Valerie in Chicago Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 It's killing me, being totally out of gas by 2pm. And putting a ka-bosh on a sizeable chunk of our day. I'm open to any suggestions. TIA!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicole M Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 What's your schedule up until the crash? I'm curious, because I'm trying to figure out a way to transition to afternoon school, after lunch, and also experiencing a crash, but it's more a motivational / attitude crash than a fatigue type crash.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garga Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 Are you getting enough sleep at night? Are you getting enough fruit/veggies and protein? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abbeyej Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 For me, too much sugar in my overall diet does this. It's not so much what I eat on a given day or at a given time, as far as I can tell (that does play into it, but not significantly). Mostly it's just that if I'm eating white flour and sugar, I crash in the afternoons. If I'm eating tons of fresh fruits and veggies, some legumes, a little meat, maybe some dairy and only a *little* whole grains (and no sugar/white flour), I'm fine and my energy levels stay very steady. If I add in more grains or any white flour and sugar... I have that afternoon crash. (And then I eat more sugar to get myself through it, further perpetuating the whole thing.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharon H in IL Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 I used to be able to set a clock by my 3 o'clock crash. My husband said I needed serious protein for lunch, instead of a salad or sandwich with very little meat/protein. I said, 'But they always say we Americans eat way too much protein and we should increase our other foods.' Andrew said 'Maybe. But generalizations aren't about individuals, and you need more protein.' By golly, he was right. :D Recently I cut way back on my intake of all forms of grains and sugar, with a significant improvement in steady energy throughout the day, with no hunger pangs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runninmommy Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 Make sure you are having a good breakfast each day. Most people that have low energy in the afternoon don't eat a good breakfast. It needs to be healthy and well-balanced. Oatmeal w/blueberries and pecans is wonderful and gives energy to boot. Try to have a fruit/protein and whole grain carb. That will go a long way. Also, have an afternoon snack that delivers a quick boost. Nuts, banannas, Peanut butter & celery, a handfull of berries etc.. Limit your sugar and bad carbs. Drink LOTS of water and get enough sleep. Exercising 30 minutes a day will really help a lot as well. You may want to keep a food journal for a month or so to figure out what foods are contributing to the crash and what foods help give you a boost. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawn in OH Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 Lately I've been eating a lot more like my toddler, meaning, small well rounded snacks every 2ish hours rather than 3 meals a day. I've been feeling a lot better and not "crashing" quite so often. Usually when one of us is in that kind of situation we have some peanut butter crackers and milk and everyone perks up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muffinmom Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 I used to be able to set a clock by my 3 o'clock crash. My husband said I needed serious protein for lunch, instead of a salad or sandwich with very little meat/protein. I said, 'But they always say we Americans eat way too much protein and we should increase our other foods.' Andrew said 'Maybe. But generalizations aren't about individuals, and you need more protein.' By golly, he was right. :D This is me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katemary63 Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 For me, too much sugar in my overall diet does this. It's not so much what I eat on a given day or at a given time, as far as I can tell (that does play into it, but not significantly). Mostly it's just that if I'm eating white flour and sugar, I crash in the afternoons. If I'm eating tons of fresh fruits and veggies, some legumes, a little meat, maybe some dairy and only a *little* whole grains (and no sugar/white flour), I'm fine and my energy levels stay very steady. If I add in more grains or any white flour and sugar... I have that afternoon crash. (And then I eat more sugar to get myself through it, further perpetuating the whole thing.) This is me 100%. I CAN NOT eat high carbs or any sugar if I want to have any energy in the afternoon. Protien in every meal/ snack with fruit, vegies and w/ whole grains does the trick. No more 2PM zombie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
