Dieting Cycle

reachingforarainbow

Hello All,

My question is, I seem to find myself going through phases where I want to eat a lot (end up eating maintenance or a bit above), and then weeks where I'm not hungry. In terms of long term weightloss, does it make sense to listen to your hunger, or is better to learn to not eat when you have had enough calories?

Any advise is greatly appreciate!

JaydedMiss

Im the same, I listen. If i can pinpoint out im not craving a single specific thing (not a craving but actual hunger) Or if i am the thign isnt pointing to a lack of a nutrient (took alot of practice to perfect a meal plan that doesnt leave deficiency in stuff)

IF i can pinpoint its not just mental cravings ill eat more. Most days ill walk more when im in those phases so i can eat more. I didnt want to lean on it as an excuse crutch so if i want to eat more i gota work for it

As for days im not hungry. Love those. I still make sure i get my calories as close as i can within a few hundred anyway, Then i have a bit of wiggle room when hunger returns, And im not going to crash my blood sugars and cause a binge.

Edit: I also tend to make myself wait an hour. If im still hungry ill eat. I do that with most meals though. Im hungry, Okay ill eat in one hour. Thats doable. Helps me stick to my lower calories to xD

kommodevaran

Appetite fluctuates naturally for a lot of people, and it's good to just go with the flow as long as you over time keep a stable weight. If your appetite varies because of repeated restriction/binge cycles, I think it's better to aim to keep your intake as similar as possible every day/week/month, at least until you are stable mentally and physically - maybe wait until you reach weight goal and maintenance. Maybe you are restricting calories too much? The ideal is to find something that works for you. If keeping track of calories is helpful, do that. If listening to your hunger/satiety cues is enough, do that.