Migraines and the drop in routine afterwards.

AuraLynne

Hi, I've recently come back to myfitnesspal with some coworkers after about a 6 month hiatus. It has only been three weeks into working myself back into normal sized meals and trying to get more exercise in, when I'm noticing the same issue that was the reason for my original hiatus. I suffer from migraines. I would normally be blowing them off as a normal occurrence, almost confining me to the couch or my bed in the dark for a day or two, or sometimes longer. However, now that I am try to keep with a routine, to eat normal calorie intakes and to exercise, these stints are definitely affecting things. When I get a migraine, I not only not move at all but I barely eat if I eat at all. After the migraine lessens I starve, feeling the need to eat anything, especially the cheap easy to make stuff. I know I can't ask for help with the migraines, but any advice on how to address 'stuffing my face' afterwards? Will the roller-coaster in calories going to affect the weight loss?

keeping_on

First, are you aware of any triggers you could minimize? For instance, caffeine and alcohol are two of mine that I have the option to avoid. Unfortunately, sometimes strenuous activity (hello there, HIIT intervals) can also result in a massive headache, which inevitably turns into a migraine for me. In the latter case I take medication the very moment I become aware of a growing headache and scale back the intensity of the activity, or stop it altogether if the pain/throbbing has rapidly grown. It does not always work, but it is helpful often enough that it's always worth a shot. Coincidentally, migraines can also be triggered by food deprivation - going too long without adequate nutrition may act as a catalyst, or exacerbate a current migraine. I understand that sometimes the very thought of food can make your stomach riot, or that other times you are so present in the pain that you are incapable of thinking of anything but OH GOD END IT GRAAAAHH, but please realize that eating well and eating regularly will ultimately alleviate your instances of migraine. Unless you have most food triggers under the sun, and in that case ... you may as well imbibe some tannins, because you're going to suffer. I'm sorry.

As far as famine/feast and weight loss are concerned, the simplest formula is that as long as you keep under a certain allotment daily, you will still lose weight. When you consume your calories (during a 24 hour period) is nowhere near as important as how many you consume, or the quality of them. Remaining food deprived for days at a time will throw a kink in the works, however. Of course there are numerous other factors that may affect one's weight loss and how one processes calories, but I am neither qualified nor motivated to write a paper on the subject right now.

Some ways to minimize detrimental effects of binging is to plan out your meals for a week, then pick a day when you have the time and the will to cook up everything - or some of them, no reason it has to be all or nothing - ahead of time. Portion food into tupperware, and then you will have easy grab-and-go meals that at most will require reheating when you are hungry. Limit the presence of junk food in your home and have homemade or store bought packages of healthy snacks on hand. Fiber and protein combinations will be the most filling. And, before you take so much as a nibble, drink as much water as you can handle. Then, plan out how much you feel you should eat in one sitting, allow yourself to eat that amount, and then go brush your teeth/use mouth wash and tell yourself that you just made your mouth pretty and will not allow it to be ruined until (insert arbitrary waiting period here). Drink more water or tea during that waiting period and distract yourself with chores, exercise, or leisure activities not involving food.

Finally, if you have not already done so but have the ability, get thee to a doctor. Over the counter medication is often not adequate for treating migraines and a medical professional may be able to help you identify triggers, prescribe preventive or abortive medication, and offer treatment alternatives to medication. If you currently take medication such as hormonal birth control, blood thinners, blood pressure meds, etc., the doctor can review alternatives with lower chances of migraine complications.

I apologize that my reply wasn't more informative, and possibly partially incoherent, my mind is not at its sharpest today. But if you have any specific questions, feel free to ask and I'll provide what I know or send you along to greater, sharper minds than I. Best of luck, if you keep at it you'll achieve your goals.

Tigg1011

i have the same problem...but unfortunately no advice...except that i do go crazy and eat when i feel better but then back to normal the next day.

AuraLynne

thank you, keeping_on and tigg, posts were definitely helpful. I follow mostly the same information but knowing that I am on track definitely makes me feel better about things.

tigg, On triggers, I do know some major triggers for me is the basic allergy problems of mold, dust and pollen, in both environmental, and what I eat (sadly they said to avoid a lot of things in that group). Unfortunately, even with those tamed I still suffer from them regularly. I do see a neurologist regularly, and take medication for prevention as well as on the onset of the migraine. I will take the planning ahead and making the food ahead of time into consideration though, as it would help with not just having something ready but because my husband and I are on such estranged schedules most of the time.

Again thank you guys for the help. It was definitely appreciated.