Where do you get all your energy?

[blank_dave]

This may seem to be a similar thread as the sex drive one I started earlier, but this is aimed at the physically active members here, both male and female.

Some of you folks just seem to be wellsprings of energy, not just sexually, but physically and emotionally. I have to ask, where does it come from?

We all know CG is an avid cyclist and sex machine with Mrs CG, but he also has children and outside activities. He seems to be forever on the go. Then you have HOF. Sure his sexual exploits are approaching legendary. But if you look in my Wow thread, he mentions his work out routines, charity work, and somewhere in there there has to be a social life and a job.

I can't help but wonder where people like these two get their energy.

I know I've often mentioned my energy reserves, but it's more like a slow running river, always moving, never stopping but never fast. I can work 20 hours, not take a break or eat, sleep for a few hours and go back to work. But it doesn't seem to be that alive energy that these two exude.

Now, I'm using CG and HOF as examples, but where do you folks get not just all this energy, but such a over running sesty energy?

 

[HG Hunter]

I can't speak for others, but I know for myself, the busier I am the more enrgy I seem to have. When I have a less busy period, I tend to get lazy and that spirals quickly into a huge lack of energy.
The high energy seems to feed off being busy and vice versa.

 

[blackrock13]

I'm a firm believer in power nap. I'm a 24 hour person, work-wise and make sure to eat good food most of the time, junk or process foods maybe twice a month, and when you're tired take a nap. It only has to be a short on 30/45 minutes , never more than 90 minutes, and it doesn't have to be a deep sleep. I can't do what I use to do, but a 30 hour day once a month is ok, deadlines do happen, but it takes more time to recoup. Gone are 48 hour+ days. I can't do them anymore, and 2 or 3 days of 2 or 3 hours sleep make me really cranky, but I sleep when I can and work when I must. Power naps, man try it.

 

[ang]

I notice if I sleep in I have less energy than I do getting up between 5-6, I seem to do alot less dragging myself around

 

[needinit]

I find a balance between busy and feeling overwhelmed is ideal for me - if i have too much time on my hands, I tend to waste it, get lazy and not get much done. When I have things to do and either a real deadline (such as a meeting at work to get information ready by) or nice weather so I can do a planned activity outside, then I get on with things and do them.

My real trouble comes when I have too much on my plate and I then struggle to get any one item done - this is the real work: identifying what is important to do and what is not, along with making some of the important things also those you enjoy.

As a simple example, I might want to watch a game on TV but also have dishes to wash, dinner to cook, laundry and ironing to do that night - I would do the dishes and a load of washing at the same time (perhaps just getting take-out for the family, instead of cooking dinner), then do ironing while watching the game!

From a work point of view - as I work on contract 3 days a week and for myself the rest of the time, I must balance the 'value' of tasks - this is a skill as a contractor/consultant to identify at what point you are no longer making a profit on a task. This is also a balance between expectations (those of my employer are different than those for my own business). For example, I often write up a Scope of Work document for my employer when we discuss activities - I spend a lot of time on this (non-billable work) to ensure that the work I do for them (that is paid) is correct. It also forces them to ensure they know what they are asking for and avoids disputes over payment (I learned that many years ago, the hard way!)

A sense of having achieved something each day is also a way of motivating yourself.

The way you describe yourself though is still that of an 'energetic' person - the steady approach works well for people too (the hare and the tortoise fable) - there is a difference between energetic and frazzled /ADD type energy too (which is often not productive energy).

I also find that doing things for others brings satisfaction - even simple things like listening to my 9 year old read for 30 minutes gives me energy to get other less satisfying tasks done!

 

[red]

This may seem to be a similar thread as the sex drive one I started earlier, but this is aimed at the physically active members here, both male and female.

Some of you folks just seem to be wellsprings of energy, not just sexually, but physically and emotionally. I have to ask, where does it come from?

We all know CG is an avid cyclist and sex machine with Mrs CG, but he also has children and outside activities. He seems to be forever on the go. Then you have HOF. Sure his sexual exploits are approaching legendary. But if you look in my Wow thread, he mentions his work out routines, charity work, and somewhere in there there has to be a social life and a job.

I can't help but wonder where people like these two get their energy.

I know I've often mentioned my energy reserves, but it's more like a slow running river, always moving, never stopping but never fast. I can work 20 hours, not take a break or eat, sleep for a few hours and go back to work. But it doesn't seem to be that alive energy that these two exude.

Now, I'm using CG and HOF as examples, but where do you folks get not just all this energy, but such a over running sesty energy?

by the power of grayskull!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Cycleguy007]

Wow... CG07 gets a mention in a thread about energy?

I guess being 170 lbs soaking wet has something to do with it. I do get up early... usually between 5:30- 5:45 every day... so when I crash, I crash FAST!

I work out every day after work and whenever time permits on weekends.

Diet also has a lot to do with it I'm sure. I rarely eat anything processed. Cook fresh almost all the time... and eat lots of fruits and veggies, lots of proteins and high fiber foods. Natural is always best!

Aside from that, I guess I am just a high energy kinda guy.

 

[blank_dave]

Wow... CG07 gets a mention in a thread about energy?

