How do you handle this...

Ahmee2034

:sick: You know how you get light-headed and stuff when you first begin a "diet?" I'm looking for suggestions on how you all handle this sluggish, light-headed, blah feeling.

ron2282

Are you sure you're eating enough? I never got light-headed or sluggish after I starting watching what I ate.

lelesmama

I get light-headed every day now - I couldn't even function enough to imagine up a meal for dinner. My husband has to help me every night dream up something to eat. I get a lot of extra calories because I'm breastfeeding, but it is still difficult for me. I have been dieting for over a month now too!! I try to do high-protein snacks because they fill me up and I never go more than 3 hours without eating but I still get light-headed every now and then. I look forward to hearing everyone's tips too!

dansdeb

You shouldn't be getting light headed. Your blood sugar may be dropping to low or something. If this continues I would go see my doctor. Everyone gets a little lightheaded now and then, but it shouldn't be happening because you are dieting and it should be happening on a regular basis. Please be careful.....if it continues go see your doc.

Ahmee2034

Well, I AM eating below my calorie goal each day but I just CAN'T seem to eat all those calories! I, too, try to eat protein rich snacks. Maybe this will pass as my body adjusts to not having all that fat, sugar, etc.

Killeen_bride2be

I get the lightheadiness and dizzy spells too but they have gotten a little better now that I snack more. I now only get dizzy after I work out. When I start to feel that way, I just grab an apple or a 100 calorie pack. I know it's hard to get all the calories in but at least get as close to your 1200 or whatever you are set to as you can.

kwardklinck

What do you mean you can't eat them? Wow I must be the only person who actually gained my weight by overeating. Seriously, eat. You're light headed because your blood sugar is low.

karenjoy

lelesmama does your Health Visitor know you are on a diet? I don't think breast feeding Mums should be calorie counting, that is why you are feeling like you do. Your body is using up HUGE amounts of calories making the milk for your baby and as long as you eat sensibly you will lose weight without dieting. Please speak to your GP or Health Visitor as soon as possible about how you are feeling and get some professional advice.

Also to the other ladies, you should not be feeling dizzy and light headed if you are eating your calories and drinking enough water, it does sound like you are getting low blood sugar and need to be watching that you eat enough, if not seek medical advice too.

squoozyq

Eat 6 times a day....200 cals + per meal. This will keep your blood sugar and metabolism in check.

PJilly

What do you mean you can't eat them? Wow I must be the only person who actually gained my weight by overeating. Seriously, eat. You're light headed because your blood sugar is low.

Thank you for that. I was beginning to think I was the only one who got fat by overeating! :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Killeen_bride2be

What do you mean you can't eat them? Wow I must be the only person who actually gained my weight by overeating. Seriously, eat. You're light headed because your blood sugar is low.

I started out as a chubby child thanks to my mom saying "just one more fry or maybe 15" or 'there are starveing kids in africa(or some random country"so maybe forceful overeating had something to do with it. I gained the rest of mine from poor nutrition, have hard times in years past where the only food we could afford was the high calorie, prossesed, full of fat and junk food, so even though I wasn't eating that much of it, the pounds were pileing on. When things in life became better, I did loose some but always would gain it back. I will completly admit to overeating at buffetts but hey who doesn't lol. at regular restuarnts though i always bring over half my food home. I am 25 and just now becomeing completely aware of what I should of been eating and what I must noow do to fix the problem.

P.s. I hope I didn't sound rude or defensive, I was just telling my part.

kwardklinck

It's not often how much we eat but what we eat that leads to weight gain. Yes, we want to eat healthier. Yes, we should eat fruits and veggies. We also need dairy, bread, and meat. If you are eating sufficient quantities of the food pyramid, you should never have trouble eating your 1200 plus calories. That's my point. Too many people diet by just eating around 800-1000 cals per day. It just messes up your metabolism. You can't get proper nutrition eating that way and I really do get annoyed with people saying that they can't eat more than that. Of course they can. Eat peanut butter toast, fruit, and milk for breakfast. Eat a carb, a milk, a protein, a fruit, and a vegetable for lunch, eat protein carb and veggie for dinner. I guarantee you'll get your calories in, you will lose weight, you won't get dizzy or light headed and you will be healthy. People here are successful when they follow the recommendations. If you could do it on your own, you wouldn't need MFP.

lelesmama

lelesmama does your Health Visitor know you are on a diet? I don't think breast feeding Mums should be calorie counting, that is why you are feeling like you do. Your body is using up HUGE amounts of calories making the milk for your baby and as long as you eat sensibly you will lose weight without dieting. Please speak to your GP or Health Visitor as soon as possible about how you are feeling and get some professional advice.

