What happened?!

Slasher09
Slasher09 Posts: 316 Member
edited November 23 in Health and Weight Loss
I had something happen yesterday that in the past has derailed me and I would like to prevent that...I am confused at what is happening to my body. I'll keep it as brief as I can.

I'm 29, 5'6 and I weigh approx 163 (no scale). I'm at home with the kids and when I wear my fitbit everyday I can predictably get about 6-7k steps without trying to I have my activity set to light active. I have it set to 1lb/wk with a net of 1580 cals. I have been doing great all week, one day was under 350, one was over 350 and NYE I overate...but I figured that would happen so I planned out and did extra cardio, etc. I eat back my exercise calories. Looking at my macro pie chart I tend to eat lower fat, higher carb. This isn't intentional....I have reactive hypoglycemia so I have found that cereals, bagels, pasta, etc make me feel really sick so I've just moved away from them...and fat is tasty lol.

So, I have been weighing my food and using my fitbit during my exercise (this is how I am accounting for cals in/out). I have been doing cardio dance vids on youtube that really get my HR up and pounding (goal is weight/fat loss). Monday...I was feeling kind of tired so I still worked out...but it wasn't as much. Hit my calories to what MFP said. Tuesday I am REALLY dragging...like sitting on the bathroom floor when my kids took their pee breaks because standing pooped me out. I tried to switch some food to higher carb % and then tried to do my workout. Lost steam so fast and it was like I was moving through jello. So I decided to eat the cals I would eat if I were losing 0.5/lb....I felt a little better (ate a granola bar or something). I'm still not feeling good...so I decide maybe tonight I need extra and I ate maintenence level (2080)...well and then I had some more watching Bill Nye...it was tasty don't judge.

ANYWAY, today? I feel great. Breakfast is hit or miss for me. If im hungry I eat, if I'm not, I don't. Today I felt energetic but not really hungry so I had a second cup of coffee but held off on the food. I decided to try a shake for lunch 1hr or so before my workout (I am a busy mom and nurse...I LOVE shakes because I don't always have time to sit and eat and I find them filling). I tried a new brand and accidentally bought one from Millville with some taurine/aminos/creatine so I waited to try it until I new I was going to workout, and then ate 1/2 a grapefruit right before for some quick energy. GREAT workout. I had my pep back, and I was able to work out harder and longer than normal. I didn't feel tired or "sugar crashy" or anything. Now after the workout I still feel great. I don't feel drained, etc.

I'm the kind of person who likes the 'why.' what did I do "right," that allowed this? Am I eating too low? am I eating
enough calories but need to adjust my macros? Was the difference that I had an intentional "pre-workout" type meal/shake before versus the homemade broccoli cheddar and salad that I was eating before? I am so proud of myself because I have a 13 year history with an eating disorder (recovered 5 years) so its a HUGE accomplishment that I am able to plan a healthy lifestyle where I eat well, stay active and listen to my body to be able to adjust as needed, and I would really like to be able to work this out, ESPECIALLY because I go back to work soon as an ER nurse with 12+ hr shifts running around and I feel like if I don't correct this it will get worse when my daily activity level increases.

IF you read the whole thing, thank you and I believe my diary is open

Replies

  • shadowofender
    shadowofender Posts: 786 Member
    I mean, it could have just been a good day. I have good days and bad days, and sometimes there's no measurable difference between the days, but I'll hit my lifts easier than the day before for no good reason.

    Honestly, I don't really think about it too much. I'm glad you had a good day and a great workout. I hope it's something that can be quantified and you can repeat. But if not, don't sweat it either.
  • Slasher09
    Slasher09 Posts: 316 Member
    I mean, it could have just been a good day. I have good days and bad days, and sometimes there's no measurable difference between the days, but I'll hit my lifts easier than the day before for no good reason.

    Honestly, I don't really think about it too much. I'm glad you had a good day and a great workout. I hope it's something that can be quantified and you can repeat. But if not, don't sweat it either.

    I guess the only reason that I bring it up is because my energy was so low that I could barely make it through the day just taking care of my kids, and that included 2 hours in bed mid afternoon. If it just wasn't as good of a workout i would chalk it up to "it happens" because you are right it does! This was like full on grouchy, pooped out, etc
  • shadowofender
    shadowofender Posts: 786 Member
    Slasher09 wrote: »
    I mean, it could have just been a good day. I have good days and bad days, and sometimes there's no measurable difference between the days, but I'll hit my lifts easier than the day before for no good reason.

    Honestly, I don't really think about it too much. I'm glad you had a good day and a great workout. I hope it's something that can be quantified and you can repeat. But if not, don't sweat it either.

