I'm 27, and I've hit the same wall just this year. It knocked me flat (somewhat literally) for a couple of months until I adjusted. Whereas I used to run around by eating quick intakes of carbohydrates, I now find that my body requires a lot more protein --particularly in the morning. I now make a protein-filled breakfast my priority meal of the day, and I've found that it really helps. This has also helped me to cut down on the carbohydrates, because I don't feel hungry and listless all the time. I know it's quite simple, but... maybe this will work for you?

I second the futuredrmandy. But in addition I now take a high quality multi everyday (and I'd do recommend researching or trying different kinds b/c there is a quality difference), actually think about whether or not I've had enough water (it's less intuitive than you might think to be properly hydrated), and watch sodium content (it's disturbing if you actually start reading some labels). Also, diet aside, I've found yoga to give me energy and destress me at the same time. Really quiets the warp-speed thinking that revs up at bed time.

Well, I'm 23, but I've spent the last year or so breaking my college habits and trying to eat and exercise and carry on in general in a way that makes it possible to work my 9-5 job when I had gotten so used to existing between the hours of 1PM and 4AM. With naps. I always, always have oatmeal every day, even if I eat it out of a paper cup at 11AM at work. The most frustrated feeling was waking up in the morning and never feeling rested—and knowing that I wouldn't be able to take a nap after class. I figured out that working out in the evening actually helps me sleep better. If I come home from the gym, take a hot shower, and get right in bed, the worn out post-workout feeling turns to sleepiness instead of riling me up, and I wake up feeling like I've actually slept and recharged.

So do you guys think that breakfast is more key than lunch? One of my biggest issues with lunch is that after I eat it, I am ready to fall asleep. Yoga definitely helped me when I was doing it. I need to find a place closer to my office- I had high hopes of doing it in my neighborhood, however something happens to me en route home (I think it's b/c my commute is long) and I inevitably just want to go home by the time I get off the bus.

I don't think breakfast is more important than lunch, per se. I would say that it's very important to get something substantial--like protein (yogurt, eggs, etc.) in your stomach in the morning, but if you want to keep your energy up snacking throughout the day (healthy snacking) or eating two small meals helps. Plus it's better for your metabolism (not that you need worry about that).

I think you should lay off the "old" bit and consider the kind of schedule you have--working all day, enduring a stressful commute, class and homework--and husband maintenance. Feeling tired should be no shocker. You are totally normal.

heh. husband maintenance. i don't think it's a question of normalcy- more of a yearning to have more energy. and also, just to be healthier in general, looking forward to the future, etc.

Try cat maintenance.

I think you need more sleep.

If your health insurance allows for it, go see a nutritionist. If not, try eating multiple small meals during the day of healthy things you like, rather than packing in a big lunch (and thus, the afternoon sleepies). I do think Mom was right - breakfast is the most important meal of the day. I'm all about whole grains for breakfast, myself, but everybody's every body is different.

I'm 41 and my body is now trying to cash all those checks I wrote in my youth and, darn it, most of them are starting to bounce now.

When I was younger I could get away with having cup after cup of coffee for breakfast and nothing else - I definitely noticed a chance when I hit 30, and that was around the time I started making small changes to my diet. I tried to do it in phases: I started with a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast every day, and once that became routine, I tried to eat one green salad every day, and so on.

I'm 35 now and my body and needs are still changing, so I try to adjust accordingly. I find that having a breakfast that combines protein and carbs with a little fat is best for boosting my energy levels and making sure I'm not ravenous by lunchtime (usually 1-1:30). I have a rotation of easy weekday breakfasts that I switch out according to my mood or the weather (I'm not such a huge fan of the hot cereal on 90 degree days).

I don't shy away from fats in my food but I try to make sure they're good quality fats - really good olive oil, judicious amounts of butter/milk/cream from grass-fed cows, nuts, avocados, that sort of thing. Nuts are actually one of the things that helps me through the mid-afternoon slump - I've always got a bag of unsalted almonds or walnuts in my desk drawer, and some at home as well, and a handful seems to give me a nice boost.

I try to eat a lot of seafood, too. They're a bit of an acquired taste, but sardines are one of my recent faves. As a snack they're awesome - very low in mercury, high in omega 3 fatty acids, portable and cheap. I love them with a few Triscuits and extra hot dijon mustard.

protein. start the day with as much as you can. that yogurt, fage? 16 grams of protein, or so, per serving. it's far more than regular yogurt or oatmeal.

protein at every meal. protein for snacks or along with them: a few almonds with a plate of fruit. lowfat cheese, etc.

Have you been tested for anemia lately? Might be something to look into as I know it can cause people to have that low-energy/exhausted feeling.

And yes - for me it's breakfast in the morning. Mostly cereal, juice, fruit...I find that it helps to make my lunch make me less sleepy.

I think there are a few things you can try to get out of your rut. I believe breakfast is essential, so that would be a good place to start. A good cereal is quick and easy. Second, you should be taking a good multivitamin, and then maybe add a b vitamin complex. Third, I would get back on the exercise horse. It's funny, it can be such a vicious cycle - too tired to exercise, but the exercise is what gives you energy. I'd also see if its possible to do some weight training - I think that is the key to staying healthy and fit after 30. Last but not least - your husband seems to think you need more sleep - if you are not getting 8 hours, you gotta find time for that. Best of luck to you.

I'm no nutritionist/health expert, but I totally agree with pretty much everything that's been noted above --particularly regarding the protein.

The one other thing that's hard to remember if you're a student (which I also am), is that your brain uses a LOT of energy. You can't expect to fly between thinking hard about big tasks, whether they're for work, or for school, or for home, and still have lots of energy. It seems weird, because you may not be moving your body, but hard thinking takes a lot of energy. So give yourself a break. Recognize that changes to your diet and exercise regimen may be really helpful (and they are), but that you need to consider your entire lifestyle as a whole.

(Oh man --I totally sound like some granola-chomping, Birkenstock-wearing, I'm-going-to-heal-the-planet type person. Which, actually, I kind of am, so... yeah. I accept that.)

Eat your protein. Hug your husband. Cuddle with your cats. And let go of the rest for a bit.

As another relative oldster, I'll second the protein tip (esp. at mandatory breakfast), and multivitamins.

Also make sure you're fully hydrated and electrolyted. My body really started being much more sensitive to low-level dehydration as I, er, matured.

Corie - I'm the same way when it comes to the post-lunch coma. People call me the Metabolism Monster because I get so zoned out after a big (or even normal-sized) midday meal. I've been that way since grade school. I don't notice a difference whether I eat carbs/caffiene or protein. I get unbearably sleepy no matter what it is I've eaten. The only way I've managed to get around it is to "graze," as they say, on yogurt, cheese, fruit, crackers or little cookies, or my beloved oatmeal, a little at a time throughout the day.