Also to the other ladies, you should not be feeling dizzy and light headed if you are eating your calories and drinking enough water, it does sound like you are getting low blood sugar and need to be watching that you eat enough, if not seek medical advice too.

My sister and I have successfully dieted while breastfeeding but you definitely have to reach a higher caloric intake than others. So far, I'm on the right path. But, you're right - I'm going to talk to my midwife because I'm worried that my iron levels might be too low and that is why I'm getting dizzy. I am certain that I have the right amount of calories though so maybe something is wrong?!

Ahmee2034

What do you mean you can't eat them? Wow I must be the only person who actually gained my weight by overeating. Seriously, eat. You're light headed because your blood sugar is low.

Well, bully for you! No, you're not the only one. Seriously, what, perhaps, I SHOULD HAVE SAID, is that I'm MORE concious of what I'm putting in my mouth when dieting. Therefore, I make smarter decisions, thereby not feeling so hungry. Is that a more simplistic way of explaining what I mean? If you can't give objective, helpful, non-sarcastic advice, then please, I'd prefer you not give me any advice. You can take this comment the way you like but, if you make fun of the comments people make here trying to get help, then you're not helping. Your comment was very hurtful to me. I obviously didn't become overweight by following a daily calorie goal or I wouldn't be here. I've eaten my share of buffets, too. Just lay off. What is this forum, Mean Girls on a Rampage! I thought I was in the help forum...

dragonflyjill

I want to point out that it may also be low iron that is causing the light-headedness, I second the advice that you should check in with a medical professional. You mentioned that you have not eaten nutritious food in the past, therefore it sounds likely to me that you could be anemic. This is especially a problem for women as we lose blood on a monthly basis so it can be a challenge to keep those iron stores up!

From your post, Killeen_bride2be, I have two things to say, and the first is WOW. I work in a prenatal nutrition program and see so many people who have never been taught the basics of nutrition. It can be so challenging and scary to make changes. You should be so proud of yourself for starting this journey.

Also, I feel I should suggest that you may want to see a nutritionist or a dietitian. (I assume you are in the UK and I do not know the professional designation there). It can be a complicated process working out what to eat to get all the nutrients you need and what works for your body. Also, as you can tell from this site there are many, many many opinions on the "correct" way to eat, and different things work for different people at different times in their life. As a very basic starting point there are things like the food pyramid, and here in Canada the food guide that can give you an idea. Sometimes a professional can help you integrate what to include in real life.

Hope this makes sense and is helpful. All the best!

PJilly

What do you mean you can't eat them? Wow I must be the only person who actually gained my weight by overeating. Seriously, eat. You're light headed because your blood sugar is low.

Well, bully for you! No, you're not the only one. Seriously, what, perhaps, I SHOULD HAVE SAID, is that I'm MORE concious of what I'm putting in my mouth when dieting. Therefore, I make smarter decisions, thereby not feeling so hungry. Is that a more simplistic way of explaining what I mean? If you can't give objective, helpful, non-sarcastic advice, then please, I'd prefer you not give me any advice. You can take this comment the way you like but, if you make fun of the comments people make here trying to get help, then you're not helping. Your comment was very hurtful to me. I obviously didn't become overweight by following a daily calorie goal or I wouldn't be here. I've eaten my share of buffets, too. Just lay off. What is this forum, Mean Girls on a Rampage! I thought I was in the help forum...

I don't want to put words in anyone's mouth, but the way I interpreted the post (and why I responded to it the way I did) was that she was finding irony in the fact that so many people who are trying to lose weight seem to lament that they have a hard time eating all their calories. I related because I eat all the calories I'm allotted, including exercise calories, and I could easily eat more. Her comment didn't come across to me as being mean, and I hope my response didn't either. It's a good wake-up call for me, though, to be sure I'm being mindful of how my words may come across to others.

