Low energy when lifting

[SociallyChallenged]

a week off sounds like it is in order... but if it was cns, you would be feeling it all the time. You would be tired/fatigued all the time, not just during a workout.

Not true. People present differently and have differing effects to the changes in neurotransmitters. While people frequently have fatigue, restlessness, insomnia, etc it can be intermittent or just during movements that are most taxing on the CNS (i.e. lifting). It's the most sensible explanation for a decline in lifts in the absence of injury. I've seen it before in people just like this and a week off results in significant relief.

 

[classy]

just get yourself a preworkout..

just a few you may want to try:
superpump max
c4
Jack3d
MTS clash
Assault
1MR

Ill add Xpand to that list.

 

[Zivic]

Not true. People present differently and have differing effects to the changes in neurotransmitters. While people frequently have fatigue, restlessness, insomnia, etc it can be intermittent or just during movements that are most taxing on the CNS (i.e. lifting). It's the most sensible explanation for a decline in lifts in the absence of injury. I've seen it before in people just like this and a week off results in significant relief.

you way over analyze the situation.

OP just needs some helpers..

edit. when I take time off, sure it helps the CNS... but more so, it helps mentally

 

[CPA]

just get yourself a preworkout..

just a few you may want to try:
superpump max
c4
Jack3d
MTS clash
Assault
1MR

Noxplode.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

When I get into weights where I am having trouble getting through a set, I take two very deep breaths between each rep. It seems to help immensely. Especially with deadlift. Not sure if I tried the trick with squats though.

With lat pull downs, I find doing one dep breath between reps helps alot. It can be the difference between doing 7 reps and 10 reps for me.

 

[JBT]

I'm not saying its not possible but 3500-4000 calories of good quality food is a TON! You have to be really dedicated to do that. If you are eating junk which I suspect on the 3500-4000 calorie days then yeah its worthless and it will make you weaker.

 

[rga]

You are working out at 90% of your 1RM and you are

currently working on my discipline to eat under 2000 a day to try to cut, but I generally only acomplish that every other day...

If you are doing a Rippetoe type workout and squatting 3 days a week, plus everything else that's going on, I would seriously considering eating more calories. Add them in slowly. Increase by 200 per day the first week and see how you feel.

I know you said you only hit that every other day, but I think if you were consistently eating above 2000 and below what you eat on the other days, you would be feeling better.

 

[Pantlegz]

The guys at JTS recommend eating carbs while you're lifting, I haven't tried it because I get enough odd looks at the gym the way it is. But if I remember correctly you're lifting at home so it wouldn't be a big deal to eat a few pounds of mashed potatoes while you lift. Rather than link each article individually, check out http://www.jtsstrength.com/articles/tag/nutrition/ there is a lot of good information from guys that are very strong