I AM HUNGRY ALL THE TIME
Camaramandy648
Posts: 711 Member
Hello!
I am just eleven or twelve pounds from my goal weight - I have been so hardcore and started running again in conjunction with my regular workouts. I have looked at my progress and have determined that on my less active days, I am not burning enough calories. Most days, I don't go over my 1200 goal.
I have posted about how grazing at work is killing my progress. I am working to improve that but the issue is that I am HUNGRY ALL THE TIME. I need to eat more filling foods. I have been working on a more calorically dense breakfast, which seems to be helping. Or at least, it helps for a couple of hours.
Am I eating out of boredom? On the weekends, when I am most busy and active, I have no problem staying under 1200 calories. But today, for example, I AM STARVING and have barely been active as I have an office job.
What's my problem? Thoughts? Advice? I am drinking a ton of water, too. If I hear one more time that I need to be drinking a ton of water, I will probably die...
I am just eleven or twelve pounds from my goal weight - I have been so hardcore and started running again in conjunction with my regular workouts. I have looked at my progress and have determined that on my less active days, I am not burning enough calories. Most days, I don't go over my 1200 goal.
I have posted about how grazing at work is killing my progress. I am working to improve that but the issue is that I am HUNGRY ALL THE TIME. I need to eat more filling foods. I have been working on a more calorically dense breakfast, which seems to be helping. Or at least, it helps for a couple of hours.
Am I eating out of boredom? On the weekends, when I am most busy and active, I have no problem staying under 1200 calories. But today, for example, I AM STARVING and have barely been active as I have an office job.
What's my problem? Thoughts? Advice? I am drinking a ton of water, too. If I hear one more time that I need to be drinking a ton of water, I will probably die...
2
Replies
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Wait, you're not trying to burn off all 1,200 calories with exercise, right? Just making sure. If not, are you still eating your exercise calories back? A 1,200 goal is really only enough for petite, sedentary women.5
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Maybe you need to take a break from your diet for a week or two and eat at maintenance. You won’t lose progress but mentally it might help your brain to know that your body isn’t starving! :-)
I would also make sure to focus on the quality of what you are eating, making sure you are getting a good mix of carbs, protein, and fat. I really only feel satisfied when I have all three in my snack/meal.4 -
What's your height and weight at?
1200 calories is a very small amount of calories. As the bare minimum, it's not gonna be appropriate to eat that little for most women.
Aside from that, try upping your protein intake.1 -
Camaramandy648 wrote: »Hello!
I am just eleven or twelve pounds from my goal weight - I have been so hardcore and started running again in conjunction with my regular workouts. I have looked at my progress and have determined that on my less active days, I am not burning enough calories. Most days, I don't go over my 1200 goal.
I have posted about how grazing at work is killing my progress. I am working to improve that but the issue is that I am HUNGRY ALL THE TIME. I need to eat more filling foods. I have been working on a more calorically dense breakfast, which seems to be helping. Or at least, it helps for a couple of hours.
Am I eating out of boredom? On the weekends, when I am most busy and active, I have no problem staying under 1200 calories. But today, for example, I AM STARVING and have barely been active as I have an office job.
What's my problem? Thoughts? Advice? I am drinking a ton of water, too. If I hear one more time that I need to be drinking a ton of water, I will probably die...
If you're only eating 1200 or less calories, and you're exercising, you are hungry because you most likely aren't eating enough.
With so little left to lose, you should be expecting to lose @ 0.5lbs per week. Then you should eat all the calories MFP gives you, PLUS at least some of your exercise calories.
What is your height and current weight, and what has your weight done in the last 4 weeks or so?6 -
Well, first things first, you shouldn't be eating 1,200 AND exercising. 1,200 is the minimum requirement for a SEDENTARY person. Not someone who is working out and running??? I'd say up your calories
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Camaramandy648 wrote: »
27 lbs? or 127? I assume 127. Set you goal to lose 0.5lbs/week and eat back cals you burned from exercise (or at least half of those)5 -
Camaramandy648 wrote: »Hello!
I am just eleven or twelve pounds from my goal weight - I have been so hardcore and started running again in conjunction with my regular workouts. I have looked at my progress and have determined that on my less active days, I am not burning enough calories. Most days, I don't go over my 1200 goal.
