Fans of fitness influencers are more likely to be depressed despite exercising more, according to a study.

According to a new study published in the Cyberpsychology Journal, young adults who follow fitness influencers on social media are physically healthy. Results show that participants reported a disproportionately higher amount of vigorous exercise as well as fruit and vegetable intake. However, participants also reported poorer mental health.

The survey saw 1,022 young adults aged 18 to 35 surveyed from May to November 2021 from three different English-speaking countries in various ways: New Zealand looked at students from the University of Orago, the US used Amazons Mechanical Turk, and the UK received their results through surveyor, Prolific. Researchers selected these countries for their high social media use, and focused their attention on Instagram use, primarily due to its substantial user population among young adults.

Ultimately, the study found that young adults who actively follow fitness influencers on Instagram are more likely to report engaging in vigorous exercise and consuming more fruits and vegetables than non-followers, suggesting more healthy lifestyles. However, they also reported higher levels of both mental distress and greater well-being than people who didnt follow the influencers. Researchers believe that this indicates that this demographic of young adults is vulnerable to fitness and food-related compulsive behaviors, including eating disorders.

The researchers noted a marked difference between followers and non-followers, with the latter having a healthier mind-body relationship as they practiced vigorous exercise compared to those who vigorously exercised and followed the influencers. They attributed these results to be consistent with previous findings in other studies on the negative effects of following Instagram influencers.

The study cited a January 2024 systematic review of 12 intervention studies that looked into how social media influencers sharing health information or Instagram images fitting the ideal can affect the minds of those following them. Researchers found that the majority of participants were negatively impacted, with many reporting unhealthy food intake, mood, and poor body image.

By enforcing the so-called fit ideal, fitness influencers may encourage compulsive levels of exercise and obsessions with healthy or pure diets, also known as orthorexia, according to the study. Internalizing what they see on their social media feeds or their favorite influencers espousing can lead to poorer body image, especially if the person is motivated to get healthier or follow a regimen purely for appearance-related motivations.

Researchers suspect that appearance-motivated exercising may increase the likelihood of poorer mental health among those who follow health influencers. Social comparison and damaging intentions can contribute to feelings of depression, anxiety, and negative body image.

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Fans of fitness influencers exercise more but they're also more depressed, new study claims - Yahoo Canada Shine On

Ready to rev up your workout, NOOGA? If the upcoming Summer Olympics have you inspired to take things up a notch and revisit some of the health goals you set at the beginning of the year, you may want to take a look at whats on your plate.

The right eating plan is key to maximizing the benefits of your sports and exercise endeavors, says Matthew Chatfield, MD, with the Erlanger Sports Medicine team.

We asked the experts at Erlanger to help us understand how and which foods can help you step up your performance.

Food provides both quick-acting and long-acting fuel for the body, says Audrey Picklesimer, MS , Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator at Erlanger Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery . Healthy sources of carbohydrates provide immediate energy for the body to use during a workout, and protein provides longer-lasting fuel.

Picklesimer says:

Pre-exercise food selection and the timing of eating can make all the difference in your gains and performance, says Dr. Chatfield. Eating a healthy, well-balanced meal with a good mix of carbohydrates , proteins, and healthy fats about two to three hours before exercise is a good idea, says Dr. Chatfield.

If you only have an hour or less before your workout, focus more on healthy and easily digested carbs and protein (think: fruits, smoothies, or Greek yogurt), says Dr. Chatfield.

Plus, Dr. Chatfield has good news for coffee lovers.

Coffee can also act as an ergogenic aid that can help boost your performance to maximize your exercise benefits (just be careful to not overdo it with caffeine).

High-fat meals, like fried, greasy foods, and a lack of carbohydrates, may cause poor workout performance and endurance, says Picklesimer. Fried foods may also contribute to unwanted side effects like stomach upset and feelings of sluggishness.

Fuel your next workout with this recipe

Michaela is an experienced digital journalist based in Columbia, SC. Shes also a health and wellness enthusiast who enjoys trying new restaurants and beauty trends.

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Heres how you can enhance your athletic performance with your diet - NOOGAtoday

Key Takeaways

Theres no doubt that exercise can better your health, but cardio workouts and circuit training arent the only activities during which your body expends energy and burns calories.