Ahmee2034

I see no sense in your "explanation" of the comment, however, I commend you on at least reaching the desired conclusion that what you read in these forums comes from peoples' hearts. The word you chose, "lament" seems to minimalize the meaning behind my struggle to maintain my daily goals. I'm not complaining about it, just providing additional information. Many of us are at vulnerable points in our lives where one mis-statement can really affect how someone feels about their journey. After reading her profile and seeing what she has gone through with her mother, I find her comment even harder to understand. My son was involved in a very bad auto accident on Easter day, 2009. He broke his neck and nearly died...at least three times. He is only 18 now. We ALL have our battles and our battle scars. Why must we take an innocent request for help and turn it into something hurtful? We ALL need support for our battle of the bulge. Some have an easier time on their journey than others which makes it difficult to understand how others need a little more encouragement, guidance and uplifting. Some people eat because their lonely, others eat because they just feel better while they're eating. Others, well, others eat to try to make through each day however they can. It may seem stupid, silly and inconsequential to some. Until you've walked in someone else's shoes, you should not try to direct their path.

Again, I thank you for understanding where I'm coming from.

imagymrat

I think alot of the time that blah feeling is your body adjusting to a new way of eating, you're scaring the crap out of it..lol, everything is changing and it's riding itself of poisons and toxins and trying to function on a different level, stick with healthy frequent meals and a good dose of exercise and the blahs will go away.

PJilly

I didn't mean any harm by my use of the word "lament." I agree with you that what we say can impact other people, whether we realize it or not, which was the purpose of my "explanation." It IS a two-way street, however, and just as it can be a mistake to assume people will understand the intent of our words, it can also be a mistake to attribute negative connotations to things people say when nothing negative was intended.

imagymrat

:

I didn't mean any harm by my use of the word "lament." I agree with you that what we say can impact other people, whether we realize it or not, which was the purpose of my "explanation." It IS a two-way street, however, and just as it can be a mistake to assume people will understand the intent of our words, it can also be a mistake to attribute negative connotations to things people say when nothing negative was intended.

I don't think you needed to defend what you said. Sometimes these boards are so overly dramatic, you cannot possibly make everyone happy, someone will always find a way to be offended. It's true we don't know where people have been and what their experiences are about. But when you post in an open forum to strangers, you're not always going to like what you read, Eat your calories, exercise, be healthy and happy...and chill people..PEACE!! and stay away from the freaking buffets.

PJilly

Eat your calories, exercise, be healthy and happy...and chill people..PEACE!! and stay away fromt he freaking buffets.

Words to live by.

xarrium

What is this forum, Mean Girls on a Rampage! I thought I was in the help forum...

Well, in all fairness, I think a lot of us *are* adjusting to something completely different, which, as imagymrat mentioned, kind of freaks every system out a little bit.

In all seriousness, dizziness is not a good sign... it's definitely worth seeing a doctor over (who knows... if it's just simple anemia, you'll probably be back to normal with some iron supplements), but as someone else said, if you get dizzy, eat something with some sugar (apples--skin on, of course--are always good) to ward off possible low blood sugar... it's *not* worth risking your long term health to cut a few dozen calories. It freaks me out to hear about how everyone's getting dizzy spells trying to "save" calories for another day or push themselves to drop more weight... please, treat your body well and it'll eventually get you where you're headed.

Ahmee2034

What is this forum, Mean Girls on a Rampage! I thought I was in the help forum...

Well, in all fairness, I think a lot of us *are* adjusting to something completely different, which, as imagymrat mentioned, kind of freaks every system out a little bit.

In all seriousness, dizziness is not a good sign... it's definitely worth seeing a doctor over (who knows... if it's just simple anemia, you'll probably be back to normal with some iron supplements), but as someone else said, if you get dizzy, eat something with some sugar (apples--skin on, of course--are always good) to ward off possible low blood sugar... it's *not* worth risking your long term health to cut a few dozen calories. It freaks me out to hear about how everyone's getting dizzy spells trying to "save" calories for another day or push themselves to drop more weight... please, treat your body well and it'll eventually get you where you're headed.

