Dizzy and slow

autumnwater

Hi,
I've been trying to lose weight for about 6 weeks now and I've noticed whenever I try to eat around 1200 calories (generally a little more) per day, after two or three days I get really dizzy and tired and my brain kind of gets slow.

One reason that happens, I think, is because I don't drink enough water. I'm trying to drink more now, and that does help.

But do you think these symptoms are also because my body is shutting down from not eating enough? If so, I'm facing a dilemma. Because I'm only 2.6 pounds from my ideal weight, by netting 1200 calories a day I'm barely dropping 0.5 pounds/week. If I eat more, that means I can't make my ideal weight by my target date. But if I keep eating this way, I'm afraid that I will continue to be tired and weak.

What should I do?

FeatherBoBeather

I'm no expert, but I'd say bump up the exercise & your calories with it!
Not sure if you're taking a multi-vitamin, but that can help out with your energy levels too.

jennifer_a00

I'm no expert but it sounds like your body is sending you a message. Are you eating proper nutrition? Maybe more fruits and veggies to give you extra energy? If you are feeling dizzy and tired and slow, that sounds like you are not getting enough to eat! I would worry more about being healthy first and then weight second, especially since it is only 2 1/2 pounds...

Mokey41

What do you plan to eat once you hit goal? You're either going to have to figure something out or learn some way to eat more. What you're eating can make a huge difference too. Make sure you aren't eating a lot of empty carbs that aren't giving you the nutrition you need. If you want to eat low calorie you have to work hard at making those calories count.

now_or_never13

It`s 2.6lbs... I would be increasing your calories if you are feeling dizzy when you eat so low. Your body is telling you that you are not getting enough fuel for your body.

When you are so close to your goal weight you should be eating more.

JustPeachy044

Yep. You have to be able to maintain the loss once you get there. Up your calories and see how you feel. Have you tried freedieting.com or fat2fit.com? See what your "ideal" calorie intake is and adjust accordingly. Maybe you can try calorie cycling (see freedieting.com) Remember, this weight loss thing isn't a sprint, you can't get there and relax. It is a marathon, you need to live in a way that you can maintain.

Firefox7275

Could be dehydration but drinking more water won't make it stay in your body - carbs particularly help you hold water, to a lesser extent proteins and fats. Just as likely your blood sugar levels are dropping, either you are not eating enough carbs (brain uses glucose) or choosing high glycaemic foods/ meals so your blood sugar peaks and troughs, or you might have an electrolyte imbalance. It's not healthy to be so focussed on a weight goal that you neglect your health: losing half a pound a week of fat at this stage is realistic, more is likely to be muscle or water.

gabriellejayde

i can't see your diary so I don't know what foods you are eating to get to 1200cals but you can eat a well balanced, decent amount if you make good choices.
a large, egg white omelet for breakfast with a slice of low cal bread, a big salad with shrimp or tuna,some fruit for a snack and some steamed veggies and chicken, etc.

and drink more water.

autumnwater

Thanks everyone for all your advice! I appreciate it.

Could be dehydration but drinking more water won't make it stay in your body - carbs particularly help you hold water, to a lesser extent proteins and fats. Just as likely your blood sugar levels are dropping, either you are not eating enough carbs (brain uses glucose) or choosing high glycaemic foods/ meals so your blood sugar peaks and troughs, or you might have an electrolyte imbalance. It's not healthy to be so focussed on a weight goal that you neglect your health: losing half a pound a week of fat at this stage is realistic, more is likely to be muscle or water.

I think this advice hit the spot. I think 1200 calories is doable given my body type because and at 1500-1600 calories/week I am just maintaining my weight. But now that you mention it, I have been eating way too much sugar, and not just because it's holiday season. Yesterday, I ate 4 Kashi granola bars and 2 slices of watermelon, all of which are high GI foods. Plus, I was in a room that was 80 degrees for 24 hours, so that would explain electrolyte imbalance.

I think from now on I just need to be better at cutting out the excessive sugar in my diet. I'm wondering if I should stop eating granola bars for breakfast. Although Kashi is a relatively healthier granola bar brand, just getting that sugar in the morning everyday has gotten me into the habit of eating sugar. Before, I could look at a brownie and not want it at all. But now when I see sweets I must have them.

The thing though is that I don't usually leave much time for breakfast, so I don't have time to cook myself eggs every morning. I've starting eating boiled eggs and fruit in the mornings, but that alone doesn't seem enough to fill me up.