In fact, everyday chores and habitslike doing the dishes, taking out the trash, or even fidgetingcontribute to your overall activity level.

These activities contribute to a process called non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT). Though most people dont consider NEAT, it likely plays a role in maintaining your overall health.

Non-exercise activity thermogenesis are big words that basically just mean any movement throughout your day that is not intentional exercise, Leah Barron, RD, LD, CPT, a dietitian at The Baseline Lifestyle Co., told Verywell. NEAT is all the energy we use to move around throughout the day that does not include energy used for purposeful exercise.

NEAT ends up contributing to a significant chunk of our activity. This makes up about 15% of our total energy expenditure, Barron said.

As such, healthcare providers often endorse NEAT as a way for people to prioritize their well-being. Given its potential for weight management and general health improvement, strategies to increase NEAT are often recommended to integrate more physical activities into day-to-day routines, Matthew Kampert, DO, director of Exercise Medicine for Endocrinology and Metabolism at Cleveland Clinic, told Verywell.

These activities may be helpful to people who have difficulty managing their weight through diet and exercise. Increasing NEAT is a great health-promoting goal for someone who does not like to exercise or does not have access to the time, space, or equipment to exercise, Barron said.

Implementing more NEAT can also help with obesity or overweight, conditions that increase the risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, some types of cancer, and more.

Along with NEAT, there are three other components that make up your total energy expenditure, Barron said:

BMR is the amount of energy it takes your body to keep you alive while completely at rest, Barron said. So if you were to lie in bed all day and never move, your body would still need a certain amount of energy to maintain all your bodily processes like brain and heart function. Even though most people dont equate staying in bed with expending energy, BMR makes up about 70% of your total energy expenditure, Barron explained.

EAT refers to the energy we use performing intentional exercises, such as taking a spin class or visiting the gym. For most people, this makes up about 5% of our total energy expenditure, Barron said. [But] this will obviously vary for the individual depending on the amount of exercise they do.

The amount of energy required for your body to digest the food you eat is called the TEF, Barron said. This makes up about 10% of your total energy expenditure, [though] different foods require different amounts of energy to digest, so foods higher in protein and fiber will require more energy, while foods lower in fiber and protein will require less, Barron said.

How much energy you spend on NEAT depends on your habits: Somebody who tends to live a pretty sedentary lifestyle will use a lot less energy for NEAT than someone with a more active lifestyle, Barron said.

Though you may not even think about NEAT as you go about your day, the activities it encompasses significantly affect your health.

This is especially true for people with overweight or obesity. Depending on the individual, increasing NEAT could definitely have a positive impact on weight and health, Barron said. Our [BMR] and the [TEF] both tend to be fairly stable, so increasing physical activity through NEAT and/or purposeful exercise is the most efficient way to increase total energy expenditure.

NEAT impacts your health in various ways: NEAT plays a significant role in sustained weight loss and management through several mechanisms, Kampert said. By increasing NEAT through simple activities like walking or standing, individuals can expend more calories without engaging in structured exercise, [and] NEAT helps maintain a higher metabolic rate, even at rest, by incorporating more movement into daily routines.

NEAT often involves behavioral changes that help you sustain a more active lifestyle, which is crucial for long-term weight management, Kampert added.

It can be helpful to think about increasing NEAT in three different areas of your life, Kampert said.

At work, you could:

At home, you can:

During your day-to-day life, you can:

Additionally, it can be helpful to wear a fitness tracker that allows you to set reminders to move throughout the day, Kampert said.

Non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) refers to any activity you do that isnt exercise, like walking around your house, playing with your children, or doing household chores. These activities play a significant role in energy expenditureand burning calories. Increasing NEAT can help people with obesity and overweight, and this may be especially beneficial for people who have a difficult time managing their weight through traditional exercise methods.

By Maggie O'Neill ONeill is a reporter who covers new medical research and addiction. She previously worked at SELFmagazine and Health.com, and she was a 2020 fellow at the Association of Health Care Journalists.

