Feel weird after reducing carbs and calories

lisettemc
lisettemc Posts: 2 Member
in Food and Nutrition
im currently trying to shift a stone since having a baby 5 months ago.

This may sound strange but since I started a weight loss plan of healthy eating and exercise I just feel strange. (a bit spacey and saying the wrong words etc), could this be down to my body craving carbs? I was a big carb eater before (breads etc) and I had a hideous sweet tooth so could it be my reduction in sugar?

Either that or I fear I'm loosing my marbles!

Any advice would be appreciated :-)

Replies

  • Confuzzled4ever
    Confuzzled4ever Posts: 2,860 Member
    Well.. if your sugar drops it can cause confusion among other things..

    I'd go see a doctor..
  • nagniho
    nagniho Posts: 132 Member
    im currently trying to shift a stone since having a baby 5 months ago.

    This may sound strange but since I started a weight loss plan of healthy eating and exercise I just feel strange. (a bit spacey and saying the wrong words etc), could this be down to my body craving carbs? I was a big carb eater before (breads etc) and I had a hideous sweet tooth so could it be my reduction in sugar?

    Either that or I fear I'm loosing my marbles!

    Any advice would be appreciated :-)

    "Feeling spacey and saying the wrong words ...." - I would suggest go see a doctor. Have you tried upping your carb levels to see if these symptoms go away?
  • AmberSpamber
    AmberSpamber Posts: 391 Member
    I think that could be a result of a lot of things... lack of sleep, or what I like to call Mommy brain ;) I find that if I eat bad, my head feels the same way. I have a hard time finding the right words to say as well. I just did a juicing cleanse and didn't have that problem at all while I was on it. Once I started introducing normal foods back, it started again. So, your body could just be trying to reset itself and is going through a withdrawl. I would give it a few more days. Make sure you are drinking lots of water and eating lots of fruits and veggies :) Hope you feel better.
  • JesterMFP
    JesterMFP Posts: 3,596 Member
    I would definitely see a doctor.

    Have you reduced your calories drastically?
  • tammycolbert
    tammycolbert Posts: 236 Member
    I don't know if it's the same thing your feeling but I kinda know what your talking about. I have reduced my calories and carbs by alot and I feel strange. I am hoping that once my body gets used to the new way of eating it will even itself out. I feel shaky and like my mind is racing and a little nauseous.

    I hope you feel better soon.
  • lisettemc
    lisettemc Posts: 2 Member
    Yes tammy that's kinda exactly as your saying. Me too I'm hoping that once my body gets used to a completely different diet It should sort itself out. It's probably my body in shock off my new regime wondering what on earth is going on!!:laugh:

    Will maybe up my carbs as suggested as I have virtually cut them out except for breakfast in the morning. I'm currently exercising 5 times per week (spinning, circuit etc) and eating 1200 a day.
  • jzammetti
    jzammetti Posts: 1,956 Member
    You could have dropped your calories too low. If you are eating 1200 calories, for example, that could explain what you describe.
  • samantha1242
    samantha1242 Posts: 816 Member
    This happened to me when I went on the south beach diet. I felt out of it, spacey, almost on the verge of passing out in a way. I went to my doctor who checked my blood sugar levels and the were all off (I don't remember what exactly she said cause I was 18 and didn't listen and that was along time ago). I would check with your doctor
  • trogalicious
    trogalicious Posts: 4,584 Member
    Will maybe up my carbs as suggested as I have virtually cut them out except for breakfast in the morning. I'm currently exercising 5 times per week (spinning, circuit etc) and eating 1200 a day.

    then you aren't eating nearly enough.
  • fabafter5
    fabafter5 Posts: 200 Member
    Cutting my carbs too low makes me feel crazy! I was doing Adkins for a bit and seriously couldn't think straight. I have a friend who is a principal and she was doing low carb adn said it about cost her her job lol. She was in a fog and couldn't remember anything.
  • CM9178
    CM9178 Posts: 1,251 Member
    My mom has been an insusulin dependent diabetic for 28 years. I've seen her when her sugar drops too low, and it is exactly like you are describing. Not to scare you, but I'd go to the doctor.
  • jlapey
    jlapey Posts: 1,850 Member
    I felt like that after giving up coffee. Are you restricting your caffeine intake?
  • darrensurrey
    darrensurrey Posts: 3,942 Member
    It's called lethargy. Eat more. You're also possibly going into ketosis depending on how little carbs you're eating daily.