I have posted about how grazing at work is killing my progress. I am working to improve that but the issue is that I am HUNGRY ALL THE TIME. I need to eat more filling foods. I have been working on a more calorically dense breakfast, which seems to be helping. Or at least, it helps for a couple of hours.
Am I eating out of boredom? On the weekends, when I am most busy and active, I have no problem staying under 1200 calories. But today, for example, I AM STARVING and have barely been active as I have an office job.
What's my problem? Thoughts? Advice? I am drinking a ton of water, too. If I hear one more time that I need to be drinking a ton of water, I will probably die...
If you're only eating 1200 or less calories, and you're exercising, you are hungry because you most likely aren't eating enough.
With so little left to lose, you should be expecting to lose @ 0.5lbs per week. Then you should eat all the calories MFP gives you, PLUS at least some of your exercise calories.
What is your height and current weight, and what has your weight done in the last 4 weeks or so?
I haven't lost anything in the last month!
I had a good workout week and the next day I was down to 125, but the next day I was back up to 1270 -
Camaramandy648 wrote: »Camaramandy648 wrote: »Hello!
I am just eleven or twelve pounds from my goal weight - I have been so hardcore and started running again in conjunction with my regular workouts. I have looked at my progress and have determined that on my less active days, I am not burning enough calories. Most days, I don't go over my 1200 goal.
I have posted about how grazing at work is killing my progress. I am working to improve that but the issue is that I am HUNGRY ALL THE TIME. I need to eat more filling foods. I have been working on a more calorically dense breakfast, which seems to be helping. Or at least, it helps for a couple of hours.
Am I eating out of boredom? On the weekends, when I am most busy and active, I have no problem staying under 1200 calories. But today, for example, I AM STARVING and have barely been active as I have an office job.
What's my problem? Thoughts? Advice? I am drinking a ton of water, too. If I hear one more time that I need to be drinking a ton of water, I will probably die...
If you're only eating 1200 or less calories, and you're exercising, you are hungry because you most likely aren't eating enough.
With so little left to lose, you should be expecting to lose @ 0.5lbs per week. Then you should eat all the calories MFP gives you, PLUS at least some of your exercise calories.
What is your height and current weight, and what has your weight done in the last 4 weeks or so?
I haven't lost anything in the last month!
I had a good workout week and the next day I was down to 125, but the next day I was back up to 127
Then it is either water weight masking the fat loss, or you are eating more than you think you are.
Do you weigh solids and measure liquids you consume?1 -
I had a good workout week and the next day I was down to 125, but the next day I was back up to 127[/quote]
Then it is either water weight masking the fat loss, or you are eating more than you think you are.
Do you weigh solids and measure liquids you consume?[/quote]
I have been trying to get better about it. But if I'm being honest, I don't weigh as much as I should. I was surprised last night at how much an ounce of my snack turned out to be. I have been way underestimating what I should eat. I am learning so much, it is hard to incorporate it all - My goal this past week has been to choose more filling foods because fruit does not satiate me at all unless I eat A LOT of it. I had also been eating overnight oats (homemade and weighed all ingredients) and though it was a 430 calorie breakfast, I was full until lunch time.
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What was your starting weight?0
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Weigh EVERYTHING you eat. Period.2
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psychod787 wrote: »What was your starting weight?
131, but at my very worst, during my cycle, I got to 1370 -
At 127 pounds, you are only 4 pounds above your optimal BMI range. Weight loss at this point is very slow, easily masked by water fluctuations, and generally requires meticulous, accurate logging. Weigh ALL of your food, and give it time. You may not see the scale go down for 4-6 weeks; that's completely normal.
You also need to be eating back a reasonable estimate of your exercise calories. If you're exercising, 1200 is not enough; that number assumes you are sedentary.4 -
At 127 pounds, you are only 4 pounds above your optimal BMI range. Weight loss at this point is very slow, easily masked by water fluctuations, and generally requires meticulous, accurate logging. Weigh ALL of your food, and give it time. You may not see the scale go down for 4-6 weeks; that's completely normal.
Well that is definitely encouraging! I'd like to be at the lower end of the BMI but still healthy - we'll see though because I don't want to be a rail. I am working on strength training, but also running, so I have to be careful about losing muscle because of the running. And the muscle weight will change the scale, I know. This has been no easy task, lol.0 -
Camaramandy648 wrote: »At 127 pounds, you are only 4 pounds above your optimal BMI range. Weight loss at this point is very slow, easily masked by water fluctuations, and generally requires meticulous, accurate logging. Weigh ALL of your food, and give it time. You may not see the scale go down for 4-6 weeks; that's completely normal.
