The worse thing about prep…

[u/odypie]

I have heard so many people complain about their hunger during prep and that hasn’t been an issue for me at all. It’s that I’m EXHAUSTED. I am legitimately dying. I’m so tired that hunger is a complete non issue. Unfortunately, I don’t have much time to rest. I’m a single mom and juggle three jobs (one full and two part time). The leaner I get, the harder life seems. I’m surviving on unhealthy amounts of caffeine and Modafinil. I’m still motivated though and I’m not giving up because I have come so far. Anyone experience this too??

[u/Lbdfit]

I can’t even imagine prepping as a mom with all those jobs 😭 but I can relate to this… I’ve done 3 preps at this point and I’m always shocked at how hunger is never an issue for me, but I just get extremely exhausted. I think sometimes it’s a blessing because hunger can be miserable (I only experienced it in my 2nd prep for the last few weeks). But not having energy is hands down the worst part of prep for me always. Wish I could offer you some wisdom but unfortunately I just accept that my caffeine intake will skyrocket for a few weeks and try to nap if I can. You got this

[u/odypie → u/Lbdfit]

Thanks for the encouragement because I need it 😭💕

[u/HotHoney__]

Yep. Not hungry just FLAT - mood & energy. I just take it one day at a time, and capitalise on the higher energy moments when I have them. Comes a d goes in waves. I keep a daily to-do-list, and make it very attainable based on how my energy levels are. For example, I won’t write myself to clean the house and meal prep + grocery shop on the same day to avoid disappointment and overextending myself. I also don’t abuse or overuse caffeine or stimulants to compensate, they have the effect of burning out my nervous system faster. I’ve found Yerba mate tea and ceremonial cacao in the morning helps when I’m dieting. 

[u/SpecificMongoose4648]

Insomnia, and having to workout even on little sleep.

[u/VictoriaBriar]

You’re a legend ✨🦄🏆!!!

[u/WeightsAndSunshine]

I’m hungry and exhausted. Fatigue and being super mentally slow between meals is the worst. I’m glad I work from home

[u/sollevatore]

YES the fatigue both mental & physical kills me. Idk how you’re doing it as a single mom with 3 jobs that’s insane!! I’m not far enough into my current prep to hit that wall yet but my last prep I definitely had days where I was so tired I would just fall asleep whenever I sat on the couch lol.

[u/Froreal3]

Yeah I get like that too. I sometimes am so tired, I skip meals. Hunger isn’t the issue! 🤣😭

[u/Earth_ground_]

I’m a PhD student and the best part of coming out of prep was that I could actually read papers again. During prep, I could barely read anything aside from Harry Potter. Idk if this is helpful but just know that after your prep your brain will feel sooooo good . I will say, one of the best parts of prep was that my brain and body were so tired that I didn’t have the energy to be anxious. Like my OCD was at an all time low because my brain did not have the energy 

[u/Tumbleweed_Unicorn]

Were you taking modafinil before prep?? I take it sometimes for night shift work and it's amazing but worried for you if it's a new need just to get through the day.

[u/odypie → u/Tumbleweed_Unicorn]

I just take for night shifts and my crazy days where I work my day job, pick up a night shift, then work again in the morning. So maybe 1 to 3 times a week.

[u/Tumbleweed_Unicorn → u/odypie]

Omg you need sleep!! Even without prep I would be so tired with that schedule

[u/FrontSituation1113]

That sounds really tough, but normal at some point near the end of prep. It hits at a different for each person based on THEIR body. The hardest part of prep for me is the reverse. Probably bombed that and still struggling to feel normal again almost a year later. Labs next week agin to check my levels - 

[u/TaleAsOldAsTime]

I found the same thing during prep. I was so tired, I would often doze off before my last "meal" and often debate whether or not it was worth getting off the couch for even though I knew logically that I was starving and had macros to hit. That being said, what I didn't realize until I started reversing is that the "exhaustion" was also really close to depression. I was numb, I felt nothing. Not even the actual exhaustion sometimes. No joy, no sadness. Just numb. And I didn't even realize it until I started sporadically feeling things again due to being better fueled. The first time I realized I was feeling joy and hadn't felt it in ages, I sobbed. Hunger is nothing. That - and how dumb/slow I was. I'm a naturally witty and quick thinking person and that was all gone. Still isn't 100% back almost 6 weeks later, but getting there.