springmama Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 I also feel tired if I have carbs. If I stick with lots of fresh veggies and lean low fat protein, I still have energy in the afternoon. Floradix helps too. I love that stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peela Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 I always have that crash, and I dont eat sugar or white flour, eat plenty of fruit and veg, not too many grains and only whole grains. Always have protein for brekkie. I learned to live with it- I literally schedule our day so that I can go and rest in the early afternoon- mid afternoon at the latest. I am a morning person and we start at 8.30 so we can get some solid work in- then the kids can read in the afternoon while I have a rest. On days when I am out at classes for the kids- I have been known to have a nap in the car. Its not such a bad lifestyle anyway, having afternoon naps :) My dad is English and he and all his English relatives always had and still have naps, so it seems to be a family tradition. Its a nice time to curl up with a book, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommyof4ks Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 I also used to crash about 2pm. Everyday the kids knew to look on the couch to find Mommy sleeping. As long as I exercise in the morning I do not crash in the afternoon anymore, but if I forget even one day I am passed out on the couch by 2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kanga Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 I find that if I take 2 fish oil capsules with lunch I have more energy in the afternoon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpidarkomama Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 I get a low point too, but just figure it's part of my rhythm. We eat well during the day and I (usually) get enough sleep. From 5:00-8:00, though, I'm pretty wiped out. At midnight I have to convince myself to get to bed! Could go for a couple more hours (and sometimes do... OOPS!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runninmommy Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 I find that if I take 2 fish oil capsules with lunch I have more energy in the afternoon. Please be careful with this. I'm not sure of the dose you are taking but too much fish oil can cause liver damage. Most fish oil comes in 1000mg doses. You should only have one (1000mg) every other day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom0012 Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 I agree with watching the carbs and eating protein at meals. This makes all the difference in the world for me. Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaxMom Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 I always have that crash, and I dont eat sugar or white flour, eat plenty of fruit and veg, not too many grains and only whole grains. Always have protein for brekkie. I learned to live with it- I literally schedule our day so that I can go and rest in the early afternoon- mid afternoon at the latest. I am a morning person and we start at 8.30 so we can get some solid work in- then the kids can read in the afternoon while I have a rest. On days when I am out at classes for the kids- I have been known to have a nap in the car. Its not such a bad lifestyle anyway, having afternoon naps :) My dad is English and he and all his English relatives always had and still have naps, so it seems to be a family tradition. Its a nice time to curl up with a book, too. Indeed. I can't help but wonder why our society that has determined that we should be going strong from x to y, except for economic purposes. I don't understand the obsession and the implication that, if you have energy swells and troughs, it is abnormal and clearly something you've done wrong. Everyone I know has a definite energy rhythm during the day. Even dogs, as a species, have an observable energy rhythm. Do not even get me started on all the "techniques" to employ so you can live on less sleep. Ugh! It's not uncommon for other cultures to break up the business day to accommodate that lull. We, being fortunate to not be governed by the time clock, can simply plan according to our natural rhythm. As Peela alluded to, our schedule is built around doing focused, technical activities in the morning, when we are most alert. We reserve quiet reading activities for the mid-afternoon, after a quiet rest period. In late afternoon / early evening, we have another energy rise, and use that time for other things. That seems, in my experience, to be the "normal" way of things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runninmommy Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 Indeed. I can't help but wonder why our society that has determined that we should be going strong from x to y, except for economic purposes. I don't understand the obsession and the implication that, if you have energy swells and troughs, it is abnormal and clearly something you've done wrong. Everyone I know has a definite energy rhythm during the day. Even dogs, as a species, have an observable energy rhythm. Do not even get me started on all the "techniques" to employ so you can live on less sleep. Ugh! It's not uncommon for other cultures to break up the business day to accommodate that lull. We, being fortunate to not be governed by the time clock, can simply plan according to our natural rhythm. As Peela alluded to, our schedule is built around doing focused, technical activities in the morning, when we are most alert. We reserve quiet reading activities for the mid-afternoon, after a quiet rest period. In late afternoon / early evening, we have another energy rise, and use that time for other things. That seems, in my experience, to be the "normal" way of things. I agree with your train of thought. It is easy to feel like we should be on the go at all times w/o rest. I think that each person should know their own body and what is "normal" for them. If you have always needed a nap since as far as you can remember, then that is what you should continue to do. That is "your" normal. If one tries to change their normal rhythm, it can be detrimental or counter productive. I took the OP to mean that her afternoon crash was not her normal, and that she was trying to figure out why she is crashing and what she can do to have more energy. I use to crash a lot in the afternoon but it was because I was not drinking enough water, eating the right foods or getting a good nights rest. Stress contributed a lot as well. I slowly changed each of my habits and now have tons more energy and no longer have the afternoon lethargy. Hopefully the OP can figure out what works best for *her*. