What to do for shakiness/hunger?

vsnc50
vsnc50 Posts: 8 Member
in Getting Started
Hi,

I just started using MFP and did really well yesterday and most of today. However I had a meltdown this afternoon. About 3 o'clock I started getting really shaky. (I do not have diabetes or any know sugar issues). I had logged all my food for the day and wasn't supposed to eat until dinner. I did have enough for a small low fat cheese snack. I ate the cheese and it didn't help quickly enough. Then I started eating everything in sight. I am so mad at myself. I am wondering if anyone has had any experiences like this? I am wondering if I need to do a sugar detox - focus on a lower carb diet for a while? When I have done Weight Watchers, you are allowed as many fruits/veggies as you want so if you get hungry you can "binge" on these and not go over your daily calorie allotment. Since I knew I had to count the calories not matter what, I made some bad choices.....darn Halloween candy! Ugh I am so frustrated. I feel like I have wasted my entire day. I am thankful that I exercised today. Thoughts?
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Replies

  • randomtai
    randomtai Posts: 9,003 Member
    My initial response would be that you are not eating enough. Do you weigh your food? Have you figured out your TDEE using any one of the online calculators such as:
    http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/

    Also you should open your diary so we can get an idea of what you are eating.
  • Musikelektronik
    Musikelektronik Posts: 739 Member
    Make better choices tomorrow. This isn't the last time this will happen. But that doesn't matter. What really matters is how you handle it. And the best way, as I said, is simply to make better choices tomorrow. And the next day. And so on. This is very much a one-day-at-a-time process.

    Good luck!
  • runnergirl991
    runnergirl991 Posts: 1 Member
    I know for diabetics with dangerously low blood sugar (I know you're not :P) we give them something with protein and also something with simple sugars. Protein stabilizes blood sugar(and keeps it high) while something with simple sugar (can be an apple... banana....) increases blood sugar fast.

    So try a combo :)
  • ShellyBell999
    ShellyBell999 Posts: 1,482 Member
    My initial response would be that you are not eating enough. Do you weigh your food? Have you figured out your TDEE using any one of the online calculators such as:
    http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/

    Also you should open your diary so we can get an idea of what you are eating.

    ^^Agree
  • itsanewday
    itsanewday Posts: 9 Member
    Sure go ahead and eat fruits and veggies. That way you won't blow it completely on junk food. You want to avoid the shakes completely. Do this by eating small meals about 3 hours a part. Small healthy meals. Not a full course dinner. I've been there many times myself. You will do this. You can do this. Just don't let yourself get so hungry that it makes you lose control. Plan ahead. Keep almonds, yogurt, cheese sticks, etc... around. Wishing you the best!
    it's a new day
  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
    My initial response would be that you are not eating enough. Do you weigh your food? Have you figured out your TDEE using any one of the online calculators such as:
    http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/

    Also you should open your diary so we can get an idea of what you are eating.

    ^^Agree

    Yup. My guess is you need to eat more to allow for a more substantial snack. And veggies are pretty low calorie. If "binging" on veggies will help you, go for it.
  • cupcakes_and_cardio
    cupcakes_and_cardio Posts: 369 Member
    I used to get this a lot and sometimes still do, but not as much. I've found that eating better has helped (and I don't mean by just eating fruits and veggies, but just overall not stuffing my face at every meal) and working out. I've also found that eating a bigger breakfast (i.e. around 400-500 calories) helps as well. Maybe try to avoid high carb meals (bread has a lot of carbs). If it helps, this is what I have for breakfast on most days: 2 slices of turkey bacon, an English muffin and two eggs and this has helped me quite a bit to not get the shakiness a few hours later.
  • Athijade
    Athijade Posts: 3,300 Member
    My guess... your calories are set too low. Open up your diary and people can help.
  • DavePFJ
    DavePFJ Posts: 212 Member
    The same thing was happening to me about a year ago. Sometimes it would be when I got home from work, and sometimes it would start to happen 5 minutes into a workout. I would need to leave the gym because I felt weak as ****.

    At work I was eating too many carbs and not enough fat or protein. Fat and protein are what my body craved but I ended up eating carbs which didn't help. The times when I crashed during working out, I ate a banana before on an empty stomach. A protein bar is your best bet next time this happens....or peanut buttter.

    I know how you felt, so you shouldn't feel bad about eating.

    I now eat oats as a pre-workout. Sometimes I throw in a little peanut butter. It's the perfect energy mix for me....27 carbs...2.5 fat...5 protein. After my workout I have a banana thrown into a protein shake.

    In the morning after breakfast, I do eat a banana now. But with a good breakfast it doesn't affect me.
  • margueta562
    margueta562 Posts: 19 Member
    I recommend eating protein with EVERY meal even snacks. Protein keeps you full longer and if you are getting shaky eat a small snack like celery and almond butter or a cheese snack to hold you over.Drinking alot of water or tea really helps keep you satisfied,too.
  • action_figure
    action_figure Posts: 511 Member
    My initial response would be that you are not eating enough. Do you weigh your food? Have you figured out your TDEE using any one of the online calculators such as:
    http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/

    Also you should open your diary so we can get an idea of what you are eating.

