Getting sick a lot and bruised easily. Could it be my diet?

lucyholdcroft7
lucyholdcroft7 Posts: 7 Member
in Motivation and Support
Hi all,

I’m feeling pretty demotivated at the moment. I try and eat fresh fruit and vegetables every day, I drink a lot of milk, I have lean meat every day... but I just keep getting sick!

Before I started my diet, I never caught colds or anything but over the last three months while I’ve been dieting, I’ve had quite severe colds (potentially flu) twice, I’ve been covered in bruises from the smallest knocks and I keep getting migraines. It’s putting me off wanting to continue my diet as I just feel so under the weather and fragile all of the time.

I’m eating ~1500 calories per day and losing ~1kg per week. I am currently 79kg and 184cm. I have lost 8kg and only want to lose 4kg more so I’m not sure if it’s worth sucking it up for another four weeks but honestly I’d rather avoid feeling so dreadful if possible!

Has anyone else experienced this? Is there some changes that I need to make to my diet, such as including a multivitamin? I have had anemia in the past so I’m not sure if my diet has reignited this... can anyone recommend me some iron supplements OR a good source of iron that I can include into my daily diet?

I do not exercise apart from walking ALL day with my job and then walking my dog. I’m pretty much always on my feet so I don’t worry about the gym too much as I am naturally quite muscular, so I don’t think that extreme exercise is the problem.

Replies

  • bionicpuffy
    bionicpuffy Posts: 93 Member
    It’s very possible that with such an active daily schedule, 1500 is not enough. I’d recommend looking up your TDEE with that in mind.
    For the other stuff- migraines, frequent illness, easy bruises- it would be a food idea to talk to your doctor. It could be any number of things, from simple bad luck to anemia or some other underlying issue.
  • MikePTY
    MikePTY Posts: 3,814 Member
    1kg a week is very rapid weight loss for someone your size who is now in the "normal" BMI range, and 1500 calories is too low considering you are tall and active in your job. I am not a doctor, and you should consult one and not get medical advice from me, but I would not be surprised at all if your rapid weight loss and aggressive calorie deficit are leading to these issues.

    If I were in your shoes, I would eat at maintenance for a couple of weeks to see if that helps (make sure your activity level is set to "active" or likely "very active" due to your job, in order to get correct calories). If you then decide you want to continue losing weight, cut your weight loss target back to no more than .25kg per week to lose slower.
  • jljshoe1979
    jljshoe1979 Posts: 325 Member
    MikePTY wrote: »
    1kg a week is very rapid weight loss for someone your size who is now in the "normal" BMI range, and 1500 calories is too low considering you are tall and active in your job. I am not a doctor, and you should consult one and not get medical advice from me, but I would not be surprised at all if your rapid weight loss and aggressive calorie deficit are leading to these issues.

    If I were in your shoes, I would eat at maintenance for a couple of weeks to see if that helps (make sure your activity level is set to "active" or likely "very active" due to your job, in order to get correct calories). If you then decide you want to continue losing weight, cut your weight loss target back to no more than .25kg per week to lose slower.

    I would eat at maintenance for a week as already stated and see if that helps, but if it doesn't it really would be best to go to the doctor and get a check-up. Hope you get to feeling better soon!
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    A good rule of thumb is no more than 1% of your body weight per week and even that can be pretty aggressive. I think your calorie goal and rate of loss is too steep given your stats...you just don't have the fat stores to support it.
  • apullum
    apullum Posts: 4,838 Member
    Agreed that you currently have an aggressive deficit given your stats. With so little to lose, you should be aiming for the slowest rate of loss on MFP. If eating more doesn't help, see your doctor.
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    If you think you have an issue with anemia, you should def see your doctor. You should not just randomly take iron supplements because too much iron can cause other problems.
    I’d also be concerned about abnormal bruising because it can be a sign of various circulation and blood issues. Again, a reason to see doc.

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