For most folks, when they say “I’m too tired to workout”, it’s really just an excuse. This is especially so, because exercise itself is an energy booster. But I will admit that there are a few that seriously don’t have the energy to get it done. They are so fatigued that sticking to a fitness plan becomes a very daunting task. Even if they do workout, it’s done ineffectively because they are so physicallly drained.

What’s the solution? Well, it comes down to making changes in your daily habits. Before you continue reading, remember that knowledge not acted upon is worthless. So please put this to use. You can reasonably expect to feel much better in about a week or two.

Drink lots of water – Do you realize 55% – 60% of the human body’s makeup is water? If that was all you knew, it should be enough to get you to drink more water. It’s obviously vital to healthy body function. But also keep in mind that the kidneys need adequate water to work efficiently. They remove toxins from the blood. So if they don’t function as well as they should, those toxins can then begin to accumulate. If too many toxins are in your system sluggishness results. Toxins can also cause sickness and disease. If you are not an active individual, drinking at least 12 ounces with every meal or snack (5-6 per day) should do the job. If you are active (which of course you should be), about a gallon a day should do the trick.

Get sufficient sleep – While this is probably the most vital piece, it is probably also the most ignored. Sleep is the primary way your body and brain recharge themselves. So if you don’t get enough, how can you expect to function well? Six to eight hours of sleep should be your goal each night. Even if you have to give up some of your night activities or television programs, it’s well worth it.

Stretch your muscles daily – Muscles that are limber need less energy in order to function. So of course, the opposite is also true. Stiff, inflexible muscles are using up more gas than they should, although you probably don’t even realize it. So basic tasks like walking, reaching, and getting in and out of a chair have a cumulative effect that contributes to being tired by the day’s end. Make it a habit to stretch your body every day. Three or four minutes is all it takes.

Eating healthy – Breaking down all the details of healthy eating would require an entire article in itself. So I’ll just give a quick summary. Eat frequently (three meals and two or three snacks). Your diet should consist of lots of fruits and veggies, as well as protein from lean and clean white meat and fish sources (red meat is ok every 6-7 days). The protein will speed up your metabolism, which produces energy. The fruits and veggies provide rich vitamin content for energy, as well as help clean toxins from your intestines.

Apply these steps right away if you’ve been very low on energy. You will be very pleased with the change in how you feel. The energy you need to workout will now be on hand. Don’t forget to focus on positivity and always give your best effort.

Known as one of the best Atlanta personal trainers, Vaughn has designed challenging workout routines that bring results rapidly. Check out his site for more information.