    I guess the only reason that I bring it up is because my energy was so low that I could barely make it through the day just taking care of my kids, and that included 2 hours in bed mid afternoon. If it just wasn't as good of a workout i would chalk it up to "it happens" because you are right it does! This was like full on grouchy, pooped out, etc

    Workout endorphins? Every so often I get the workout woosh of adrenaline. Maybe you just hit the zone with it?
  • jelleigh
    jelleigh Posts: 743 Member
    How's your sleep? I find that people really overlook the impact of quality sleep and getting enough of it. As a busy mom, I imagine that sleep might not be consistently amazing . I find that even if I don't feel tired per se, if I havent slept well I really notice it in energy levels and also in how what I eat effects me. So if I'm sleep deprived, I'm super sensitive to blood sugar fluctuations, whereas if I have enough sleep it doesn't seem to impact me at all (or very little at least)
  • Slasher09
    Slasher09 Posts: 316 Member
    jelleigh wrote: »
    How's your sleep? I find that people really overlook the impact of quality sleep and getting enough of it. As a busy mom, I imagine that sleep might not be consistently amazing . I find that even if I don't feel tired per se, if I havent slept well I really notice it in energy levels and also in how what I eat effects me. So if I'm sleep deprived, I'm super sensitive to blood sugar fluctuations, whereas if I have enough sleep it doesn't seem to impact me at all (or very little at least)

    Sleep is okay. My kids do pretty well about not getting up until around 8 which is nice. I can usually count on about 7 hours give or take. I had gotten a little less over the weekend now that you mention it
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    Slasher09 wrote: »
    jelleigh wrote: »
    How's your sleep? I find that people really overlook the impact of quality sleep and getting enough of it. As a busy mom, I imagine that sleep might not be consistently amazing . I find that even if I don't feel tired per se, if I havent slept well I really notice it in energy levels and also in how what I eat effects me. So if I'm sleep deprived, I'm super sensitive to blood sugar fluctuations, whereas if I have enough sleep it doesn't seem to impact me at all (or very little at least)

    Sleep is okay. My kids do pretty well about not getting up until around 8 which is nice. I can usually count on about 7 hours give or take. I had gotten a little less over the weekend now that you mention it

    There are a lot of bugs going round at the moment...
  • Tacklewasher
    Tacklewasher Posts: 7,122 Member
    Slasher09 wrote: »
    jelleigh wrote: »
    How's your sleep? I find that people really overlook the impact of quality sleep and getting enough of it. As a busy mom, I imagine that sleep might not be consistently amazing . I find that even if I don't feel tired per se, if I havent slept well I really notice it in energy levels and also in how what I eat effects me. So if I'm sleep deprived, I'm super sensitive to blood sugar fluctuations, whereas if I have enough sleep it doesn't seem to impact me at all (or very little at least)

    Sleep is okay. My kids do pretty well about not getting up until around 8 which is nice. I can usually count on about 7 hours give or take. I had gotten a little less over the weekend now that you mention it

    There are a lot of bugs going round at the moment...

    That would be my guess. You caught something that you got through quicker than normal so you are back at it.
  • Tbirdgal_Stef
    Tbirdgal_Stef Posts: 142 Member
    I get this way if I'm the least bit dehydrated, literally sitting on the floor waiting for the oven to beep while cooking. Once I get back my hydration I'm good - Coconut water usual does the trick for me. :wink: just an idea for you. Hope you feel up to par soon :)
  • Slasher09
    Slasher09 Posts: 316 Member
    I get this way if I'm the least bit dehydrated, literally sitting on the floor waiting for the oven to beep while cooking. Once I get back my hydration I'm good - Coconut water usual does the trick for me. :wink: just an idea for you. Hope you feel up to par soon :)

    thanks! I actually cut back on the fluids today! I swear I was peeing every 8 seconds yesterday lol. Everything felt great again, and it usually does after a higher calorie night. Maybe this just means I need a weekly "cheat" night ;) lol
  • Goober1142
    Goober1142 Posts: 219 Member
    When my *kitten* is dragging I eat carbs, it really helps me. If I'm starving I eat more fat and protein. If you're getting sick you need to give your body some fuel.
  • lucerorojo
    lucerorojo Posts: 790 Member
    I looked at your diary and noticed that you had over 1000 calories burned on Monday. If you do the math you ate back some but you still only net between 1100-1200 calories. This is barely enough when you are that active. I would guess that probably you didn't eat enough that day which is why you were dragging on Tuesday. You managed to eat more and get back to normal.

    When I had some days of burning 600-800 calories if I didn't eat them all back (maybe I got home about 11:00 pm from the pool and didn't feel like eating much at the time) and would wake up in the middle of the night starving and just really not be in good condition the next day.
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