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30-Day Outdoor Walking Streak Challenge to Boost Mental Health - TODAY

By Emily Joshu Health Reporter For Dailymail.Com 22:38 29 May 2024, updated 12:20 30 May 2024

An exercise expert has slammedZac Efron's workout and diet routine, calling several of his signature moves 'a waste of time.'

Podcast host Dr Mike Israetel, a professor of exercise and sport science at Leman College in New York City, posted a video in March where he examined Efron's routine that has jacked him up for movies like Baywatch and The Iron Claw.

In the video, which has more than 1.1million views, Dr Israetel praised Efron's physique as 'lean,' and said the star was 'in great shape.'

'Most of what's in here is pretty good,' he added.

However, he criticized the trainer Efron worked with for his 2017 Baywatch film Patrick Murphy, who has worked with the likes ofKeanu Reeves, Aubrey Plaza, and Cameron Diaz, for giving the High School Musical alum shoulder exercises that 'do almost nothing.'

Additionally, he criticized the 36-year-old actor for claiming he only eats organic food and suggesting that all processed foods are unhealthy.

Dr Israetel's video was a reaction to an interview Efron did with Men's Health, in which the actor said he worked out the hardest for his role in the remake of Baywatch.

Looking at a clip from the film, Dr Israetel said: 'First of all, he's in shape. He's lean. You can see some of the serratus muscles, the ribs separated. You're in good f****** shape.'

The serratus anterior is a fan-shaped muscle that attaches the shoulder blade to the rib cage.

'Another trick to see who's lean or not, his face is really sunken in, not a lot of fat face. This is already very good because when you're lean, some s*** you're doing has to be working, I think,' Dr Israetel said.

In the original interview, trainer Murphy claims he gave Efron 'one of the most dynamic programs I've put together' to 'get him in the best shape of my life.'

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He said: 'When I had to get Zac in the best shape of his life, I decided to introduce the super setting workouts, and what that entailed was two exercises followed back to back without rest.

'This created an elevated heart rate, which maxed calorie burning. This created muscle efficiency, high muscular endurance, and I created an unstoppable machine'

Dr Israetel admitted that while super setting 'is a good idea' that 'burns a ton of calories and gets the person sweating and really excited about working out,' he criticized the use of several of the specific moves.

These included external rotations, which involves flexing the elbow at a 90-degree angle so the hand moves away from the body.

'External rotations do almost nothing,' he said.'Unless you have some kind of problem in your shoulders, you can just start warming up for whatever exercise you're actually going to load that day first.'

He also noted this move should be saved for people with past shoulder issues or other similar issues, otherwise 'it's a f****** waste of your time.'

Another move involved standing on one leg and performing lateral raises, lifting your arms forward in front of you while holding weights.

'That's f****** stupid unless you have brittle ankles and you can't move them and you need stabilization training, which is true for almost no one,' Dr Israetel said.

He added: 'Standing on one leg and doing lateral raises only reduces the activation to your side delts because stability is the number one promoter of muscle activation.

'As soon as you move some amount of stability, some amount of muscle activation goes down, and it's usually the biggest, most growth-prone parts of the muscle that lose activation.

'So this standing on one leg nonsense is exactly that: nonsense. Otherwise, this technique on lateral raises is just fine.'

Dr Israetel's video also examined Efron's diet, which the actor said includes 'intermittent fasting mixed with getting enough nutrition to sustain me throughout the day.'

The expert noted while this 'works fine,' he would instead recommend eating three to five high-protein meals throughout the day, as protein is essential for muscle growth and repair.

His main dietary criticism was about Efron saying he avoids processed food and only eats organic.

In addition to calling organic a 'nonsense term' that 'means nothing at all,' Dr Israetel argued that several healthy foods have some degree of processing, including whey and casein protein, which are popular among fitness buffs.

He said: 'These are insanely good for you and all those little herbs and mushrooms you take as pills, that's great for you too, but that is insanely processed.

'Most of the time, having minimally processed foods is a good idea, but that's not always the case, and it sure as s*** has nothing to do with organic, which is a waste of money and a f****** scam.'

