How many calories should I be on to stop feeling dizzy

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mevvies
mevvies Posts: 21
in Introduce Yourself
Started MFP about 3 weeks ago, I keyed in all my details and it gave me 1200 cals a day, I managed to stick to this quite easily, and was also managing about 200 cals of exercise a day, a few days ago I started to feel constantly light headed / slightly dizzy, it was suggested that I need to up my calories as I am not taking enough in, but how many do I need to be having a day, I have a holiday in July that I really want to shift weight for so I can fit into my holiday clothes, but I do not want to make myself ill in the process, any help would be appreciated.

I have been on diets for the past 15 years, and finally I found one that I could stick to as no food is prohibited :smile:

Replies

  • TorshaDattaChoudhuri
    TorshaDattaChoudhuri Posts: 15
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    You need to eat back at least a portion of your exercise calories. Without that, you are netting 1200-200=1000 calories which might be too low for you.
  • MscGray
    MscGray Posts: 304 Member
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    I think that no matter what stats you enter into MFP, if you select 2 lbs a week loss it will spit out 1200 cal suggestion, I tried that and failed miserably. I understand that you would like have more of a loss in a quicker time frame..but maybe reset your goals to 1.5 lbs a week loss, it will up your caloric goal, but will hopefully help with the dizziness. Give it a shot for 2 weeks and see how you feel, and monitor your loss....Unfortunately its a slow process to do it right, and to not have ill effects.
  • jennifer_417
    jennifer_417 Posts: 12,344 Member
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    Without knowing your stats (height, weight, goals, etc) it's tough to give you a number. I'm guessing you put your desired weight loss in at 2 lbs per week, like pretty much all of us did, and it spit out 1200 calories, because it won't go any lower. This is generally considered the lowest you can go unless under a dr's supervision.

    I recommend you change your settings to 1.5 or even 1 lb loss, as that will give you a higher calorie allowance. Also, make sure you are eating back your exercise calories. The amount MFP gives you is already a deficit, so when you exercise, you are creating an even greater deficit. Many people exercise just to get more calories to eat, and I've done it myself!

    I know that you wanna lose weight for your holiday, most of feel like we want to get the weight off as quickly as possible, but the fact is you usually can't do it both quickly and healthfully, building habits that will last a lifetime, which is your stated goal in your profile.
  • neandermagnon
    neandermagnon Posts: 7,436 Member
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    there's a thread called "guide on your path to sexypants" (or similar, if you search on "sexypants" You should find it) which has a very good guide for how to calculate your daily calorie needs. If you're actually feeling dizzy then it's likely you're under by quite a long way.

    If eating more doesn't help then see a doctor... there are other possible causes, e.g. low blood pressure, which can come on after a change of diet.... eliminating sodium from the diet can cause this.... ideal sodium levels are from around 2g-6g. Too much is bad for you, but so is too little. Adding in more foods that contain sodium may help, if it doesn't turn out to be due to not eating enough calories.
  • LoveMyLife_NYC
    LoveMyLife_NYC Posts: 230 Member
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    MFP automatically recommends 1200 to most women, which is too low for the majority of us. I can't give you a different goal without knowing your stats, but the link below is a much better and more detailed calculator. Give this a try:

    http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/

    And then go back to your goals and set them to custom.
  • Ninkyou
    Ninkyou Posts: 6,666 Member
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    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants


    1200 calories plus not eating back your exercise is a recipe for disaster. You should never be miserable or feel sick.
  • mevvies
    mevvies Posts: 21
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    Thanks for your replies.

    I am 5ft 3" currently weigh 171 lbs,

    Would happy to be 150 lbs.

    Thanks again:flowerforyou:
  • csbea
    csbea Posts: 1
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    you may also feel dizzy because you are too light on carbs and are dehydrated. eat your exercise calories for next weeks by adding in healthier carbs like fruit, almonds. gradually reduce calories but don't let your net go under 1200. drink water and don't drink diet soda...
  • gypsy_spirit
    gypsy_spirit Posts: 2,107 Member
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    you may also feel dizzy because you are too light on carbs and are dehydrated. eat your exercise calories for next weeks by adding in healthier carbs like fruit, almonds. gradually reduce calories but don't let your net go under 1200. drink water and don't drink diet soda...

