What am I doing wrong?

lovemehobo
lovemehobo Posts: 28
in Food and Nutrition
I am starting to worry that I am doing something wrong in my diet. I eat around 1200-1300 cals a day and I exercise 140 minutes everyday. I have been doing this for about 5 months with out a problem up until for about a week ago. Lately I have been having a lot of dizzy spells, e.g. if I stand up too quickly I start get light headed and my vision goes a bit dark. Does anyone know why this is happening?
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Replies

  • BeachGingerOnTheRocks
    BeachGingerOnTheRocks Posts: 3,927 Member
    Inadequate nutrition and hormonal imbalance.

    Eat more. Exercise less than 140 minutes a day.
  • Schtroumpfkin
    Schtroumpfkin Posts: 123 Member
    Erm - well, let's say you're doing fairly light exercise burning 400 calories an hour. That means you've "spent" around 930 calories doing your 140 minute workout each day. If you're only eating 1200-1300 then you're getting less than 400 calories to sustain your body during normal activity.

    Do you really need more information than that?

    If you do - go to a doctor.
  • wilkinsonrg
    wilkinsonrg Posts: 7 Member
    Check out your blood pressure; it could be too low (hypotension). Sometimes this happens to me, so I slightly increase my sodium intake.

    Also, 140 minutes of working out is rather excessive (what is your routine??)... For a week, try tuning it down to 60 minutes a day and see if that makes you feel any better.
  • tigersword
    tigersword Posts: 8,059 Member
    It's called "starvation." Try eating.
  • Nicola0000
    Nicola0000 Posts: 531 Member
    yes, eat and don't exercise as much. 60 mins is more than adequate. You're body thinks its starving, so will shut down non essential things, and will stop losing weight as it thinks it needs to hold onto it for survival.
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
    Are you eating a total of 1200-1300 or do you NET 1200-1300?

    If you are only eating a total of 1200-1300 then eat more. That amount for most women is not even enough to fuel your organs and bodily functions. They would feed you that much if you were in a coma. And doing that long term is unhealthy and dangerous.

    If you insist on only eating that little, then stop all exercise. Or eat more to fuel your activity level.
  • lovemehobo
    lovemehobo Posts: 28
    I cycle. thats all.
    Also @tigersword that's a bit harsh don't you think?
  • NathanielUK
    NathanielUK Posts: 61 Member
    He might of come across harsh but its true. You are working out way to hard for what your eating.

    Depending on levels etc, you could burn 1200 cals - and if your eating 1200 cals - its like you havent eaten.

    Its all relevant. but you NEED to eat more. Excercise less.
  • seliinac
    seliinac Posts: 336 Member
    I'd eat more, exercise less and make sure you're drinking lots of water. Low BP can be due to dehydration.
  • Dauntlessness
    Dauntlessness Posts: 1,489 Member
    Unless some of us are doctors or nurses then go see a doctor.
  • KissMeImShtFaced
    KissMeImShtFaced Posts: 85
    Unless some of us are doctors or nurses then go see a doctor.

    I'm not a doctor but I play one on TV :)
  • chatogal
    chatogal Posts: 436 Member
    Unless some of us are doctors or nurses then go see a doctor.

    exactly....go see your doctor
    your hb could have dropped also causing the same symptoms (because low hb will also cause a drop in blood pressur.) He/she can tell, we on here cant!
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
    Yes, see a doctor, but in the meantime while you are waiting to get in to see your doctor, eat more. I'm pretty sure you will feel better.
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
    Potassium deficiency symptom: fainting due to low blood pressure
  • trogalicious
    trogalicious Posts: 4,584 Member
    I cycle. thats all.
    Also @tigersword that's a bit harsh don't you think?
    No, it isn't harsh. You wouldn't believe how many people come here.. ask effectively the exact thing... and are doing the same thing you are.

