Are hunger pains the equivalent of the gym burn ?

gpstreet
gpstreet Posts: 184 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
You know that time when you are in the gym. You might have heard words from the instructor pop into your mind, something along the lines of "feel the burn. That's muscles being built".
Well I just wondered if in losing weight, the equivalent of the burn are those hunger pangs ? What exactly is that pain ? Is it a signal for the body to start storing everything you stuff down your throat ? Is it the body saying "right, starting burning those energy supplies stored up in the fat". Could it be a combination of the two ?

Replies

  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
    "Feeling the burn" is not muscles being built, actually - it's muscles being torn down, they rebuild when we are at rest.

    As for hunger pangs, it's generally a signal that your stomach is empty and it's time to eat! But we also often mistake hunger for thirst, or want to eat just out of habit, at least in my experience, so before responding to a feeling of hunger, I will think about whether or not I SHOULD be hungry - is it time for a meal? Have I eaten well today (cals, carbs, fat, protein)? Am I just thirsty - drink a glass of water and wait 20 minutes. Do I want to eat a bowl of cereal before bed because I used to always do this, or am I really hungry?
  • TimothyFish
    TimothyFish Posts: 4,925 Member
    No, in losing weight, the equivalent to gym burn is gym burn. While you should expect and welcome some feelings of hunger between meals, excessive hunger feelings are an indication that you need to eat more.
  • gpstreet
    gpstreet Posts: 184 Member
    AmyRhubarb wrote: »
    "Feeling the burn" is not muscles being built, actually - it's muscles being torn down, they rebuild when we are at rest.

    As for hunger pangs, it's generally a signal that your stomach is empty and it's time to eat! But we also often mistake hunger for thirst, or want to eat just out of habit, at least in my experience, so before responding to a feeling of hunger, I will think about whether or not I SHOULD be hungry - is it time for a meal? Have I eaten well today (cals, carbs, fat, protein)? Am I just thirsty - drink a glass of water and wait 20 minutes. Do I want to eat a bowl of cereal before bed because I used to always do this, or am I really hungry?

    Wow. I really liked this answer.
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