    ^^Agree

    I also agree.
  • 3foldchord
    3foldchord Posts: 2,918 Member
    Maybe you restricted your calories too much. Maybe you need a little bit more.
    If my body I'd so hungry I start to shake, I eat food.

    Maybe try more protein at breakfast.
    Whole grains instead of simple carbs.
    Lots of water.
    Are you taking vitamins?
    Drink more water.

    And as far as the low carb, if cutting food gives you the shakes, low carb might be worse. Low carb triggers bad migraines and dizziness in me. Be careful. Weight loss is not a race and you don't want to end up in the ER because you had shakes while driving due to lack of food, and get in a wreck.
  • Katkamm77
    Katkamm77 Posts: 108 Member
    When this happens to me I usually drink a glass of water and eat a protein bar. It's not an instantaneous fix but, it doesn't take long. I agree with others on here that you need to plan for more snacks so if you are hungry you do not have to wait for dinner.
    You are just beginning a new journey. This will happen to you more than once. It will get easier, believe me. You can do this as long as you are committed. Good luck!:flowerforyou:
  • 3foldchord
    3foldchord Posts: 2,918 Member
    I know for diabetics with dangerously low blood sugar (I know you're not :P) we give them something with protein and also something with simple sugars. Protein stabilizes blood sugar(and keeps it high) while something with simple sugar (can be an apple... banana....) increases blood sugar fast.

    So try a combo :)

    I am hypoglycemic. This is how I hasve to have my breakfast. Proteins and fruits for breakfast are best for me. And something like oatmeal as before bed snack. (But I can't do grains for breakfast, they make me feel bad)
  • slim4health56
    slim4health56 Posts: 439 Member
    Eat.
  • pinkraynedropjacki
    pinkraynedropjacki Posts: 3,027 Member
    Drink some warm water & embrace the hunger feeling. You could have been eating just for the sake of eating. So many people on here eat just because they see the time of day & think they need to eat at that time. Drink the warm water & wait 20 mins, then do it again. My bet is that you are not hungry at all.

    Then wait till dinner, know what hunger feels like so then when you feel it again you know it's real hunger & not just 'time' to eat.
  • GingerLolita
    GingerLolita Posts: 738 Member
    You're probably not eating enough food. If I eat under my BMR, I start feeling terrible, even if I'm not that hungry. I've gotten to a point where I can trust my body to give me proper hunger cues and if I feel weak, I know it's something to do with my diet. Make sure you're getting enough protein, iron, etc. because a lack of nutrients can cause these feelings too. Use an online calculator to determine your BMR and TDEE and eat in between those to lose weight without any side effects.
  • acpgee
    acpgee Posts: 7,947 Member
    I associate shakiness with low blood sugar. Have some fruit. I'm a well controlled diabetic, but when i used to run higher blood glucose I would feel shaky at 4.6 which is actually a normal reading. Since losing some weight I feel fine at 4.0.
  • skylark94
    skylark94 Posts: 2,036 Member
    Drink some warm water & embrace the hunger feeling. You could have been eating just for the sake of eating. So many people on here eat just because they see the time of day & think they need to eat at that time. Drink the warm water & wait 20 mins, then do it again. My bet is that you are not hungry at all.

    Then wait till dinner, know what hunger feels like so then when you feel it again you know it's real hunger & not just 'time' to eat.

    Horrible, horrible advice. This is the type of advice anorexics give to each other.

    If you are shaking, you need to eat! Shaking is what happens to me right before I hit the deck because my blood sugar has dropped to a dangerous level. Passing out is never fun.

    I agree with those who suggest you may have your allowance set too low.
  • mebepiglet123
    mebepiglet123 Posts: 327 Member
    Your dairy is locked so cannot see calorie consumption. But MFP sets calories really low, and since you have 60 lbs to Lose try upping your calories if only on 1200. I have about 12 lbs to go and still on 1700 calories. Sometimes it's better to eat well and take longer.
  • katrinajMiles
    katrinajMiles Posts: 71 Member
    If you are hungry and getting the shakes clearly your body isn't getting what it needs to function.

    Have a nice big glass of water and as someone suggested a piece of fruit and some protein. I always look at it that even if you go over your calories as long as you have made good food choices it won't affect you to much.

    I always have a snack about 3pm could be 50g of chicken, ham, tuna or a hard boiled egg and if I'm going to the gym and I'm still hungry i will have a banana or an apple something to get me through.

    You should never feel hungry or starve your body of food and nutrients.
  • pinkraynedropjacki
    pinkraynedropjacki Posts: 3,027 Member
    Drink some warm water & embrace the hunger feeling. You could have been eating just for the sake of eating. So many people on here eat just because they see the time of day & think they need to eat at that time. Drink the warm water & wait 20 mins, then do it again. My bet is that you are not hungry at all.

    Then wait till dinner, know what hunger feels like so then when you feel it again you know it's real hunger & not just 'time' to eat.