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Fitness expert critiques Zac Efron's exercise routine - and gives his verdict on the star's 'organic only' die - Daily Mail

Effect of a high-fat diet on health Obesity has become a global health concern, affecting millions of people worldwide. Any individual with a body mass index (BMI) of more than 30 is considered obese. It is important to understand that there are several lifestyle factors that can lead to obesity, one of which is the consumption of high-fat diets. An increased high-fat diet can increase the risk of a range of health complications, particularly in the digestive system. According to a recent report published by ICRM, 56.4% of India's total disease burden is due to poor dietary habits. The report states that a healthy diet and physical activity can significantly lower the incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) and hypertension (HTN), as well as prevent up to 80% of type 2 diabetes. A healthy lifestyle can also help prevent a significant number of premature deaths in the country. Link between a high-fat diet and obesity When an individual consumes a high-fat diet, they consume more calories from their meal than what is needed in a day. This overconsumption of calories can lead to weight gain, causing obesity. High-fat diets can also affect the gut microbiome, which can contribute to weight gain and obesity. Obesity, in turn, can lead to a range of health problems, including digestive issues, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and even certain types of cancer. According to Dr Rakesh Kalpala, Consultant gastroenterologist, AIG Hospital Hyderabad, The excess fat in the body due to a high-fat diet can also put pressure on the digestive system, leading to a slower digestion process and uncomfortable symptoms such as bloating and gas. Understanding the treatment Lifestyle changes, like diet and exercise, are usually the first line of treatment. Making changes in your day-to-day life can significantly contribute to the treatment of obesity. Adopting a healthy and balanced diet that is low in saturated and trans fats, increasing routine physical activity levels, and managing stress can not only help treat obesity but also improve overall physical health and well-being, boost energy levels, and enhance mental health. However, patients who are suffering from severe obesity may require medical intervention. This can include certain medications or medical procedures like endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG), laparoscopic gastric bypass, laparoscopic gastric banding, and intragastric ballooning, which can help obese patients manage their weight. Such medical procedures are minimally invasive that reduce the stomach's size, hasten satiety, limit food intake, and help with weight loss.

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Harmful effects of a high fat diet and obesity on your body - The Times of India

Mark Slaughter described himself as a"lean, mean machine" until he hit his 30s.

The 55-year-old overfilled his plate, didn't exercise, and ended up weighing around 310 pounds.

He slowly but surely lost 85 pounds over two years at a rate of about three pounds a month.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Mark Slaughter. It has been edited for length and clarity.

I've lost 85 pounds and don't think I'll ever regain that weight.

It has much to do with permanently changing my approach to food and exercise. I ensured I lost weight slowly but surely often around three pounds a month. I feel great.

I was always pretty slim as a teen and young adult. Basketball was my favorite sport, and I played it every day. I'm 6ft 3in tall. I called myself a "lean, mean machine."

Then, as I got older and married, I became complacent. I stopped exercising in my early 40s, working nights as a server at an upscale restaurant. My shift was usually from 4 p.m. to midnight. I'd grab a big lunch before work and then snack on tortilla chips and salsa when I got home.

I'd often eat good quality food like steak a lot of cheeseburgers and pizza as well. I wasn't discriminating.

Meanwhile, my wife would make something amazing like pasta with sauted vegetables for me and our three sons. I wouldn't stop at one plate. I'd go back for a second and third round.

I ate like it was Thanksgiving every day. I'd feel bad after a meal because I'd consumed so much.

The turning point came about two years ago. I looked at a photograph of myself with the stand-up comedian Jeff Ross, known as the "Roast Master General." We'd been to see him at a comedy club in my hometown of Dallas.

He's not the smallest of people, but I towered over him like a giant. I usually angled myself in photos so you couldn't see how big I was, but this time, there was no disguising my size.

I weighed myself, and I was 307 pounds. Things had to change. Within a few days, I signed up for the Life Time gym and started doing cardio and weight training. These days, I go there three or four times a week.

For my diet, I trained myself not to eat to fullness and slowed down when I was eating. When you slow down, you start realizing, "OK, I've had enough now."

I don't deny myself anything, but my portions are smaller. I don't believe in dieting all week and then giving yourself the reward of a big meal at the weekend. It's about moderation and consistency.

Intermittent fasting worked for me, too. I'm now a high school teacher, and my lunch is early: 11 a.m. I rarely eat before then or after 7 p.m.