Well that is definitely encouraging! I'd like to be at the lower end of the BMI but still healthy - we'll see though because I don't want to be a rail. I am working on strength training, but also running, so I have to be careful about losing muscle because of the running. And the muscle weight will change the scale, I know. This has been no easy task, lol.
I don't know what you mean by "losing muscle because of the running." Running does not cause you to lose muscle.
Muscle gain while in a deficit will be minimal. The goal of strength training in a deficit is to preserve the muscle mass you have, and perhaps gain a little muscle, but you are not gaining large amounts of muscle in a deficit.
You absolutely need to be fueling your runs. Are you eating back your exercise calories?3 -
Camaramandy648 wrote: »At 127 pounds, you are only 4 pounds above your optimal BMI range. Weight loss at this point is very slow, easily masked by water fluctuations, and generally requires meticulous, accurate logging. Weigh ALL of your food, and give it time. You may not see the scale go down for 4-6 weeks; that's completely normal.
Well that is definitely encouraging! I'd like to be at the lower end of the BMI but still healthy - we'll see though because I don't want to be a rail. I am working on strength training, but also running, so I have to be careful about losing muscle because of the running. And the muscle weight will change the scale, I know. This has been no easy task, lol.
I don't know what you mean by "losing muscle because of the running." Running does not cause you to lose muscle.
Muscle gain while in a deficit will be minimal. The goal of strength training in a deficit is to preserve the muscle mass you have, and perhaps gain a little muscle, but you are not gaining large amounts of muscle in a deficit.
You absolutely need to be fueling your runs. Are you eating back your exercise calories?
I read this article on Runner's World that running can cause muscle loss. Something about losing gains because of so much cardio.
I am eating back as many as I can stand. My favorite thing about post-workout/ post-run is 1. endorphins 2. FOOD. But probably still not enough - it's usually something small but protein packed, like almonds.
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I made my food diary public so you all can see where I'm at today - this is everything weighed, also - huge win on that front. At 2, I will eat that apple and peanut butter because I have been able to wait, so really it would be a "snack," instead of "lunch," except I'm not sure that matters.
This is also all before running tonight, so realistically I should be able to scarf down another 300 calorie meal.0 -
Camaramandy648 wrote: »I made my food diary public so you all can see where I'm at today - this is everything weighed, also - huge win on that front. At 2, I will eat that apple and peanut butter because I have been able to wait, so really it would be a "snack," instead of "lunch," except I'm not sure that matters.
This is also all before running tonight, so realistically I should be able to scarf down another 300 calorie meal.
First, try to find better entries in the database. Look for the brand name if their is one, find entries where you can choose to log by grams, then weigh the portion and log by the # of grams you're eating.
Try to get your protein up, that is really low. Protein is needed for your muscles and most people find it filling.
Also, try to fill up with vegetables, they are low cal and can make you physically feel more full.
Because you are on the shorter side and are pretty much a healthy weight, it is going to be super slow. Try to set up some goals around consistent logging and maybe your activity/exercise to give you something to focus on other than scale. I'd bet realistically you're looking to see the scale go down 1-2lbs per month, with water weight fluctuations muddying the water from week to week. I know it's frustrating, but the time is going to pass anyway, just find a way to eat enjoyably and not get discouraged by the scale. Good luck :drinker:6 -
uhhh.... well... 127 is not very heavy, how tall are you? after looking at your diary, higher protein... 30% in most studies shows a spontaneous reduction in an Ad Librium situation. Maybe limit the "junk" food. No food is good or bad. Focus on mostly whole foods. Not the store, but less processed.0
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psychod787 wrote: »uhhh.... well... 127 is not very heavy, how tall are you?
She's only 4'11, so just into the "overweight" category. 2 -
psychod787 wrote: »uhhh.... well... 127 is not very heavy, how tall are you? after looking at your diary, higher protein... 30% in most studies shows a spontaneous reduction in an Ad Librium situation. Maybe limit the "junk" food. No food is good or bad. Focus on mostly whole foods. Not the store, but less processed.