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macrina Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 I am not a fan of a CARB FREE diet, but I am all about limiting carbs- all kinds. I stay carb-free until dinner and I found 2 things I had a lot more energy and felt a lot more full (meaning I ate less) all day. Also I stopped all caffinne intake and felt a lot more energized throughout the whole day becuase I wasn't on a dip and surge energy cycle from caffine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kanga Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 Please be careful with this. I'm not sure of the dose you are taking but too much fish oil can cause liver damage. Most fish oil comes in 1000mg doses. You should only have one (1000mg) every other day. My understanding is that it is cod liver oil that can be bad for your liver because it contains vitamins A & D (which can be bad for your liver in large quantities). The studies I have read have stated that fish oil is beneficial to your liver. I take fish oil to raise my good cholesterol, but found that a side benefit is that I have more energy (and my skin looks great!). I am following the serving size and directions on the bottle with my doctor's knowledge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runninmommy Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 You are right, no one should take Cod liver oil because of the high vitamin A, headaches, dry skin etc.. I am glad to see you are under your doc.'s supervision. A lot of people just take suppliments w/o researching them and it can have a lot of negative side effects. Generally, one should avoid all oil from any fish liver, not just cod. Oil that is derived from the flesh of the fish does not contain vitamin A and is the healthiest. My problem is that many companies don't list where they extract the oil from so it can be diffictult to know *for sure* where they are getting it from. Of course, you run that risk with any suppliment..but I digress. I do agree that staying under a doctors care, even with suppliments is the wisest route to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ohio12 Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 Lots of water throughout the day. A high potency multivitamen. And after lunch I read with the girls and then send them to their rooms and sleep for an hour! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peela Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 You are right, no one should take Cod liver oil because of the high vitamin A, headaches, dry skin etc.. I am glad to see you are under your doc.'s supervision. A lot of people just take suppliments w/o researching them and it can have a lot of negative side effects. Generally, one should avoid all oil from any fish liver, not just cod. Oil that is derived from the flesh of the fish does not contain vitamin A and is the healthiest. My problem is that many companies don't list where they extract the oil from so it can be diffictult to know *for sure* where they are getting it from. Of course, you run that risk with any suppliment..but I digress. I do agree that staying under a doctors care, even with suppliments is the wisest route to go. You sound so certain, yet it is a controversial issue and many traditional cultures have consumed cod liver oil for a long time, to their own benefit. I prefer to keep my mind open AND do my own research, and not jump on every scientific study that comes through as the absolute truth. My experience is most doctors do not have the time or inclination to keep up with the research on supplements, and nor do I have much confidence in them generally. Giving up responsibility for your own health to doctors is a sure path to sickness. Taking responsibility for your own health, educating yourself and using a doctor for their areas of expertise, is a responsible and healthy path. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valerie in Chicago Posted January 29, 2009 Author Share Posted January 29, 2009 Wow! I haven't been able to get back to follow up on this post for a few days, and am delighted with all of the helpful input! I'll try to work more protein into the diet, esp in the a.m. Right now, I'm gulping down a gigantic mug of strong black tea and a bowl of cereal. I'll try to work some protein into that -- a yogurt, hard-boiled egg, etc. And I'm probably finally at the age where I need to back off of the sugar some. Finally, I love the idea of pacing the day. I remember when I was in the corporate world, how I was geared up to get things done in the a.m., but in a totally different mode in the afternoon. I see that rhythm in DD1 too. We usually do "nap/quiet time" after lunch, so that DD2 can get a nap and we can all get a break from each other. I'm hoping that adding a bit more protein to lunch will help make that less of a "screeching hault for Mommy time." Thanks SO MUCH for your help, everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.