Although I lost more when I started out, I gradually lost around three pounds a month. I was more like the tortoise than the hare, and I didn't yo-yo as a result. By cutting back on food and exercising, I went down to just over 220 pounds.

It's a slow change. But I went from a size 46 waist to a 34 and don't wear 3X T-shirts anymore. I can move about my day more easily. I can cross my legs in a different way than I ever could. I could comfortably fit in a plane seat. I can skip stairs when I'm walking. I'm sleeping much better for seven-and-a-half hours straight.

But, honestly, I don't worry too much if I pick up a couple of pounds here and there. You have to give yourself grace.

Do you have an interesting story about weight loss that you'd like to share with Business Insider? Please send details to jridley@businessinsider.com.

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I've lost 85 pounds over the last 2 years. It's stayed off because of my slow and steady approach. - Yahoo Singapore News

mbg Associate Food & Health Editor

mbg Associate Food & Health Editor

Merrell Readman is the Associate Food & Health Editor at mindbodygreen. Readman is a Fordham University graduate with a degree in journalism and a minor in film and television. She has covered beauty, health, and well-being throughout her editorial career.

Image by BONNINSTUDIO / Stocksy

May 27, 2024

Fitting exercise into a hectic schedule usually means finding any free moment to get your workout done, no matter the hour.

While it's clear that any exercise is beneficial for your health, studies1 suggest that aligning your workout timing with your specific fitness objectives can enhance your results.

In order to determine the benefit of fitting training into certain times of the day, one small study took 27 active women and 20 men and measured their fitness progress over the course of 12 weeks.

Participants began at the same baseline fitness level, and the study monitored various measures of strength progress, abdominal fat loss, and other health markers.

The researchers ensured that participants also followed a similar macronutrient-dense diet.

In this study of active people, female participants who completed their strength training in the morning (6 to 8 a.m.) displayed not only improvements in lower-body power in exercises such as jump squats but also a significant reduction in total and abdominal fat.

"It's important to highlight these favorable body composition changes occurred in the absence of changes in body weight," the study specified.

As for evening workouts (6:30 to 8:30 p.m.), female participants in this group were found to have better success in increasing upper-body strength, power, and endurance.

In terms of body composition, women who exercised in the evening still experienced a reduction in total body fat but less significantly than their morning workout counterparts.

Instead, they were found to have better success with overall muscle growth, which can be useful to take into consideration when looking at fitness goals. "Exercise in the evening may provide improvements in upper body muscular performance, and possibly mood enhancement," the study authors note.

As for men, those who exercised in the evening experienced the same change in body composition as the a.m. fitness group, but working out in the evening offered a more significant reduction in blood pressure.

Outside of exercise and a balanced diet, including probiotics within your routine may be beneficial for improving digestion time and supporting the maintenance of a healthy weight. In fact, mbg's probiotic+ contains several key strains used to ease bloating and promote gut health while reducing abdominal fat mass.*

For example, the targeted probiotic strain Bifidobacterium lactis B420 is clinically shown2 to combat stubborn belly fat and reduce waist circumference, making it a valuable addition to your wellness routine in combination with a healthy diet and exercise.*

One probiotic+ user, Adrienne B., shares, "I'm on my third bottle and will be making this a forever supplement. My digestion seems improved, and my stomach looks flatter. Very effective overall."*

Naturally, it's still vital to maintain the other aspects of a healthy lifestyle, but this can help give your gut and body a little extra support.

It should come as no surprise that women and men react differently to exercise, but this study reveals exactly how much gender and the time at which you work out can play into body composition, strength gains, and overall fitness improvements.

Separate from even your diet and the workouts you're doing, catering your exercise time to specific goals can allow you to create a more targeted approach to fitness (and even boost your mood, in the case of evening workouts!)

At the end of the day, what really matters is that you're taking the time to work out and prioritize moving your body whenever works best for you. But if you want to get granular, looking at the time you're exercising may play a role.

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Research Shows The Time Of Day You Exercise May Actually Affect Fitness Results - mindbodygreen

The internet is alight with people looking for answers to one simple question: why am I always so tired?

A quickgoogle search turns up countless responses like this one on Reddit the forum 'productivity'.

