STARVING - so when will it stop?
lenica
Posts: 14 Member
I started following my calories about a week ago. I lost 6 and did not notice any real difficulty other than no eating out. This week I have felt like my stomach is eating itself. I am meeting or exceeding my carbs protein and fat;so why do I feel like I am starving? Is it my body thinking it is starving because it is not getting what it used to get daily? Will this stop soon? If it is happening to you did you find a way to make it stop?
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I started following my calories about a week ago. I lost 6 and did not notice any real difficulty other than no eating out. This week I have felt like my stomach is eating itself. I am meeting or exceeding my carbs protein and fat;so why do I feel like I am starving? Is it my body thinking it is starving because it is not getting what it used to get daily? Will this stop soon? If it is happening to you did you find a way to make it stop?
You will eventually hit on foods that satiate you. It can take some time.
I drink hot tea after dinner a lot of times and fill full. Protein shakes in the morning drive to work help. You will get it.0 -
You may not be weighing your food and inadvertantly eating too little or you may have set your calorie goal too low.
Or, you may need to eat back some exercise calories.0 -
You shouldn't be feeling overly hungry.
Do you eat a good amount of proteins and fats?0 -
What do you mean by following your cals ? Do you mean tracking? And what are your calories a day that you're aiming for? How much did you eat before you started tracking. How much did you cut? And your macros depend on how many cals you have to spread around so a little more information would help.
You could be completely under eating even if you think you're going over your macros. Or your tracking could be off or you might be on track and you just need time to adjust and the answer to that depends on what foods your eating and how satiating they are.0 -
Eventually, you'll lose enough that you don't need as much food. And yes, there is some degree of getting used to what it feels like to eat less. I find that exercise helps me restrain my appetite, but that doesn't work for everyone.0
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I started following my calories about a week ago. I lost 6 and did not notice any real difficulty other than no eating out. This week I have felt like my stomach is eating itself. I am meeting or exceeding my carbs protein and fat;so why do I feel like I am starving? Is it my body thinking it is starving because it is not getting what it used to get daily? Will this stop soon? If it is happening to you did you find a way to make it stop?
I exercise almost daily so that I can eat more.
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healthygreek wrote: »You may not be weighing your food and inadvertantly eating too little or you may have set your calorie goal too low.
Or, you may need to eat back some exercise calories.
I am not weighing my food. I am going to get a scale tomorrow.0 -
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nancyjay__ wrote: »What do you mean by following your cals ? Do you mean tracking? And what are your calories a day that you're aiming for? How much did you eat before you started tracking. How much did you cut? And your macros depend on how many cals you have to spread around so a little more information would help.
You could be completely under eating even if you think you're going over your macros. Or your tracking could be off or you might be on track and you just need time to adjust and the answer to that depends on what foods your eating and how satiating they are.
Thanks Nancy,
I am a complete newby so I do not know terms yet. Also, I think I learned to open my diary so it can be seen...I think. I just entered my weight and that I would like to lose 2 lbs. I am open to constructive education. As to what my calories are prior I do not even know because I did not track faithfully before last week and I ate out a lot.0 -
healthygreek wrote: »You may not be weighing your food and inadvertantly eating too little or you may have set your calorie goal too low.
Or, you may need to eat back some exercise calories.
I am not weighing my food. I am going to get a scale tomorrow.
How many calories were you assuming you were eating?
If I ate chicken breast I would just pick large to make sure that I guessed worse case scenario. But most things are packaged so I scanned the bar codes.0 -
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nancyjay__ wrote: »What do you mean by following your cals ? Do you mean tracking? And what are your calories a day that you're aiming for? How much did you eat before you started tracking. How much did you cut? And your macros depend on how many cals you have to spread around so a little more information would help.
You could be completely under eating even if you think you're going over your macros. Or your tracking could be off or you might be on track and you just need time to adjust and the answer to that depends on what foods your eating and how satiating they are.
Thanks Nancy,
I am a complete newby so I do not know terms yet. Also, I think I learned to open my diary so it can be seen...I think. I just entered my weight and that I would like to lose 2 lbs. I am open to constructive education. As to what my calories are prior I do not even know because I did not track faithfully before last week and I ate out a lot.
When I started to track I was completely lost lol. The only thing that helped me was time. Time taught me that instead of having dressing with my salad I could have an extra 2oz of chicken breast.
