Day 3 of diet- feel terrible

[dollylucy]

Splitting headache which painkillers aren't touching.
Shattered
I always get this
Drinking lots of water
What else can I do

[ChocolateRaisin]

What are you eating?

[StickTheDMWhereTheSunDontShine]

it would be useful to know what you're eating, what you're aiming to lose and how you're trying to achieve that.

If you're doing something like cabbage soup, for example, then ffs eat some food!

[dollylucy]

Just cutting out the crap, aiming for 1200 cals a day, knowing I will go over it.
Today Had cereal, lovely big ham hock salad, melon

Yesterday Cereal, eggs for lunch, small bowl of pasta for dinner(beetroot and goats cheese)
Snacks- melon-frozen yoghurt pot

No Diet Coke- I think that might be the problem

[dollylucy]

About 5 stone to lose, but I'd be happy with 2 for now

[Agadooo]

Your diet all sounds good-you normally drink a lot of diet coke and now aren't drinking any?

[dollylucy]

Yes
Prob 3 cans a day

[andadietcoke]

I'm the same. Day 3 for me too and am at a conference with a banging headache.

Just picked off the chicken skin and had it with some lettuce leaves, because they were the only options. I feel very virtuous.

I think from past experience it's just a case of waiting for it to pass. Just wish I had some painkillers.

[ChocolateRaisin]

Google sugar withdrawal, that is probably what you are suffering from. Drink lots of water and ride it out, it will be over soon!

[StickTheDMWhereTheSunDontShine]

The cereal isn't the best start to the day. Better to have porridge (made with milk or milk substitute - don't try to save calories by using water) or a no added sugar muesli, if you don't fancy something heavier in the morning. It will fill you up much more.

Giving up the diet coke at the same time won't help, though. Do you drink tea or coffee?

[Chocolateteabag]

Try a spoonful of Bovril in hot water?
I sometimes get headaches at 4pm on a 5:2 fasting day and read that it's the salts that you might be missing.

A spoonful of Bovril is about 20 cals btw - ds2 calls it my meaty tea

[andadietcoke]

Chicken Bovril is lovely - lived off that when I was on a bonkers milk diet.

[dollylucy]

I'm really not sure I can do bovril!

I don't drink coffee, occasional cup of tea.

[Agadooo]

Am guessing it's aspartame withdrawal n just need to ride it out unfortunately -hopefully will be gone soon

[purplefox]

It's definitely the diet coke as you're withdrawing from both caffeine and aspartame.

1200 calories if you've got 5 stone to lose is also too low. You should start at the highest possible intake which allows weight loss than gradually decrease as your weight, and your TDEE decreases. As a pp said, cereal isn't the best option for weight loss/health, start your day with something higher in protein and no added sugar.

[dollylucy]

I've set it at 1200, knowing it will edge over.
I need a bit of a kick start.
What else for breakfast- I don't have time to cook. Not porridge
I just needed to finish the cereal- Rice Krispies/cornflakes

[dollylucy]

Actually feel nauseous today

[spanky2]

Could the headache be caffeine withdrawal ? Maybe go up to 1500 calories a day. You might have dropped to too low amount of calories and your body doesn't know what's hit it.

[OliviaStabler]

The headache could be caffeine withdrawal.

1200 is way too low, I'd be looking at 1500 calories per day.

Good luck!

[dollylucy]

I think caffeine and aspartame combined

[snapcrap]

I agree 1200 is too low. You say you've set it low to go over but that to me is a little bit dysfunctional, and it's like you are not seeing this as a lifestyle change but applying tricks and depriving yourself and feeling unwell. I only have 10lbs to lose - I would love to do this quickly to see results on the scales, but I am not going to go lower than 1500 cals. I don't want to feel hungry - that's not sustainable. Good luck.

[StickTheDMWhereTheSunDontShine]

I have Dorset nutty muesli, most mornings. Just need to make sure you weigh it until you're really good at eyeballing it. I have 50g with 100 ml of light soya milk and a banana. Settles my stomach nicely for the subsequent coffee onslaught!

I've yet to try it, but overnight oats have caught on as a big thing. Lots of recipes online and needs little or no attention in the morning.

[dollylucy]

I tried some that vine fruit muesli- bloody hell it took me ages to chew through it, my jaw was aching!

If I change it to 1500, it will end up as 1700, I'm taking into consideration a couple of ds's chips or a bite of his ice cream or a mug of ovaltine. It all adds up

I'm feeling a bit better, it's just the headache

[Chocolateteabag]

Check the calories in ovaltine - pretty sure still 100+ with the low cal mix with water one.

Try the Bovril! I dare you!

[dollylucy]

Just to update, I'm feeling a lot better.
So started with the Diet Coke detox on Monday and it took until sat midday to feel any better.
That was the info I was looking for, so just thought I'd post in case anyone wanted to know.

[Agadooo]

Glad feeling better-wow that was a long time to get it out your system-well done for persevering-now feeling better for it?