Is this normal for the first week?

ChrisCatMama
ChrisCatMama Posts: 1,038 Member
in Getting Started
I’m doing great staying within my calorie range, averaging between 1600-1800 this week. But I’m pretty sure I am eating a lot less than I usually eat. Tonight I’m feeling very dizzy. Not sure if it’s the peri menopause or how “good “I’m doing or something else altogether.
Any ideas? TIA!

Replies

  • sarabushby
    sarabushby Posts: 784 Member
    Probably helpful if you share more info on your stats - height, weight, goals, daily calories previously, how long you’ve been at this intake, whether you’re exercising and eating back the calories from that too or not? What are your macros like?

    Are you hydrated enough? A common cause of dizziness is dehydration. Is it all the time or when you go from sitting to standing? Any other symptoms that might suggest a viral infection?
  • MichelleSilverleaf
    MichelleSilverleaf Posts: 2,027 Member
    ChrisCatMama wrote: »
    I’m doing great staying within my calorie range, averaging between 1600-1800 this week. But I’m pretty sure I am eating a lot less than I usually eat. Tonight I’m feeling very dizzy. Not sure if it’s the peri menopause or how “good “I’m doing or something else altogether.
    Any ideas? TIA!

    Dizziness is not a normal feature or side effect of good weight loss. Either your deficit is too steep, you're dehydrated, perhaps not getting enough of something, electrolyte balance. You don't get bonus points for eating lower than the deficit MFP already gives.
  • ChrisCatMama
    ChrisCatMama Posts: 1,038 Member
    I’m 5’4”, 165 pounds. My goal is 130 pounds. I work out 6 days a week, about 90 minutes a day (not including walking or other activities). I drink at least 64 ounces of water a day, sometimes more.
    I’m just getting back into tracking my food as of last Saturday but before that I tried to be careful. I don’t know how many calories before (sorry).
    I’m not eating back all the calories. Honestly I am not sure if I am tracking the exercise correctly.
    My dizziness happens whenever- can’t tell what triggers it. I’m always doing stuff to help my family with a disabled daughter and husband during the day.
    Hope that’s enough info?
  • wildredbill
    wildredbill Posts: 26 Member
    You should not be feeling dizzy. No, that's not normal. How long does it last? Have you ever had Vertigo, or feel like you were going to faint?
    The first thing I would do is email or phone you doctor and ask HIM what he thinks. Just don't ignore it when your body is trying to tell you something.
  • MichelleSilverleaf
    MichelleSilverleaf Posts: 2,027 Member
    ChrisCatMama wrote: »
    I’m 5’4”, 165 pounds. My goal is 130 pounds. I work out 6 days a week, about 90 minutes a day (not including walking or other activities). I drink at least 64 ounces of water a day, sometimes more.
    I’m just getting back into tracking my food as of last Saturday but before that I tried to be careful. I don’t know how many calories before (sorry).
    I’m not eating back all the calories. Honestly I am not sure if I am tracking the exercise correctly.
    My dizziness happens whenever- can’t tell what triggers it. I’m always doing stuff to help my family with a disabled daughter and husband during the day.
    Hope that’s enough info?

    Not eating back calories could be the culprit, and should probably be the first place to look. Start by eating to the number of calories MFP gives you and a portion of your exercise calories. If you exercise on a machine maybe eat a quarter or half of that number, or try to find a good entry in the database and eat about half of that number. Give it 4-6 weeks and see how your progress is going. I wouldn't rule out a dr's visit though, just to be on the safe side.
  • ChrisCatMama
    ChrisCatMama Posts: 1,038 Member
    I forgot to mention I am going through peri menopause. I’m eating 200 calories more sometimes (goal is 1640 and I have gone up to around 1800).
    I work out at home - doing a mix of cardio, weights, an Exercycle.
    I really thought the change in my eating habits was causing the problem. So glad I asked!
  • Annie_01
    Annie_01 Posts: 3,096 Member
    By any chance are you doing low carb?
  • ChrisCatMama
    ChrisCatMama Posts: 1,038 Member
    No I’m not. I’m a vegetarian. Some days my carbs are through the roof! Lol
  • catherinehart831
    catherinehart831 Posts: 9 Member
    Just some random thoughts: Dehydration and hypoglycemia can cause dizziness. If you have a sudden onset of dizziness, that could be very serious. Consulting a doctor and dietician during the process to improve health is always a good idea. I just recently did this as I have re-started my journey.
  • DeeDeeMee
    DeeDeeMee Posts: 133 Member
    Call and /or see your GP. Dizziness is not normal.

