Wooziness while dieting?

[Chelcifer]

Hi there! I'm a 21 year old female whose trying to diet for the first time. As a new years resolution, I've decided to lose 60 pounds over the course of 2010, so I've been editing my diet accordingly. I've also added aerobics to my exercise routine a few times a week, in addition to the walking regularly routine I'd previously been doing. Previously, my diet regimen included a good deal of sugary snacks, so I've cut those out in addition to fast food.. Other than cutting those, I've not changed my diet much, and am eating the same meals I used to at roughly the same frequency sans unhealthy snacks. Because I'm on the college budget, it's a lot of boneless skinless chicken breast, rice, pasta, salad, fruit, and frozen veggies. I snack on reduced fat string cheese, juice, and tortillas when I get hungry.

However, I've noticed that following my menstrual cycle, I feel slightly dizzy if I go without food for more than a few hours. I get pressingly hungry, and when I eat, can only finish about half of what I prepare before I get full. Two hours later, I'm urgently hungry again. I'm constantly thirsty as well.

This is my first time attempting serious weight loss, and I'm not sure if this is normal. I'm concerned I might be overdoing it, or doing something unhealthy for my body. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

[Barb135]

I understand about the low food budget -- watch your grocery store -- sometimes, you can get fresh/frozen fruits/veggies on sale and they may not cost much more than the high calorie carbs.  The store I shop at also often has "buy one, get one free" on a lot of items, so I always make sure to check those out as well. Even though the whole grain pastas, rice, etc may be slightly more expensive, the whole grains will stick with you longer  and could end up being cheaper in the long run.

And don't forget - although fresh/frozen are best, even canned is better than NO fruits and veggies.  Just make sure you get the "no sugar added" and/or low sodium varieties.  If you can get them at "buy one, get one free" prices, you can save quite a bit.

You can also aim for higher protein, which will actually keep you feeling fuller for longer periods than the carbs will because it stays with you.  Because my week days begin at 3:30 am, I don't have time to cook breakfast, so on weekends, I hard boil several eggs and during the week, I can grab one for breakfast -- that keeps me going most days until around mid morning, which for me is about 8:00-9:00.  

If you aren't used to exercising a lot, you may bet sore at first.  I don't believe in the "no pain, no gain" idea, so maybe you should start back with your walking. slowly and build up?  

[Chelcifer]

Thanks for the input! At this stage in the diet, I'm trying to work on portion control and keeping junk food "a sometimes food." I'd love to be eating more whole fruits and veggies and grains, but it isn't economically feasible at the moment. Unfortunately, I've got a food budget of about ten to fifteen bucks a week, and those cheap carbs are filling enough to get me through the day. I'm still losing weight at this point, so hopefully, things will improve enough to be able to afford them by the time I plateau. It's good to have a future grocery list of

The urgent hunger is going away, which is good! The general faintness is also improving, and I'm no longer feeling so dehydrated. Other than the thirst and hunger, I don't think I've got any of the other symptoms of diabetes, as even when I chugging water all day, I didn't urinate any more than usual. I started to feel better once I added in a daily vitamin to my foods, as according to the food tracker, I was only getting about half of the nutrients I needed despite being within a healthy distance of my calorie limit. Yet another good reason to try and add whole foods to the diet, I suppose.

My body has also started to punish me for exercising, which is a new one for me! Since school just started back up, I walked the four mile round trip from my apartment to class that I'd been doing for three years. Even my arms are sore from that one. Hopefully, it will be easy again soon, because that's one I have to do three times a week!

Sorry for rambling. Thank you for the advice and warm welcome. I hope to stick around!

[Barb135]

It's really good that you cut out the sugary snacks -- those will get you every time!!  

The boneless chicken breast is good; however, the rice, pasta, and tortillas may be holding you back.  If you can, switch to whole grain rice and pasta, as well as bread.  Whole grain tends to be slightly more expensive, so if you can't afford to switch, at least cut your portion sizes.  I'm not sure about the tortillas you are snacking on -- you might want to check the nutrition info to see what you are getting for the calories.  

It's best to stay away from anything "white" -- such as white sugar, rice, flour... those are simple carbs and are "used up" more more quickly than the complex carbs you get from veggies, whole grains, fruit, nuts, beans.  Additionally, it would be better to snack on whole fruit, rather than juice.  With whole fruit, you get all the fiber and vitamins; juice gives you some of the vitamins, but more calories with less nutrition.  Whole fruit will fill you up more quickly than juice will.

You should not go more than a few hours without food.  It sounds like your blood sugar is dropping too low.  You can try to eat several small meals each day or you can do 3 meals, with snacks (fruit, cheese, carrot/celery sticks, yogurt, etc). Whichever way you decide to do it, make sure you eat the right things often enough to keep your blood sugar from dropping drastically.  

Have you ever been tested for diabetes?  Your urgent hunger and constant thirst could be signs -- I'd suggest that you get tested.

Good luck and keep posting so we know how you are doing.  Welcome.