I am 4'11, lol. So definitely not carrying around a lot of extra anything, but I would like to be more lean and healthier. I'm getting some chicken thighs to prep for lunches and a ton of vegetables and sweet potatoes, but it is FOR SURE the snack foods that are my weakness. The ones in my diary are more "whole" than an almond joy but still probably have too much sugar. I'm trying to train myself to only eat at certain times and it is SO difficult because I work in an office environment, with my own office. I can sit and eat all day..............1 -
Camaramandy648 wrote: »psychod787 wrote: »uhhh.... well... 127 is not very heavy, how tall are you? after looking at your diary, higher protein... 30% in most studies shows a spontaneous reduction in an Ad Librium situation. Maybe limit the "junk" food. No food is good or bad. Focus on mostly whole foods. Not the store, but less processed.
I am 4'11, lol. So definitely not carrying around a lot of extra anything, but I would like to be more lean and healthier. I'm getting some chicken thighs to prep for lunches and a ton of vegetables and sweet potatoes, but it is FOR SURE the snack foods that are my weakness. The ones in my diary are more "whole" than an almond joy but still probably have too much sugar. I'm trying to train myself to only eat at certain times and it is SO difficult because I work in an office environment, with my own office. I can sit and eat all day..............
sugar is not the enemy. Is an apple bad for you? lol... With soo little weight to lose, might I suggest a different strategy. Maybe a body recomp? Keep protein at 1gr per LBM, eat a a very slight def or maintenance and lift. Always shoot for progressive overload in a hypertrophy system. It can be a grind, but I have seen some amazing results in people. I mean if you are only trying to lose 5-7lbs of BF, whats the rush? Best of luck.
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Looking at your diary there are quite a few areas you need to tighten up on to be sure you have the deficit you think you have.
I see a lot of generic entries such as ‘apple, medium’, ‘avocado, half’, ‘banana, medium’, ‘generic link sausage’, things measured in cups or part thereof etc.
Admittedly, I have minimal idea of what a lot of your logged foods actually are because I’m in the UK and my choice of food doesn’t resemble yours in any way, but the things I’ve mentioned stand out as examples of where actually weighing to the gram weight would be hugely beneficial when you’re on tight margins because you’re very short and only have a little to lose.4 -
psychod787 wrote: »Camaramandy648 wrote: »psychod787 wrote: »uhhh.... well... 127 is not very heavy, how tall are you? after looking at your diary, higher protein... 30% in most studies shows a spontaneous reduction in an Ad Librium situation. Maybe limit the "junk" food. No food is good or bad. Focus on mostly whole foods. Not the store, but less processed.
I am 4'11, lol. So definitely not carrying around a lot of extra anything, but I would like to be more lean and healthier. I'm getting some chicken thighs to prep for lunches and a ton of vegetables and sweet potatoes, but it is FOR SURE the snack foods that are my weakness. The ones in my diary are more "whole" than an almond joy but still probably have too much sugar. I'm trying to train myself to only eat at certain times and it is SO difficult because I work in an office environment, with my own office. I can sit and eat all day..............
sugar is not the enemy. Is an apple bad for you? lol... With soo little weight to lose, might I suggest a different strategy. Maybe a body recomp? Keep protein at 1gr per LBM, eat a a very slight def or maintenance and lift. Always shoot for progressive overload in a hypertrophy system. It can be a grind, but I have seen some amazing results in people. I mean if you are only trying to lose 5-7lbs of BF, whats the rush? Best of luck.
That sounds so much more enjoyable. But. What is 1 gr per LBM exactly? And what is progressive overload/ hypertrophy system?0 -
BarbaraHelen2013 wrote: »Looking at your diary there are quite a few areas you need to tighten up on to be sure you have the deficit you think you have.
I see a lot of generic entries such as ‘apple, medium’, ‘avocado, half’, ‘banana, medium’, ‘generic link sausage’, things measured in cups or part thereof etc.
Admittedly, I have minimal idea of what a lot of your logged foods actually are because I’m in the UK and my choice of food doesn’t resemble yours in any way, but the things I’ve mentioned stand out as examples of where actually weighing to the gram weight would be hugely beneficial when you’re on tight margins because you’re very short and only have a little to lose.
Hahaha yes, I am very short, rotfl. Both my kids are taller than me - they're 10 and 13!
I think you're right- I need to weigh more and track better.3 -
Camaramandy648 wrote: »BarbaraHelen2013 wrote: »Looking at your diary there are quite a few areas you need to tighten up on to be sure you have the deficit you think you have.