Thank you for the advice. It isn't that I'm trying NOT to eat all my calories, I'm just not hungry like I used to be. I've been told that since I have cut back on the sugar, etc., and am eating more fiber-rich and protein-rich meals, I'm staying fuller longer. Is that the wrong way to go about this? Should I try to eat a piece of fruit or something like that even if I'm not hungry? I'm really trying to get this right this time. I REALLY do appreciate all the advice.

imagymrat

What is this forum, Mean Girls on a Rampage! I thought I was in the help forum...

Well, in all fairness, I think a lot of us *are* adjusting to something completely different, which, as imagymrat mentioned, kind of freaks every system out a little bit.

In all seriousness, dizziness is not a good sign... it's definitely worth seeing a doctor over (who knows... if it's just simple anemia, you'll probably be back to normal with some iron supplements), but as someone else said, if you get dizzy, eat something with some sugar (apples--skin on, of course--are always good) to ward off possible low blood sugar... it's *not* worth risking your long term health to cut a few dozen calories. It freaks me out to hear about how everyone's getting dizzy spells trying to "save" calories for another day or push themselves to drop more weight... please, treat your body well and it'll eventually get you where you're headed.

Thank you for the advice. It isn't that I'm trying NOT to eat all my calories, I'm just not hungry like I used to be. I've been told that since I have cut back on the sugar, etc., and am eating more fiber-rich and protein-rich meals, I'm staying fuller longer. Is that the wrong way to go about this? Should I try to eat a piece of fruit or something like that even if I'm not hungry? I'm really trying to get this right this time. I REALLY do appreciate all the advice.

Just curious..how much are you exercising? I find that most people who cannot meet 1200 calories a day aren't doing much in the way of exercise. Once you get your metabolism in peak form, through proper diet and excersice, you'll find it much easier to consume those calories, and running a deficit, is going to eventually slow your progress...for example, i'm maintaning, I exercise on average of 1080 calories a day, I eat around 2400 lately a day, and I struggle to not lose weight...if you nousrish your body and keep active and making sure that when you do eat, you are eating right and frequently, you will see a difference in the way you feel. If you're getting dizzy, I would assume with no medical issues, your diet is probably to blame, fibre and protein only fill you for so long, if you're working out, you should be hungry again not too long afterwards...just trying to help out.

Ahmee2034

Actually, today is the third day of my diet. In the past, when my son had his accident, I was doing Pilates, running an average of 3 miles a day ( average was a 12 minute mile - alot for me), Slim in 6 and I'd ride my bike about 5 miles 3 to 4 days a week at an average of 11-15mph. I was very active. If memory serves me correctly, I felt the same way in the beginning as well. I do have some health issues, mainly being HBP. Even then, I hardly ever reached my calorie goal. I never was able to eat the exercise calories. I suppose I just have to give it some time. I have been on vacation this past week. I return to work tomorrow and plan to start up my exercising the way I did back then. Mainly the Pilates, walking first, then running again. I use to love to run.

Thank you for your advice. I guess I know deep down what to do, I just want to do it and have it "stick" this time. I'm tired of yo-yo'ing...

kwardklinck

Wow didn't know my comment would stir such harsh feelings. I'm not a mean person. I just don't understand when people say they can't eat their calories. Maybe there's something wrong with me because I have more trouble staying under mine then I do getting them in. Seems particularly hard to keep from going over when I try to eat proper servings of dairy, fruit, vegetables, proteins and carbs. Sorry you took it so offensively. I certainly didn't mean any harm.

revlaura

I agree that you should not be getting light headed. Low blood sugar. When I cut pop and extra sugar in coffee etc. I increased protein and I felt sooooooo much better. No more ups and downs, spikes and low energy swings. Having less calories, but better nutrition overall is secret to level energy. One problem I am encountering is feeling queezy during a workout. Too soon after a meal, or what I do not know why.
To breast feeding Moms. Your breast milk is very rich and very high fat content. You need healthy fats in your diet and lots of calories. I nursed both my children and found that a healthy diet, and good exercise along with breastfeeding reduced my weight without dieting or counting calories. Abundant nutrition, protein and vitamines are essential, especially calcium.