If you’re early/mid 40s, how much energy do you have?

[Bubbinsmakesthree]

I’m slowly recovering from nearly a year of fatigue after having covid last March. I have completely forgotten now what ‘normal’ feels like. I think I have got an unrealistic expectation that when I’m better I will spring out of bed full of beans. I’m not sure I ever sprang out of bed

So if you’re in your early/mid 40s, particularly if you’re busy (full time work, family etc) with no serious health conditions - how much ‘oomph’ do you have? What does your normal feel like?

@Bubbinsmakesthree

Take your time, you will recover eventually. One thing I notice when I come out of a difficult time/illness is that I need to force myself into a physical activity to regain the same energy levels. The less I do the less my body reacts.

This is one of the frustrating things with this illness - doing too much triggers a set back. So it’s a bit of a catch-22 - I’m sure part of the reason I feel sluggish is inactivity, but activity can make me worse (i felt utterly dreadful for a week after attempting a very gentle jog last year, I’ve not risked it again since).

This is exactly what I've found too, I thought I needed to push myself a little in order to get things going again, but it has the opposite effect.

I don’t want to sound like some kind of health evangelist but honestly, for me, cutting out sugar is a complete game changer and the only thing that sorts out my energy levels. I’ve done this before and slipped back into bad habits but in January after months of overindulgence I felt so low I knew I had to get back on it.
I’m 5 weeks in and have gone from feeling borderline suicidal to feeling amazing and full of energy. Yes, I’m a bit fed up still of lockdown because nowhere to go etc but my head feels clear, I wake up with energy each morning and I just feel good. I’m also walking every day, trying to do 10,000 steps. For me it’s all about diet and exercise and the energy follows. Losing weight is great but it’s more about my mental health for me personally.

I’ve realised in your 40’s there’s no room for pissing about with diet etc you’ve got to be on it or you’ll feel crap.

I take soya isoflavones, they do seem to help with energy. I take a multivit with iron at night because iron needs an empty stomach.

Sorry you’re suffering as well @LaChatte - I’m lucky my baseline is basically ‘a bit bleurgh’ (with some better days and some worse days) but still, I’m fed up with ‘bleurgh’.

Early 40s, work FT and have 3 teenage DC at home.

Before the pandemic I had loads of energy. I was studying a PT MSc as well as working, was on loads of committees, swam 3-5 mornings per week before work.

But the last year has drained me. I haven't had Covid so it isn't illness, but WFH, dealing with the DC's disrupted schooling etc has just sapped my energy levels. I used to bounce out of bed at 6:30am, now I'll stay under the duvet as long as I can.

I don't think it's age and I'm hoping once things get back to normal my energy will come back. But right now I have much less energy than I used to.

Early 40s I was full of energy - commuting 2 hours, working all day with no break, swimming / looking after kids every week day and doing things round house. Then I became I mid 40s which lasted 9 months and got ME afterwards and very little energy, always breathless, coughing a lot, dizzy.

I am better with vitamin tablets containing iron and although I really struggle to exercise as I get dizzy and breathless if I can manage short bursts than helps. I've had lots of tests and last time was in hospital they said I had asthma as well as ME. But its quite depressing to have such a change and so quickly.

should say ill with infections constantly mid 40s

Loads when I've slept a normal amount.

Very little when my 7month old has kept me up all night...

Booze affects me more now too, though, so if I go over one drink a night that affects my energy levels too.

I'm 46, work 4 days a week and have three pre teen / teen DC. No problem getting out of bed in the morning and going for a run, so I guess my energy levels are ok. I do have more aches and pains than I used to though!

I am about to turn 42, work 4 days a week (cycle to work) (hospital ward so on my feet all day), have 3DC (7, 9, 11). I think I have the same level of energy now that I’ve had all my adult life. So, enough to get through the day and not feel tired/fatigued, and then by about 9pm, I crash and energy levels drop right down.

