Headache on the first day

kingston4

Anyone else have this happen anytime you get yourself back on track? Drank more water than I usually do but ate much less calories than I have been... and ended up with an awful headache. It mostly went away but still feel crappy today.

Redordeadhead

How much is "much less"? What is your calorie goal and your current height and weight? Sounds like you may not be eating enough in general, or perhaps low on electrolytes.

Lietchi

If you've reduced your caffeine intake, that can also cause headaches from withdrawal.

L1zardQueen

Drinking too much water can be bad too.

tinkerbellang83

Lietchi wrote: »

If you've reduced your caffeine intake, that can also cause headaches from withdrawal.

Redordeadhead wrote: »

How much is "much less"? What is your calorie goal and your current height and weight? Sounds like you may not be eating enough in general, or perhaps low on electrolytes.

These and have you drastically reduced your carb intake? This can also have an effect on Electrolytes.

AwesomeSquirrel

Ease into it. If you have drastically reduced calories, caffeine or maybe sugar by cutting out treats that can definitely give you a headache.

If your target is to lose 2 lbs per week that means 1000 kcal deficit per day. That is a huge cut. It’s perfectly fine to taper down to that goal. What if you were to log a normal day and then aim to eat 250 kcal less tomorrow and then a few days after that but another 250?

Or if you’re currently having 2 desserts per day, replace one of them with a fruit?

Please also bear in mind that 2 lbs per week is very aggressive and really only appropriate for someone with a lot of weight to lose. If you’re not well into the obese BMI category I would suggest a less aggressive rate.

Finally I’ll just mention the fact that MFP expects you to add any intentional exercise on top of your daily activity level and will give you more calories to fuel your workouts. So if you went all out with a workout on your first day and didn’t eat back any of those exercise calories that would also impact how you feel.

ccrdragon

kingston4 wrote: »

Anyone else have this happen anytime you get yourself back on track? Drank more water than I usually do but ate much less calories than I have been... and ended up with an awful headache. It mostly went away but still feel crappy today.

Simply drinking more water than usual can mess up your electrolytes - your body will flush electrolytes with the extra water that you are getting rid of. Try upping your salt intake and see if the headaches go away. Eating more salt will force the body to hold onto other electrolytes to keep them in balance.

kshama2001

If you stopped drinking caffeinated soda or the like your headache is caffeine withdrawal. You can switch to diet soda, coffee, tea, or caffeine pills.