How hungry to we have to get to lose the lbs?

islandnutshel

This might be an odd question, but Are you sure you are hungry for food? Hunger can be a signal that you are thirsty. It can also be a mistaken signal that is really depression, anxiety, boredom.
I do get the late night munchies, often from comercials on tv, so I save some calories for an after dinner snack befor bed. Usualy a small yogurt with warm blueberries and granola on top.
I work hard to keep the blood sugar level and not get hungry during the day. I keep raw sunflower seeds or almonds in a snack bag. They have good fat, calcium and fiber, and keeps hunger at bay. If I work a long shift, I also keep a bag of cut up veggies near my desk. I found it hard to drink enough fluids so I keep a water bottle with me and I now get enough fluids.
Find the little things that work for you, to keep hungry at bay. Don't punish yourself, because you are worthy of getting healthy.

RMinVA

You need to choose nutritionally "dense" foods, ones that fill you up without excess cals. Also, if you are eating too many carbs that are high on the GI (glycemic index) scale, your blood sugar could be affecting your hunger. Perhaps your nutritionist could monitor your diet and tweak it so that it is properly balanced for your goals and lifestyle. Good luck!

That statement hits the nail on the head. You could be hungry because your body isn't getting the nutrition that it needs. When you are trying to lose weight, there just isn't a lot of wiggle room. Every calorie you eat needs to count!!

Everyone is different, so you may want to play with upping protein or fiber. Both will help to keep you fuller longer.

I often find that a glass or 2 of water or hot tea helps to eliminate hunger pangs as well.

jodie_t

this is more like can't concentrate on anything except when I can next eat, door slamming, can't think, prolly shouldn't be driving, hide the cat or I'll strangle it sort of hungry. It's nags away like a toothache for a couple of hours a day. A couple of hours if I'm lucky.

Callmefia, I was in WW years ago and still use their system of 'free' veggies. I was a little worried when I tracked them on here they would start to add up, but actually turns out they really are almost 'free'.

I will try and swop some carbs for protein, but apart from nuts protein is not easily transportable.

lucifa73 - good to see another Brit here :oD I agree about the oatcakes - I used them so much at one point I went off them ! - I'll have to dig them out again.

Someone mentioned popcorn - which is also good, you get a huge bowlful for 100 cals - just buy straight popping corn, cover and put in the microwave for a couple of minutes. You feel like you're getting a lot & even tho most of it is hot air, :happy: it's pretty filling.


>>I am going to put the thought into my brain that any chocolate brownie is now covered in toenail clippings (somebody elses too) that should put me right off! <<

ROFL ...!

jodie_t

>>Perhaps your nutritionist could monitor your diet and tweak it so that it is properly balanced for your goals and lifestyle. Good luck! <<

umm well she is a bit of a fan of super-low carb diets, wanted me to eat no more than 2 portions of fruit a day and cut out almost everything made with milk because milk turns to milk-sugar. And tea because " it accelerates sugar release".. Maybe she's right but I couldn't face it. I've tried Atkins before, it was dreadful, my energy levels plummetted, I couldn't get up off the couch. At least the cat didn't get strangled, but I didn't have the energy to feed it either ..lol


>>This might be an odd question, but Are you sure you are hungry for food? Hunger can be a signal that you are thirsty. It can also be a mistaken signal that is really depression, anxiety, boredom.<<

Yes that does happen sometimes, but it's the physical symptoms I find harder to deal with.

jha1223

I would suggest starting by figuring your BMR (http://www.myfitnesspal.com/tools/bmr-calculator). That number is what your body would burn, calorie-wise, if you sat in bed ALL DAY LONG. So, once you set foot out of bed and take a few steps, you have already exceeded that amount. That's not including the walk from the parking garage, the stairs in your house and office, etc. Add in some exercise and you can see that this number gets up there pretty quick.

There is a fine line between, being hungry and needing food. It's not easy to tell the difference. Anyone who has tried starving themself through weight loss can tell you that it works temporarily. But, it's only temporary, not a good lifestyle and no one wants to be around you when you are biting their head off

My advisor told me to drink a glass of water when i was hungry and wait 15 minutes. If I was still hungry then eat something healthy. It is foolish to ignore the psychological components of weight loss. It's not easy and don't let anyone make you think it is. But, if you are really dwelling on when you can eat next, I would look at your caloric intake and see if you are way under.