You might be hungry because of the things you choose to eat. Example you had 520 cals meal in two taquitos you had a couple days ago. For me that meal would be 4oz of chicken breast cup of steamed rice and a cup of steamed broccoli. All at about 430 cals.
Believe me there are times I prefer to eat 3 oreos instead of the meal and am I starving after....yep. Its all about choices. Best practice is know how you can maximize the calories. I also input something into MFP before I eat it and most of the time I end up changing my mind and not eating it at all.
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I used to think I was starving but I was just bored or mildly hungry. If you're hungry, you should eat. If I think I'm starving, but I won't eat a salad, I'm not starving, I just want something to eat!0
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You might want to adjust your weight loss goal to 1 lb per week instead of 2 lbs. That's an aggressive goal and likely is adding to your hunger. Changing your goal will give you more calories each day and might make a difference in how you're feeling.
I'm glad to hear you'll be getting a scale. It's the best way to know exactly what you're eating. No guessing involved and far more accurate than relying on MFP entries that are "close enough."
You do a nice job with fruit and veggies in your diet but there are a lot of entries for pre-packaged or take-out entrees. If you can make recipes that have simple, healthy ingredients, you can get more quantity and quality in your diet. Which will go a long way toward keeping you feeling full
I like to make soup, stew, wraps, loaded salads with meat, cheese, nuts and veggies, etc. When I opt for prepared foods, I usually go for fish and veggie burgers. 0 -
You might want to adjust your weight loss goal to 1 lb per week instead of 2 lbs. That's an aggressive goal and likely is adding to your hunger. Changing your goal will give you more calories each day and might make a difference in how you're feeling.
I'm glad to hear you'll be getting a scale. It's the best way to know exactly what you're eating. No guessing involved and far more accurate than relying on MFP entries that are "close enough."
You do a nice job with fruit and veggies in your diet but there are a lot of entries for pre-packaged or take-out entrees. If you can make recipes that have simple, healthy ingredients, you can get more quantity and quality in your diet. Which will go a long way toward keeping you feeling full I like to make soup, stew, wraps, loaded salads with meat, cheese, nuts and veggies, etc. When I opt for prepared foods, I usually go for fish and veggie burgers.
Thank you. I will adjust back and see if it helps with that feeling.0 -
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I find that if you ride out a wave of hunger it typically goes away after 15-30 mins. So I always do that if it's not time for a meal.
Just realise that being hungry isn't an emergency. Nothing bad is going to happen if you wait a while to eat.0 -
You might want to adjust your weight loss goal to 1 lb per week instead of 2 lbs. That's an aggressive goal and likely is adding to your hunger. Changing your goal will give you more calories each day and might make a difference in how you're feeling.
I'm glad to hear you'll be getting a scale. It's the best way to know exactly what you're eating. No guessing involved and far more accurate than relying on MFP entries that are "close enough."
You do a nice job with fruit and veggies in your diet but there are a lot of entries for pre-packaged or take-out entrees. If you can make recipes that have simple, healthy ingredients, you can get more quantity and quality in your diet. Which will go a long way toward keeping you feeling full I like to make soup, stew, wraps, loaded salads with meat, cheese, nuts and veggies, etc. When I opt for prepared foods, I usually go for fish and veggie burgers.
Thank you. I will adjust back and see if it helps with that feeling.
Before that you should start logging accurately.
I agree 2lbs a week doesn't seem an impossible feat. And who knows maybe once you log accurately you feel great! But if you already decide that its too hard and want to make it easy that might become a trend then you really won't go anywhere.
No matter what people tell you this journey will not be easy0 -
Congratulations on the loss so far!
I wonder if you have your calories set too low ? Perhaps set your goal for 1 to 1.5 pounds per week.
Also, be sure to log any exercise you do since the MFP is set up to allot you more calories to eat.
Finding recipes that are full of low calorie veggies and fruits help to satiate your hunger. Also-lots and lots of water.
You shouldn't feel like you're starving.
Good luck.
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nancyjay__ wrote: »What do you mean by following your cals ? Do you mean tracking? And what are your calories a day that you're aiming for? How much did you eat before you started tracking. How much did you cut? And your macros depend on how many cals you have to spread around so a little more information would help.
You could be completely under eating even if you think you're going over your macros. Or your tracking could be off or you might be on track and you just need time to adjust and the answer to that depends on what foods your eating and how satiating they are.
