energy

Question
Hi, thanks so much for your help!

Ok, I swim about 6 days a week. Each practice is about 1 hr. 30 min. I抣l run a lot on weekends. I抦 5??about 125 lbs. I抳e been trying to get back down to 115-120. I抳e been trying to eat smaller portions this week. I don抰 know if that抯 what抯 getting me, or if it抯 just been a really busy week, but when I swam this week, I had absolutely no energy. It was like I had never swam before- even the coaches noticed. I抦 not starving myself or anything, I抦 just eating smaller portions (no less than ?of my regular portions.) My question is, do you think that by decreasing my intake of food, my activity and energy level have dropped with it? If so, do you have any tips or ideas of what foods/kinds of foods have great long-lasting energy without the extra fat, sugar, or calories (I抳e heard things high in fiber keep you with lasting energy.) P.S. I know from past experience that this may be a healthy weight, but I need to lose some for swimming- the weight is pulling me down. Thanks so much!


Answer
Hi Melanie,
Your energy loss this week is definitely related to the decreased food portions!   Sounds like you decreased a little too much, too soon!   Try going back to what you were doing before, and cut 2 meals in half, while keeping all the others the same.   For example, if you eat a total of 5 meals, 3 of them should be the same amt, and cut your last 2 meals of the day in half.  That way, you keep your energy levels up when you need it (especially when you swim), and then in the evening, if you are a little low energy, it won't matter as much, because it is time to wind down for bed soon anyway, and it might help you sleep better.   However, I wouldn't recommend cutting the first 3 meals or you will drag all day (as you have found out).  Another good recommendation is that for your last meal of the day, eliminate any carbs....just stick with veggies and lean protein (ie chicken breast or lean beef strips 4 oz).  If you do this, you should notice your weight drop, and tightening up.    And don't focus so much on the actual lbs on the scale.   Focus on how lean you get, and how much fat your body will shed, so that you are a lean, mean, muscled machine!     www.bodybuilding.com will give you some great exercises that you may want to supplement your swimming with.  I would recommend 2-3 sessions in the gym per week, 30-40 minutes per session.    This will greatly accelerate fat loss, and will help you to improve your swim time.
Good luck Melanie  

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