So I’ll try to make this as condensed as possible. For reference SW:315, CW: 188, GW: 160-170. Sober 231 days.
As of recently, I’ve been posting way too much. In summary, I went from thinking about quitting the gym, to getting motivated again to exercise more, to learning about my diet, etc… But a new unfortunate sequence of events happened recently.
So two days ago, I was just about to complete another 48 hour fast. I had came back from the gym (right before I was about to eat to break the fast), sat down, and as I stood up I got super dizzy/lightheaded and almost lost consciousness. My immediate thought was I probably needed salt, so I consumed two packets. I ended up eating, but still felt terrible. I went for my evening jog, and midway I started developing this coldness in my chest. It wasn’t painful or tight, per se, more so just cold. I finished up, took a shower, and got ready for bed. I still had this coldness that was annoying to say the least, but I was able to sleep it off. I originally thought it was my e-cig that was causing this, so I put it down for a while. I woke up the next day, no coldness in the chest, but still was a little dizzy everytime I stood up from sitting. It wasn’t as bad as the day before, but still annoying. Especially since I had food in me and wasn’t fasting anymore. I checked my blood pressure, both sitting and standing, and averaged arounded 86/54. I went to the gym, ate my lunch, and went for my jog yesterday (I wasn’t experiencing dizziness or lost of consciousness at any other point). I also didn’t have that coldness in my chest either, even after the jog.
Anyways, today I woke up, got ready for work, and when I stepped outside I was abnormally very cold (it was only 82 degrees outside, plus Im always hot). Got to work, and noticed I was just very slow and couldn’t concentrate much. It took my double the time to complete my things. I also looked in the mirror, and I looked alot more pale than normal. As I was getting ready to leave, I asked if one of the nurses could take my blood pressure (I work in healthcare). Of course, they were very concerned and had our doctor look at me. They checked my blood pressure and it was actually high, around 140/90 with a 104 HR (i typically get really high readings when I go to the doctors, its probably nerves). They also checked my blood sugar, and it was 71 (on the lower end of normal). I had explained my diet and exercise (gym for 1.5 hours, jog 2.2 miles, one meal a day fast minimum, occasional 48 hour and extended fast, around 1000-1800 calories a day, and around 650 calories burned through exercise). They were quite concerned about my intentions with all of this, and the doc said it wasn’t healthy. I then explained the dizziness and coldness in chest thing, and he said It sounded like hypovolemic shock, and I needed to get my blood volume up. Even though I already supplement fairly well with salt packets, potassium, and magnesium, something was happening with my body. He recommended pedialyte and to take a break from exercise until Im back to normal. Big things were I needed sugar, 24 hour (one meal a day) was fine but nothing beyond that, hydrate more, and more vitamins/minerals/electrolytes.
All this shit got me thinking, like bro Im not ready to die. Like hypovolemic shock is a serious thing. Im only 23, I got so much to live for and accomplish. I have people in my life depending on me, and the reason I stopped drinking and lost this weight was for them (to be healthy and alive for them). I don’t have health insurance anymore, so I’ve been avoiding the ER as much as possible, but really I shouldve gone two days ago when I had (what the doctor thinks) hypovolemic shock. Im gonna have to take a break from this dieting and exercise shit until I figure it out. I broke down crying in the car on my way home, just thinking how much my family, my little baby brother, and others will react if Im not here on this earth. I’m catholic, and the only person/thing I fear should be God, but like Im also not ready to go yet.
I’m sorry if this sounds dramatic af, but this shit just hit me hard today. Thank you for reading, I really appreciate it, I’m just in a shitty situation right now. I don’t want anyone to worry about me, so I haven’t told my family about it. But my friends and coworkers are all worried and think I have an eating disorder.
I don’t believe that your doctor friend would’ve told you hypovolemic shock. That’s what happens when you lose so much blood or fluid that you are becoming incompatible with life. It’s an emergency that usually requires treatment in an ER followed by ICU stay. You don’t just go to work, and go home.
And yes, what you’re doing as far as your regimen sounds extreme and imbalanced and detrimental to your health. Why do a 48hr fast? OMAD q 23hrs, eat enough to support your gym habits, use an app to dial in your macros and fasting schedule.
Any time the top number of your BP is below 90 is a major red flag to stop what you’re doing and is below a medically acceptable range (on average). That’s where I bring blood pressure back up to to as a minimum when I’m treating patients to make sure the basics are getting blood supply: kidneys/heart/brain. Below that you’re not adequately perfusing. The normal range is right around 120/80 and that’s where you should be shooting for your BP to me.
While it doesn’t sound like hypovolemic shock, to me it does sound like you were incredibly dehydrated. Taking a break is a good idea. Any time you start to feel unwell you need to stop what you are doing. Period.
Some occasional lightheadedness when standing up too fast and lethargy is one thing. If you’re incredibly dizzy, having chest pain, are almost passing out you need to stop what you are doing. Eat and see a doctor. That’s your body telling you that you’re doing something wrong.
And no offense, If you’re pushing through all of those symptoms and continuing to do what you know is making you feel unwell for weight loss purposes I’d also be concerned about an ED as a provider.
Hey I needed to hear this, I just did a 28 day fast, followed by two day of bone broth. I was only going to eat half an avocado but this made me eat the other half.
I don’t have an ED, so do not imply that please I just have been hyper focused on electrolytes, eating health and my worries about kidney function.
Good on ya mate for the sobriety! Huge accomplishment!
You have done a huge work to get where you are today. But a smaller body had less reserves than what you had before. It can’t push through bc you’re not carrying 130 extra pounds. It’s ok to slow the roll. You got great advice from other commenters. Be strong. Stay healthy. Take the time you need to be the healthy you that you can be-for you and for your family.