No Energy
 

Often times, after a short night followed by a long day at work my energy level is less than desirable when it comes time to step on the court. I've been boosting my energy level with a large Snickers and a 20oz Mountain Dew which seems to work well but is not very healthy. Do any of you have healthy ways that you boost your pre-game energy level?

For me, lots and lots of water all day helps. Keeps the blood pressure up a little. Also, keeping physically active through the early afternoon can help. Conversely, sometimes I find a 30-45 minute nape at lunch time helpful.

If you think the Snickers plus the caffeine is the only thing that is going to do the trick, it's slightly less unhealthy if you eat the Snickers in small bites over a couple of hours, and drink maybe a less caffeine and sugar in your guzzle.

On the other hand, a Snickers and a Big Gulp once a week isn't really much of a big deal health-wise. If it was every day, or twice a day, that would be different.

Fruits, real juices, energy bars might all help. I would also talk to a doctor to find out what other issues you might have to deal with that could be a result of your lack of energy. You could have issues of sleep, general health and diet which a doctor would know much more than any of us here that are sapping your energy level.

Peace

One of those energy drinks .... Red Bull e.g. sometimes knocks my cobwebs off.

Rock star, diet coke (becasue of the no sugar) and daily vitamin suppliments keep me wired. I take rhodiola on occasion before a game and it keeps me alert as a taxi cab passenger in Uganda.

I use greenies.

Works for me.

And that's a good thing?!? When I was in a matatu in Kisumu (Kenya), I didn't want to be alert! I just hoped the death would be quick and painless.

Oh, how my game last Saturday could have been quick and painless...

When I die, I want to go peacefully, in my sleep, like my grandfather did.

Not wide awake screaming like the passengers in his car.

I'm a proponent of a Red Bull just before game time. Add a pack of peanut butter crackers if ya haven't had dinner yet. This ritual seems to help me concentrate better, especially if it's a sloppy game. (don't want to sound sexist here, but private school 1A girls games come to mind)

Check out the energy drinks, and try to find one you like. They usually contain various health supplements, and there are some that are sugar free, which is probably a better alternative than mountain dew.

The drawback is that they are more expensive....

... feilding their first team after opening the school last year! They a couple of Advil might make sense.

I drink a can of Amp atleast 30 minutes before the game and that helps me out. Usually, when I start running, I am okay.

There is a drink called Spark made by a company called advocare. Go to www.advocare.com It is great and more healthy than the above mentioned.

Mountain Dew and Snickers is a glycemic nightmare. Try having fewer processed carbs in the afternoon. Sugar makes the insulin level go up; insulin makes you sleepy. Coffee and a low carb snack bar or a piece of fruit (fruit has a lower glycemic value than processed sugar) should do the trick for a quick pick me up, unless you are sensitive to caffeine.

Stick to whole grains, salads and protein for lunch. At any rate, cut down on the sugar, white rice and potatoes. Save those for when you're not trying to stay awake.

You also might want to get your blood sugar checked, if you haven't done that in a while.