Weight Loss and Fatigue: What Are The Causes?

Most of us expect to feel healthier and more energetic when we start a new diet, but in fact it is quite common to be plagued by fatigue. Perhaps we are doing certain things which are draining our energy even if we are unaware of the fact. If we take a look at some of the most common causes of fatigue with weight loss, we may be able to establish if any of them are causing our fatigue.

Fatigue and Weight Loss Cause #1 – Insufficient calorie intake

Many of us are so intent on losing weight quickly that we drastically reduce our calorie intake. This is the wrong way to tackle our weight loss problems as starving ourselves will only result in a slowing down of our metabolism and a reduction of our energy levels. Our body will have insufficient fuel to keep it going and we will be prone to feeling fatigued and lack concentration. Instead we should make a point of eating regular meals and snacks throughout the day, but we must choose low-calorie foods. We should eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, lean protein, healthy fats and plenty of water. If we choose these types of foods we will be maintaining a low-calorie diet but also fuelling our body enough to boost our metabolism and provide the energy that we need to fulfil our daily obligations.

Fatigue and Weight Loss Cause #2 – Eating insufficient protein

Protein provides the energy that we need to get us through the day. It also helps us to build and repair muscle tissue, which make us physically stronger so that we have more energy. We should include a serving of lean protein in every meal and snack. We should eat lean chicken, turkey, fish and seafood, beans and lentils, tofu, low-fat dairy produce and nuts and seeds. Protein is harder to digest than carbohydrates therefore it keeps us feeling full for much longer and provides lots of energy for the small amount that we eat to keep us satisfied.

Fatigue and Weight Loss Cause #3 – Eating insufficient fat

Many of us believe that eating fat is not good for us, but this is simply not true. Our body needs fat for energy and to help us feel satisfied and content. It also helps our body to absorb certain vitamins and minerals and keep our skin, hair and nails looking healthier and much more. We should eat heart healthy fats such as the ones present in oily fish like mackerel, salmon, and sardines. Other sources include avocados, nuts and seeds and olive oil.

Fatigue and Weight Loss Cause #4 – Drinking insufficient water

Our body requires water even more than it needs fat. If we drink insufficient water our body switches to preservation mode and it retains as much water as possible to maintain the function of our vital organs, and we will end up feeling weary, exhausted and fatigued. When we drink plenty of water our whole body functions much better, our organs function better, our muscles feel stronger, our digestive system is more efficient and of course our energy levels are higher.

Fatigue and Weight Loss Cause #5 – Over exercising

We all know that exercising is good for us, but like many things it is easy to overdo it and suffer the consequences. This is particularly true if we have just begun to exercise or are generally out of shape. We need to take things slowly and not push ourselves too hard. We should aim for 30 minutes of daily exercise perhaps less if this is too strenuous. If one 30 minute session is too much, we could divide our workout sessions into 3-4 shorter sessions. As our strength improves we can gradually increase the length and intensity of our workouts, and this should prevent fatigue.