^This0 -
beemerphile1 wrote: »I started following my calories about a week ago. I lost 6 and did not notice any real difficulty other than no eating out. This week I have felt like my stomach is eating itself. I am meeting or exceeding my carbs protein and fat;so why do I feel like I am starving? Is it my body thinking it is starving because it is not getting what it used to get daily? Will this stop soon? If it is happening to you did you find a way to make it stop?
I exercise almost daily so that I can eat more.
^And this0 -
Had a quick look at your food diary. It looks like you are eating a good amount of calories, however things like protein bars might be an issue. Yes they have protein in them and that is good. However you can have a big salad with chicken with only a few more calories and that will fill your stomach. You need to physically eat more food but not more calories.
In addition, I take a thermos with me full of tea to tide me over. A full cup of milk in the thermos is 160 calories but keeps me going all afternoon and stops me from snacking.0 -
I agree with what has been said about accurately tracking and making sure you are eating enough calories. Part of the hunger is normal though and its just one of those things that takes time to adjust to. We got fat by eating way too many calories and it will take some adjusting for our bodies to eat at a deficit. Some days are going to be better than others, but the hunger shouldn't be super unbearable for you hopefully. Coffee and/or walking help me when I'm feeling hungry but I know I don't need to eat anymore. And drinking a lot of water can help too. If you really are having trouble add in something small so that you can get by without getting to a breaking point and binging (like a piece of fruit or a yogurt)0
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1. First time I tried MFP I was super hungry but my husband pointed out it was because I wasn't exercising so that's what I do for extra calories per day.
2. Sometimes you can feel hungry when you're dehydrated. Have s glass of water and wait half an hour to see if you're still hungry.
3. Yesterday I was hungry in the day as I knew I was having a big tea. It's a pay off and it usually works as I lack control in the evenings!0 -
healthygreek wrote: »You may not be weighing your food and inadvertantly eating too little or you may have set your calorie goal too low.
Or, you may need to eat back some exercise calories.
I am not weighing my food. I am going to get a scale tomorrow.
How many calories were you assuming you were eating?
If I ate chicken breast I would just pick large to make sure that I guessed worse case scenario. But most things are packaged so I scanned the bar codes.
Bad idea, especially if you overestimate everything like me. I'd think I'm eating 200g of chicken when I'm actually eating 80 ...0 -
OP, when are you expecting your period? You've gotten a lot of great advice in this thread, but it could be hormonal and you're just going to have to ride this wave.0
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Agree with the above posts. Also wanted to mention that another reason could be hormones- time of the month or ovulation. Sometimes thats all it takes to get that extreme hunger feeling. But If im just starting to feel a little hungry, ill first have a hot cup of coffee or a few cups of ice water. If im legit HANGRY, ill just eat and figure out a way to make it stay under my weekly calorie goals. Goal for me- to never be that hungry. If i eat the wrong foods, ill notice increased hunger for a couple days. Veggies and protein help me stay fuller.0
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How much fiber are you eating? I am ravenous if I neglect my fiber intake. Protein is filling, but then I get hungry again in a few hours. Fiber curbs my hunger throughout the day.0
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Thank you all for the suggestions. I will do some checking. I will add some more salads because I do love them.
I am unclear on hormone cycles because I had a complete radical hysterectomy and my ovaries were removed. I do have emotional days of the month but no cycle.
So am I supposed to eat 1380 calories only and then work out? Or should I be at 1380 at the end of the day after work out calories burned are entered into the equation?0 -
I have my calories set to 1350 calories per day. That is "net" calories - I do add in exercise calories but very conservatively.
I try to exercise for at least 45 minutes a day, but I usually end up with more than that, esp. when I go to spin class and work out at the gym. Since I do not trust most of the calorie burn estimations, I am restricting my "eat back" exercise calories to about 200 per day. Less if I workout less strenuously.
So I may eat about 1500 calories per day, but net about 1200 or 1300 - and I am rarely if ever hungry to the point of ravenous, with the exception of the obvious "Hey I haven't eaten in several hours, I'm hungry"
Sometimes I have hunger pangs that I think are just my stomach saying "Hey, I'm bored, why not munch on some chips or something and give me something to do?" That's when I have a drink of water or coffee, or if it's night time and I don't want to eat anything more because I've already gotten to my calorie goal, I go to bed.
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