Being tired all the time....

[SmileLady]

This is work related. Up until about 6 months ago I used to work as a team manager. I worked from home about 3 days a week and then travelled into central London on the other two. I've just started in a school.

I've found that I am so tired. All the time. I get up at 6. Leave by 7am, I'm at work by 7.45 and I leave about 5ish. I get home about 6. I actually live very close to the school I work on but due to horrendous long term roadworks a 3 mile journey is taking up to an hour.

When I get home I have the kids and dinner and I'm literally asleep on the sofa with no dinner, haven't had a shower at 9pm..... I also wall up to 20k steps a day and my legs ache so much.

Is there anyone else who has a similar job (it's my first time working in a school and I'm.actually loving the work) about how I can get my energy levels up???

Thanks in advance.

Get some vitamin B complex vitamins.
Look at your diet. Prioritise protein.
What are you wearing on your feet? Get some shoes with a good thick sole and very slight heel, and put gel insoles in. Go for comfort over look.

Thanks for your response. I have some sketchers and croc style sandals. Which are good. Vitamin D is a good shout.

I've been on a calorie deficit too. I've been trying to lose weight as I was very fat. I've lost 20 kilos and have the same left to lose.

Good morning. Maybe not practical but could you cycle to get down the commute at all? It does all sound tiring. Working in a school itself is tiring, especially all the noise. Well done on the weight loss, that's brilliant x

I've not had a similar job, so take any suggestions with a heap of salt.

If the roadworks are bad, could you cycle (or perhaps later on, walk) to the school (perhaps start one or two days a week and build up)? It could also lower stress levels as when you set out walking or cycling to a place, you can usually predict with really good accuracy when you will arrive. Speeding up your morning commute could give you the opportunity to get 20-30 mins more sleep in the morning. You'd also be outside in the morning and exposure to daylight at this time of day will help regulate your body clock and perhaps help a little.

Could you consider reducing your calorie deficit a little (i.e. eat a bit more)? If you're doing 20k steps a day (possibly plus walking / cycling to the school in future), that's a good level of activity. You might be able to increase your nutrition and still find your weight coming down, in addition to getting all the other benefits of being active.

Are you able to eat at times that work for you - I wasn't clear whether you're giving the kids dinner but not eating with them? Could you take something nutritious to work with you to have before you come home, to fuel your second shift at home with the kids?

Could you also get your bloods checked? It's easy and common for iron and/or vit D levels to fall over time and without an particular change being noticeable, but leaving people feeling really sluggish.

It sounds like you're already doing good things for your overall health (and great to have a job you're enjoying), hopefully some small adjustments can make a decent impact in how you're feeling.

It will take time for your fitness levels to reach a point where that level of activity is comfortable, but you should eat in a way where you're fueling your body appropriately for that activity.

If you are able to walk the 3 miles there and back the weight would fall off and your fitness and energy levels would quickly increase. It would also mean you don't need to then build in any other exercise into your week.
However that might not be practical if you have to be home at a certain time for the kids.

I second a multi vitamin, a good diet and stay hydrated.

1. You'll get used to it!
2. eat a bit more
3. good job on you're weight loss

If you are walking a lot in your new job, your calorie deficit diet may mean you are now massively getting fewer calories than you need.

Thank you all so much for your messages.

I would love to walk/cycle but I have two of my children with me. Part of the reason for changing jobs is one got a sports scholarship to the school and I also managed to get the other one a place.

Secondly due to the massive infrastructure works the pavement and cycle lanes are not existent anymore and their is no other route. My road literally exits straight onto gridlocked traffic. There is no other way out.

Thirdly I am a very sweaty mess. I am no Prince Andrew. The slightest bit of exertion has me soaking wet. So I can image the state I would be if I cycled!!

I am going to look at vitamin supplements etc. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment.

Im a nurse, and before I had my children, I used to work 2 weeks of 3 shifts, then 2 weeks of 4 shifts. The 4 shifts were usually back to back but sometimes split. I would leave the house at 5:30, get to work at 6:30, start at 7am and meant to finish at 7:15pm but was usually around 7:45 before I got to leave the ward to get changed and walk to car. I'd then have an hours commute home. I used to get home around 8:15 p.m., then basically just shower and then sleep.

I never ever got used to it. I was utterly exhausted all the time. My days off were spent recovering, catching up on housework and meal prepping before going and doing it all again. I only do 1 shift a week at the moment as my children are young but it's enough.

Is there any way you can prep meals on your days at home so you don't have to cook dinner for your children when you get home? It does make a big difference when you just need to heat something up. I also don't ever sit down in the evening until I have done everything as I won't get back up again 😂

@SmileLady

i am no Prince Andrew 🤣🤣🤣

I worked in schools for a decade, the first week back I was always exhausted you soon get back in the swing of things

You need to meal prep at the weekends if you aren't eating, or have a hot meal at school although the easiest option would be to eat with your DC. Overnight oats you can grab and eat when you get in, the children can eat as you drive saving you some time.

On a Monday basically take yourself a fruit bowl in so bananas, apples and pears to grab on the go to make sure you keep energy levels up without resorting to rubbish. Make sure you have a water bottle to make sure your are drinking enough and not just guzzling coffee

Good shoes for walking and replace them as and when needed

I don’t know if anyone else has said, but I found a huge difference after I started taking magnesium. I feel so much better.

Magnesium is a good shout. I did use to take it but totally forgot!I will also start to prepare meals. I think wfh before I would start the dinner about 4ish and have it cooking in the background as I finished work. But I definelty need to change. I will look at my calorie intake as well. I just don't want to put the weight back on!!!

Prince Andrew 😂 you sound like a hoot OP. Hope things get better for you x