It reads: 'I eat a healthy diet, I exercise, take vitamins and get enough sleep yet I'm always constantly tired and low on energy, I feel like I could fall asleep at any point of the day, even during my workouts. Is there a way to figure this out?'

You might look to common culprits diet, exercise or food. But even people with a perfect routine can be bogged down by seemingly bottomless fatigue.

If this describes you, there are a number of other factors that you might not be considering that could be to blame,Dr Stuart Fischer, a New York based physician told DailyMail.com.

These range from the familiar, like stress, to the more dramatic, like hormone imbalances and sleep disorders.

There's also the chance you could be suffering from a rare condition such as chronic fatigue syndrome, which involves sustained and extreme exhaustion. The illness is a lifelong disease that affects an estimated836,000 and 3.3 million people.

It can't be solved by rest, coffee or medication, and can sometimes get in the way of leading a normal life.

It's difficult to determine what might be causing your fatigue, since it's a symptom in so many different conditions, Dr Neha Vyas, a family medicine physician at the Cleveland Clinic, told DailyMail.com.

However, both Dr Fischer and Vyas said that a thorough doctors visit should be able to determine what's causing your unique brand of exhaustion.

Sometimes, the problem can be solved by making simple changes to your lifestyle.

The NIH recommends between seven and nine hours of sleep per night, eating a well rounded diet full of fruits and vegetables and making sure to exercise for 3 hours a week. Doing all these things could solve your fatigue.

If the problem still persists, here are six things that might be to blame for your sluggishness despite getting plenty of sleep, nutritious food and exercise.

One potential reason you may be feeling sluggish could be that your don't have enough healthy red blood cells running around your system. This is called anemia.

Your blood cells carry oxygen around your body - key in making all the tissues run in your body.

When they're not working properly, you don't get all the oxygen you need, which can make you feel tired, Dr Neha Vyas, a family medicine physician at the Cleveland Clinic, told the DailyMail.com.

About 3 million people in the United States have anemia, according to the NIH.

Anemia is popularly known as having low-iron, and many people choose to bulk up on red meat and spinach in order to get more of the essential nutrient, thinking that might be the cure to their energy fix.

Click here to resize this module

But anemia can be caused by more than a low-iron diet Dr. Fischer said. There are a few different disorders that cause you to lose red blood cells.

One example is called thalassemia, which is a genetic disorder that is known to affect people in the Mediterranean.

In this disease, the body doesn't produce enough hemoglobin, which is the molecule that carries oxygen around the body.

Boston Children's hospital estimates this form of the disease affects 1 million people.

Another example is that sometimes people develop anemia temporarily after they lose blood in surgery.

Anemia can also affect women each month when they're on their period, especially if they bleed particularly heavily. This compounds with other energy drains during the menstrual cycle, like hormonal changes, which can bog someone down.

Regardless of what kind of anemia you may have, doctors can usually discover it in the lab with a simple blood test. Then, treatment usually involves taking a regular iron supplement.

But, Dr Fischer said, don't start taking iron pills on the superstition that you may be anemics, because they can come with unpleasant side effects, like constipation.Wait until you get a diagnosis to act on this hunch.

'As a doctor, I'm supposed to know how to wade through someone's symptom complex to figure out if there are fatigue is psychological, sociological, philosophical, medical or endocrinological,' he said.

This small, butterfly shaped organ that lives in the front of the nix, right near the Adams apple helps dictate how your body spends its energy.

It produces hormones that regulate your metabolism - or the rate that your body uses energy. Sometimes, people's thyroids produce too much or too little of these hormones - which can make them feel tired.

Dr Fischer said this may lead to, 'severe fatigue that nothing will make better. Red Bull, coffee, nicotine, nothing will make it better.'

Like anemia, thyroid disorders can only really be determined by a doctor, he said.

But if you are diagnosed with a thyroid disorder, there are hormone therapies that you can take that should help your body re-balance its energy.

Thyroid dysfunction is one of the more common fatigue diagnoses, Dr Nyas said.

Approximately 12 percent of the US population will develop thyroid problems at some point in their life, according to Weill Cornell medicine.Women are five to eight times more likely to develop a condition than men.