    Inadequate nutrition. You aren't eating enough.
  • chanel1twenty
    chanel1twenty Posts: 161 Member
    I don't think nutrition is related in the sense that you're not eating enough calories.

    I struggled with this for years. Once it happened & I fell & hit my head & suffered a minor concussion.
    I went to the doctor & it turned out I'm anemic with low blood pressure & hypoglycemic.

    Don't be like me & wait to get checked out until something severe happens!
    I now take iron supplements, do light cardio frequently to up my blood pressure, & due to my hypoglycemia I always have some candy with me in my purse everywhere I go.

    So definitely get evaluated, I'd bet it's hypoglycemia or anemia.
    Start taking iron & see how you feel, & always keep sugar around

    Good luck! Feel better soon!
  • kerrie49
    kerrie49 Posts: 4
    I would add a bit more salt to your diet , pretty sure that will fix it. If that doesn't stop it then go and see your doctor as it would probably have something to do with your blood pressure.
  • howardheilweil
    howardheilweil Posts: 604 Member
    Unless some of us are doctors or nurses then go see a doctor.
    Thank you.

    No one has any idea why you are suddenly getting dizzy. Since you've been doing this same routine for a while and the dizzyness just began, it may be something totally unrelated. That said, I too am hoping that the calories you mentioned are net calories, otherwise, that is an issue. Good luck... Go to the doctor ASAP.
  • Senneth12
    Senneth12 Posts: 72
    Yes, you need to go see your doctor. There are quite a few possible causes for this, and your doctor will help you figure it out.

    That said, I'm 5'9 and average 153lbs (throughout the month I cycle between 150 and 155) and relatively sedentary, and I maintain on about 1800 calories a day. I'd guess that 1200 calories, especially with exercise, isn't enough.
  • trogalicious
    trogalicious Posts: 4,584 Member
    I don't think nutrition is related in the sense that you're not eating enough calories.

    While there may be underlying issues, it's pretty evident that the OP isn't eating enough. Telling her that there is nothing wrong with her nutrition isn't accurate.

    If she's working out for 140 minutes a day, multiple times per week, and only eating 1200-1300 calories, she's likely eating below BMR... and if you keep that up long enough, fun stuff happens.

    OP needs to call her doctor and have a peanut butter sandwich while she's waiting to be seen.
  • chanel1twenty
    chanel1twenty Posts: 161 Member
    Also, what are your eating habits like?
    Because since, to me, this sounds like it could be low BP-related, you ought start eating something or drinking something with REAL sugar every 3-4 hours.

    So yeah, see doc, try minor iron supplementation, eat more frequently, & try adding 200-300 calories to your daily intake.
    In addition, perhaps your workouts need a lesser intensity? I'd think the intensity of your workouts are more detrimental than the time. & do you do the 140min workout all at once? Maybe try breaking it up if you can, 45min here, 60min a few hours later, etc.
  • lovemehobo
    lovemehobo Posts: 28
    I eat a lot of carbohydrates, soups and protein like eggs. I should of mentioned that I am vegetarian also and I was worried I was missing out on some sort of nutrient or something
  • trogalicious
    trogalicious Posts: 4,584 Member
    While reading these responses, have a big handful of almonds and a sandwich. Seriously.
  • lovemehobo
    lovemehobo Posts: 28
    While reading these responses, have a big handful of almonds and a sandwich. Seriously.

    I get it, I should eat, could you please stop berating me?
  • chanel1twenty
    chanel1twenty Posts: 161 Member
    I don't think nutrition is related in the sense that you're not eating enough calories.

    While there may be underlying issues, it's pretty evident that the OP isn't eating enough. Telling her that there is nothing wrong with her nutrition isn't accurate.

    If she's working out for 140 minutes a day, multiple times per week, and only eating 1200-1300 calories, she's likely eating below BMR... and if you keep that up long enough, fun stuff happens.

    OP needs to call her doctor and have a peanut butter sandwich while she's waiting to be seen.

    Haha, perhaps.