    I actually had a lot of dizziness when I was initially losing weight as well and it turns out that I have a condition that requires me to eat more salt. I was being a responsible adult and cutting out salt (because that's what we're told to do). Wrong. I pass out when I'm out low on salt. And I have a friend with the exact opposite problem. Point is, your dizziness could be caused by something as simple as dehydration or as complex as a weird heart nervous system thing (the thing that I have). It could also be a sign of something worse (less likely, don't freak out, but also don't ignore). Go to your GP.
  • Jelliqal
    Jelliqal Posts: 17 Member
    I would suggest two things you look at 2 things -

    1) If your carbs are high - how is your protein? That is what balances your energy across the day.

    #2 Are you getting enough salt? My hubby cut his salt too low when he became veg.

    There is a how much water to drink calculator on this website - https://jjvirgin.com/water-drink-day/

    Have you checked your BP when you are dizzy? I would look to see if it is due to low BP ( salt or dehydration fix) or if not and continuing - really see Dr. Don't want to be driving and have a dizzy spell hit.
  • mkculs13
    mkculs13 Posts: 681 Member
    I have a tendency to have too little salt in my diet and I get dizzy when I stand too quickly. It started when I became a vegetarian at 14--I was eating a lot less processed food and didn't salt anything (still don't). It can sneak up on you. Be sure to discuss your diet with your primary care provider and get checked out. It's not something to mess with.

    FWIW, the more in shape I was, the worse my dizziness became. A low heart rate and low blood pressure mean the blood flow has to fight gravity more as you stand up from sitting OR from bending over--hence, the light-headedness. Pay attention b/c if you are assisting people with disabilities, you may be standing up from bending over more often than you realize and this could be connected.
  • ChrisCatMama
    ChrisCatMama Posts: 1,038 Member
    Thanks everyone. I’m gonna call my doctor on Monday. I don’t have time to go till the end of the week but it wouldn’t hurt to get this checked out.
  • sarabushby
    sarabushby Posts: 784 Member
    Good move!
    Try tracking your calories & exercise between now and then because if you tell your Dr you’ve been dieting he’s likely to want to know to what level you’re undereating. It’ll be helpful if you can have a reasonable idea.
  • PAV8888
    PAV8888 Posts: 14,253 Member
    What are you basing your decision to eat "1600 to 1800" at?
    ChrisCatMama wrote: »
    I work out 6 days a week, about 90 minutes a day (not including walking or other activities). I’m always doing stuff to help my family with a disabled daughter and husband during the day.

    So you've set yourself up as active or very active AND you're eating back your exercise calories? Right?

    Because you sure as heck don't sound sedentary or lightly active to me.

    And, if you are unsure as to how many exercise calories you're spending... one thing's for sure: you ain't spending ZERO which is what you're eating back.

    Of course your food tracking may be off and you may be eating way more than you think; but, chances are really good that you're setting up an unrealistically sized deficit.

    A deficit of 500 Cal a day can take you places!
  • ChrisCatMama
    ChrisCatMama Posts: 1,038 Member
    I set it up as lightly active. Just changed it to active this morning. I’m so determined to lose weight and I want to keep my calories under 2000 if I can. (Today will be difficult!)

    Even if I didn’t have disabled family members I couldn’t be sedentary. When I am injured I drive my doctor nuts because I don’t like resting for long. 😬
  • Susieq_1994
    Susieq_1994 Posts: 5,361 Member
    A few people in the perimenopause thread here on MFP mentioned dizziness/vertigo, so that might potentially be a cause to look at. Either way, I'd recommend seeing your doctor. :)
  • ginnytez
    ginnytez Posts: 1,404 Member
    Glad you were able to get it taken care of @ChrisCatMama ear infections are no fun!

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