I started a kickboxing workout about 7 weeks ago. At the same time, I quit drinking carbonated drinks, smoking, and eating fatty foods. Basically, I changed my life and eating habits completely. I adjusted well. I wasn't experiencing mood swings and after a couple of weeks, I did feel better. My problem is that even after 6-7 hours of sleep, I still feel sleepy during certain times of the day. I just recently started taking multivitamins that contain extra iron. I'm hoping this will solve the problem. Has anyone experienced this or do you have a solution besides multivitamins? Thanks for your help!

Wow! Good work on the big change. I am all for 'just doing it', to many people talk a good plan and then pu$$y out or go half hearted. Congrats on having the guts to grab your life by the scruff of the neck

With your enthusiasm, be sure that you dont starve yourself in the process. Fatty foods are very energy rich, and so dropping them and increasing your activity level may have left you 'running on empty'. No matter if you are trying to lose fat or not as part of your plan, increase your portions of carbohydrates (rice, potatoes, pasta, cereals) and see if your energy levels increase with it.

That may be the problem. This is the first time I have actually tried watching what I eat. So I'm still learning on what to eat and what not to eat. Turning 30 I decided I needed a change. I'm just glad I found kickboxing. Without that, I wouldn't have the motivation to do all of this. Thanks for your help and support!

Holy crap! Nice job, Helen. Nothing half-assed about what you're doing. You may also want to try experimenting with getting a bit more sleep (7-8 hours), since your activity level is (I assume) much higher than what it used to be.

Good luck.

A lot higher.....I used to be a pro couch potato. I just joined a school that I know will work my a$$ off, so maybe the earlier bedtime won't be hard to do. Starting classes next week. Wish me luck and thanks again for the support!!!

Way to go Helen. If I could suggest, try eating 5-6 meals a day if you are not already. These are not big meals, just what you require to operate during the day but split up into these smaller increments so that you have energy throughout the day. This way your body will only have the energy you give it to burn instead of storing the excess food (i.e. fat). Plus smaller meals do not require as much blood to be diverted from the brain and other parts of your body to digest your food. The more food you eat the more blood is diverted and why you may feel tired. Think of Christmas or Thanksgiving.

I run into this same problem from time to time especially in the later afternoon. When I eat like this I found that I had energy to keep going where as when I was tired I would eat my lunch and then have nothing until supper. Also make sure you get up from what you are doing and move around and get your body working. Staying in one spot too long can drain you, this I know as I work at a desk.

Make sure you don't take on too much at one time and set small goals for yourself; SMART Goals.

S = Specific
M = Measurable
A = Attainable
R = Realistic
T = Timely

By reaching these you will get a sense of accomplishment working towards a larger goal. Reward yourself so that it feels good; you decide the reward. Good for you again and take care.

Congrats Helen! Im doing the same thing my self! Drastically changing my diet and trying to not be so much of a bum. Though instead of kick boxing im going to the gym and taking Iaido, I plan on another form as well when money permits me to.

I was actually about to ask the same question when I stumbled on this thread. Good advice you guys!

I already do the 5-6 meals a day thing. Thanks for suggesting that! Do you mind me asking what your typical meals are? Maybe thats where I am lacking. I usually bring to work two bottles of tea sweetened with Splenda, bag of pretzels, sandwich or leftover dinner, piece of fruit, and a 100-calorie pack sweet treat. For dinner, I usually splurge just a little and eat something that is somewhat bad, but not real bad (no fried stuff). I know this is probably no where near what I person training to fight should eat, but it is helping me lose weight (need to lose 12 more lbs, already lost 10). Maybe if I know the proper things to eat for a person with my activity level, I won't be tired. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. It has already been suggested that I increase my rice, potato, pasta, and cereal intake. I am definitely going to do that! Any other suggestions or changes that I need to make? Thanks again for everyone's help!

Congrats to you too, Dave! I wish you the best of luck. It's a long and hard road to where we both want to be, but once we get there, it's very rewarding!

I'm off track right now and working to get back on track, was lazy, but this is typical of what I usually ate:

Wake up in morning around 6:50 AM

Breakfast (at home); 7:30 AM: 1 bowl of cereal, glass of orange juice, glass of milk

Morning Break; 10:00 AM: 1 cereal bar, 1 apple

Lunch; 12:00 PM: 1 sandwich (meat, lettuce, tomato, etc), 1 apple or orange, 1 juice box

Afternoon Break; 2:30 PM: 1 sandwich (meat, lettuce, tomato, etc), 1 apple

Supper; 5:30 PM: Meat (chicken, steak or porkchops), vegetable, potatoes or pasta, glass of milk

Weight lift or doing martial arts training

Night Snack; approx. 9:00 PM: Protein shake or a shake I would make myself consisting of ice, orange juice, milk, banana, strawberries and yogurt

Go to bed around 12:00-2:00 AM


This was typical of what I would eat. Not perfect but worked for me. I could get away with a good sized supper due to my weight lifting or martial arts training. I would never over eat for the most part. I also should point out that throughout the day at work I carry around a 1.5 Litre insulated water bottle that I drink 1-2 a day of. And I have to come clean, I like to snack so many times when coming home after work and/or after working out/MA training, I would cheat and eat something sweet, preferably chocolate. If I did not exercise as much I'm sure I would be overweight.