Not sure what to do

32F, 135 lbs - IF off and on for 3 years. I am ALWAYS tired. Like, always. I can nap at basically anytime. Caffeine doesn’t touch it. No trouble sleeping but it’s pretty tough to get out of bed. For reference I’ve had regular labs done and they’re always normal, no thyroid or insulin problems. I’m a single mom and feel terrible that I have to take a 5 hr energy some days just to leave the house. In 2021 I was 118 lbs and felt GREAT!.. had energy, felt pretty, wanted to do my makeup and wanted be out and about. Now at 135 I’m miserable in my body and the brain fog slays me. I’ve been TRYING to get back to a healthier place but don’t know what I’m doing wrong and am thinking about a 3 day fast in attempt to switch to ketone/fat energy use. Is anyone else like this? I don’t know what to do!.. I don’t eat out/fast food/sodas, only eat what I cook. Stay low carb/low fat. Stay hydrated. Workout 3x week (skipped last week bc I was sick), oh and I’ve been sick like 4-5x in past 6 months). NOTHING moves this scale. It’s like my body refuses to leave 135. I might go down a few but it always goes right back to 135 no matter. What am I missing?? Would a fast help to jump start something? I need help/advice to get out of this slump

Answer

Hey I’m not sure about the fasting as I’m new to the IF journey. But the low energy and always tired is totally relatable, I felt like a sloth pretending to be human. I recently started to add mushroom coffee into my normal coffee and it’s been an amazing boost. The flavor isn’t like coffee so I add it into my Starbucks or if at home to a can of la colombe. I still have low energy days (usually around period time, so I’ll blame hormones) however myself and some friends have noticed a lift from the brain fog. Like suddenly I have a clear list instead of my normal crazy murder board brain that’s keeping everything together with tape and push pins.

I’ve asked in this group and it seems the mushroom coffee black still is considered like black coffee. It definitely has a more earthy coffee taste but doesn’t break my morning fast and keeps me going more then a basic black coffee. So far I’m liking the four sigmatic and Om brands but there’s a ton out there. I think the Lions mane mushroom is the main component to look for.

I sort of feel like a crazy person suggesting mushroom coffee but it’s been a game changer for me. Energy and mood.

I feel like doctors always just excuse my tiredness as “your a mom” so I’ve been trying different things to sort of figure out my own. Everyone is different so I hope you find what works for you.

Answer

Sounds like iron deficiency and it’s a total nightmare that will stall weight loss and have you feeling like you are 90 years old. Lab “normal” is a large crock of crap when it comes to ID. Get your iron panel done WITH ferritin. A ferritin under 30 = absolute iron deficiency regardless of hgb. The iron protocol on FB is a great group to learn all the details. Also Vit D, B12 and folate are key to have in the upper 3/4 of lab “normal”.

Answer

I know you said you drink a lot of water but I always find when my energy levels are lacking it’s always do to my hydration. Are you drinking enough water before you have any sort of caffeine for the day ? I find when I mindfully drink about a litre of water in the morning, and at least half of that or more before my coffee, I have wayyyyy more energy throughout the day. And when I have 2 + litres by mid day I actually can’t nap even if I try haha.What about your height? Because 35f 135lbs doesn’t tell us a lot!