To think some people simply have more energy than others

[Unsureaboutitall]

And that there isn’t much one can do to be the same.
I have always been naturally quite lazy, even thought I get on with things like full time work, parenting, try to carve time to be active (failing currently but have been a regular gym goer for years pre DC) etc. But my default is to try and do as little as I can, I love my sofa and love sleeping, would always choose a lie in over anything else. I know some people who have 3 DC (absolute nightmare for me as I feel full on with just 1!), demanding jobs and yet have time to run marathons, be super fit, bike everywhere etc. they just seem to naturally have morw energy and enjoy leading busier lives.

AIBU to think thay you either are like that or you are not? There is no amount of healthy eating and supplements that will get me that level of energy

Tend to agree, and I'm quite jealous of naturally energetic people

Yes I think so, although I think things like mindset/upbringing may come into it. I’ve always been an early riser, routine disciplined kind of person pretty much as you describe in your op, but I think I’m like that because my mum was and that’s how I grew up.

I agree with you. Obviously those who are sporty will have more energy because the sport is very good for them, but there are also naturally sporty and un-sporty people imo.
Yes, also there are some like stargirl who were probably told growing up that resting is bad and that they should always be active and others are active all the time because they're quite anxious people and can't sit still alone with their thoughts. I think quite a few of those super active people really struggle underneath it all.

My boyfriend is one and he wears me out. I can’t keep up.

Interesting that you say that as I think that of a colleague of mine. She has 2 small DC with autism, a difficult situation with her parents having bad mental health and other ongoing things but yet she struggles to switch off or relax, for example she hates having her hair cut as gets bored. I often wonder if it’s a self defence thing more than anything!

You're making an assumption that people who do things, find the doing of those things naturally easy. For example, if you know someone who runs, your assumption is that they are just naturally more energetic than you. That may be true, but it may also be accurate that once people make themselves do activities that this sparks the urge and ability to do more activity.

Yes I do think that upbringing makes a bit difference too

I think most people have the energy and motivation for the things that suit them.

I do agree and have also struggled with low energy and fatigue since teen years pretty much, but I do find exercising is also the best thing to energise me. Even if I do need a nap afterwards.
Without exercising and fresh air I feel super lethargic without much respite. At least when I go for a run i feel quite spritely for a little while!

What I think is that some people deliberately choose to get into high demanding careers and then have 3 children and then take on lots of activities and sports etc as partnof their daily life. These are all choices people make, and most of the ones I know seem to just get on with things whereas I struggle with just 1 DC, a normal professional job and barely doing any sport!

I totally agree. One of my friends is forever socialising & works 3 different (part time) jobs. Kids are older now, but when they were younger she was getting them to every club going. I think sometimes even her own kids couldn’t keep up.

I do feel like my energy levels are low, but I did have chemotherapy a few years back & they have never fully recovered after.

I think this is true. I'm an active and motivated person but there are at least 2 people in my life that are always on the go, they barely sit down and always have energy to do things - even things they don't want to do. They love it and it gives them even more energy. These aren't ppl that are working out of necessity. Both are retired, but they're naturally energetic.

Meanwhile my energy is sort of up and down, but I need lots of rest, both short periods of rest and longer periods.

We are the sort of family you describe but it's not really through choice so many things sort of got added by accident. The middle child has ADHD so need the stimulation of sports. The eldest is so enthusiastic about life that he feels is days with all that I treat him.

I am constantly exhausted. I go to be early and wake up early. Oh and the house is very very messy.

I agree OP, I’m not a person who is bouncing up at 6am for exercise, nor even a person who can force themselves up! I have a condition that can cause fatigue but I was like that before. I had to take steroids at one time, and I had so much more energy and motivation! I realised that’s probably how many people feel all the time. Although I’ve had to have several more courses of steroids over the years I’ve never got that energetic feeling again.

I understand. There's still an assumption there that these 'choices' are all definite direct associations with innate levels of energy. You might be right, but there may be other reasons some people are more active.

Yes, but there are people who don't do any actual sports, but still rush about everywhere. They've just been naturally active since early childhood.

I totally agree. I think it's like being introvert/extrovert; it's just what you're like and you can't really change it. Some people are heigh energy and some people are low energy. Both are fine.

I am quite high energy and it doesn't come from my upbringing, my parents certainly know how to relax!

I am 47 now and do sit round more than i did when young but I honestly don't find things very tiring. I hear someone say they had a long day and are tired and I just don't feel that way at all and i never have. (Obviously I don't say it!)

I wake up early, am naturally organised and easily bored so it may come in to it but I don't seem to get particularly tired no matter what I do.

I'm non-stop, always have been. I think it's part of my ADHD. I work full time in a full on profession where long hours are the norm, kids, pets, gym, charity trustee, involved in the PTA, cook everything from scratch.

I hate sitting in front of the TV, it feels like a waste of time. The only time I sit down is at my desk or to eat. Otherwise I'm on the go from the moment I get up to the moment I go to bed.

"The only time I sit down is at my desk or to eat. Otherwise I'm on the go from the moment I get up to the moment I go to bed."

I feel tired just reading that.

How fit are you OP? My partner puts off going up and down the stairs, on the surface lazy, but hes so unfit he's out of breath going up the stairs. The lack of fitness doesn't help at all.

People absolutely have different amounts of energy; however, I ma not doing CrossFit because I have extra energy (I'm actually pretty knackered most of the time). I do it because I have fun doing it. I still have to kick my backside to leave the house to go to the gym and I have zero motivation most days. But I do it anyway because I enjoy it while I'm there.
You can't pay me enough to run. Seriously, not even a million quid will make me run a marathon.

Well of course YANBU. And obviously an individual can vary in their energy levels at different stages of their life, health issues etc.

I am quite like how you describe but a few years ago I did Couch to 5K and I now exercise regularly. I find it gives me more energy, strangely. I never thought I’d be someone who runs 3-4 times a week and does a couple of gym classes. But I am now. I work full-time and have two primary aged children too. I find I have plenty of energy for exercise, family, work but I need to go to sleep at 10 every night!

I am intrigued by those who have massive social batteries for evening events. I like going for a meal with a friend, popping to the pub with some school mums, going to the cinema or theatre, etc. but once every 3 weeks or so is plenty for me. I’ve got one friend who is always out at a gig and she looks like she’s having so much fun but I always think it must be totally exhausting.

I do think we all have different energy levels though. My husband needs far less sleep than I do to function well.

YANBU at all. Absolutely everything about people varies between us. I'm a low energy, low maintenance, introverted person who would like to sleep 12 hours every night. I know people who are the polar opposite and neither of us could make ourselves be like the other. My work colleague never seems to stop, she sees time as something to fill, that's just how she is - always on the go. Society definitely values that 'go' more but there's no need for people who aren't like that to try to live up to it.