Odd symptoms. Not enough calories maybe?

xael1234
xael1234 Posts: 51 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Does anyone have or had issues with not getting enough calories over time and feeling weak, anxiety, short of breath or dizzy from it? I just came from ER , they gave me more potassium but said that wouldn't cause any of those symptoms but they checked my heart and levels and EKG and all and all fine. I ate way too much yesterday to get potassium up and am too tired aka weak to exercise yesterday and today so far. Fitness pal has my calories at 2200 which seemed high so I try to get around 1500 but have been stuck 700-900 sometimes up to 1200 but consistently lower side. Sorry for the book, I'm just frustrated. Again. I was diagnosed low potassium last Friday. Was 2.9. Then Tuesday 3.0 then has reaction to inactive ingredient in the 1st pill I took and was good to stop and force high potassium food. Thursday back to 3. Today was 3.2 still low but not as bad but still symptoms that ER said wasn't from that

Replies

  • kgeyser
    kgeyser Posts: 22,505 Member
    So you're supposed to be eating 2200, but have been consistently eating 700-900 but sometimes get up to around 1200? Yes, you're not eating enough and the symptoms you are having is most likely the result of that.

    If your ticker is accurate and you have 252 lbs to lose, then 2200 is very reasonable calorie intake. Please eat more and take care of yourself, you are putting your health at risk by eating so little.
  • Icandoityayme
    Icandoityayme Posts: 312 Member
    I know when was doing 1200 I was actually consuming around that or lower. I wound up getting dizzy, headaches, weak and hungry all the time. I bumped up to 1400 and I am actually losing weight better and not sick anymore. So, yes, not eating enough can make you have those symptoms. I started off at almost 208 lbs. If you can get to at least 1400-1500 you would still be good and not have those symptoms. But that is really something you should discuss with a doctor so they can monitor what you are doing until you get a handle on it.
  • _Zardoz_
    _Zardoz_ Posts: 3,987 Member
    So you're supposed to be eating 2200, but have been consistently eating 700-900 but sometimes get up to around 1200? Yes, you're not eating enough and the symptoms you are having is most likely the result of that.

    If your ticker is accurate and you have 252 lbs to lose, then 2200 is very reasonable calorie intake. Please eat more and take care of yourself, you are putting your health at risk by eating so little.
    ^^^^^This. Eat more food If you have over 200 pounds to lose 2200 is a very reasonable amount in fact that's on the conservative side
  • Branstin
    Branstin Posts: 2,320 Member
    The 2200 calories allocated by MFP already has a built in calorie deficiency for weight loss. By eating 1200 or less is increasing the deficiency too much and you are not meeting your body's required level of nutrients. Go to My Home > Goals and take a look at the breakdown of your profile for a better understanding.
  • cvaj09
    cvaj09 Posts: 12 Member
    I don't consume too many calories either, I'm always under. I burn 480 to 800 calories a day exercising. Which allows me more calories to eat. Instead of empty calories I always think of clean eating, drink plenty of water and snack on healthy things.
  • seltzermint555
    seltzermint555 Posts: 10,740 Member
    I know when was doing 1200 I was actually consuming around that or lower. I wound up getting dizzy, headaches, weak and hungry all the time. I bumped up to 1400 and I am actually losing weight better and not sick anymore. So, yes, not eating enough can make you have those symptoms. I started off at almost 208 lbs. If you can get to at least 1400-1500 you would still be good and not have those symptoms. But that is really something you should discuss with a doctor so they can monitor what you are doing until you get a handle on it.

    I agree with this, definitely. I started MFP at 262 lb and followed the suggestions for resetting my calorie level as I lost weight. I was set to sedentary and losing 1.5 lb per week. Earlier this year I got to a point where I was eating 1270 cal. I was not losing very quickly and had some disturbing although mild symptoms of malnutrition such as dark spots on my cuticles, losing a bit more hair in the shower, etc. I changed my setting to lose 1 lb per week which put me back at around 1440 cal. AMAZING to me how all the weird little symptoms immediately went away and I went back to losing about a pound per week, too. I know it seems like a relatively small ~200 cal difference but sometimes it's a matter of health vs. disturbing symptoms, always opt for eating more!
  • astroophys
    astroophys Posts: 175 Member
    I know when was doing 1200 I was actually consuming around that or lower. I wound up getting dizzy, headaches, weak and hungry all the time. I bumped up to 1400 and I am actually losing weight better and not sick anymore. So, yes, not eating enough can make you have those symptoms. I started off at almost 208 lbs. If you can get to at least 1400-1500 you would still be good and not have those symptoms. But that is really something you should discuss with a doctor so they can monitor what you are doing until you get a handle on it.

    I agree with this, definitely. I started MFP at 262 lb and followed the suggestions for resetting my calorie level as I lost weight. I was set to sedentary and losing 1.5 lb per week. Earlier this year I got to a point where I was eating 1270 cal. I was not losing very quickly and had some disturbing although mild symptoms of malnutrition such as dark spots on my cuticles, losing a bit more hair in the shower, etc. I changed my setting to lose 1 lb per week which put me back at around 1440 cal. AMAZING to me how all the weird little symptoms immediately went away and I went back to losing about a pound per week, too. I know it seems like a relatively small ~200 cal difference but sometimes it's a matter of health vs. disturbing symptoms, always opt for eating more!

    I definitely agree with the above. OP, if you are experiencing such symptoms, you've got to eat more. 1200 cal works for some, but it can't work for all. A lot of people do need more calories than that. Stick with the recommended amount of 2200 calories if going less just isn't working for you. We don't have to lose health in order to lose weight!
  • xael1234
    xael1234 Posts: 51 Member
    Thanks everybody. I will do what you all suggest. I haven't been hungry and haven't been eating when not hungry. I hate to eat more if I'm not hungry but if my body is saying HEY! I realize I need to listen to it. Anyone have suggestions on lower carb low sodium high potassium higher calorie food? I'm waiting to see nutritionist but referral is taking awhile
  • mathandcats
    mathandcats Posts: 786 Member
    Your calorie goal set by MFP is a GOAL not a limit. You should be eating near the 2200 recommended. 700-900 is nowhere near enough for anyone, let alone somebody with 250lbs to lose. Look up all the side effects of losing weight too fast to see why it's far far better to lose consistently at a moderate rate than with a crash diet (e.g. hair loss, malnutrition, loss of muscle, loose skin, actually learning new eating habits that will allow you to keep the weight off).

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