hoping that I'm not the only other one out there who has this problem and that more will come out of the woodwork to tell me that they went through the same thing and how they got better. I do exercise and I have been checked, I have other underlying issues but I always suspected that alcohol was a major trigger for my health problems. I guess I'm just dissapointed that there is not much change.

[bigsister987]

You body is used to functioning with high octane fuel being pumped into and it will take more than a month for it to start adjusting and making the changes necessary for finding energy in your food. I notice that the only protein you mention in your diet is nuts, which I am guessing you don't take a lot of. Perhaps you could include some other proteins such as meat, fish, eggs and cheese. You may also be low in iron, which you can get from red meat particularly.

Eating fruit is really good, but don't forget the fructose, which you find in fruit, is a sugar so eating excessive amounts could be contributing to lack of energy:


The most common challenges are dental decay, osteoporosis, wasting of muscle tissue, inability to maintain a healthy weight, chronic fatigue, skin problems, thinning hair, weakening nails, and excessive irritability.

Some of these problems are the result of nutritional deficiencies. The most common deficiencies that I know of in this population are vitamins B12, A*, D, zinc, and certain essential fatty acids.

Another problem with a high fruit diet is that it can lead to problems involving the hormones that regulate your blood sugar; insulin, glucagon, and growth hormone. A chronic imbalance of these hormones is a sure way to develop cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Here's the full article:

http://www.chetday.com/benefitfruithealth.htm

[wystan1000]

quick thought - are you really tired and lethargic or are you expecting a great deal of yourself like having to 'keep up' with the gym instructors (whose job it is).

Do you think your body is just asking for you to slow down a bit? Did the drink perhaps help to quieten that voice?

Just a thought...

[marie99]

[/QUOTE]
I'm so discouraged I want to start again.... I had the most energy when drinking! So ironic and frustrating! I'm so dissapointed! I try to be optimistic and hopeful but when you have no energy it's hard! I'm not trying to find excuses to drink again but I'm very bloated, tired, dragging my feet and frustrated....
[/QUOTE]


I didn't have more energy when I drank, but I remember feeling upset that I was still depressed and felt like crap after I quit the first time... I really thought those bad feelings would disappear when I quit drinking, but unfortunately it doesn't always work like that, it just takes time. It sounds like you are on the right track, and it's probably just fixing a few little problems with your diet, sleep patterns or something simple and you will be feeling better... I really recomend going to a doctor for a full checkup. Maybe you are allergic/sensitive to another food, have a problem w/ your thyroid, or something along those lines... But, however bad you are feeling, would drinking REALLY be better? Think of how you will feel in the morning...think of having to come on here and admit that you drank!

Also, Ronnie had wonderful information in her response. I second everything she said :-)

I am taking a performance multi-vitamin, super b complex, and st. john's wort, and one or all of those seems to be working miracles. My problems are far from solved, but I know I feel 1000% better just from the vitamins, trying my best to eat right, and exercising consistently.



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[Jango's Girl]

Thank you for taking the time to write back all these wonderful suggestions! I really think that if I am honest with myself, i might need an attitude ajustment.

By the way, I had no idea that fruit could be bad for you, it does not cease to amaze me how I learn something new everyday. Thank you for the link and thank you to everyone again for giving me food for thought!