    PS If you try to lose weight quickly, you'll be posting about loose skin hanging around your waist in a month or two's time.
  • vellis70
    vellis70 Posts: 2 Member
    I would check with your doctor. Often your body will change signifantly after having a baby. Sometimes your thyroid could be off, or your blood sugar levels have changed. Get some blood work done.
  • MightyDomo
    MightyDomo Posts: 1,265 Member
    I hope if your minimum calories is at 1200 that you are at least eating back ALL your exercise calories?

    It's possible that you could have a deficiency (especially if you are BFing) I know when I was BFing my values were lower and I had to increase my iron. Stopped the dizzy spells although I wasn't on a diet during that time.

    Speaking to a doctor and finding out if you have low levels or if you are possibly hypoglycemic would be a good idea, it might even be something else and you'd not know it. When you drop to that low of calories quickly that can also cause some problems for you so talking to your doctor about your weight loss plans regardless is a good idea so he can help you set up a method of how to scale down your intake while maintaining as much nutrition from food as possible.

    As a side note, I would suggest calculating your BMR and TDEE(minus 10-20%) and eating between the two as a regular caloric intake, while calculating make sure you either select sedentry (to eat back whatever you burn) or your current activity level (all exercise including BFing on a regular basis, and you would only eat back calories that were burned from activity out of the norm).

    Good luck!
  • eyeshuh
    eyeshuh Posts: 333
    If you aren't eating back your exercise, then you feel weird because you are starving yourself. Eat something!
  • jennb44
    jennb44 Posts: 81 Member
    I am on a low-carb eating plan which I started the beginning of last month. I have read a bunch of books on low-carb eating and they do say for some people it might take a bit at first to get use to being on a low-carb diet - feeling spacey and such. How many carbs are you allowing yourself daily? I am doing between 70-90 and I am still losing weight. I would try to space out your carbs in your meals. Also, make sure to drink at least 8 cups of water a day (one book I read said even a gallon is good). Good luck.
  • Lifting_Knitter
    Lifting_Knitter Posts: 1,025
    Question, are you nursing?
  • Evachiquita
    Evachiquita Posts: 223 Member
    About a week ago I cut my carb intake about 50%. I still eat a lot of carbs (mainly because I'm a vegan athlete). I was eating 300-400 grams a day and I've been below 200 now for a few days. I know 200 is still "a lot" to some people, but it's still about 50% less. I am still eating roughly the same amount of calories, just more from fat now. I have been feeling tired, weak, a little foggy mentally. Yesterday my muscles were feeling so bad, from lack of glycogen, that I ate some extra carbs. They feel better today but I'm still tired. I think my body is adjusting to it though.

    I researched this topic just yesterday and yes it is probably your body adjusting to the new diet. I read that the symptoms will go away shortly, sometimes in a few days, sometimes it can take a few weeks. Unfortunately I can't give you websites but look for side effects from the paleo diet and the ketogenic diet.
  • CornellGirl
    CornellGirl Posts: 30 Member
    when you dramatically reduce carbs your body starts to go through ketosis [burning your fat for energy source when the carbs aren't coming in like they used to] (can lead to feel ucky, irritated, tired, bad breath, etc)...
  • bootsandfros
    bootsandfros Posts: 81 Member
    are you eating fruits and vegetables? the reason i ask is that hey have carbs in them so your carb count may not be as low as you think. based off of what you said you aren't eating enough food.
  • Rhonnie
    Rhonnie Posts: 506 Member
    I would suspect it is the 5 month old baby before I'd think it was exercising and eating right. :) Mommy brain happens!
  • LifeChanged2000
    LifeChanged2000 Posts: 176 Member
    Question, are you nursing?
    I had the same question? If so you need to increase your food intake. You can also include differnet food choices that may help with the feelings in mommy brain.
  • Rhonnie
    Rhonnie Posts: 506 Member
    I would suspect it is the 5 month old baby before I'd think it was exercising and eating right. :) Mommy brain happens!

    Just saw your reply that you are eating 1200 calories - if you are not eating back your exercise calories and/or if you are breastfeeding then I would indeed think it was that before mommy brain. :)
  • TinaBean007
    TinaBean007 Posts: 273 Member
    Will maybe up my carbs as suggested as I have virtually cut them out except for breakfast in the morning. I'm currently exercising 5 times per week (spinning, circuit etc) and eating 1200 a day.

    then you aren't eating nearly enough.

    ^ This... do some research about what your body needs. I'm fairly certain you won't find anything to confirm that's enough calories based on your workout level.

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