Exercising and feeling drained - long

In the last month I have really stepped up my exercise.  A new Y opened in our neighborhood and it is awesome.  Our whole family enjoys spending time there, which is a dream come true for me.  Anyway, I have really beefed  up my exercise and now will spend 1 1/2 hours in the gym.  I spend about 45 minutes doing cardio and 45 minutes lifting weights.  One thing I've noticed is that I am getting extremely fatigued and feel like eating everything in sight.  It got me to thinking that maybe I'm not eating enough to support these kinds of activities.  However, I have not lost any weight, which annoys the hell out of me because I still have 10 pounds to lose to reach my goal.  I do make sure to have a protein shake and I do make sure to eat lots of protein on these days when I'm exercising however, I am also really craving the carbs.  Here is what a typical day looks like for me, eating wise:
B - egg, sausage on a 1/2 of a bagel thin
snack: sometimes nuts, sometimes turkey jerkey or fruit
lunch:  some type of dense protein like leftover steak, chicken, etc. and veggies
snack - same as above
dinner: again, dense protein or last night I made beef enchiladas and ate 1/2 of 1.
late snack: cheese and couple crackers

I generally have my protein shake after I work out. 

Yesterday, I could not keep my hands out of the snacks.  I was feeling really drained with a total lack of energy.  I worked out at about 2 in the afternoon and afterwards all I wanted to do was take a nap and eat everything in sight.

So a couple questions:  1.  am I not eating enough?  Should I encorporate more good carbs on days when I'm exercising?  How the hell can I get the scale to move again??

Thanks for all your help!  You all rock!

I would try to drink 2 protein shakes, maybe that will help?

I exercise hard ad I have hungry days, too!  I wouldn't increase the carbs because if you give in to the cravings they will just get stronger.  I second the motion to add a protein shake or two on heavy exercise days.

Also, it may take a while for your body to adjust and to see the scale start moving again.  I started working out hard several months ago and the scale was stuck for THREE MONTHS!  Just this week it has finally started to move a little again.  Those last ten pounds really are as tough as we've always heard!

The scale has been bouncing around +/- 3 pounds for the past 2 months.  I have not gotten below my last recorded weight in all that time. 

I bet you are adding muscle mass which is why the scale isn't moving even though you are losing fat. If you are craving carbs I would eat some fruit carbs like an apple or berries or have some almonds. You don't mention your total calorie count so its hard to know if you are eating enough but it looks like you are. My doctor said up the protein when I wasn't losing fast enough so you might increase the size of protein servings if you can. But i bet that all of a sudden some pounds just fall off. Diane

Add up your total calories for the day. Are you getting enough? Is your goal weight reasonable for you height? Sometimes, I have felt tired, when I have been exercising hard, and especially on heavy weight days. Also, you are probably developing muscle mass from the weight lifting, which will decrease the poundage lost. You want to lose fat and gain muscle. The best way to know, would be have a body density test done. If your body fat is within normal limits, your weight is most likely okay.

What about a little fruit for some good carbs? Berries are good, low on the glycemic index, and full of great nutrients that our bodies need. Veggies are also good. These are good carbs. Do you like dairy? Cottage cheese and Greek yogurt would add some variety and also have alot of protein . Frankly, I have a skinny latte everyday and love it. I did this during the last part of my weight loss phase and still lost weight. Good carbs and helpful in so many ways.


Gail

I've noticed a pattern: when I stall or lose slowly, I have days where my energy level is very high, but when I begin one of those weeks where I drop a lot of weight, I get SOO tired! I'm like a little kid and need a nap and early bedtime.

I think it's just how the body deals with the process.

Does your goal weight account for the extra skin you have? It could easily be 10 pounds or more!

Also, how are your clothes fitting? If you are gaining muscle, you will not see a loss on the scale but your clothes will fit better. Heck, I gained weight when I went through a heavy strength program yet I was able to get back into my smallest jeans.

It's not about the number on the scale. It's about how you look and feel, how much body fat you have, and how your clothes fit.