I see a lot of generic entries such as ‘apple, medium’, ‘avocado, half’, ‘banana, medium’, ‘generic link sausage’, things measured in cups or part thereof etc.
Admittedly, I have minimal idea of what a lot of your logged foods actually are because I’m in the UK and my choice of food doesn’t resemble yours in any way, but the things I’ve mentioned stand out as examples of where actually weighing to the gram weight would be hugely beneficial when you’re on tight margins because you’re very short and only have a little to lose.
Hahaha yes, I am very short, rotfl. Both my kids are taller than me - they're 10 and 13!
I think you're right- I need to weigh more and track better.
I’m barely an inch taller and all 4 of my kids are way taller than I am, so I’m in tune with your issues! I have around 15lbs more to lose to be where I think I want to be, so I’m close to where you are. Logging has to be meticulous at this point. I look at it as a game...how clever can you be to satisfy your needs yet still come in under!?
It’s entirely possible, just look at where you can tweak your logging and give yourself the advantage 🤞2 -
I have my calories at 1270. I was at 1310 and then had gone lower, but just going from 1200 to 1270 made big difference. work out lifting weights and distance walking, work at Vitamin Shope so I am active. I am also very petite and 47.
Increasing protein and good fats has kept me more satisfied and lots of cruciferous and leafy greens. Plus hot tea.0 -
Camaramandy648 wrote: »psychod787 wrote: »Camaramandy648 wrote: »psychod787 wrote: »uhhh.... well... 127 is not very heavy, how tall are you? after looking at your diary, higher protein... 30% in most studies shows a spontaneous reduction in an Ad Librium situation. Maybe limit the "junk" food. No food is good or bad. Focus on mostly whole foods. Not the store, but less processed.
I am 4'11, lol. So definitely not carrying around a lot of extra anything, but I would like to be more lean and healthier. I'm getting some chicken thighs to prep for lunches and a ton of vegetables and sweet potatoes, but it is FOR SURE the snack foods that are my weakness. The ones in my diary are more "whole" than an almond joy but still probably have too much sugar. I'm trying to train myself to only eat at certain times and it is SO difficult because I work in an office environment, with my own office. I can sit and eat all day..............
sugar is not the enemy. Is an apple bad for you? lol... With soo little weight to lose, might I suggest a different strategy. Maybe a body recomp? Keep protein at 1gr per LBM, eat a a very slight def or maintenance and lift. Always shoot for progressive overload in a hypertrophy system. It can be a grind, but I have seen some amazing results in people. I mean if you are only trying to lose 5-7lbs of BF, whats the rush? Best of luck.
That sounds so much more enjoyable. But. What is 1 gr per LBM exactly? And what is progressive overload/ hypertrophy system?
Well, my opinions may not be popular, but they are mine. Imho, if you dont have a lot to lose, why be agressive? Learn to enjoy the process and how to maintain it. I made many mistakes when losing weight, not saying you will, but I have worked with several professionals and had to learn in a rush. Having to regain to even feel half normal. So, 1 gram of protein per pound of lean body mass or 30% of overall calories is a good way to help maintain lean mass when losing fat. Higher protein intakes in weight loss have been shown to help reduce lean mass losses during dieting. Resistance training helps as well. A progressive hypertrophic system is lifting for muscle gain. Basically you are trying to lift more weight session to session. If you are doing a recomp, it might not be season to session. It might be a rep a week sometimes. If you are new to the gym, you have a magic window where you can lose fat and gain some muscle mass while eating at a slight deficit. Good luck. PM me if interested or talk to @psuLemon . Smart person there.0 -
@psychod787 I don't necessarily disagree with you, it's certainly one way to go. But... I'm 6 inches taller than the OP and I had to get below 130 before I even started to consider focusing on something other than weight loss. I know 127 sounds light, but as a petite female being 130 can still FEEL heavy, and is definitely not too lean.
So I'm not sure if I was OP I'd make weight loss secondary. But I'd wholly support focusing on strength training.
OP, if you don't know your BF% and lean body mass, you can use 0.8-1g of protein per lb of your goal body weight, so you'd aim for @ 100g of protein. And then lift heavy weights, with the constant goal of lifting heavier things . Maybe someone can link the sticky Which Lifting Program is Right for You. 4
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