Im starving!!!

itsishi · July 2014

Hi everyone, I started dieting 4 days ago. Everything has been fine so far but today I am extremely hungry! I made out my meal plan for the day and I will be within my calorie count but I feel like I can just eat everything in site! Is there a way to suppress the hunger? I really want to loose weight..

BombshellPhoenix · July 2014

What's your calorie goal set to? You can most definitely lose weight without suffering through hunger

also, this is a great read to get you started

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

diannethegeek · July 2014

Without knowing anything about what you're eating or what your workout routine looks like, here are my 5 generic tips to hunger.

1. Make sure that your calorie goal is set appropriately. Way too many people skip this step and could be eating more. Your body may want more food for a reason: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets

2. Look for foods that are higher in protein, fat, and fiber. These help us stay fuller and more satisfied for longer.

3. Drink plenty of fluids. Some people really do confuse thirst and hunger (of course, some people don't).

4. Play around with your meal times. Some people do really well on 6 small meals a day and others feel like gnawing their own arms off with that kind of meal schedule. When you eat won't affect your weight loss, but it may affect your mood and hunger levels throughout the day. It's okay to try things out to see what works for you.

5. Wait it out. If you know you're eating enough, getting enough protein & fat and enough water, etc. then you may just have to wait. Your body sends out hunger cues partially out of habit. It will catch on to the idea that you need to be hungry less often, but it could take some time for your body to catch up with the new routine.

CindyMarcuzAdams · July 2014

How many calories are you eating. Have you read this?

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

There is good info there. Open your diary so people can see how you are doing.

You need some protein at every meal and try for some fiber. They keep you fuller longer.

Hope this helps.

Add me if you like.

GauchoMark · July 2014

best way is to make good food choices. I don't know what you are eating, but my experience is that the "cleaner" I eat, the easier it is for me to stay on track because I stay more satisfied and I feel better.

Understand that I am not saying clean eating is better at weight loss, rather, it is just easier for me to stay satisfied if I am eating a lot of lean meats, fresh veggies, and "good" dairy items like greek yogurt.

itsishi · July 2014

I am at a 1200 calorie limit. i am unable to exercise as much because of my back but i do stretches and walk... The past 3 days I was good and happy, but today I am really hungry. Should I eat more then work the extra calories off. I am just to tired to walk today.

.

dopeysmelly · July 2014

Basically this. I started out at 1200 calories too (don't most people?..) and it was fine for me because I'm short (5'2"), was essentially sedentary (basically I sat on my *kitten* during winter), and not in my 20s anymore (ahem). Then I got my head screwed on, figured out a calorie limit which was good for me, figured out macros (focusing on protein, fiber and fat primarily) and have stuck with that, gradually adding calories as I get closer to my weight loss milestone and added exercise.

It takes a bit of math up-front (the links others have provided are excellent), but it gives you a solid, realistic plan, and having a plan which fits your life is everything.

Also, I felt hungry intermittently for the first 2 weeks, but it went away as my body adapted. I ignored it. I spent the last 20-25 years listening to hunger pangs and it left me obese.

kensteven · July 2014

When you are eating be "mindful " of what you are eating. DO NOT be distracted by watching TV or even reading a book or anything. This "mindful eating" routine helps you appreciate what you are eating now.

itsishi · July 2014

Thank you every one.

I am going to ignore the hunger pains for now as I have a good meal plan for today. So I really should not be as hungry as I am. If it continues I will adjust the calories.

_Zardoz_ · July 2014

Or she could just set a more reasonable calorie limit

BombshellPhoenix · July 2014

Hun, you could probably eat more without exercising more. I started at 170 lbs and lost my weight eating 1650 net. You're much more likely to succeed and stick to it by making yourself less miserable in the process. This is hard enough without the addition of feeling blah and weak with constant hunger pangs. I started out on the 1200 calories. Did it for 2 months. I had brain fog, was miserable. I found the forums and read that sexy pants link and the rest of my weight loss went much better. Dont get me wrong, it's still tough but there's no sense in making it harder ♡

patb987 · July 2014

Its hard at first... Make sure to burn additional calories, then you get to eat more ;-) I am on 1500 at 6ft, and seriously have to burn 400 calories a day just to have enough for dinner.

Just make sure you dont start to hate the program because you set the bar to high, lower the bar, a pound a week is great, than up it later once you get use to it.

patb987 · July 2014

^Exactly^

F00LofaT00K · July 2014

So eat!! There's no point losing a lot of weight while starving and then eventually giving in/giving up and eating ALL the food. Just eat a bit less than your current body weight needs and lose slowly, but steadily. You won't be hungry and miserable AND you'll learn a sustainable way to eat for the rest of your life once you reach your goal. Look around at the stickied threads on this site. They have a LOT of helpful information.

vismal · July 2014

1200 is an unrealistic for a long term plan unless you are rather petite. What is your height and weight? I can almost guarantee you could up calories some.

Ready2Rock206 · July 2014

I'd be hungry and exhausted too if I was starving myself. Set a reasonable calorie goal - no need to be miserable to lose weight.

_KitKat_ · July 2014

^^^^This

Eating to low causes a multitude of issues and can cause binging.....it is not sustainable.