    I'm confused. She's eating 1200 calories now.

    OP - there are no calories in diet soda, so that is not a problem unless your dr. has advised you to eliminate them.

    Make sure your diet is meeting your macros (protein, fat, carbs) and drinking water is also important. Dehydration can cause the dizziness.

    ETA: Read the sexy pants link and make a plan that is sustainable to lose weight. Best of luck!
  • scorpiophoenix
    scorpiophoenix Posts: 222 Member
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    Thanks for your replies.

    I am 5ft 3" currently weigh 171 lbs,

    Would happy to be 150 lbs.

    Thanks again:flowerforyou:

    That's about where I am (just a little taller) with the same goal! Set your loss to 1lb/week to give you more calories and eat back 1/2 to 3/4 of your exersize calories. That will put you between 1400-1500 intake per day but you should still lose between 1-2lbs/week and stop the dizzies. Good luck! :flowerforyou:
  • andylowry
    andylowry Posts: 89
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    Do you feel dizzy all the time, or only when you tilt your head back to look up? If the latter, it's just an inner-ear thing and not a big deal.
  • _HeartsOnFire_
    _HeartsOnFire_ Posts: 5,304 Member
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    OP - there are no calories in diet soda, so that is not a problem unless your dr. has advised you to eliminate them.

    Make sure your diet is meeting your macros (protein, fat, carbs) and drinking water is also important. Dehydration can cause the dizziness.

    ETA: Read the sexy pants link and make a plan that is sustainable to lose weight. Best of luck!

    All of this...along with...

    Read these:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1235566-so-you-re-new-here?hl=so+you're+new+here

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/975025-in-place-of-a-road-map-short-n-sweet

    If you have 75+ lbs to lose 2 lbs/week is ideal
    If you have 40-75 lbs to lose 1.5 lbs/week is ideal
    If you have 25-40 lbs to lose 1 lbs/week is ideal
    If you have 15 -25 lbs to lose 0.5 to 1.0 lbs/week is ideal
    If you have less than 15 lbs to lose 0.5 lbs/week is ideal

    Want to lift heavy things?
    http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/

    Stronglifts Summary
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/560459-stronglifts-5x5-summary

    Stronglifts Womens Group
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/4601-stronglifts-5x5-for-women
  • mostlyrawvegan
    mostlyrawvegan Posts: 14
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    Have you had your blood pressure checked? That can also cause dizziness. I do agree with the other posts you need more calories. If you drink diet sodas they can also cause dizziness and headaches especially with a low calorie count.
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
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    A bit more salt might be required to sustain your blood pressure while restricting, especially if you're light headed standing up etc.
  • aliwhalen
    aliwhalen Posts: 150 Member
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    I'm 5'4" and started at 168 on MFP, I also said 2 pounds a week. Obviously we want to lose the maximum amount as soon as possible! Then I spent a few weeks starving, irritable and miserable. One of the kind people on here told me to figure out my TDEE, I upped my calories to around 1500, and am now much happier AND still managing to lose weight, albeit a bit slower. This feels much more sustainable and my blood sugar is better managed now so I don't feel light-headed or dizzy anymore. Best of luck!
  • mevvies
    mevvies Posts: 21
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    Thanks again for the replies.

    I feel dizzy all the time, not so dizzy that I need to hold on to something, but just a slight dizzy feeling constantly for the past 3/4 days.

    Not had blood pressure checked for a while, I was going to see what a few days on a higher calories would do, then if no better by end of the week go to the doctors.

    TBH before the dizziness I was managing fine on the 1200 cals as found foods I like to eat to keep me under, but I have upped now to 1500 and will see how I get on.
  • nicca_jb
    nicca_jb Posts: 1,278 Member
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    Guesstimating, using this:
    http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/

    Your BMR is around 1530. That's essentially "the calories you burn just to live". Eating too far under that will likely cause problems, and I did the same thing for a while when I *first* started MFP a long while ago, before finding the group Eat More 2 Weigh Less:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/3817-eat-more-to-weigh-less

    This post cleared A LOT up for me:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/680246-tdee-bmr-what-they-are-and-what-to-do-with-them

    I hope this helps. Feel free to friend me or join that group (or both)!

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