Day after hard workouts ravenous

kjo1713

Hello

I’ve noticed a huge change in my appetite the day after hard workouts (HIIT for example) and feel just absolutely ravenous. I’ve been trying to stay in calorie deficit for weight loss but it’s hard to ignore. Should I be increasing my caloric intake the day of workouts like that to prevent this? Or just listen to my body and eat more day after? Just trying to make sure I’m giving my body what it needs without sabotaging weight loss goals.

Thanks!

lilawolf

Are your calories, deficit, and macros set properly for you and your activity level? Is your weight loss goal in line with how much fat you have (2lbs/week if you are obese, .5lbs/week for the last few cosmetic pounds) If not, start here:

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1080242/a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/974888-in-place-of-a-road-map-2k13

If so, and this could be covered above, but look at your weekly average rather than daily. On heavy exercise days my net calories are occasionally under 1000 and on a resting saturday it could be over 3000, but at the end of the week I hit my average. For 1lb/week this is approx 2000gross/1550net for ME. So if you are hungrier the day after, save a few the day of. Make sure you get enough protein etc etc etc.

Good luck!

sijomial

Are your eating back an estimate of your exercise calories?

Duck_Puddle

Some people get ravenous after weightlifting (same day or next day), some after high intensity work (same or next day), some after lower intensity but longer duration (sane or next day), some after all, some after none, some find the exact opposite response (exercise reduces hunger).

If you’re eating at an appropriate deficit and eating at least some of your exercise calories, then you can try shifting some of your intake on days you’re less hungry to have them on the days after you do the hard workouts.

I am absolutely ravenous after long runs-I struggle to stay under 4K calories on those days. I “bank” calories during the week so I have more available on long run days.

janejellyroll

I'm often hungrier the day after hard workouts, so I just save a big chunk of my earned calories to eat the next day instead of the day of.