Tips? Ideas? Anyone?

[Aussie Jay]

Hey Guys
Just been wondering lately about my lack of energy and drive... For anything! This is not just a recent thing either. I have been thinking back and I can barely count on one hand periods in my life where I have been full of energy, up for exercising or the energy to get off the couch!
I currently have no energy for anything. I can't be bothered doing anything and I know I should be working out and eating healthy and I know I should be getting out there and doing stuff but I just feel like I can't...
I was curious if anyone had any tips for upping energy or drive? I just really don't know...
Another question I have is if I start T, will this improve? Is my body just running on the wrong juice? I'm not sure if I'm JUST being lazy or if its something to do with some depression or my body or my hormones... Anyone else - anything similar?
Cheers
Jay

[LordKAT]

Wrong juice/ That could be it. I would say, ask therapist about depression and what you can do for it.

I am manic depressive, have been for years. The depressive states show up with a severe lack of energy or interest in anything.

[CodyJess]

Start T. lol.

I'll wait for someone who's actually on T to chime in here, who was fatigued often before, but anecdotal evidence I see all over the place shows that getting the right hormones for your brain can do wonders for your mind.

Also, you might consider a few dietary adjustments. A couple common things that can cause fatigue are deficiencies in iron (anemia, esp. if you're pale or get dizzy easily) and B vitamin deficiency, esp. B-12 (usually a concern for strict vegans). Also try finding the motivation to drag yourself up and get moving! Once you get moving and doing things you'll find yourself with more energy to keep doing stuff. It's tough, but it's worth it.

[Luc]

Start T. lol.

I'll wait for someone who's actually on T to chime in here, who was fatigued often before, but anecdotal evidence I see all over the place shows that getting the right hormones for your brain can do wonders for your mind.

Also, you might consider a few dietary adjustments. A couple common things that can cause fatigue are deficiencies in iron (anemia, esp. if you're pale or get dizzy easily) and B vitamin deficiency, esp. B-12 (usually a concern for strict vegans). Also try finding the motivation to drag yourself up and get moving! Once you get moving and doing things you'll find yourself with more energy to keep doing stuff. It's tough, but it's worth it.

That would be me, for one. I never had any energy before T, and now... well, if I'm motivated, I have all the energy in the world. I still get depressed, and that'll make me lazy, but otherwise, I feel great. Of course, it affects different people in different ways.

SD

[Silver]

Yeah, same boat here, I have no energy for pretty much anything either.

Until T, force yourself to get up and do something. You can do it.

SilverFang

[Chamillion]

Make sure you're getting enough sleep, and if you can, try to stick to the same sleep schedule.  Also make sure you're eating healthy.  And I know you said that it's hard to get the drive to exercise, but when you're exercising regularly, it's usually easier to fall asleep and you'll wake up feeling more refreshed in the morning, and hence, have more energy.  It's all a big cycle really.

I've only been on T for about 3 months, but so far it's actually made me need to sleep more.  I've read that this happens sometimes, as it's a second puberty.  So when you first get on T, don't expect to have a bunch of energy or anything.  Not saying that it won't happen, cos it could, but don't expect it.  Maybe someone who's been on T longer and is out of the puberty stage can have some more insight on energy levels.  So far I haven't noticed anything aside from sleeping more.

[Aussie Jay]

Cheers guys thanks for all the advice and encouragement
It all comes down to me making myself get off my arse til I'm on T huh... Bugger.
I never knew so much stuff in my life and the way I have felt all my life came down to the fact I never felt right in this body, or this role. It's amazing to see the connection. I used to just think I liked pants and felt like a twat when made to wear a dress!! XD
Thanks again guys.
Jay

[Jamie-o]

I had that problem for a long time.  Much of it was depression, and anti-depressants did wonders for me. They're not for everyone, though.  Another thing that worked for me (and, this suggestion may or may not be at all practical for you) was to get a job that forced me to be really active for several hours every day.  I just don't have the self-discipline to get out and exercise on my own, so this makes me do it 5 days a week, and the better shape I'm in, the more energy I have.  Plus I get a great serotonin high by the end of the night's work. 

