Fighting Fatigue

For the last few months I have been dead tired.  Like all the time ~ dead tired.  I exercise between 3-5 times a week, I eat what I would consider a fuel fulfilling diet, drink lots of water, get some good old sunshine ~ overall, healthy lifestyle.  Sleeping seems to be an issue ~ wake in the middle of the night and can't fall back asleep.  Life stress I know is an issue too ~ not at liberty to say but a lot of "stuff" is going on in my personal life, in addition to many big changes on the horizon with my kids going into daycare and me returning to work.  

So pretty sure my endless fatigue is a result of stress and lack of restful sleep due to stress.  It is impacting everything (like patience with my kiddies, how hard I can train, etc.) so I did go get some blood work done just to rule out anything wonky within my body.  It turns out that I also have borderline low iron.  Which I am now taking a supplement for (for at least the next 6 months).  My doc also told me that though my iron was on the low side it for sure is not the main reason for my fatigue and told me to focus on dealing with stress.  She also mentioned adrenal fatigue.  In talking to some lovely folks at Nature's Fare, an Adrenal Tonic was brought up.  I did some research and it feels like it "fits" where I am and what I need.  Here is a very detailed site regarding adrenal fatigue ~ http://www.adrenalfatigue.org/what-is-adrenal-fatigue.  At this point I am up to try anything to improve the situation.  Tired of being tired if you know what I mean!


So here is my game plan which I started almost 2 weeks ago and I am starting to see some results:

1.  Maintain my level of training ~ at the same time listen to my body and take a rest when I need it.  Pull back if my body is telling me to do so.

2.  Maintain my diet.  But avoid the caffeine and alcohol altogether until my system feels better.  I am not a coffee drinker (actually have never had a cup of coffee before!) plus I am once in a blue moon drinker but over the last couple months of summer I have had more caesars than I used too:)  Either way keep it nice and clean until I regain some energy!  Harder to bounce back when you already are fatigued.

3.  Cut screen time at night ~ read a book instead.  I made the mistake of getting into a couple series on my iTunes so it was tempting to stay up for "just one more episode".  I know that screen time at night also makes your brain a little more restless.

4.  Early to bed and early to rise.

5.  Take 30 minutes every day to do something for myself, by myself.  Like sitting outside.  Going for a walk.  Something where I don't have to little kids on me.  This is where waking up before them can be handy ~ having a little chill time to start the day instead of jumping out of bed and running to babies!

6.  Drink a lot of water.

7.  Therapy ~ talking out the stress and get some coping advice.

8.  Try a sleepy-time tea if it was a restless, busy or anxious day.

9.  Supplements:

• MegaFood Women's One Daily
• Natural Factors Bio C
• Fish oil
• MegaFood Blood Builder (this is my iron supplement ~ love this brand as it is a whole food, easier for my body to absorb and I don't get nauseous from it as I do with some other brands)
•  St Francis STREST Adrenal Tonic ~ I'm testing this one out.  Here is the write up on the particular adrenal gland support product I have:  
• "combines six of the most potent and significant herbal adaptogens in the world. The word “adaptogen” was first coined by Russian scientists to describe an agent or remedy that acts as a metabolic regulator, helping the body cope with the many damaging physical and emotional stresses encountered in day-to-day living, especially in our modern age."
• "Factors like a daily commute, pollution, strenuous exercise, and poor diet can all exert a negative influence on immune and adrenal functions, not to mention our mental and emotional equilibrium."
• "enabling the body to recover from the toll taken by all these worries and pressures.  Strest® nurtures the nervous system and offers a superb means of reducing anxiety and mental fatigue. At the same time, it improves sleep patterns and promotes a calm state of mind, even as it enhances mood stability."

Life is messy and it is harder to deal with messes when you are so tired.  I want to get back to my energetic self and I have everything in place to lead a energetic and healthy life so now it is time to kick it into high gear and get some umph back!

Do you suffer from chronic fatigue?  If yes, please comment below or email me ~ would love to hear how you deal with it!

Oh and note to self ~ 31 year olds should not go tubing behind a boat like they did when they were 13!  The ole body takes a beating!

Water + Quads = Ouch!