I guess being 170 lbs soaking wet has something to do with it. I do get up early... usually between 5:30- 5:45 every day... so when I crash, I crash FAST!

Well my usual work day starts with me getting up at 4:30, and I'm usually up until midnight...

I work out every day after work and whenever time permits on weekends.

Right now I just either do my walks and I have taken up swimming. Haven't swam in about 26 years though. Was pleased last night, actually did a whole lap uninterupted..Something I couldn't do when I used to swim.

Diet also has a lot to do with it I'm sure. I rarely eat anything processed. Cook fresh almost all the time... and eat lots of fruits and veggies, lots of proteins and high fiber foods. Natural is always best!

Yeah, my diet needs some serious work...And looks like it consists of wing and fries tonight.

 

[blackrock13]

BD;

You're answering your own question.

Wing, fries, 4 hours sleep, and one lap of the pool. It's time to focus. That all, that's it, there ain't much more.

 

[Insidious Von]

One way to improve your level of energy is to never skip breakfast.

Like you I'm up at 4:30am as well, a may start my day with a cup of coffee but I ALWAYS pack a breakfast. When 9.00am rolls around I make time for breakfast regardless of how busy I may be. Today I had a tub of oatmeal with dried cranberries and shredded coconut that I re-heated in the microwave. I've also done some research into the best energy foods:

Best energy snack: A Granny Smith apple

Best energy drink: A shot of wheatgrass

I agree with blackrock13 focus on nutrition and rest, and the stamina will come.

One more item for your consideration Blank Dave, I work outdoors.

 

[GDLLover]

I find that in my work situation, being forced to multi-task constantly with angry people around me vying for my time and problem solving skills keeps me going, I also don't get much sleep approx. 2-6 hours give a some refreshment but not too long that I become lazy. Being physically active in a job is important also because you don't think about the excercise and keeps you going.

 

[blank_dave]

Wing, fries, 4 hours sleep, and one lap of the pool. It's time to focus. That all, that's it, there ain't much more.

Well given I couldn't even do a length this time last week, I'm happy I can do a full lap. Now, it's not I'm doing one length or lap and I'm done. I'm there for usually 45 minutes, but it was swim, break/breath, swim, break/breathe, etc. So going from doing maybe 2/3s of a length to a full lap makes me happy...You have to start somewhere.

As for sleep....Well I get it when I can.

One way to improve your level of energy is to never skip breakfast.

Like you I'm up at 4:30am as well, a may start my day with a cup of coffee but I ALWAYS pack a breakfast. When 9.00am rolls around I make time for breakfast regardless of how busy I may be. Today I had a tub of oatmeal with dried cranberries and shredded coconut that I re-heated in the microwave.

*shudder* Coconut. My breakfast is usually around 5:30 and is a bowl of cereal and a small glass of juice. Usually by 9 the munchies have returned, so I'll raid the produce department...usually for an orange. Lunch is a mug of soup (home made veggie for the time being), a peanut butter and jam sandwich on a single slice of homemade bread and a thermos of milk. Usually don't have anything in the afternoon....And dinner is just down hill. Somewhere in the day I'll also grab a can of Coke.

I don't drink, I don't smoke, and I don't drink coffee (*yeck*) I drink Coke.

One more item for your consideration Blank Dave, I work outdoors.

I may work indoors, but I don't think a lot of people realize how physical my job is.

 

[HOF]

Dave there is so much that you can do to help yourself.

1. Cut all sugar. No coke, sorry, water is the best thing to quench thirst. Juices are good natural sugar.
2. Measure your food servings and eat 5/6 times daily
3. Eat eggs, go easy on milk (skim if you can)
4. No white starches.
5. Fish, beef and poultry are good
6. Greens and fiber, stay away from corn. Anything that looks the same coming out as it did going in isn't good for us. It's starch and sugar.
7. You need to cut your carbs to no more than 10 servings daily.

You should see your doctor and get your cholesterol and sugars checked. Then, it will probably be a trip to a dietician and possibly cardiologist, don't worry about that they will help you learn how to eat properly. As we age, we need to change our habits. The coke alone will take 10 pounds off. There's 7 spoons of sugar in eat.

I have high cholesterol, when I found out 10 years ago. It was 26, it's supposed to be 3. Mine is stable at 5 for 10 years. Sugars were just as bad. I lost 5 inches in 4 months and have been quite healthy since. Walking, swimming, weights, just being active will help you.

 

[blank_dave]

Dave there is so much that you can do to help yourself.

1. Cut all sugar. No coke, sorry, water is the best thing to quench thirst. Juices are good natural sugar.

No Coke!!! But between it and Chunks Ahoy cookies, how do I wind down? I've used that combo for a long time as comfort food...I have given up the cookies. The Coke though... And no, water doesn't cut it when it comes to my thirst. Seriously, it doesn't. In the summer, I work outdoors and if I drink just water, I get splitting headaches and the water doesn't quench my thrist. Lemonade does.

2. Measure your food servings and eat 5/6 times daily

That I have to learn

3. Eat eggs, go easy on milk (skim if you can)

Not milk too!! I think I drink mor emilk than I did as a kid.

5. Fish, beef and poultry are good

Meeaaat for the Meat Guy.


My doctor did get some blood work done on my last visit, but I haven't heard anything back.