Feeling hungry after a workout- Anyone else feel this?

johnnyr24
johnnyr24 Posts: 90 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Why is it that working out makes me feel like I am starving myself? All I do is work out and make sure to drink plenty of water during. I could be fine before I start but by the time I am done working out my stomach is growling and I feel like I could eat everything in the fridge from how hungry I get but I don't know why that is. It only happens when I work out. Does anyone else have this problem or similar and how do you handle it?

Replies

  • PinkCoconut
    PinkCoconut Posts: 655 Member
    I get that when I don't eat before my workouts. I have to eat at least an hour before I workout!
  • j75j75
    j75j75 Posts: 854 Member
    Long story short you are hungry because you burned the carbs stored in your muscles and liver and it needs to be replaced. You also need protein for muscle repair.
  • hoyalawya2003
    hoyalawya2003 Posts: 631 Member
    I am always hungry after. I usually do a protein shake with fruit, or milk and fruit after (if I am not eating dinner).
  • FrnkLft
    FrnkLft Posts: 1,821 Member
    Yes. Yes it's normal we all feel it. It happens because your body just worked out, and needs food, because you just exercised.

    Make sure you're eating enough to give your body what it needs. Basically, eat back the calories you burn, and lose at a safe deficit.
  • jakeyuma
    jakeyuma Posts: 335 Member
    Same, I eat a 300 cal breakfast before working out. usually egg whites + a protein (chicken is my fav). After workout I make a protein shake (Gold Standard Whey Protein + greens (kale, spinach, etc) + 1 small banana + 1 tbs or less of Peanutbutter. It does the trick until my snack 2-3 hours later.
  • missyont
    missyont Posts: 79
    Then eat lol
    I always eat after I work out
  • Chieflrg
    Chieflrg Posts: 9,097 Member
    Whenever you do something physical and push your body, your body will crave fuel to afterwards.

    If its growling or rumbling during/right after, chances are you need to eat something before you go in.
  • jillmcafee
    jillmcafee Posts: 34 Member
    Chocolate milk is a GREAT snack after a workout. It has the right balance of carbs and proteins, and it satiates hunger as well. I am a runner, and that is my preferred refueling drink. There are even some runs that I have only been able to get through because I knew chocolate milk was at the end!
  • johnnyr24
    johnnyr24 Posts: 90 Member
    I didn't think about this before. I never eat before a workout. Usually I have breakfast in the morning but it depends since I am working out at different times during the day. I guess for those of you who suggested to eat after my workout well Im just worried because I don't want to over do it and end up gaining back all the calories I just burned. If I can eat before the workout I will be sure to try that and have a small meal before the workout and see if that helps. I didn't know all this about the body needing food before or after a workout. Well good to know now its good I asked. Thanks for the kind responses everyone :)
  • snowbear1005
    snowbear1005 Posts: 79 Member
    I don't get hungry right away after a workout, but when it hits, I'm starving! lol

    I go to the gym after work, then have a protein drink, and dinner an hour or so later. If I'm still hungry after dinner and out of calories for the day, I eat celery. Plain celery....no cream cheese, no peanut butter. If I'm "really" hungry, I'll eat it. If not, I give up and go to bed.
  • iamthesweenmachine
    iamthesweenmachine Posts: 72 Member
    You are burning calories, so your body feels like it needs to be fed more. I usually eat a granola bar or peanut butter crackers (carb/protein) before I go, if it's been awhile since I ate. I'm almost always hungry after a workout.
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    make a protein shake when you get home

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