Always hungry

noobletmcnugget

For me, hunger comes in waves. I find that if you just wait for it to pass (usually like 20 mins max), maybe drink something and chew some gum in the meantime, you'll feel fine for the next couple of hours.

Just remember that hunger isn't an emergency.

JudithNYC

I had always failed at losing weight because after a few weeks I couln't stand the constant hunger. This time I am eating 1200 calories a day and can honestly say that the hunger is completely under control. The difference? I start both lunch and dinner with about 3-4 cups of leafy greens, 1 tbsp fatty dressing and/or 1 tbsp nuts. After that smallish portions of protein, starchy veg and more cooked veg if necessary. The first month I came back to MFP I even had a cup or two of sprouts with my breakfast open sandwich. And tons of water/clear liquids to help process all the roughage.

The other thing is that I have no "talking food" at home. You know, the kind that calls out to you. I live by myself, so that part is easier than when you live with others who are no limiting calories.

And last, but not least, make sure you are eating nutritious food. In my experience, if I eat a less than nutritious breakfast that day I am hungrier than usual, even if I ate more calories.

Spyer116

Your hunger isn't what prevents you from reaching your goals. Its lack of self-control to not eat. Lack of self-motivation to keep not eating when you've hit your daily limits.
Eat more protein/fats/fiber, to fill you up and for longer. Re-evaluate your daily calorie limit.

Space out what you eat, and time it for periods of inactivity.
ie. When you wake up, try not eat breakfast for a couple of hours or whatever. Wait till you've gone to work and are working. That'll keep you busy. Then have your first meal of the day on your lunch break there.
Rather than having breakfast before work and lunch at work, have your lunch when you get home from work then in the evening. Have your dinner later at night (so rather than 4-7pm, have it at 8-10pm depending on how late you stay up).

When grocery shopping, just buy the snacks/junk food for one person (your boyfriend). So if like instead of buying a 6 pack of crisps/chips, just buy the 1 pack that he would eat when he wants to snack. Or 1 single chocolate bar or whatever rather than multi packs. And so on.
Less chance on snacking on junk food at the least.

don't eat up all your calories in 3 meals. Save 100 or 200 or 300 for snacking between meals. That way you're guaranteed your 3 meals, + space for snacking (3, 100 calorie snacks like an apple for one snack, small bag of popcorn for another, and slice of toast and peanut butter for a third, or whatever, or just maybe one large snack / small meal at night after dinner, if you wanna save all your 'snacking' calories for that one go.

And if you're really weak and keep eating, then go get some appetite suppressants. Even caffeine alone is good at that, unless you're a regular user/drinker.
Plenty of supplements/herbs that you can get on shelves in super markets or in health shops that do an ok job at it at the least.
And if none of that works and you have to go begging your doctor to give you some super strength appetite suppressant or something, then its most likely you're not ready to lose weight and will just keep on failing till you learn self control / self discipline, and stop being greedy with food. Or at the very least, will lose some weight while on the prescription drugs, yet gain it back once you finish the course and start stuffing your face again

choppie70

I have been at 1240 calories for about 6 weeks now. With my fitbit steps I can eat over 1700. I have a hard time getting over 1300 most days and have to force myself to eat a snack so MFP doesn't scold me that I didn't eat enough! I am not a small person. I am only 5ft3 and weigh 212 lbs at the moment. I have been eating a lot of fruits and vegetables. I always have a huge salad (mostly baby spinach) with my dinner. I have been able to have dessert every night. When I think I am hungry, I have a glass of water and wait 15 min. I find that it was not really hunger most of the time, just boredom, or me perserverating on the fact that I am trying to watch what I eat. The only time I have been hungry in the past 5 weeks was when I am PMSing big time last week.

ahoy_m8

@diannethegeek had a great hunger checklist that started with making the extra effort to be sure the calorie goal is appropriate. And @girlviernes said something that applies perfectly to me: if I'm doing things right, I get hungry (stomach rumbles) about an hour before the next meal and 1-2 hours before bed.

SaffronSunrise

Have you recently started lifting or strength training? I know you didn't mention it, but when I first started with "heavy" weights I felt like I could chew the sofa cushions.

andylllI

@Francl27 I meet my protein goal of 1.2-1.5 g/lb body weight when cutting because it helps with my hunger and I meet that goal consistently. Fats are always 0.4/lb or higher. So carbs end up being 35-40% of my intake. I've played around with meal timing and macros and this seems to work the best. In maintenance I go back down to .8-1 g/lb of protein, same fat, more carbs. I'm just always hungry when I'm in a deficit. But I've never had a problem maintaining my weight even with intuitive eating and not tracking if I eat to hunger.