how do you handle feeling weak and dizzy on weight loss programme?
cherys
Posts: 387 Member
This is always my stumbling block and has me reaching for the sugar or carbs. I hate that feeling but realise it's going to happen so need to have a handful of tricks up my sleeve for handling it.
Did a short kettlebell workout this morning, then desk work and some very light housework. Then went for a walk this afternoon. Was feeling really great and full of energy when about 2k steps into the walk I suddenly felt really weak and light-headed. Finished the walk and came home. Had a small apple, an orange, a cup of tea and three squares of 85% dark chocolate - which is better than the vast slice of ginger cake I wanted. (My husband baked it - I wouldn't choose to have it in the house.) So a bit of fruit and a bit of very dark chocolate helped, but I'd prefer to be able to surf the urge and just wait until dinner.
What do other people do?
Did a short kettlebell workout this morning, then desk work and some very light housework. Then went for a walk this afternoon. Was feeling really great and full of energy when about 2k steps into the walk I suddenly felt really weak and light-headed. Finished the walk and came home. Had a small apple, an orange, a cup of tea and three squares of 85% dark chocolate - which is better than the vast slice of ginger cake I wanted. (My husband baked it - I wouldn't choose to have it in the house.) So a bit of fruit and a bit of very dark chocolate helped, but I'd prefer to be able to surf the urge and just wait until dinner.
What do other people do?
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Replies
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Getting close to fainting is serious. It could be dehydration, not eating enough, electrolyte imbalance, low blood pressure or low blood sugar.
The best way to find out is to eliminate the potential causes one by one. How many calories are you getting in a day? Do you have a home blood pressure cuff? If not, you may want to visit an in-store machine (up here in Canada they are in all the pharmacies).0 -
I'd eat more food personally. How many calories per day are you eating? How much do you weigh and how tall are you? Are you going low-carb?1
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Healthy weight loss (eating less, but not too little, moderate exercise) shouldn't produce those kinds of reactions. Go see your doctor.1
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Not seeing protein or fat in there. A handful of almonds would have about the same calorie load as the apple or orange, and a longer slower burn time.
Ditto one of the new starkist flavored tuna packets.
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quiksylver296 wrote: »I'd eat more food personally. How many calories per day are you eating? How much do you weigh and how tall are you? Are you going low-carb?
Not with an apple and an orange and chocolate bar.0 -
No, I'm not doing low carb. I find high fibre, carb heavy, low fat works best for me. Or used to. But I could try low carb instead and see if that works better.
Do other people not experience this when they diet? I thought this was common. It always happens to me.
Stanmann - thanks for the tuna tip. I'll look that up.0 -
No, I'm not doing low carb. I find high fibre, carb heavy, low fat works best for me. Or used to. But I could try low carb instead and see if that works better.
Do other people not experience this when they diet? I thought this was common. It always happens to me.
Stanmann - thanks for the tuna tip. I'll look that up.
I wouldn't.
What is your daily calorie goal?0 -
I'm eating 1400-1500 a day. 5' 4" tall and 30lbs overweight (15 over healthy BMI, but 30 from my comfortable weight.)0
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When you get dizzy, how long has it been since you last ate?1
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Usually about two hours after eating.0
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I got nothing.
It's definitely NOT normal.
I'd check with a doc.2 -
quiksylver296 wrote: »I got nothing.
It's definitely NOT normal.
I'd check with a doc.
May be???Hyper/hypo glycemia/pre-diabetes???
Going Low carb isn't necessary, but going to more protein/fat and unrefined carbs might help.
BUT, See a doc.1 -
Hmm. I'm glad I asked. I always assumed everyone got this and wondered how you all go about your daily lives and work and exercise with it. No wonder I find it hard to stick to a weight loss plan. Is there really no one else on here who has this?1
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Gquiksylver296 wrote: »I got nothing.
It's definitely NOT normal.
I'd check with a doc.
I have to see my doc anyway about something else tomorrow so will ask her then.
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Two hours after eating could be low blood sugar. You might have hypoglycemia. This can be found out with some blood tests.
I have gotten dizzy while dieting but only when I was on VLCD. I also had a near fainting spell a day after a fun run on a sweltering day and my doctor-sister was not pleased that I brushed it off. She suggested I was suffering, a day after the run, an electrolyte imbalance.
