Is this what working in your 40s like or am I just a fatty?

[Frequency]

Obviously, I've worked before but from home for the last 6 years. My work routine was to get up 5 minutes before I started work, stumble to my desk, and then make a coffee and make myself vaguely presentable after handing over from the last shift. The only walking involved was to the kettle and back.

Now I am working outside the home, my day involves getting up at 5 am to shower, style my hair and make my lunch, walking to the bus stop, walking from the bus stop to the next bus stop, and walking from that bus stop to my workplace.

Once I get to work I walk from job to job around the estate as issues are reported, sometimes carrying equipment, up and down millions of flights of stairs, and then I repeat the bus trip home, usually getting home at 8 pm. By the time I've walked the dog, I am usually too tired to eat dinner and just drag myself to bed.

I've gotten up today to sort the garden, clean the kitchen, spend time with the dog and catch up on all the college work I should have done during the week but I ache. Everything aches. My knees ache, my thighs ache, my elbows and shoulders ache, my feet and ankles and back hurt and all I wanna do is curl up in front of Netflix with a bottle of wine and then go back to bed.

Is this what life is now? Do I live in a constant state of exhaustion and pain or will my body get used to my new job and adjust?

I’m a LOT less physically tired since I lost a lot of weight amd now have a healthy bmi

well, it sounds like a long day. I also get up at 5 am but am normally home by 6pm

Are you peri menopausal?

I'm not sure. My periods are still regular but I do get a lot more tired just before they start.

Could be that your body needs to get used to being more active on a daily basis or could be a deficiency in something? I suffer with severe anaemia, symptoms just like you describe. Or as a PP said, could be peri?

You will probably take 2-3 months to adjust to an increase in activity. It's equivalent to if you started going to the gym. You will benefit from it in the long run but make sure you are getting enough sleep along with the exercise.

I mean it does sound like a long day. Up at 5 and then it sounds like mostly on your feet all day, up and down many flights of stairs? Not surprised you're whacked by the end of the day.

Are you overweight? If so, getting into the healthy weight range would take a lot of strain off your joints.

I'm nearly 40 I go to the gym 3 times a week, work full time out of the house and have a 5 year old, I'm not too tired to eat and going to bed at 8pm. So I don't think it's just what being 40ish is like. It sounds like you might've been very sedentary for a long time and your body isn't used to being active

I am overweight. I'm a size 22 (we have no scales in the house) but I'm guessing being too exhausted to eat as well as all the walking will soon resolve that issue.

oh maybe take a Vit D supplement. A Vit D deficiency can sometimes be the reason for achiness.

There’s no way of saying this without being rude but lugging that weight around will be exhausting!

It isn’t about being 40.

I think this is your answer - but it's great that you now have a job that incorporates lots of activity. Invest in comfortable supportive walking trainers/shoes and try to carry healthy snacks/packed lunch with you so you're not tempted by sugar when you feel tired. And remember to drink plenty of water, dehydration can also cause you to feel more tired.

It sounds like a tiring day. I found a previous job where I had a commute by public transport very tiring and I don’t think it helps because there’s a lot of waiting around. In my current job I am on my feet most of the day and am pretty tired when I get home, my weight has crept up and I don’t think that helps. When I weighed a couple of stone less my joints felt better and I had more energy, I’m trying to get back there.

If you're getting home at 8pm, only 9 hours before you have to get up the next morning, that is a long day! And having to take multiple buses is more tiring than being able to relax a bit on one longer bus.
Do you do this job 5 days a week?

I pack a lunch (wrap with salad, usually) and there is no-where really to get sweets from unless I bring them with me (which I don't) without going to the nearest shop which is yet more walking, that alone is enough to subdue any cravings for chocolate

I'm guessing I should do the garden then and not crawl back to bed with wine like I want to for the sake of my health?

I think you will adjust. You're gone from zero activity to being very active. That will be very healthy for you in the long run but might be a bit painful in the short term.

Can you wear trainers for all the walking about to cushion your knees? Make sure you are taking some multivitamins and drinking plenty of water.

I'm in my early 40s and I'm so tired too I often fall asleep about half 9 , I can't stay awake .I'm a currently sahm and I don't see how I would have the energy to work outside the home. I feel like my sleep is not restorative.

If you aren't having an evening meal , it is unlikely you aren't getting enough to eat to sustain yourself. Even beans on toast, or cereal and fruit is better than nothing.

You need to overhaul your day , as you seem to be doing more with less time. You don't have to do everything. .

@Frequency you should allow yourself to rest! This is new, it will take time to get used to it so yes I would allow yourself time to recover. No shame in resting.

Er, that sounds like a long, tiring day.

As you say you’re overweight OP and we’re largely sedentary before this, your aching and tiredness is perfectly normal. But you will adjust, and probably feel a lot healthier, energetic and stronger in the long run! I’d look at the new job as a win. Sounds like it’s provided a positive lifestyle change. You won’t feel this exhausted forever.

Were not we’re!

That’s a long day! Have you checked how many steps you’re averaging each day?

If you’ve gone from being inactive to doing a lot of walking every day, the weight should come off and that will definitely help you feel less exhausted.

I mean this politely but carrying the extra weight is always going to make this harder, it’s not just the change in activity levels.

its up to you if you are happy as is, or not.,but can say having been there, less weight really helps with fitness.

The person I've been shadowing says we do around 12,000 steps on average during the working day. This is without the walk to and from the bus stops and walking the dog.

I don't take my phone to jobs and that tracks around 8,000 - 10,000 steps a day, previously I would get around 6,000 steps a day from walking the dog.