HELP ME I really am losing it with my salt!

tlh6207
tlh6207 Posts: 3
in Food and Nutrition
Ok. A short story - I've never ever in my life been in any kind of shape. I had physical fitness tests in gym, I failed couldn't even do a push up or pull up let alone hang for 10 seconds off the bar. In august of 2009 I had my first son, 5 days after his birth I was 330 lbs. I took that year til oct 2010 to focus on changing my eating habits. I restricted calories to about 1000-1300 but I struggled with binging on bad things. In oct 2010 I lost to 267. I added a light jog to my short walks, then some stairs, then I started kinect adventures & ea fitness. I lost to 247 by feb 2011. I found out I was pregnant in december 2011 I was 283. I started Insanity 3 months after my c section & I was on bedrest. I was so sore rolling over on bed while asleep woke me up in tears. I stopped & started to Zumba. I picked back up Insanity in march finished it the best I could. I'm now on my third round, inbetween 188-192 pounds. I was 170 lbs a few weeks ago before starting my third round (I had bad stomach problems was malnourished for a bit, a twisted & distended stomach). I have muscle for the first time in my life. I have abs & definition in my stomach. I can actually do every exercise they do now. I have biceps & triceps now! But, I'm binging again. Its not 'oh I'm having a bad/ ugly day' its like I'm ravenous I cannot eat enough. I eat fairly clean 95% of the time with an occasional treat maybe 1-2 times a week & those are like, a serving of baked chips or something. I drink about a gallon of water a day (I have a jug) I cannot get enough salt! Oh & the extreme fatigue too.... am I so hungry because I now have muscle?

Replies

  • jenifr818
    jenifr818 Posts: 805 Member
    Sounds to me like you're pregnant again :laugh:

    No, j/k ...

    Muscle (to the best of my knowledge) doesn't cause excess hunger. I can't see your diary, so not sure what you're eating. You might not be eating enough, you might need more fats/proteins. I honestly can't say w/o knowing what you're eating.

    Congrats on your loss so far, but make sure you're doing it right. If you consider eating over 1000-1300 calories "binging", and you're doing insanity, that might be your issue. I'd recommend going to the Scooby calculator to find out what you should be eating for your exercise level. If you eat too little, that can cause the hunger and exhaustion.

    Scooby calculator: http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/
  • leenielouwho
    leenielouwho Posts: 1
    I'm no expert on these matters, but I'm working with a nutritionist, and some of your issues sound a bit like mine. But first, GREAT WORK on all the exercise -- that's awesome! I would agree with jenifr818 about the fats/proteins. I would also ask this question: do you consume a lot of sugar? It's easy to say no, but look closely at what you're eating. Sugar goes by many different (and very deceptive) names, and is in a lot of packaged goods -- even the "healthy" ones. You say you eat mostly clean, which is wonderful, but make sure that you're getting enough dark, leafy greens with every meal.

    My nutritionist has told me that an overconsumption of salt and sugar can stress out the adrenal glands, making them work extremely hard. I don't eat a lot of salt, but I am addicted to sugar, so my adrenal glands are shot. The result: I'm freaking TIRED ALL OF THE TIME!! Perhaps this is what's wrong with you, as well.

    You might also do a Google search on Candida of the gut or Leaky Gut Syndrome. This is what I have been recently diagnosed with, and it explains a lot of my intense cravings, fatigues, itchiness (random, I know), and aches/pains. The diet to get rid of the excess yeast really stinks, but I'm already feeling better.

    I hope this helps, or at least gives you something to look into. All the best to you!
  • cheyjepp1
    cheyjepp1 Posts: 8
    To answer your question, yes. Especially if you weren't working out much before. Usually salt cravings are a sign of dehydration, although you mentioned how much water you drink. It could also mean your electrolytes are low. Try drinking Gatorade, they have G2 which is only 50 calories a bottle.

    Or it's because you gained muscle, and muscle needs protein like a plant needs water. You are probably just having a craving because your body knows it needs something more. Try having Steak (if you eat red meat), boiled eggs as snack or eggs for breakfast, fish (Omega-3's and fish oil, also important in a daily diet), Chicken, Peanut Butter on a banana, nuts,, or a protein shake (watch the sugar though). I found a protein shake meal replacement at GNC called Lean Shake. I got it in vanilla and put it with milk, a banana, and a tablespoon of peanut butter in a blender for lunch. SO GOOD. It tastes like a milkshake, and keeps me full for hours!

    Good Luck!
  • tlh6207
    tlh6207 Posts: 3
    Its not that I consider that amount binging, its that I eat my 1400-1600 calories I'm at now & I'll have maybe 100-200 left fir my 'bedtime snack' & that turns into me waking up at midnight stomach growling and I either want my peanut butter banana oatmeal or salt! But i call it a binge because i just wake up & feed my hunger. Or i cannot sleep because my stomach hurts from being hungry.I drink broth or pickle juice lol. Nope no bun in this oven! I even checked. I just joined I track on livestrong. I eat 6-8 times a day tons of lean meats, veggies, fruits, good carbs I never eat anything white like white bread or refined sugar, good fats. No soda in years. I'm a bottomless pit though! Do I finally have a metabolism or something?? Lol
  • tlh6207
    tlh6207 Posts: 3
    Salt & being tired makes sense now that you say it! I just drank pickle juice it was delicious best thing ever my muscles feel better & I am sooo tired though
  • ShannonMK9
    ShannonMK9 Posts: 65 Member
    If you are craving salty crunchy things you might need to be tested for anemia - that is strangely one of the signs for anemia and it can be either iron deficient or deficient in vitamin B6 (niacin) which fixes the iron in your blood stream.

    When doing Insanity you are burning crazy amounts of calories and may need to up your intake anyway to keep your body healthy. enough food so that you are not hungry or fatigued but low enough to still see results.
  • bubblygoldfish
    bubblygoldfish Posts: 215 Member
    Talk to your doctor, there may be a medical reason behind the craving. At the very least, they can test your iron and vitamin levels to see if you are deficient.

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