A while back, I wrote this post on natural ways to increase energy, and I have an update - something I didn’t mention in my previous post but it has been huge for my energy levels lately.
With the holidays quickly approaching, I need to make my baby’s nap time more productive than ever (as that’s typically the time when I can get anything done!). I recently tried going keto, and that diet totally zapped all of my energy and I couldn’t muster up the stamina to get anything done during nap time. But I have recently made a change that has completely skyrocketed my energy levels to the point where I am checking tasks off my to-do list in record timing. What did I do?
Eat More.
Yup. It’s that simple. According to this TDEE calculator, a person of my age, body weight, and exercise level can eat about 2,000 calories a day without gaining weight. That seemed like a lot for me as I typically eat less than that to try to stay trim, however, I always feel like I need more energy to keep up with the demands of my busy life (I’m a work-from-home mother of 3, I do all of my own cleaning and cooking, I manage this blog, etc., etc., etc.).
The trick was I increased my calories (and carbs) very slowly over a couple of weeks to get to this level, and doing so prevented me from gaining any weight back.
Now, despite and having very busy days I have to say I feel like I have more energy than ever to tackle everything I need to get done. I’m sleeping great and able to get up early to do my morning cleaning routine with no problems.
Why didn’t I try this a long time ago?
Anyway, I’m sure a time will come when I want to trim up and lose a couple of pounds again, I just have to expect that when I’m working with a calorie deficit, I will not have nearly the energy I have when my body is getting the amount of fuel it requires for my day-to-day activities. That’s why I always fell that a one week detox is a good strategy for weight loss and management. You lose a little weight with your detox, and then you slowly increase your carbs and calories back to your normal level and build your metabolism back up again so that your next detox is just as effective. I can’t deal with the lower energy I have during detox time for more than a week anyway.
So, if you’re a busy mom like me (or just a busy person!) and need more energy in your day, check your regular TDEE allowance for daily calorie consumption, and then eat it! If you are significantly below that number, try slowly adding your calories back in as this was very important to not actually put on weight.
Also, you can check out this post I wrote earlier this year on other ideas to naturally increase energy levels.
Finally, please don't pound coffee to boost energy. I did that and healed myself from my caffeine addiction. I'll never go back! More on that here.
Namaste.