[indigo1015]

I am exhausted all the time, to the point where breathing can be difficult. My body hurts a lot, especially my knees and my feet (I have major plantar fasciitis). I am obese and have Hashimoto’s and prediabetes. I’ve been eating fewer processed foods and more whole foods and produce. I don’t have a sweet tooth generally. I’ve been using the Mediterranean diet for most of my meals. The problem is, even eating healthy foods makes me tired.

I work in a pharmacy, so I’m on my feet nonstop and am constantly stressed out. I NEED to start exercising again. I’m trying to find an exercise plan that I can do before work that won’t absolutely wipe me out. I spent half the day deep cleaning my balcony a few weekends ago, and the rest of the day I was flat on my back. Swimming is basically the only exercise I like that won’t kill my joints, but I still worry I’ll be too exhausted to do anything after. It’s very worrying and frustrating, because I’ve tried a lot of different things (personal training, barre fitness, Zumba and other dance workouts, even just walking) and they’ve left me prostrated after. I am an eating disorders veteran, but frankly, I feel it’s less of a problem for me at this point in my life. I have developed enough self-knowledge, confidence, and healthy coping skills to be able to say I’m over the worst of it. However, I worry about my health at this point.

I really feel that, for health reasons, I should lose weight. But it’s discouraging to hit roadblocks with everything I try. I am fully aware there are no magic pills and I’m not looking for instant gratification (in case anyone wants to say either). But I’m running out of ideas on what to do. And I’m so tired that all I want to do is sleep. It’s really concerning to me. Does anyone have any thoughts or advice, or has anyone been in a similar situation?

[unaluna]

I feel trapped in the same cycle. I think that after we reach a certain level of unfitness, it is a slow journey back. The magazines etc say to increase time by no more than 10 pct a week. I tend to go for too long any given day because THAT VOICE is telling you to push yourself! It is hard to stop at 20 minutes of easy stationary cycling, for example. But 30 minutes is too much and will knock me out.

That and really watch the white carbs and get more protein. I am eating Ezekiel sandwiches of deli turkey and my blood sugar is MUCH improved, even tho i realize deli meat is not the best choice. Also, i am of the school of eating the same things til i am sick of them, then find something differentthat also works.

I have tried googling for info, like about the exercise, but find nothing. There is only info if you can ALREADY do planks and mountain-climbers. I cant even touch my toes.

[indigo1015]

Unaluna— yes!!! I am also someone who wants to push to the max in workouts, and then I crash after and don’t want to do them ever again. I wish there were more resources for people like us to gradually get us to a fitter state. Sort of like an ultra-beginner’s resource. After my class ends this week, I have decided I’m going to get back into swimming— I love it and it’s easy on my joints. I will admit to liking bread (like, the artisanal Italian loaves), which is probably not great for me, as you say.