Definitely not something to ignore.1 -
It has happened to me before.
And yes, it's miserable and hard to imagine how anyone could do this long term. But it doesn't HAVE to be this way!
I checked out your diary - it looks like you started on Monday, yes?
A couple of things (I'm new to these boards, too!)
1. Are you set at the right calorie level overall? Could you be burning more calories than you realize? For example, did you set to sedentary, but you are in actuality active?
2. You didn't hit your protein goal, and protein and fiber are good at sticking with you. For cheap (calorically speaking) protein - do eggs, egg beaters, pb2 (which is powdered peanut butter) on high fiber english muffin, or chicken breast or as someone said, tuna.
3. I also got dizzy when I was low on iron. Have you ever been tested for anemia? Try adding iron rich foods - beef, spinach, etc. I also take a multi-vitamin with iron (but be careful, it can stop you up if you know what I mean)
4. Schedule a check up with your doctor. Dizziness and fainting can be very serious!
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This is always my stumbling block and has me reaching for the sugar or carbs. I hate that feeling but realise it's going to happen so need to have a handful of tricks up my sleeve for handling it.
Did a short kettlebell workout this morning, then desk work and some very light housework. Then went for a walk this afternoon. Was feeling really great and full of energy when about 2k steps into the walk I suddenly felt really weak and light-headed. Finished the walk and came home. Had a small apple, an orange, a cup of tea and three squares of 85% dark chocolate - which is better than the vast slice of ginger cake I wanted. (My husband baked it - I wouldn't choose to have it in the house.) So a bit of fruit and a bit of very dark chocolate helped, but I'd prefer to be able to surf the urge and just wait until dinner.
What do other people do?
I would have had some protein after that instead, and some fat. Whenever I work out, even if I don't feel like it's "that hard" I get lightheaded fairly quickly without some protein and fat.
And ginger cake is nearly impossible to pass up, so good for you on that!0 -
The only things not touched on is your protein, are you getting enough?
And your hydration. Are you well hydrated? Pee should be a pale straw colour most of the day.
Are you overhydrated? Too much liquid, especially if it is just water can leave you with an electrolyte imbalance.
I have had a couple of light headed dizzy experiences, due to both of the above (I'm not sure if the low protein was just a coincidence) over a number of years, no way a regular occurrence though.
Good idea to talk to your doc when you go. Please let us know how you got on.
Cheers, h.1 -
Hmm. I'm glad I asked. I always assumed everyone got this and wondered how you all go about your daily lives and work and exercise with it. No wonder I find it hard to stick to a weight loss plan. Is there really no one else on here who has this?
Nope.
Could be the result of the high carbs... Try moderate carbs/fat/protein, see if that helps.0 -
No, it's not normal. Hopefully your doctor will have some insight. However, low blood sugar after a workout when you're dieting isn't rare.
Eating protein and fat helps to stabilize blood sugar, so if you're eating mainly carbs by themselves it might be something like reactive hypoglycemia. As a teenager with reactive hypoglycemia I had problems with fainting after a high carb only breakfast such as pancakes. The solution is just to add some protein,
If it is blood sugar related, you just need a few carbs at the right moment to bring your level back up. Eat about 15g of quick acting carbs about 15 minutes before working out - that could be a piece of fruit or a glass of milk or even a small candy bar or cookie. After a long workout eat a few carbs and some protein - again, a glass of milk is perfect, or Greek yogurt and fruit.
If you frequently have lows, carry something like glucose gel or smarties candy on your walks for emergencies. I'm on metformin, which tends to prevent the liver from bringing glucose levels up as quickly after depletion, and having a few Smarties after a run makes me much, much more comfortable until I can get home for a proper snack.1 -
Looking at your diary, I notice all your amounts are in nice, round numbers, which implies to me that you're guessing, at least a little. Normally I'd suspect someone of eating more than they think under those circumstances, but I wonder if you're in fact eating less than you think? Undereating will certainly cause the symptoms you're experiencing. You're already on only 1200 kcal, which is pretty low for someone with only 25 lbs to lose, as you say in your profile.0
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This has been such a useful discussion. Thank you all for your replies. I always assumed everyone had this everyday that they tried to lose weight. So if it's not normal, I need to adjust something. More protein and maybe lesswater? I find it easy to overhydrate. Love water.
