Dizziness associated with working out and calorie deficits

FaunalFantasy
FaunalFantasy Posts: 47 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Is it common for people who are maintaining a calorie deficit and working out regularly to develop orthostatic hypotension (feeling faint or dizzy when standing up)?

I have been sticking pretty well to a deficit and workout plan for about 45 days now, and just recently started getting a head rush when I stand up in the evenings. I'm not getting too close to passing out; just a little weak. I have lowish blood pressure (100/60 on my last dr visit), and I used to have this exact same problem when I was active in the heat of summer; it just hasn't happened in a long while.

Replies

  • dakotababy
    dakotababy Posts: 2,407 Member
    I do get this, however, I use it was a sign that I need to eat more.
  • knra_grl
    knra_grl Posts: 1,566 Member
    your diary is closed

    how many calories are you consuming and are you eating back your exercise calories?
  • CallMeCupcakeDammit
    CallMeCupcakeDammit Posts: 9,377 Member
    It was suggested to me to eat a pickle before my workouts, because that was happening to me, too. Are you doing more intense exercises than you were in the beginning?
  • dawlschic007
    dawlschic007 Posts: 636 Member
    How many calories are you eating? You may not be eating enough to fuel your workouts and your body properly. You really shouldn't be feeling faint.
  • AliceDark
    AliceDark Posts: 3,886 Member
    How big is your deficit? What is your approximate macro breakdown? When are you working out, for how long, doing what, and when do you eat in relation to your workout?

    I have low-ish blood pressure and a tendency to get faint when I stand up too. It's definitely worse when I forget to eat or am dehydrated.
  • xscat
    xscat Posts: 80 Member
    Low blood pressure. Yep same thing happens to me too... this runs in my family. Summer is the worst.

    And yeah eating a bit more definitely helps :)
  • meganjcallaghan
    meganjcallaghan Posts: 949 Member
    i get orthostatic hypotension. my blood pressure is all over the place, though. Everybody's blood pressure goes up in the early to mid afternoon (as long as their circadian rhythm is right) but mine shoots up to hypertensive at 145/85. Everybody's blood pressure should go down at night as well....mine goes all the way down to 74/40. I don't think the orthostatic hypotension is necessarily related to your overall blood pressure

    In any case, This does not coincide with eating at a deficit or working out specifically. It's just all the time when i get up from sitting, lying down or bending over. Some days it's worse than others.
  • 1princesswarrior
    1princesswarrior Posts: 1,242 Member
    If you don't have a medical issue my guess is your deficit is too large for your workouts. You should only be trying to lose 1/2-1 lb a week according to your goals in your profile and your ticker.
  • GeminiFitness1
    GeminiFitness1 Posts: 63 Member
    I would suggest either eat something light either fruit or something with proteins anything you prefer. Also be careful doing any exercises going from bending with the head down to up with any sudden motion. Also make sure you breathe throughout exercise
  • nxd10
    nxd10 Posts: 4,570 Member
    This is more common among people who have good cardiovascular health (congratulations!) and people who are taller and have low blood pressure.

    Stand up slower. Make sure you're eating enough (you eat back your exercise calories, right?).

    (My blood pressure has always peaked at 100/60.)
  • fleetzz
    fleetzz Posts: 962 Member
    I have had this for years. Only answer is to increase salt intake--for me. You should get checked out, but while you wait for your appointment increase salt intake (put it on everything). Your blood pressure is on the low normal side so unless you have kidney or heart problems extra salt shouldn't be a problem.
  • skinnyinnotime
    skinnyinnotime Posts: 4,078 Member
    It was suggested to me to eat a pickle before my workouts, because that was happening to me, too. Are you doing more intense exercises than you were in the beginning?
    [/quote

    A pickle?
  • Aparz1
    Aparz1 Posts: 949
    I workout hard on a deficit and don't get dizzy.... I'd consult a doctor
  • FaunalFantasy
    FaunalFantasy Posts: 47 Member
    I estimate my calorie deficit to be about 300 at 1100 calories a day--I have been losing about a pound every 12 to 14 days for 2 months--but I am more interested in decreasing my fat percentage than losing weight (my goal is to see my abs). Looking at my last weeks stats I burned about 250 to 300 calories a day, so I usually eat about 1300 to 1400 with a net of 1100 or so. I am a perfectly healthy weight; just very short. I'm not hungry except on rest days. My macros are 25% fat 25% protein, and the remainder carbs, except I usually get more protein and less fat than that. In order not to overwhelm myself I have only been focusing on getting 70 grams protein and 30 grams fiber a day, as well as watching sodium and added sugar. The carbs tend to follow suit if I get a good amount of fiber.

    I workout four days in a row; every 5th day is a rest day. During those four days I do a 30-40 minute strength/cardio video everyday. In addition, on the first and second day I walk to a track and do a C25K walk/run for about 30 to 40 mins, and on the second and third day I do my backpacking training (go to the park and walk 3 to 5 miles with a 35lb pack). If the weather is bad I will use a treadmill.

    I'm saving up for a personal trainer because I know that if I want to see my abs I need to be doing more serious strength training, but right now I don't know how to use most of the gym equipment. In the mean time the Jillian Michaels workout video is still pretty challenging.

    Other than the occasional dizziness when I stand up I have been feeling great! Exercise gives me tons of energy and I already feel stronger. I can't wait to go backpacking this season!
  • h7463
    h7463 Posts: 626 Member
    Hi! I've got a similar problem occasionally. Right now, I'm running low on carbs due to cutting and it'll probably stay foggy around me for another week or so. How is your water intake? Green tea, caffeine containing pre-workout drinks? That's something that I need to watch out for.

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