SPRINGER: Fitness: Diet gives a boost to energy

If you are feeling run-down, you might be sabotaging your best efforts to stay energetic.

More than half of American women ages 18 to 49 complain of lack of energy, according to a recent survey by HealthFocus International. Energy comes from food, activity and rest. However, there are many other habits that can be changed to boost your energy levels.

The definition of a balanced diet does not mean eating at McDonald's one day and Burger King the next. If you are living off junk food, you might be missing antioxidants from vitamins and minerals that form the foundation of energy building.

Another fatigue fighting tip is to keep your body hydrated. Perspiring lowers blood volume, depleting your muscles and brain of oxygen.

Cutting back on alcohol helps, too. Alcohol dehydrates, lowers the metabolism and can impair sleep patterns.

Enjoy festive occasions but know the limits. Do not overindulge in late night drinking or eating or you'll pay for it the next day. Also, if you are not feeling so hot the morning after, you'll end up skipping your workout.

Medication can lead to fatigue. If you are taking sleeping pills, you might be disrupting your natural sleep patterns.

Many people suffer from sleep disorders that they are unaware of. Sleep apnea is a serious disorder in which breathing momentarily stops hundreds of times a night. Apnea is often accompanied by unusually loud snoring. In some people, muscles in the throat and tongue relax during sleep, blocking the upper airway. Another cause is obesity, which also restricts air intake.

A constant feeling of fatigue may be serious. Several conditions with distinctive symptoms can be at the root of fatigue.

For example, tingling legs might be a neurological condition called restless leg syndrome. One in seven adults surveyed by the National Sleep Foundation in 1999 reported unpleasant sensations in their legs.

Start to take note of when you feel fatigue, your eating habits and sleeping habits. You might find a lifestyle pattern that is damaging to your energy levels. If your problem is more deep-seated, a doctor might find your notes useful in getting to the root of your problem.

Self-monitoring, proper eating habits, drinking plenty of water and regular exercise are just a few keys to having the energy to conquer each day.

Kim Springer and her husband, Mike, are certified personal trainers and owners of Springer Training. They can be reached at 233-9442 or at their Web site www.springertraining.com.


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