You also asked about eating more then working out. The way MFP is set up, you are suppose to eat your exercise calories back....goal is net. So if you had a goal of 1450 calories (my BMR at 154lbs and 5'4") and you walked and burned 300 calories you should consume 1750 calories for a net of 1450. MFP does over estimate burn so many only eat 50-75% of exercise calories back or log as half the time. TDEE is another method you may want to look up. Regardless you will continue to feel miserable and not be able to continue on 1200 calories a day. Find out your BMR, using MFP or www.iifym.com and at the least set that as your goal. Then just read and read a lot.

Serenitynow29 · July 2014

I have logged most days this year. I have a little over a 60 day streak. I also started at 1200 calories, but I noticed a distinct zig-zag when I ate way over the 1200 and a bit a day. Then I had a light bulb and just looked at MFP's maintenance calories for me. Lo' & behold it was over 1800 calories/day. Given that I decided to bump my calories up in hopes of avoiding wide caloric intake swings.

SomeNights246 · July 2014

This is why you're hungry.

Especially if you're going from eating twice that or more, to eating just that. Some people can successfully eat 1200 calories, lose weight, and not feel hungry all the time. That's not to say they should long term, nor is that to say that it is a good idea even short term.

You don't need to eat 1200 to lose weight. Even 1500 or 1600 will often cause weight loss in an adult female, of any weight.

My best advice is... up your calorie intake. Try eating 1600 or so calories. You will still lose weight, and your body and sanity will thank you.

LoupGarouTFTs · July 2014

MFP has my limit set at 1250 calories. I try to get some exercise calories every day and eat half of them (and sometimes more) back. I rarely feel hungry, unless I do as I did today and blow most of my calories on one meal. I find that as long as I eat about 1400 calories (total) and very close to my 1250 net, and also get a minimum of 60 grams of protein, I'm good for the day. I'm 5' 1", and 53 years old, so your results might be different from mine.

RosanaRosanaDana · July 2014

Drink a lot of water. I slice an orange up and put it in a jug of water at night. The next day I try to drink the entire jug. It tastes great, calms the sweet tooth and cravings gives you a little vitamin C and fill the void in your tummy.
And remember, this too shall pass. Hunger pangs (not pains) don't last forever. It's really mind over matter. Two positive thoughts to keep you going: "Nothing tastes as good as skinny is gonna feel" and "Just keep going, every day is one more day you have succeeded in getting to where you want to go". It's really not that hard, just keep moving forward and don't look back. Use the success topic as a motivation. I love to see people who have stayed the course and dropped 100 pounds or better. They are real Champions. You can be one too :happy:

Blueseraphchaos · July 2014

I started at 217 lbs (34 years old, 5'4") and set my calorie goal myself at first for 1570. As my body adjusted (basically, my stomach shrank lol), it got easier to eat less. Now mfp has set my calories to 1440, i haven't bothered to readjust it since mfp did it but it's easier to eat less now.

But yeah, you could definitely up your calories and still see decent results.

Edited because autocorrect, ugh.

Meerataila · July 2014

Appetite on a calorie deficit is like riding a bike on hilly terrain. Sometimes you coast, and sometimes you have to get off and push.

That said, make sure you are weighing your food, a very few of us underestimate instead of overestimate.

FatFreeFrolicking · July 2014

Can you please open your diary so we can see the kind of foods you are eating?

RachelSteeners · July 2014

I started on 1,500 for two weeks (I started at 262lbs) and was a bit hungry still, but after a couple of weeks my body adjusted. I then dropped my calories down to 1,200. I'm rarely hungry now. If I am I will drink more water or eat back some of exercise calories burned.

aublea1 · July 2014

This is a great post.

Sometimes, if I'm having an unusually bad day, I'll just set my goal to maintain my current weight. This way I'm not gaining weight if I eat 100% of the higher maintenance calorie goal. The only draw back is that I didn't lose any weight that day either.

muphin73 · July 2014

I'm a little surprised no other women have asked this.....Where are you in your cycle? I get a couple days every month where I feel like I could clear out the entire grocery store.

Jim_Barteck · July 2014

It sounds like you've set your calorie goal way too low.

For a lot of people, it's just not realistic to go from eating whatever you want whenever you want to a calorie restricted diet designed to lose 2 pounds or more per week.

Trying backing it off. Start with 1/2 pound a week goal. When you're adjusted to that, then go to a pound. And so on, until you find the minimum level at which you can sustain yourself without "starving."

tmauck4472 · July 2014

We all have those day, doesn't matter if you just started or been going for almost 3 years like me. Yesterday all I wanted to do was eat. Today I'm good. Find something very filling and enjoy, not something loaded with calories and small so that in an hour you want something else. I just ate a ton of watermelon.

Momjogger · July 2014

I find 1200 too low. I can't eat less than 1350 and when I eat 1200 a day, by day 4 I feel the same way you do. Walk more (daily), stretching is GREAT, and EAT MORE CALORIES

Also, buy cucumbers and celery. They are great fillers for a hungry person! Eat watermelon, apples, bananas, egg whites, Greek Yogurt with fresh fruit and a little Stevia, and chicken, chicken, chicken. They all help me stay fuller longer. Try having a salad with lunch and dinner with small amounts of low cal dressing, and drink lots of water. You can do this.

Im starving!!!

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