If you often find yourself too tired to exercise, you’re not alone. We’ve all been there. You tell yourself you’re finally going to get started on that weight loss program but the next day you simply have no energy to do it.
I know exactly how you feel. I manage a business with only one employee, have three kids and two dogs to take care of at home. Even though my fitness and health are important to me, I find it difficult to set aside time to exercise. By the time my work’s done, all I want to do is lie in bed and sleep.
The problem is that the less we exercise, the more tired we feel. Exercise helps our body detox, release the feel-good hormones, burn off stress, burn off fat, and improve our sleep.
Should I Exercise When I’m Tired?
The answer is, it depends. If you are chronically tired, you may want to get yourself checked first; maybe get some bloodwork done to see if you are deficient in some nutrients, or if there are any abnormalities in your RBCs and WBCs. You may have an underlying medical condition that’s causing your fatigue. On the other hand, if you’re tired because you’ve had a busy day, then I’d recommend you give it a go. Exercise for 10-15 minutes and assess how you feel after. If you notice an energy burst, then it means you’re OK to continue working out. Just don’t overdo it.
But I’m Just Too Tired After Work
If you work long hours, have a long commute or your job is very stressful, going to the gym might be the last thing you want to do. But that doesn’t mean you can’t workout anymore. A solution to your situation would be to wake up a bit earlier and exercise. You can walk around your neighborhood for 20-30 minutes, do some morning yoga, do some HIITs or even play catch with your kids (or pet).
Difficulty Sleeping When Working Out
Normally, a good exercise improves sleep. But sometimes a hard workout can cause sleeping difficulty because the body released chemicals like endorphins to boost your energy. If this is the case, I’d recommend avoiding hard workouts a few hours before bedtime. You can also set up a bedtime routine such as meditation or reading a book, and drink a sleep-inducing tea like chamomile to help you dose off.
Exercising During Your Period
For women, it’s perfectly safe to exercise during that time of the month. However, some do notice a drop in energy levels during their period and if this applies to you, then don’t force yourself to go to the gym. Take note though that working out during your period has been known to reduce mood swings, abdominal cramps and headaches. Just make sure you stick to a healthy diet and drink lots of water.
Supplementation
If you always feel tired but you’re not suffering from any medical condition, you may want to take B-vitamin supplements to boost your energy levels. You can get these vitamins naturally by eating leafy greens like broccoli as well as whole grains. Eating foods rich in protein and protein shakes can also fuel your body. But if you have done all these but still feel tired all the time, supplements may be the answer.
Easy Workouts for When You’re Tired
Not too excited to doing an hour of Zumba or CrossFit? Don’t worry there are other exercises you can do. Yoga for example, can help strengthen your body, improve your balance and flexibility without putting in too much effort. Don’t get me wrong – there are very challenging yoga poses but you can also go with easy yoga to match your current energy level. You may also opt for low-intensity steady state exercises like walking on the treadmill at moderate pace for 15-20 minutes.
Try these tips to help you get back your energy so you can workout longer and more often. If you need help in creating a personalized workout program, you can always consult a personal trainer in gyms like Equinox and GoodLife Fitness.