Extending your energy over your day

[Bob]

I want to be able to be more active during the entire day, esp the evening.  I want to "extend" my day this way.

How can I do this?  Has anyone tried this?

I'm talking pushing strength and endurance basically.  In this case, endurance of myself in general over the day.

I'm thinking it has something to do with exercising the heart -- some aerobic exercise toward the end of the day.  Also building up the other muscles used to move around generally.  Not to mention just working more and pushing things that way.

[quantum]

Have you tried taking a short nap during the day?  Something like 20-30 mins is an excellent way to recharge. 

[leahcim]

I'm thinking it has something to do with exercising the heart -- some aerobic exercise toward the end of the day.  Also building up the other muscles used to move around generally.  Not to mention just working more and pushing things that way.

Yes, go swimming regularly. [If you like swimming that is, or do something else similar]

Eat stuff like bananas, pasta and tuna. Drink plenty of water.

When I used to go swimming I did a relaxed pace for 1 to 3 hours, until I was as high as a kite [albeit not the in the staggering, slurring out of control way you associate with drink / drugs]

But I had the time to kill and I'm no sports scientist or olympic trainee, perhaps less lengths done at a faster pace would have been more effective?

But, I had more energy than you could shake a stick at. admittedly, I was in my early twenties anyway but I did some crazy hours at work from time to time and I'd be running up flights of stairs and stuff. I never got ill either.

Another alternative that I did just before starting swimming was cycling to work [about 20 miles in my case], similar effects, but you're putting your life in other folks hands every day and you need somewhere at work to have a shower.

[pianistimo]

yes.  i think it's a combo of prayer, diet, and exercise.  i say prayer now, because you don't want to hurt yourself when you go out to swim or cycle (i prefer bicycling).  i wonder if many of us are not even walking enough.  my husband said that he started purposely taking the stairs instead of using the elevator at work.  some people at his job go out at noon and bicycle or use the company weight room. 

for me, diet is extremely important too.  if you exercise in late afternoon or evening, you drink more water - instead of loading up on chips.  then, you're really hungry afterwards for good food, too, and not sugar (to get the energy).  i find baked potatoes with all the toppings great energy food.  i love pasta - and try to always add dark greens to it.  or, if i'm tired and don't feel like cooking at the moment - i just grab carrots and lettuce and tell my four year old to join me and 'be like a bunny.'   

[Jacey1973]

Eat stuff like bananas, pasta and tuna. Drink plenty of water.

Yes those are great foods for energy. I found i had so much more energy when i changed my diet. I cut out all processed foods/sugar and mainly bread. I have so much more energy when i don't eat bread as it makes me feel sluggish all day. Potatoes and pasta give me lasting energy throughout the day.

I also now eat 2 meals a day - i cut out lunch because i found when i ate lunch i would immediately feel tired for the next couple of hours. If i'm a little hungry in the afternoon it keeps me more alert.

Also i walk everyday and i used to go to the gym once a week (when i was able to get free membership as a student - i cant anymore, so i cant afford to go  ) and that gave me much more energy.

And of course - you need the right amount of sleep. People need different amounts, i have to have 8 hours minimum.

[ted]

If I feel under par I examine the three physical essentials of correct rest, correct exercise and correct diet. Mostly I will find one or more of them require attention. If all three are present and in balance then either I am physically sick or the problem is mental.

I have always been lucky in that my energy remains more or less constant throughout the day with a slight bias toward doing things in the evening rather than in the morning. In other words I am a night person but not markedly enough to inhibit morning work.

[jas]

I agree with the people who have mentioned food. Most people who get an energy slump during the day get it because of what they have or haven't been eating (disregarding sleep-deprivation or strenuous exercise).

Supposedly, eating 5 or 6 little meals a day, rather than 3 big meals, means that because you won't get sugar highs and lows, your blood sugar will be more stable, so your energy will be more constant. You can read about it here. (There are probably other, better sources, but that's the first one I found!)
Have you heard of the GI diet? The foods you eat (and it's not a stupid Atkins-type thing) release energy slowly, so you don't get energy slumps. You can google it, there's loads of stuff on it.

Exercising too much every day isn't a good idea. You need time to let your body heal itself and relax, otherwise you'll just end up doing yourself more harm than good.

Jas

[Bob]

Thanks for the ideas.

I wonder if I'm asking too much of myself.

It still seems possible to increase your level of general physical activity over the day, or even work all day.

[pianistimo]

maybe you have to adjust to a cycle of good days and bad days and just not push it on the 'bad days.'  especially if you feel like you're getting the sniffles, or you're just tired.  that way, you don't overdo and then get sick or put out of commission for awhile.

what is it about mail and visits? bob, maybem1469has to come visit you now!

of course new music might cheer you up, too.  did you order your 'gift' piano music choice? if you were here, i'd ask if you wanted to play the duet version of leroy anderson's 'sleigh ride' with me.  we could drink peppermint tea and i'd show you my latest piano bench (much better than the one that lost most of it's hinges).  it adjusts up and down.  in fact, you could use it for painting walls, washing windows, or something - it goes up so high.  i've never seen these X sides before.  i prefer to keep my balance, so i leave it at the lowest adjustment.  unfortunately, my bench is kind of narrow (but plush), so i might have to sit on a chair and you the bench.  you may decide you want to go to cunningham pianos and get one for yourself.  it's not squeaky.