What do you think I should eat instead of granola bars in the morning?

sugar66

Try eating oatmeal (porridge) for breakfast, as its a slow release food it helps keep your energy levels up.
It can be cooked in a largish batch and then heated up in the microwave for a quick filling breakfast.
Try adding some fruit to it, this is what i have been doing

geekyjock76

With not much fat mass, you can't afford a large deficit - and netting 1200 calories may be too little. Lastly, losing 0.5 lb per week is realistic and in accordance with your present weight. We can only oxidize a limited amount of fat per day based on total fat mass; thus, creating excessively large deficits that go beyond what one can burn in fat is uncalled for as it: leads to increased loss of lean body mass; further decreases RMR; and impairs proper hunger signaling. Whatever you need to eat in order to maintain present body weight and composition, subtract 250 calories and that will lead to the same 0.5 lb loss per week while limiting the alterations to the endocrine system.

JustPeachy044

Eggs are good for protein in the morning.

I have a protein smoothie each morning. Greek yogurt, protein powder, milk (coconut or almond), fruit, and a handful of spinach. I pre-make it by combining the ingredients the night before (or i do several sunday eve for the week) then in the morning throw it in the blender with frozen banana. 300-450 calories, quick, delicious and full of protein! Maybe something similar would work for you?

WinnerVictorious

if you are 2.6lbs from your goal, you are for all intents and purposes at your goal. your body weight fluctuates daily by a couple of lbs based on water and other things. put your scale in the closet. the number on the scale is meaningless for you now. you are at maintenance. bump up your calories to maintenance level. even if you lost another 2.6lbs of fat on your body, you will never notice it. you will not look different in the mirror. what you can do now, at maintenance, is start exercising with weights (if you are not already). that's what will have the biggest positive effect on your body/shape/figure at this point. you'll put on a little bit of muscle, you'll tone up your body. you'll get stronger. that's what you should focus on... it'll add years to your life and enjoyment thereof.

autumnwater

With not much fat mass, you can't afford a large deficit - and netting 1200 calories may be too little. Lastly, losing 0.5 lb per week is realistic and in accordance with your present weight. We can only oxidize a limited amount of fat per day based on total fat mass; thus, creating excessively large deficits that go beyond what one can burn in fat is uncalled for as it: leads to increased loss of lean body mass; further decreases RMR; and impairs proper hunger signaling. Whatever you need to eat in order to maintain present body weight and composition, subtract 250 calories and that will lead to the same 0.5 lb loss per week while limiting the alterations to the endocrine system.

Thanks for the advice. To maintain my current body weight, I need to eat about 1500 calories, so that still puts me at 1250, which isn't much better than 1200. But hey, maybe those extra 50 calories make a big difference!

autumnwater

Eggs are good for protein in the morning.

I have a protein smoothie each morning. Greek yogurt, protein powder, milk (coconut or almond), fruit, and a handful of spinach. I pre-make it by combining the ingredients the night before (or i do several sunday eve for the week) then in the morning throw it in the blender with frozen banana. 300-450 calories, quick, delicious and full of protein! Maybe something similar would work for you?

Sounds delicious.
I'm looking for something to bring to the office to eat though. Maybe I should stock up on Greek yoghurt and I'm thinking of swapping my cereal bars for Oatmeal or AllBran

autumnwater

if you are 2.6lbs from your goal, you are for all intents and purposes at your goal. your body weight fluctuates daily by a couple of lbs based on water and other things. put your scale in the closet. the number on the scale is meaningless for you now. you are at maintenance. bump up your calories to maintenance level. even if you lost another 2.6lbs of fat on your body, you will never notice it. you will not look different in the mirror. what you can do now, at maintenance, is start exercising with weights (if you are not already). that's what will have the biggest positive effect on your body/shape/figure at this point. you'll put on a little bit of muscle, you'll tone up your body. you'll get stronger. that's what you should focus on... it'll add years to your life and enjoyment thereof.

Hmm, yes, I am starting to lift weights. (But I only do it alone in my room. Way too intimidated by all the testosterone in the gym.) I do think you're right here. I don't mind gaining a few pounds if it's all muscle.

To me. 2.6 pounds is a pretty big deal because right now I'm 97.6 pounds, so that's more than 2% of my body weight. I think the biggest difference would be slimming down my face, which looks quite different even if I just lose a few pounds.

But at the end of the day, the weight is not as important as long as my face stays slim and I can fit into the pants I bought two years ago again without having trouble sitting down.

geekyjock76

Are you absolutely sure 1500 is all you need? Are you completely sedentary both in terms of daily activities and exercise? Have you eaten 1500 calories for several consecutive months until your weight stabilizes, only fluctuating insignificantly? Some people may not notice they have been restricting calories and associate a plateau with maintenance and weight gain with eating at a surplus. True maintenance amount of calories is the maximum calories one eats and experiences virtually no gain in weight for several consecutive months after the initial gain in weight passes due to decreasing the deficit to or near maintenance. The last time I cut weight, I got down to 154 lbs. When I reintroduced more carbs (calories) to decrease the deficit and get back to maintenance, I gained about 4-5 lbs in water weight within the first week or so. After that initial period, my weight stabilized and that calorie amount (2850) is what I need to maintain.