First Time Dieting, How Long Will I Be Hungry?

jvaritek33c

I've been using myfitnesspal to watch my calories for about a week now. Up to this point I have merely logged my foods and attempted to stay under my suggested goals, but today I'm actually changing what I eat. I got fruits and vegetables and had an apple for lunch and making stir-fry for dinner.

This is a huge deal for me. When I told my girlfriend I got vegetables, she didn't believe it. I've never had a salad and refused to eat vegetables. I've probably averages less than one vegetable per year.

But, I have found that I am incredibly hungry now, even if I am eating the same amount of food. I've read a fair amount of stuff about the chemicals that tell you you're hungry or full, and that for the first bit you may be hungrier due to these chemicals being out of whack from a bad diet.

I'm just wondering, from your personal or professional experience, how long will I be hungry for? Or will I always be hungry until I decide to maintain weight instead of losing it?

Er, also, details:

22 Y/O Male
Starting Weight: 223
Current Weight: 216
Goal Weight: 177
Height: 6'0"

seltzermint555

I wouldn't imagine you will be hungry at all. Are you including plenty of protein and healthy fats?

MsBetteDavis

Honestly if you're eating enough protein I feel like you shouldn't be hungry. People gain weight in the first place because they're overeating (generally) meaning that they're eating more than their body requires. So when you eat the amount that it does require, you should be fine.

Plus, when you eat things like healthy salads, fruits, veggies, most of the time you can eat a large amount of them, so it definitely fills you up, on top of getting enough protein (which is what helps me make it in between meals and not be starving).

michikade

I would say that you shouldn't necessarily feel hungry at all, but this statement concerns me:

I got fruits and vegetables and had an apple for lunch and making stir-fry for dinner.

Did you really only have an apple for lunch? No wonder you're hungry!

nygiantschick

lots of ways to answer this question!!! are you eating all of your calories? are you food nutrient dense or empty calories that provide no nutritional value? I see you are eating veggies and fruits...is that it? If so, you will have to eat LOTS of them to get your necessary calories. How much water are you drinking? It should be at least half your body weight (in pounds) in ounces then an additional if you workout (example: if you weight 180 lbs then you should drink at least 90 ounces of water). Many times we think the body is signaling hunger when it is really thirst. Also, keep in mind that hunger and starvation are different: Hunger is comfortable and will go away perhaps after some water or an apple or light snack or with just keeping busy) while starvation is your body really needing food to fuel itself and may be coupled with things like shaking, lightheadedness, etc. If you are hungry but you have eaten all of your calories and necessary macros then drink water and know that you will not starve (your body is designed to access it's fat stores- that is how you lose weight!). As a general rule of thumb, I don't really get hungry as I have learned how to properly fuel my body. Some people find it helpful to eat at regular intervals- say every 3-4 hours to stave off hunger. It's still the beginning. You will "learn" your body (eating is a learned behavior). Listen to the cues your body is giving you. Stay well hydrated and keep eating those fruits and veggies. Don't allow the discomfort of making these healthy changes through you off your path. Eventually, you will figure it out.

briandahawaiian

eat every 2 to 3 hours, have protein with every meal, i guarantee you will not be hungry!! you can do this brother!!

caracrawford1

I suspect you need to increase your protein which will help you feel full longer.

cheesevixen_staci

First off make sure you reevaluate your calories with every loss. I do mine every 10 pounds. It's important to be really sure of your number. Second, set a realistic goal, such as 1 Lb. or 1/2 a Lb. a week. Thirdly, it takes about a week to a week and a half for me to stop being so hungry after I drop my calories. The pay off is worth it though, and I just think about that.

jvaritek33c

Generally I am a huge meat eater. Two weeks ago I cooked myself nothing but a two pound steak for dinner, so I usually get a ton of protein. I almost always have something super small for lunch. I'm not a breakfast or lunch dude, so I eat a ton at dinner. The apple is basically the size of what I eat for lunch on a usual day, maybe 70% of the size. Not a huge difference.

But I didn't realise protein would make me feel more full, I'm very new to this. Would it be a good idea to supplement the apple with unsalted nuts or perhaps peanut butter in the future?

Generally I drink between 12-14 tall glasses of water a day, so I doubt it's thirst. I only like water and I've only ever drank water.

hellodangergirl

It took me about 2 weeks to adjust to eating 300 cals less and I was a hungry, grouchy mess the whole time. I know lots of people say you can eat high fiber, low density foods like fruits and veggies to feel full but, honestly, that back fires for me. If I have lots of veggies for lunch (even if it's in addition to other things), I get hungrier quicker (also go slow on adding them in if you're not used to eating a lot, the bowel .... distress ... can be alarming during the transition). High protein snacks keep me pretty full while I'm adjusting (my go-to is greek yogurt with protein powder mixed in).

