Headaches

Miss_sapphire11

im only on day 2 and my nutrition has been horrible. I didn't realize how bad it was until I started looking at the amount of calories in what I eat. I've eaten exactly my calorie count (1330) allowed by mfp but I feel like I've just had one non stop headache.

I do normally have a lot of caffeine but my calories don't allow for me to fit in a redbull anymore etc. I feel pretty much always hungry..how long does it take to adjust to the calorie change? Did you get bad headaches?

Feeling like this will be harder than just eating the right foods

lynn1982

#1: If you used to drink a lot of Redbull and have suddenly cut down, then yes, you may absolutely be getting a headache from the lack of caffeine. It could also be the sudden lack of sugar, but assuming it's the caffeine, it should take a few days to subside. If you have gone cold turkey, then have something with a bit of caffeine - a small coffee or even a black tea. In my experience, it should help if it's a caffeine headache. (The sugar on the other hand, I can't speak to as well.)

#2: If you are hungry, then chances are you are eating too few calories. Many people sign up on here and automatically put their settings at 2 pound loss/week. Unless you have a lot to lose, such a deficit is not necessary, especially if you're hungry. Try changing your settings to 1 pound or even half a pound per week depending on your start weight and how much you have to lose...

Good luck!

queenliz99

red bull has caffeine. No caffeine gives me a headache.

Miss_sapphire11

Right now I am at 1.5lb loss per week. I have about 20lbs to lose. I didn't think it was a drastic goal..

Manda8494

Today is Day 1 (again) and I've had a killer headache from the major decrease of caffeine and sugar. Hang in there, it'll lessen up!!!!

5stringjeff

Caffeine headaches are the worst. Nothing you can do except tough it out or add some caffeine back into your diet.

Also, with a 20 pound weight loss goal, you should probably go with 1 pound per week. But it's good that you're recognizing that your nutrition hasn't been great so far. Part of the whole MFP experience is figuring out how to permanently change our eating habits, and you've taken the first step in that direction.

samanthachen

5stringjeff wrote: »

Caffeine headaches are the worst. Nothing you can do except tough it out or add some caffeine back into your diet.

Also, with a 20 pound weight loss goal, you should probably go with 1 pound per week. But it's good that you're recognizing that your nutrition hasn't been great so far. Part of the whole MFP experience is figuring out how to permanently change our eating habits, and you've taken the first step in that direction.

This, both parts.

When I gave caffeine up for pregnancy, it was a good few days of headaches before it went away.

I want to double stress the calorie deficit. With 20 lbs to lose, you need to adjust your goal to a smaller one.

Miss_sapphire11

I'm 5'5", 165lbs..does 1330 calories really seem that restrictive? I thought 2lbs per week was average weight loss on a diet. I'm just trying to figure out how to eat reasonably, get healthier, and not over eat (which I do a lot of) and hopefully lose weight through calorie counting.

queenliz99

2 pounds per week is aggressive, change it it to 1 pound per week. It will be easier for you.

PaytraB

A 2 lb/week deficit is aggressive and meant for those who have a lot to lose.
With only about 20 lbs to lose, you should have a goal of no more than 1 lb/week and when you get closer to having about 10 lbs to lose, that should change to a goal of about 0.5 lb/week. This allows you to ease into maintenance and slowly replenish glycogen levels (so that you don't freak at the approx. 5 lbs you can regain because of glycogen replenishing).

For the caffeine headache, can you drink a cup of coffee or black tea? Would a diet cola help?