I can't tell you what an eye opener this has been. No wonder I fail so often. I'm doing something wrong! Will find it and sort it and get that weight shifted.
Thank you!3 -
HiLooking at your diary, I notice all your amounts are in nice, round numbers, which implies to me that you're guessing, at least a little. Normally I'd suspect someone of eating more than they think under those circumstances, but I wonder if you're in fact eating less than you think? Undereating will certainly cause the symptoms you're experiencing. You're already on only 1200 kcal, which is pretty low for someone with only 25 lbs to lose, as you say in your profile.
CCSernica - I tend to use measuring spoons and US cups or scales, so I 'know' that the porridge or muesli is exactly 30g or 40g. But you could be right. I measured 75g of pasta yesterday but didn't eat it all.
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Hi! For me it's salt. I went to the doctor for the same reason (and it's great that you are you for ask yours too) and it was a blood pressure issue from not enough sodium. I wasn't doing it on purpose, but when you're choosing whole foods you don't get the sodium you used to.
She actually prescribed me 1 Pringle to take as needed Ha! What kind of a monster tells you to eat only 1 Pringle?
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HiLooking at your diary, I notice all your amounts are in nice, round numbers, which implies to me that you're guessing, at least a little. Normally I'd suspect someone of eating more than they think under those circumstances, but I wonder if you're in fact eating less than you think? Undereating will certainly cause the symptoms you're experiencing. You're already on only 1200 kcal, which is pretty low for someone with only 25 lbs to lose, as you say in your profile.
CCSernica - I tend to use measuring spoons and US cups or scales, so I 'know' that the porridge or muesli is exactly 30g or 40g. But you could be right. I measured 75g of pasta yesterday but didn't eat it all.
cups and measuring spoons aren't accurate measurements - you would be better to put the container on the scale and scoop out 30g of oatmeal - then see how much you can have1 -
krispy1982 wrote: »Hi! For me it's salt. I went to the doctor for the same reason (and it's great that you are you for ask yours too) and it was a blood pressure issue from not enough sodium. I wasn't doing it on purpose, but when you're choosing whole foods you don't get the sodium you used to.
She actually prescribed me 1 Pringle to take as needed Ha! What kind of a monster tells you to eat only 1 Pringle?
This happened to me in high school, and is what I was going to say! My vision would go all brown and cloudy when I stood up to change classes. I don't really like salty foods; I go out of my way now to eat them. I have figured out that I'll crave enchilada sauce when I'm low. But I felt like crap before!
A trip to the doctor is definitely the place to start.0 -
krispy, that's a really interesting point. Did you have low blood pressure? That runs in our family, so maybe that's what it is. I love salt but have cut back on it. Maybe I need more. Once during the summer I drank too much water and suddenly started manically eating neat spoonfuls of marmite which is almost pure salt and Vit B.0
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I'll go back to the scales then. Thanks everyone.0
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This is always my stumbling block and has me reaching for the sugar or carbs. I hate that feeling but realise it's going to happen so need to have a handful of tricks up my sleeve for handling it.
Did a short kettlebell workout this morning, then desk work and some very light housework. Then went for a walk this afternoon. Was feeling really great and full of energy when about 2k steps into the walk I suddenly felt really weak and light-headed. Finished the walk and came home. Had a small apple, an orange, a cup of tea and three squares of 85% dark chocolate - which is better than the vast slice of ginger cake I wanted. (My husband baked it - I wouldn't choose to have it in the house.) So a bit of fruit and a bit of very dark chocolate helped, but I'd prefer to be able to surf the urge and just wait until dinner.
What do other people do?
I don't feel lightheaded and weak. I would be wondering if something was wrong with me or seeing if I was doing something wrong.
Did you feel better after eating and drinking?
Is your calorie goal too restrictive? If you are not very overweight it shouldn't be higher than losing 1 lb a week and .5 lb may be more appropriate. With mfp you are supposed to log exercise outside your normal activity level and eat some of those calories.
Check that you are getting enough calories, protein and fats.
Drink to your thirst level.
If everything seems covered but you are still feeling this way see your doctor.0
This discussion has been closed.
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