    Horrible, horrible advice. This is the type of advice anorexics give to each other.

    If you are shaking, you need to eat! Shaking is what happens to me right before I hit the deck because my blood sugar has dropped to a dangerous level. Passing out is never fun.

    I agree with those who suggest you may have your allowance set too low.

    Excuse me? I fast. I shake often, but I am far from needing to eat. I'm far from anorexic either. I can shake the moment I wake up. OP said she is not diabetic, so that rules out passing out from not eating sugar.

    What is horrible advice to you? The drinking water part & waiting to see if OP is really hungry or just eating because they think they need to at the time, or the part where waiting to see if you are hungry rather than eating because of a time of day?
  • justheretocountcals
    justheretocountcals Posts: 34
    definitely do not let yourself get to the shakiness point. not only is it not healthy, but that means your body will start to go into starvation mode and that's about the worst thing you can do for losing weight. try and break up your food intake through out the day. instead of eating big breakfast and big lunch, eat a decent breakfast and small meals through until dinner.

    and as far as the water thing...no. if you are "head hungry" just for the sake of eating that's one thing. but when you have the shakes that is your body telling you that you need something in it. do not just ignore that.
  • devil_in_a_blue_dress
    devil_in_a_blue_dress Posts: 5,214 Member
    Why aren't you "allowed" to eat until dinner? My advice: eat when you are hungry. You will make better food choices when you are not starving, but merely "hungry". So that is when you should eat.

    Also, if you just signed up and said you wanted to lose 2 pounds, you might have been set to 1,200. Maybe people do not find this to be enough. Also, you said you exercised, did you eat those calories back?
  • justheretocountcals
    justheretocountcals Posts: 34
    im sorry but I disagree with you as well. head hunger is what you're talking about and that does not bring the shakes. shaking and light headedness is a PHYSICAL response.
  • foleyshirley
    foleyshirley Posts: 1,043 Member
    Drink some warm water & embrace the hunger feeling. You could have been eating just for the sake of eating. So many people on here eat just because they see the time of day & think they need to eat at that time. Drink the warm water & wait 20 mins, then do it again. My bet is that you are not hungry at all.

    Then wait till dinner, know what hunger feels like so then when you feel it again you know it's real hunger & not just 'time' to eat.

    Horrible, horrible advice. This is the type of advice anorexics give to each other.

    If you are shaking, you need to eat! Shaking is what happens to me right before I hit the deck because my blood sugar has dropped to a dangerous level. Passing out is never fun.

    I agree with those who suggest you may have your allowance set too low.

    Excuse me? I fast. I shake often, but I am far from needing to eat. I'm far from anorexic either. I can shake the moment I wake up. OP said she is not diabetic, so that rules out passing out from not eating sugar.

    What is horrible advice to you? The drinking water part & waiting to see if OP is really hungry or just eating because they think they need to at the time, or the part where waiting to see if you are hungry rather than eating because of a time of day?

    OP never said anything about eating because it was a certain time. In fact, she said she wasn't supposed to eat because it wasn't dinner yet.
  • ingraha
    ingraha Posts: 99 Member
    My guess is you think you need less than you do. Slow and steady wins the race.
  • mjmerris
    mjmerris Posts: 1
    I do have type 2 and just found out a yr ago but found that if I mix a 1/3 cup of silk choc almond milk with 1/2 cup of lactose free milk that satiates for hours. I also drink about 56 oz of water a day.
  • 3foldchord
    3foldchord Posts: 2,918 Member
    Excuse me? I fast. I shake often, but I am far from needing to eat. I'm far from anorexic either. I can shake the moment I wake up. OP said she is not diabetic, so that rules out passing out from not eating sugar.

    What is horrible advice to you? The drinking water part & waiting to see if OP is really hungry or just eating because they think they need to at the time, or the part where waiting to see if you are hungry rather than eating because of a time of day?

    Personally, I think if you are getting the shakes often, see a doctor. Eat more. It's not a healthy sign.
    And diabetics are NOT the only ones who pass out from blood sugar imbalances. Anyone can have hypoglycemic episodes for any variety of reasons.
    The drink water and wait 20 minutes is good, esp for people that are used to eating for the sake of eating..but you do not need to drink water and wait 20 minutes again, again,again. Just once. Just for 20 minutes. Then eat something if symptoms still persist after the initial 20 minutes.

    Your advice could make someone very sick. Hypoglycemia is not always diagnosed right away and can happen to anyone even if they do not have diabetes or hypoglycemia.
  • lynn1982
    lynn1982 Posts: 1,439 Member
    Drink some warm water & embrace the hunger feeling. You could have been eating just for the sake of eating. So many people on here eat just because they see the time of day & think they need to eat at that time. Drink the warm water & wait 20 mins, then do it again. My bet is that you are not hungry at all.

    Then wait till dinner, know what hunger feels like so then when you feel it again you know it's real hunger & not just 'time' to eat.

    This might actually be the worst advice I've ever seen on these boards...

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