Snack wise - need protein? Beef jerky. And while some beef-jerky brands are packed with high-sodium ingredients, such as MSG and sodium nitrate, chemical-free products are available. If you have high blood pressure, check the label for brands that are made from all-natural ingredients, which reduce the total sodium content (courtesy Men's Health Magazine).

Have faith and keep at it.

Motleybird

What about exercise? You can make up some extra calories for healthy snacks there.

I also find that I'm not any more hungry on a high exercise day than I am normally. If anything I'm less hungry on a day when I have a lot going on. Though the hungries come back the day after, and I go over a little bit then, but I almost never eat back more than I lost the previous day, so it averages out well. On Wednesday I have two hour-long classes. I rarely make even the minimum for calories on that day. On Thursday my appetite comes back and I usually end up going over, but not by much.

Also, you don't have to eat salads all the time. I often have a no-fat bean and salsa burrito for lunch. Or sometimes I have hummus on those party-type rye bread squares. Those beans and chickpeas are filling! I never thought I'd be be into those kinds of things, but now I love it.

krislew

I'm hungry ALL the time. Some days are worse than others. Some times of the month are worse than others. OK..so not ALL the time...but I get hungry. Most of it may be mental because I'm consumed with eating.

I've tried eating less carbs. I've tried more fiber and more protein...none of it helps. And I tried just drinking water or chewing gum. Still doesn't help.

Again...it's mostly mental I'm sure.

But to make myself feel better (whether it's based on fact or I made it up in my head)...every time my belly grumbles I think that's good because that means my metabolism is still high and then I tell myself that I lose a pound every time it grumbles.

Yes, I know that last part is totally false...but it makes me feel better.

jodie_t

jha I checked my BMR a while back it came up with 1290cals as a basic..

Beef jerky huh? I've never tried it - worth a go!

As for exercise, I work out 3x a week for 35 mins run-walk on a treadmill, then do 15mins of ab crunches etc..
I'm thinking a lot of my probs are hormonal/metabolic (post-menopause) cos this never happened before the Big M.

krislew - belly grumbles are not mental they're definitely physical! I love that little mind trick tho :-)) be grateful for belly-grumbles, it's just the sound of those evil lbs sliding off your thighs, hehe :happy:

stormieweather

Hunger is actually from a hormone called ghrelin. It's release into your system can be caused by different things, not all of which are a(n actual) need for food. Eating sugary foods, high carbs, skipping meals, not eating enough 'good' fat, and lack of protein can all cause ghrelin to affect your hunger levels. Here are a couple of reasonably comprehensible articles on how hunger (ghrelin) ties in to losing weight.

http://exploringthemind.com/the-mind/cravings-the-hunger-hormone-and-breakfast

http://www.themetabolicmiracle.com/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=WtGLiTk7N80=&amp;tabid=36&amp;mid=920

Van3ssa_2468

track your calories and do research on low calorie foods that are good for you.
Try to eat something nutritious every three hours.
If you feel hungry have a glass of water and if after 20 minutes you still feel hungry then have something to eat.
Making yourself feel the hunger in order to convince yourself that this is the only way to lose weight is not the way to go.
Changing habits and how you think about food will do you wonders.
Good luck:)

pinkieme

I have been trying the veggie soups and they do help. The cous cous based salad is a great idea, thanks! I'll give that a try since I already have some at home. I think its just hard to get used to slowing down the eating process. When I was pregnant I was always eating. My baby just turned 4 months today so I have to get out of that habit or I'll never lose the leftover pregnancy weight.

I've been walking everyday to help gain extra calories but then I feel like I'm just walking to eat, lol!!

Joyjmb

Call me crazy, but I am sick and tired of feeling full, fat, bloated, etc. My party with food left me STUFFED all the time.
I'm kind of enjoying feeling hungry now. I really appreciate my food more and cooking is way more fun.

Joyjmb

'Ghrelin' sounds like a character from 'Beowulf'.