Covid aside (long Covid is very serious) I think some of it is down to 'training' your body and mind and you'll get a variety of answers on here.
I don't have kids so that probably gives me 50% more energy than a parent but I've become very sedentary working from home and a long walk or going to the office for a day knackers me now!
I used to get up at 5.45, train 4 mornings a week before work, then work a 47h week in the office. I felt I had more energy then as I was fit. Even though I'd basically collapse with exhaustion on a Sunday!

@Silkies that rings so many bells - sorry you are suffering, it sucks

I'm 42 and up until a few months ago I had terrible energy levels. Someone on mumsnet recommended liquid iron supplement in a thread about supplements so I though I'd give them a go and they have honestly changed my life. I've also taken up intermittent fasting and a lowish carb diet so that might have something to do with it too. But the contrast in how I felt and how I feel now is astonishing!

Thanks Bubbins Sorry you don't feel well either. It's really hard to get better, the one activity I can do without struggling to breathe is swimming though of course can't do that atm. But when I did that for a week last summer I could swim like before but other than that I'm out of breathe just walking 20 metres quite often. Which just incentives you not to move but that makes it worse.

loopy how did you cut out sugar? What do you eat now, if you don't mind me asking? I am desperate to be free from that stuff!

I've just turned 45. 2 teen DCs, work fulltime. Before Covid I was up at 5:45 in the week run before work once or twice otherwise at my desk for 7:30. Full days work then pick up DCs, cook dinner etc, sort homework etc. Finished for the day by 8-8:30. Once or twice I'd go to a PCC or works thing in the evening. In bed between 9-10. Weekends was longer run, supermarket, football match (DS) and meet up with friends or family once a month or so.

Should say plant based diet (with some fish) healthy BMI no alcohol in term time.

bingowingsmcgee

I suppose I’m kind of following the Atkins diet but only about 80%! I still have small amounts of pasta, rice and fruit but I’ve completely cut out cakes/biscuits etc and stopped having sugary drinks. I drink tea/coffee with a bit of milk and sugar free squash, cut out alcohol etc.
I do have a “cheat” day at the weekend where il have an Indian takeout and then something nice for dessert like gourmet popcorn or some low fat gelato.
It’s hard for the first couple of weeks but then the benefits kick in and I feel really good. I’m a bit of an all or nothing type anyway and luckily I’m not a big chocolate eater!

41, full time demanding job, top of my healthy weight range, mild asthma. Wake up okay, work okay, mid afternoon can be a challenge. Consistency is key. If I have a late night my focus is less. I need more sleep on my period. If I don't eat enough fibre or vegetables I feel really sluggish. I also take vitamin D, vitamin C and sometimes a B vitamin. Exercise e.g. a brisk walk also helps.

I watched a BBC programme about Immunity and it was really interesting. If you eat more fibre it increases a type of cell that wards off bacteria. They tested the theory with salmonella and the results were actually quite indisputable.

Thanks loopy

i'm in my 50's - but post covid definitely struggling!

I'm pushing myself to do more each day - but a couple of times recently I've been out for a walk, and it's been like a switch has been turned off; my legs suddenly don't want to work any more and my co-ordination goes a bit weird; I can feel myself veering across the pavement, rather than walking in a straight line. I'm sure people think I'm either drunk or in my 90's.

Probably about one day a week I need to stay in bed and sleep to catch up, or have a sleep late afternoon.

I’m 46 with two teen dds and work ft. I have recently ramped up my exercise regime notch and am suddenly feeling like I have way more energy. It coincides with not drinking during the week too. So I’m not sure which is the key here but I’m gonna try and stick with both! I actually feel like I haven’t had this much energy since before I was a parent 16 years ago.

And I had covid in December

46 here, not a morning person but full of beans once I get going. I’ve run 24k this week, as well as working three days.

I exercise every day, whether it’s running, yoga, a DVD in the bedroom or just walking my dogs for an hour, and in the spring and summer go open water swimming.

I wasn’t always like this. I was as unfit as you can get until I was about 42.

Hope you turn the corner soon.