Our body uses stress to prepare us for something challenging - whether that's competing in the Olympics, going on a job interview or testifying in court.

When we enter this state of stress, our body gets flooded with chemicals like cortisol and adrenaline - which spike your heart rate, send more blood to your muscles and help you feel alert.

This is a biologically challenging state for our body to be in, and after our system has been bombarded with stress signals, it nosedives into a crash, Dr Fischer explained, which can make us feel exhausted.

In small doses, stress can be helpful. But these days, many people are stuck in daily stress cycles - which can affect our energy levels, sleep quality and mood, Dr Fischer said.

This is of particular concern for people who work long hours in stressful jobs, he said.

Dr Fischer tells people to do their best to worry less in day to day life and make sure that when you're not working, you're taking the time to relax, recharge and rest.

Though hearing that fatigue might be in your head may sound dismissive, Dr Fischer said there are a host of psychological affects that could be causing serious drain on your body.

This includes depression, anxiety, PTSD and more, DrVyas said.

In all these conditions, fatigue may be the first sign that you're struggling, or it could be a cause behind the disorder in the first place.

Depending on your particular psychological condition, physicians will recommend different treatments that might help alleviate your tiredness.

For example, depression is sometimes caused by a chemical imbalance in your brain, Dr Fischer said.

In the case that you're dealing with a chemical imbalance - taking mood drugs that add more neurotransmitters back into your system could help bring your energy back.

The NIH has warned about a silent health epidemic of adults suffering from pre-diabetes - representing an estimated 97.6 million Americans.

Before you are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, the body slowly begins falling into dysfunction in ways you might not notice.

Insulin is a hormone that your body produces naturally to tell you when to use the sugar circulating in your body that you get from food. It helps control how your body uses energy.

When someone gains a lot of weight or doesn't eat enough food, their bodies natural levels of insulin might fall out of whack Dr Fischer said.

For example, in someone that gains a lot of weight rapidly, their body might begin producing way more insulin than they need to accommodate.

Overtime, a body that's bombarded with insulin can become resistant to the hormone's effects - meaning your body has a harder time knowing when to use the sugar that's in the blood stream.

This is a similar to what happens when someone has diabetes - and insulin resistance is often a precursor to the chronic condition.

This, Dr Fischer said, can make someone feel fatigued.

Diabetes can also cause someone to feel tired, but if it's managed properly, shouldn't be debilitating.

Sometimes, you might go to bed early, wake up late and still get a bad nights rest, Dr Fischer said.

There are a number of sleep disorders that might be lurking under your closed eyes that trick you into thinking you're getting better rest than you are.

One example is sleep apnea.

This disorder causes someone to stop breathing while they're asleep.When you don't get enough oxygen in your body, you feel tired.

Also, when you stop breathing, you tend to wake up frequently, which makes you get less sleep overall, and can make you fatigued, Dr Vyas said.

Another example is parasomnia, otherwise known as sleepwalking. When your body is moving around at night, you're not getting the same quality of sleep that you would if you were lying still.

Then there are plenty of other conditions - like narcolepsy, sleep paralysis, and restless leg syndrome, which can all make the sleep you are getting less restorative.

If you have a sneaking suspicion that any of these could be plaguing you, it's best not to jump to conclusions, she added.

Sometimes, these are caused by medical conditions, but other times, it's just a passing fad.

'There's a lot of weird reasons for fatigue and that's why this topic is somewhat challenging,' she said, adding, 'check with your doctor if you're concerned.'

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Dear doctor. I eat healthy and exercise. Why am I tired all the time, no matter how much sleep I get? - Daily Mail