[Aussie Jay]

Jamie-o, yeah dude I always wanted to be a chippy or a brickie - go figure! I'm actually waiting to hear about a new job I applied for. Its a little more physical than what I'm used to, its as a paramedic. Currently I only work a few days a week and although when I do work it is physical its not constant you know... Few and far between sort of - well I transfer corpses so gotta wait for someone to cross over so to speak...
When I was in Navy recruit school it was awesome - I had no energy once again but this time it was because I had used it all during the day at PT, ship safety and firefighting etc
If I could have my old PTI yelling and screamin' at me in my bedroom to get off my lazy, sorry excuse for a sailor arse I would gladly!!
Cheers again guys
Jay

[Jamie-o]

Currently I only work a few days a week and although when I do work it is physical its not constant you know... Few and far between sort of - well I transfer corpses so gotta wait for someone to cross over so to speak...

Well, you could always go on a killing spree.  Just to get your hours up, of course. 

[Aussie Jay]

So very tempting to just create work for myself, given some of the people I encounter at different times of the day... Extremely tempting!! And it would only be purely in the name of getting fit and active... Why no??

[Nero]

I've only been on T for about 3 months, but so far it's actually made me need to sleep more.  I've read that this happens sometimes, as it's a second puberty.  So when you first get on T, don't expect to have a bunch of energy or anything.  Not saying that it won't happen, cos it could, but don't expect it.  Maybe someone who's been on T longer and is out of the puberty stage can have some more insight on energy levels.  So far I haven't noticed anything aside from sleeping more.

This.
I've been asleep for 3 days straight. Well, not literally but almost. Went to my endo yesterday and will now be taking weekly shots. Hope it helps it.

Jaydle,
It's also really hard to summon up a lot of energy for anything while wearing a mask that obscures your identity and how people address you.

[Aussie Jay]

Nero, your so right mate. I hate being perceived one way, expected to act another and feeling like something else... So true. And so so irritating and confusing. I especially hate having the whole 'Oh come on in fellas' and I feel good, great even, then I get introduced or they can vaguely see my chest which sparks doubt and I get the whole 'Oh, well, are you... people right here?' It irritates the absolute crap out of me. I hate to whole 'Oh, I'm sorry your actually a girl' look that I get...
Jay
Post Merge: August 13, 2009, 04:07:05 AM
Hey just as a side note... My house mate is organising a 'girls night out' and you know we get along and she got a few extra tickets to the footy tomorrow night and a hotel room and blah blah...
You know your different when you live with the chick and once upon a time she would have invited you too but now - lets just say I'm not getting a gernsey... Don't get me wrong I don't mind not being invited, but in the 2 yrs we have lived together - this will be a first... Just strange...
Do you guys ever get the impression, like before you came out, that people can pick up on differences in you once you started thinking about transition? Like people can pick up on a different vibe or energy you're giving off?? Just curious
Jay

[Radar]

I've been on T a little over a month so my body's still getting used to it and sorting everything out, but I'll have sudden bursts of energy but then have periods of extreme exhaustion too. I'm sure it's mostly hormonal.

Perhaps you have a deficiency making you tired? Have you tried iron or vitamins? It could be depression too.

[Mister]

It could be depression, it could be the wrong hormone, it could be laziness, it could be any one of a dozen medical problems.  You're not going to know if T "fixes" you unless you take it.

[sneakersjay]

There was an article on Yahoo's front page today about how eating a high fat diet can make you fat and lazy (duh!).

Basically followed rats in two groups: one fed a low fat diet and the other a high fat diet.  The high-fat diet rats performed poorly in mazes, were forgetful, had less energy.

I know for myself that eating certain foods practically puts me into a coma.  So one place to start would be to check your diet and see if that could potentially be part of it.


Jay

*DISCLAIMER* I am not calling anyone on this list fat and lazy nor am I implying the OP is fat and lazy.  *I* can be fat and lazy, and eat poorly at times, so this article resonated a bit with me, even though you'd think it would be an obvious correlation.

[LordKAT]

Just got back from endo appointment. I have similiar probs and she is sending me to a sleep study. She asked if I snored or had apnea and a few other things. It may be worth bringing up at your next appointment.

[Aussie Jay]

Cheers guys... I'm on a mission to change my life. Ain't that the truth
Thanks again for all the feedback, encouragement and advice.
Jay

[perfectisolation]

After fem puberty, I was always tired. Especially cos of the monthly crap. and depression. In highschool, sleeping was my fulltime job  . I find a good cup of coffee once a day is a good pick me up, lifts energy and spirits. And of course a good nights sleep.

Oh I've been on a high fat diet lately. I've read that high fat can raise testosterone levels cause cholesterol goes thru some process to convert to T. Not that I'm taking it to heart, that's why I'm testing it out. So, on my high fat diet now I find I'm not any more tired or lazy, or fat