"The door opened with a creak and before them stood the evil Ghrelin, its fangs and claws dripping with death"

johnnya2

A couple of things

1. The more you exercise the less hungry you will be. Exercise curbs hunger. Figure out when you are hungry and time work outs prior to them. During my working day I was never hungry, but when I got home, I was ready to eat a house. Exercise has helped curb that feeling
2. Eat better foods. Empty calories are called that for a reason. They serve no purpose to filling your bodies needs (pop candy etc).
3. Maybe you target goal is too high. If you have eaten 3000 calories a day for 10 years, you will probably not cope on a 1500 calorie diet over night.
4. Hunger can be psychological. The taste of food may be what you enjoy. You aren't really hungry, but the ice cream, cheesecake, or chips really work on your taste buds and you really crave the salt/sugar/fat they have in them.
5. I don't care what your calorie count is, eat as much raw broccoli, cauliflower, celery, carrots or mushrooms you want. They do have calories, but even if you miss your goal eating a pound of each you will be fine. I have never met an overweight person who said, I don;t eat junk food, it is because I love raw vegetables too much.

Joyjmb

And BTW, Motleybird - chickpeas kick so much *kitten*!

lpkitty

The first week I felt hungry but I wouldn't eat and the feeling went away. now I"m wondering if I really was hungry, or I was bored. Maybe I was hungry but my body is adjusting to less calories because I don't feel hungry anymore. And if I find myself getting "antsy" for something to eat, I'll have water and go for a walk instead.

SaveTheDrama

The only time I feel hungry is in the morning, but I have found that I am not actually hungry for food but for water. I drink a glass of water in the morning then have a small breakfast and I am fine. Throughout the day the only time I get hungry is if I skip a meal or wait to long before eating. I usually have a hard time getting in my 1500+ calories because I am so full.

6Janelle13

I do get hungry sometimes but as long as I am having water my stomach doesn't growl and i can tolerate it. I plan my meals in advance and alternate between whole grains (oatmeal in the morning with my coffee) and then usually a bowl of fruit (measured out to watch sugar) around 10 am. I try to wait for lunch till 12 which is a low carb whole wheat veggie and a slice of turkey wrap. Sometimes i will have my fruit now instead. By 2 pm i usually reach for my triscut crackers (staying with or under the serving size and breaking in half so i feel like i'm eating more) or a quarter of an apple (sliced into 4-6 pieces). dinner is between 5 and 7 and usually has a whole grain, protien and veggie or fruit- all pre measured so i know i'm not blowing my day based on too large of a portion size. If i run late on dinner i will have a snack of celery or a single dried apricot with a few almonds (usually under 5 so my fat doesn't jump). I allow myself a tablespoon of icecream (sometimes with 1/16 of a little debbie brownie so i can have my tasty bite of sweet with out killing my day). Trust me when you learn to cherish that bite it is incredible indulgent and keeps you happy. best of all the flavors linger in my mouth awhile so i still enjoy it even though the eating part is done.

Oh and my calorie is for 1200 a day

LotusF1ower

5. I don't care what your calorie count is, eat as much raw broccoli, cauliflower, celery, carrots or mushrooms you want. They do have calories, but even if you miss your goal eating a pound of each you will be fine. I have never met an overweight person who said, I don;t eat junk food, it is because I love raw vegetables too much.

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: love that!!

iplayoutside19

this is more like can't concentrate on anything except when I can next eat, door slamming, can't think, prolly shouldn't be driving, hide the cat or I'll strangle it sort of hungry. It's nags away like a toothache for a couple of hours a day. A couple of hours if I'm lucky.

When I get hungry it's usually from poor planning, not becuase I'm running a calories deficit. But when I eat my meals as planned I don't get hungry, when I get hungry I eat. If you're not comfortable doing this you're not going to be successful over the long term. Given you're talking to a nuritionist, and if what you've told us about your diet is true. I would suggest getting a second opinion from a diatician AND seeing your doctor to see if something else is going on.

Anything else at this point is just speculation on our part, and beyond the scope of this forum...even if we did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night. :laugh:

Happy meal planning!