feel tired all the time

[NewDestiny47]

Im 21, been bodybuilding for about four years (natural) eat healthy, take my vitamins etc. Do cardio twice a week unless im dieting down.

Ive noticed for 2-3 years that I feel really worn out though.
All I feel like doing is lying down, even little activities like taking out the trash leave me really worn out and in need of taking a rest.

Other symptoms, I sometimes feel a little lightheaded and out of it when standing up. I'm also constantly yawning and taking really deep breaths... I don't know if its actually b/c Im sleepy, sometimes it just seems like im trying to suck in more oxygen.
All I usually feel like doing is lounging around, I'll be sittitng there looking pretty out of it, slack-jawed and taking really shallow breaths.
My pulse while lying down is 79 BPM.

Visually i look much more impressive than my friends who are all couch potatoes, some even smoke. Yet when we walk to class IM always the one that is totally worn out and out of breath.


Anyone have a clue what i have? Doc has given me b12 shots and they don't do a thing. I'm actually capable of running for over an hour (do it when cutting) so that rules out asthma as far as i know.
Could it be a problem with my heart?
I'm lying down as I type this b/c i feel really worn out, I haven't done anything physical all day.

 

[Warboss Alex]

Well, first I would say that you need more than 2x a week cardio to maintain cardiovascular fitness. If I don't get in near-daily cardio of some sort, I'll get winded climbing stairs (this is especially true if you're a heavier guy - I'm 235-240).

Having no energy however is a result of fluctuating insulin levels and poor carb tolerance. Show me what you eat every day, my guess is that you take in a fair amount of carbs?

incidentally I had the exact same problem as you..

 

[Ricky]

When you lift are you doing tons of sets or monster 2 or 3 hour workouts? If so you could be overtraining.

One thing that you mentioned you do is taking your resting pulse. I heard that you should do that each morning and track it for a while. If it changes significantly or is high you might be overtraining.

As far as lifting I've read alot of people say that taking one week off the gym every 3 months isn't bad.

What I do is take whatever time I go on vacation off from lifting. I Might get extra cardio at that time due to walking alot on vacation or going for the occasional jog, but i don't go out of my way to lift weights.

Normally an occasional break will help you come back stronger and heal any nagging injuries.

 

[_DracoLord_]

I have sort of the same problem as the OP except under different circumstances. I do very little lifting, but I do cardio at least 4-5 times a week (ball hockey, BJJ, boxing), and while I have no problems with energy or breathing during high intensity exercise, I get winded easily during everyday tasks like walking up the stairs.

I don't eat terribly, but I don't exactly watch what I eat either. What are some of the things I should stay away from, like you mentioned carbs, Warboss Alex?

 

[Warboss Alex]

VERY briefly, as this is a huge topic: most people in the world are intolerant to carbohydrates (except fruit and veg). I would try minimising these in your diet and see what happens. Have as much fruit as you want but no rice, potatoes, pasta, bread or oats. Note that this isn't an optimal approach to gaining weight, this is just to improve overall energy levels and take things from there. Also you may require more carbohydrates (sugary ones) during and after your workouts.. again, this will be individual. I should write about this when I have more time as it's really a huge topic - intolerances and allergies are the main reason for poor health, lethargy, lack of energy, heart disease, obesity, you name it .. not the poor old saturated fats.

 

[WesCottII]

I was just talking to a tutor that had IBS. She can't eat diary, starch and something else, because she feels like she's just run a marathon if she does. Infact she described the same symptoms you did. I'd check it out.

 

[I.A.F.Y.B.]

Maybe lack of water could be causing you to feel tired.