I am 35, and I have been overweight my entire adult life, and within the last few years I crossed into the obese category. I've tried to get into shape many times in my life and have always failed, until now.
Approaching heart disease age, I finally decided it's time to start taking my health seriously, and 2 months ago I began eating healthy, counting calories, and exercising every day. For the first time in my life I've gotten past that initial hump, where exercising stops being a dreadful, painful chore and starts to feel good. I never thought I'd actually look forward to exercising every day, but I do, I'm starting to crave it.
The problem is I can't concentrate. I am a computer programmer, so not being able to focus on my work makes me pretty worthless. I will sit down at my computer in the morning, open a project, and just sit there dreading doing anything. I'll take "quick" breaks to go browse sports or news websites that end up lasting hours, and before I know it it's lunch time and I've accomplished little. The afternoon goes by similarly, and I'll usually end up working late after dinner trying to make up some time. By Friday I may have ~20 hours of work logged, and I try to commit to making it up over the weekend, only to be thwarted by similar focus problems.
This started almost immediately after I changed my diet and began exercising. It's not a lack of motivation or laziness, I spend the time at my desk trying to work, I just can't seem to focus on tasks that require concentration.
There's no doubt I've thrown some pretty drastic changes at my body, and I'm sure that screwed up my chemistry somehow. I started taking a multi-vitamin (1-a-day) about a week ago thinking that would help, but so far it hasn't. I'm not depressed or tired, in fact I've never felt better, and for the first time I'm enthusiastic about my health. But, not being able to work is quite an expensive trade-off to be healthy.
Is this a common side effect of exercise? Any suggestions?
I didn't see you mention fish oil. You should be getting 3 grams total EPA/DHA every day. Usually a serving of fish oil (2 capsules) will contain something like 720 milligrams total. So, you'd need to take 4 to 5 servings every day. Start here, and then re-evaluate in a week or so. Everybody, and I mean everybody should be getting 3 grams EPA/DHA every day.
ReplyNot that this has anything to do with the questioner's loss of focus, Barry, but if someone is aiming for a healthy diet, the American Heart Association recommendations are to consume fish oils from fatty fish 2-3 times per week.
A person who has been diagnosed with coronary heart disease is still encouraged to follow the above dietary guidelines, but 1 gram supplement may be advised by the individual's physician.
Patients with elevated triglyceride levels may be recommended by their physician to take up to 2-4 grams in the form of supplements of the EPA and DHA.
People who self-supplement with 3 grams per day may suffer strokes from brain bleeds, so I hope you aren't dishing out this medical advice without considering a person's medical condition.
ReplyWhat is your diet like? Give us an example of a typical day.
ReplyI've never eaten breakfast regularly, but i've been making sure to at least eat a banana for breakfast (~8am). Occasionally i'll make a couple of eggs, but typically my stomach isn't ready for food in the morning.
For lunch around 11:30 i'll typically eat either a salad with chicken or turkey breast, or a turkey sandwich, or grilled shrimp. Also a granola bar and some fruit (usually berries or grapes) and/or yogurt. Lunch is usually followed by a ~1 hour cardio workout (walk/jog/swim/eliptical).
I'll typically have a small afternoon snack of fruit and/or yogurt, or granola bar, smoked fish or jerky, or occasionally sun chips.
For dinner I have fish once per week (usually salmon), red meat once per week (steak or ostrich), and skinless chicken or turkey breast the remaining days, and maybe occasionally pork chops. Along with the meat i'll often have a salad or veggies cooked in olive oil (asparagus, squash, zuccini, green beans), and occasionally sweet corn. Sometimes baked beans, canned veggies, white rice or boiled cabbage.
After dinner i'll lift weights 3-4 days per week, or go for a short walk/run (0.5 to 2 miles). Any snacking after this point is raw vegetables.
I'll also note that I have experienced this before when I quit smoking about 2 years ago, I had a month or two where I could not focus on work. My diet used to be almost exclusively fast food and junk food, which i've now entirely eliminated. Could it be my body/mind is having similar withdrawl to junk food, as I did with nicotine?
Reply"My diet used to be almost exclusively fast food and junk food, which i've now entirely eliminated. Could it be my body/mind is having similar withdrawl to junk food, as I did with nicotine?"
First off, congratulations on taking steps to change your diet and your life-style!
Your overall diet sounds fine...I think you've identified your problem. Junk food addiction and withdrawal is a very real thing. A person addicted to junk food will go through lethargy, mood swings and headaches when hungry until they have their next meal.
Also, as a former smoker, I can attest to how difficult it is to do anything while your mind and body are going through withdrawal. Hang in there... if you can quit smoking, you can certainly quit junk food.
ReplyI suggest trying the master cleanse for just 10 days, and then stick to a healthy eating habit and regular exercise.
ReplyThe Master Cleanse is probably one of the single dumbest things to suggest to a person looking to concentrate better.
ReplyKatie, I wasn't going to say anything, but I'm glad you did.
ReplyIf the problem persists, I'd suggest switching to eating a much bigger breakfast and a much smaller dinner. If you work during the day, you need the calories in your system during the day, not while you sleep.
I'd go as far as skipping dinner altogether if you have to. You'll be ready to eat in the morning after a while.
Also, I agree with taking the supplements and the fish oil. I think that stuff helps, and even if it doesn't help, it doesn't hurt.
And let me suggest caffeine. You didn't mention it. It has downsides, but a number of studies recently have pointed to some great benefits. I know that it helps me focus.
ReplyThe only thing wrong with caffeine is that there sometimes isn't enough of it. :)
ReplyI don't like breakfast, would prefer not to eat before 11 am. However, I make myself eat it, and though I won't skip dinner, I'll eat it early enough or small enough to wake up hungry.
ReplyI don't get people who can't eat breakfast. That suggests a screwed up body chemistry. I'm 33 and have never had issues with breakfast.
ReplyHi Rob, I have experienced a similar problem. I realised myself that it was partly my body adjusting to my new lifestyle but also I was loosing many minerals, especially after a strong cardio session. I did some research and for the moment am trying some vegetable juices, before and after my exercise. Which vegetables to use, I believe depends on the type of exercise you are using. (am doing celery, ginger, apple, spinach and cucumber for a very sweaty cardio session). But regardless of this advice, I do agree with the common issue in the suggestions other people have given to you, and that maybe you are not feeding yourself well, or at least not appropriately for your activity levels. I think the best is to go to someone experienced, a nutritionist or a holistic health advisor who can look at not only your diet, but also your lifestyle and see what is it that you are missing. In any case, congratulations for the great motivation with your exercise! Good luck!
ReplyHey Rob, not sure if youre still having the same problem, but I experience this as well. Though for me its always after I exercise. A couple of reasons for my lack of focus may be over training, or a lack of nutrition for the amounts of exercise I'm doing, or both.
Either way, if you have solved the problem, I would love to hear what you did. If not, I will look into it myself and let you know what I find.
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