I am Deepak Pauskar from Aurangabad, a city in Maharashtra. At 51 years old, I hold a BE and an MBA. For the past 14 years, I have been self-employed, running a business as channel partners for eight multinational brands across parts of Maharashtra. Before venturing into business, I worked as a Group Product Manager for the Consumer Division of Kodak India Ltd, overseeing the film, camera, and digital camera business for India operations. Family responsibilities, including caring for my aging parents, led me to move back to Aurangabad and start my business. I live in Aurangabad with my wife, two children (a 17-year-old daughter and an 11-year-old son), and my father. During my childhood and college days, I was an active athlete. However, after finishing my post-graduation and starting a job, I fell into a sedentary lifestyle, indulging in fat-rich foods and occasionally consuming alcohol. This lack of physical activity led to weight gain and deteriorating health. Total number of kilos lost in 3 months In the last 87 days, I lost an impressive 23.2 kg. The secret of this weight loss journey I was fortunate to be selected and trained by Fittr. The key to my success was a disciplined diet of 2000 calories per day, complemented by a regular workout routine. This routine included a mix of walking, circuit training of four exercises, strength training for each body part (chest, triceps, biceps, and back), and finishing the workout with abdominal crunches and leg raises. Additionally, ensuring a good sleep of 7-8 hours daily and avoiding stress were crucial. What it was like to be overweight Being overweight made me feel miserable and low on self-esteem during social gatherings. I always felt lethargic and was unable to enjoy outings with my kids, family, and friends. Overweight-related medical issues like diabetes and hypertension further weakened me. The turning point My deteriorating health condition was the turning point. I wanted to get fit for my family but had almost given up after trying several things. This motivated me to travel from Aurangabad for my fitness journey. How did you begin your journey I felt a lot of anxiety but was extremely happy and determined to give my best for the training. With the help of Jitendra Chouksey, celebrity trainer, founder and CEO, Fittr, I tried to stick to the basics without exerting or stressing myself. We started with a 2000-calorie diet and 5000 steps per day, gradually adding resistance and strength training. Ensuring a good 8 hours of sleep every day was also a part of the plan. What encouraged you to keep going The simplicity and sustainability of the routine encouraged me to keep going. Whatever I do should be sustainable. I started enjoying the routine, which felt easy to follow and maintain for a lifetime. The meals provided were varied, ensuring I never felt deprived. This helped me form a good, sustainable habit. Based on the consistent fitness and nutrition planning there were drastic changes witnessed in the Testosterone levels, which went up from 185.3 to 312.8. His triglycerides came down from 475 to 75 and drastic drop in HB1AC levels from 12.7 to 6.0 Diet essentials and workout routine My diet consisted of 2000 calories daily with 130 grams of protein, broken into four meals: Breakfast: 2 eggs, 2 slices of white bread, 5 grams of butter, and 125 ml of milk (approx. 400 calories). Lunch: A packed meal (approx. 700 calories), usually a chicken dish with chapati, some rice, vegetables or salad, and dal. Snack: 200 calories. Dinner: Another packed meal (approx. 700 calories), similar to lunch or including items like a chicken burger, pasta, or noodles. My workout routine included: Walking 8500 steps per day. 15-minute mobility warm-up. Circuit Training: Round 1: 50 push-ups, 25 squats with 12.5 kg dumbbells, 40-second dead hang, 15 shoulder raises with 7.5 kg dumbbells. Round 2: Same as Round 1, with a 45-second dead hang. Round 3: Same as Round 1, with a 55-second dead hang. Strength Training: Cable fly chest: 4 sets (16-15 reps each) with 20 kg each side. Cable tricep extension: 4 sets (20 reps each) with 15 kg. Cable bicep curl: 4 sets (20-15 reps each) with 15 kg. Lat pulldowns: 4 sets (18-16 reps each) with 25 kg. Rowing: 3 sets (18-16 reps) with 25 kg. Core Exercises: Crunches: 3 sets of 60. Leg raises: 3 sets of 40. Fitness secrets unveiled Discipline in monitoring food intake and maintaining a regular workout routine is essential. Eating as per your required calorie intake, understanding the science behind it, daily workouts, adequate sleep, stress avoidance, and patience are key. If you stick to your plan without compromise, you will see the desired results. One fitness tip you would like to share Discipline in quantifying your meals as per the plan and maintaining a consistent workout routine is crucial for achieving and sustaining fitness goals. If you have a weight loss story to share, send it to us at toi.health1@gmail.com These views are not generic in nature. Weight loss results vary for individuals and the views shared in this article offer no guarantee of specific results. The content is not intended in any way as a substitute for professional advice.

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Weight Loss Story: This businessman lost 23 Kgs in 87 days with THIS simple diet and workout routine - The Times of India