    I was just speaking from my personal experience. When I was suffering from this pre-diagnosis, I was eating plenty of calories (probably more than I needed for that matter) & I still experienced this allllll of the time.
    For every 10 times I stood up, 9 times I would fall back down.

    According to my physician, of course we're all different, it was due to BP, hypoglycemia, & anemia.
    So I was speaking from personal experience.

    Try adding 300 calories of very iron-rich foods.

    But of course we don't know everything OP does, she could be working out for 140min but it could be a lot of slow walking or light yoga & stretching.

    I didn't want to assume her calorie burn was excessive just because the amount of time. Also, what's your height & weight? If you're 90lbs at 5', 1300 may be plenty.

    But, disclaimer, I don't have MD nor PH.D behind my name!
    :)

    Again, good luck, OP!
  • chanel1twenty
    chanel1twenty Posts: 161 Member
    I eat a lot of carbohydrates, soups and protein like eggs. I should of mentioned that I am vegetarian also and I was worried I was missing out on some sort of nutrient or something

    Oh yes, that makes me believe even more strongly that it's iron-deficiency
  • trogalicious
    trogalicious Posts: 4,584 Member
    While reading these responses, have a big handful of almonds and a sandwich. Seriously.

    I get it, I should eat, could you please stop berating me?

    1. You aren't being berated.
    2. You've been doing it wrong.
    3. You came here, asked why, and people have given you answers that could help you out.

    At this point, you've already been given fantastic advice. How you choose to internalize and translate that information is up to you... but I'm being as absolutely clear as possible when I say that no one is berating you.

    Working out as much as you are is burning more calories than you've been eating in a day. So that leaves your body very little energy to perform basic functions. Liver function, heart function.. etc. So Having done that for so long, you're likely going to experience some issues. It's okay. Don't be upset about it, just recognize that you're running on empty and fix it. Try eating more for now. 1600-1800 calories. If you're still dizzy, then certainly go see your Dr.

    When a car runs out of gas, the light comes on and the engine eventually stops.

    Your gas light is on.
  • beachlover317
    beachlover317 Posts: 2,848 Member
    While reading these responses, have a big handful of almonds and a sandwich. Seriously.

    I get it, I should eat, could you please stop berating me?

    1. You aren't being berated.
    2. You've been doing it wrong.
    3. You came here, asked why, and people have given you answers that could help you out.

    At this point, you've already been given fantastic advice. How you choose to internalize and translate that information is up to you... but I'm being as absolutely clear as possible when I say that no one is berating you.

    Working out as much as you are is burning more calories than you've been eating in a day. So that leaves your body very little energy to perform basic functions. Liver function, heart function.. etc. So Having done that for so long, you're likely going to experience some issues. It's okay. Don't be upset about it, just recognize that you're running on empty and fix it. Try eating more for now. 1600-1800 calories. If you're still dizzy, then certainly go see your Dr.

    When a car runs out of gas, the light comes on and the engine eventually stops.

    Your gas light is on.

    LOL, your gas light is on. Perfect. I'm stealing that one trog.
  • chanel1twenty
    chanel1twenty Posts: 161 Member
    Don't feel belittled or berated!
    I hope I didn't make you feel that way.

    The almond & pb sandwich comment, to me, seemed like a humorous way to tell you to eat nutritiously is all.
    It's actually a good idea! That would be an extra 200+ calories in protein & good fat!
    But, I'm gonna say it again, iron iron iron!

    Since you don't eat red meat, add in iron-fortified cereals, egg yolks, chick peas/lentils/beans/soy beans, oysters/clams/scallops (assuming you do seafood), dark leafy greens, artichokes, nuts, squash, dark chocolate...I read that 2.7mg of tofu is 15% of you recommended DV of iron!
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
    We are certainly concerned about you and are offering the advice that you asked for. Malnutrition is serious. I know you did not intend to malnourish yourself, but it seems you did. There is a very easy fix.

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