ColeCake292012

Generally I am a huge meat eater. Two weeks ago I cooked myself nothing but a two pound steak for dinner, so I usually get a ton of protein. I almost always have something super small for lunch. I'm not a breakfast or lunch dude, so I eat a ton at dinner. The apple is basically the size of what I eat for lunch on a usual day, maybe 70% of the size. Not a huge difference.

But I didn't realise protein would make me feel more full, I'm very new to this. Would it be a good idea to supplement the apple with unsalted nuts or perhaps peanut butter in the future?

Generally I drink between 12-14 tall glasses of water a day, so I doubt it's thirst. I only like water and I've only ever drank water.

Absolutely add peanut butter or something to the apple. And don't be afraid to eat more...if you're hungry then eat. Just learn to balance it out later in the day.

Archon2

Water and meat, eh? You must have been a cat in your former life.

pplastics

But I didn't realise protein would make me feel more full, I'm very new to this. Would it be a good idea to supplement the apple with unsalted nuts or perhaps peanut butter in the future?

That's what I do! It is one of my favorite snacks....an apple with about 12 almonds. I will also use greek yogurt or lowfat cheese to pair with fruit/veggies. Always some protein with each meal or snack. For me, it helps prevent a sugar spike that is followed by energy reduction and hunger.

Kalikel

I took me about a week when I went from total crap to all healthy. The first few days were the worst.

Cravings took a little longer. A few weeks before I wasn't totally pissed about missing out on stuff and a couple months before I was so very happy to feel better than I used to.

Lifestyle changes are rough!! That's why most people don't make them.

Hang in there. It's worth it.

blabrecque_xo

As long as you're getting enough protein, you shouldn't be hungry. Dieting isn't about starving yourself.

Mr_Knight

I'm just wondering, from your personal or professional experience, how long will I be hungry for? Or will I always be hungry until I decide to maintain weight instead of losing it?

For many people, it never goes away until they start eating at a surplus again.

mizzzc

id hate to be negative but its weird to me that this is your first post and you have two people added. I smell troll....

jvaritek33c

id hate to be negative but its weird to me that this is your first post and you have two people added. I smell troll....

I have Facebook friends enabled. I automatically added my friends. If I knew about exercise or diet, then I would be posting. But I don't, so therefore I don't post. And it's hardly trolling, I'm not bugging anyone.

Anyway, aside from this, thank you for your very useful responses!

pinkraynedropjacki

You got to stop calling it a diet to begin with. Diets always fail.

Athijade

How many calories are you eating in a day? Open your diary and people may be able to help you out a bit better. Hard to know the issue otherwise honestly.

Ninkyou

Make sure you are eating an appropriate calorie goal for a person of your gender/age/height/weight.

Get plenty of protein.

Eat, enjoy, win. IMO, there shouldn't be a point where you feel super hungry, except maybe just before your regular meal time.

And this should be required reading:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

FeraFilia

Considering I went from eating, on average 3500 calories per day down to 1750 per day - literally cut my intake in half - ... it took me about a week or so to adjust to it both with cravings and being satiated, even with similar volumes of food. My tummy was obviously full, but my brain was telling me I still hadn't eaten the *right* things and I felt really munchy for a little bit. It's gone now. Just make sure you're eating enough. Good luck!

wildskies

Maybe try a yogurt or something else small for lunch (like everyone else said, protein!). I know it doesn't for most people, but fresh fruit makes me ravenous.

kjarvo

You shouldn't be hungry, or you shouldn't be hungry ALL the time. This was the problem I had, I assumed that to go on a diet you had to be hungry all of the time. Don't think of it as eating less, think about eating DIFFERENTLY. Fill your plate with salad (lettuce, cucumber etc. not a *restaurant salad) in accompaniment to a bit of carbs and protein, this will add bulk, take longer to eat and mentally think you have eaten more. I think of salad almost as negligible calories because half a plate is like 30, which encourages me to have more. Eat more vegetables and cook more yourself. It is easier to make portions 10% smaller without realising, which can save 50 calories. Also think what can 300 calories *buy* me for my breakfast etc. 1 slice of toast and a small breakfast biscuit or a bowl of porridge, an apple and some natural yoghurt?

Eat DIFFERENTLY, not necessarily less