Weight Lifting= HUNGER?

groomchick

I recently hit goal weight and have changed my focus more to lifting weights and building muscle. Throughout my diet I was never hungry...in fact, just the opposite...had to force food in. Just in the last couplke of days I have been ravenously hungry...I mean, could eat everything in site hungry. I never noticed this years ago when I was lifting but am thinking that is why.... Am I crazy??:noway:

Helloitsdan

I'm the same way! Guess its a good thing since you are probably eating above your maintenance! Right?

crsJSU

Nah, not crazy. Happens to me too....

tangal88

Based on your profile notes, looks like you've done lifting before - so may already know this.

Your body likely needs the food, its trying to do muscle repair - which is part of the muscle improvement and building process and is a good thing. Means body's responding to what you are doing.

Whats are your protein levels at per day? You need enough protein for the rebuilding. Try for roughly 1 gram per pound of lean body mass. (or around your goal weight if that's easier). If my protein gets to low, I am starved all the time, and I stop muscle improvement, growth, strength increase (and fat loss)

Are you eating in a calorie deficit or surplus? If calories are to low, you will need to raise them. Your body usually needs more, then we "guess" when working on muscle repair, growth.

mzenzer

When you exercise your body burns fuel and therefore needs it replaced. Simple as that. Add those exercise calories burned to your total and eat some of them back.

jayb0ne

Get enough protein in generally, but also don't forget that your body needs carbs after a heavy lifting session. You have to replenish your glycogen stores as they're depleted by heavy resistance work.

Try throwing a scoop of dextrose or maltodextrin in your post workout recovery shake (you do have a recovery shake right?)

Hope that helps.

Jay

FitForLife81

Oh my gosh this is me too!! I had no problem eating 1200 when trying to lose weight but now that I am in Maintance and trying to build muscle I am ravenous!!!!!!!!

BobbyClerici

I get that way after a hard workout.
It's quite normal, so have something handy right after a workout or go with a fruit smoothie if the club offers.

I'll down about 400 calories right there.

groomchick

Yes... the last few weeks I have been upping my Calories... had trouble getting them in at first but am up to maintenance level now. Am sure I will be able to up them more over the next few weeks too! I'm getting at least 100 to 130 grams of protein a day (I weigh 128) Been lifting for 2 weeks but this hunger just hit the last 3 days. Do you think this hunger will level out? I'm a little nervous!

tangal88

for me it does, as long as cals and protein are good. See how you do over the next two weeks, and adjust a bit more as needed.

Also - for me - PMS is a "I need to eat lots of food now" issue. So of course never underestimate weird hormonal issues. Fortunately, that usually levels out in a week or so also.

Some people are the same way with stress, and this is a stressful time of year for many.

Good job on your accomplishments so far. I am 47, so understand how the "age", metabolism card can make wight and body changes harder to accomplish. And looks like you have had a lot on your plate, to distract your focus. So again - Good Job!

CakeFit21

Since I started lifting heavy I am as hungry as a teenage boy. It's non-stop. This is fabulous for me as I am a chronic under-eater, if I don't track cals, I forget to eat. It was surprising at first, but now I'm enjoying it.

XXXMinnieXXX

Sorry i cant offer help, but just want you to know your doing amazing! Zara x

d2footballJRC

I recently hit goal weight and have changed my focus more to lifting weights and building muscle. Throughout my diet I was never hungry...in fact, just the opposite...had to force food in. Just in the last couplke of days I have been ravenously hungry...I mean, could eat everything in site hungry. I never noticed this years ago when I was lifting but am thinking that is why.... Am I crazy??:noway:

MMmmmmm, eat more Protein :-D I started awhile back hitting the weights hard and became a ravening bottomless pit, key to fill that pit was protein. If you eat before you lift toss in some quick digesting carbs for an energy boost and then slam some protein after lifting. It'll help quite a bit.

jsuaccounting

Have you tried cutting back on cardio? As you know, lifters need to be in a slight surplus to gain muscle. Hopefully, your body is just asking for the muscle gain material. Calculators are not very accurate, so you have to work with your instints.

Some people will gain back weight after a diet - their hunger stays elevated until they are back to where they started. I guess this is the 'set point' that nutritionists talk about. I have no idea what causes this but I don't think it is weight lifting because it also happens to people who don't lift. I haven't figured out the answer yet - I read the posts from the long-term maintainers in the hope they have figured it out.

Good luck, you look great. Fantastic achievement.

jsuaccounting

I recently hit goal weight and have changed my focus more to lifting weights and building muscle. Throughout my diet I was never hungry...in fact, just the opposite...had to force food in. Just in the last couplke of days I have been ravenously hungry...I mean, could eat everything in site hungry. I never noticed this years ago when I was lifting but am thinking that is why.... Am I crazy??:noway:

MMmmmmm, eat more Protein :-D I started awhile back hitting the weights hard and became a ravening bottomless pit, key to fill that pit was protein. If you eat before you lift toss in some quick digesting carbs for an energy boost and then slam some protein after lifting. It'll help quite a bit.

^^good advice

perseverance14

I started lifting weights last Thursday, even though I am not at my goal weight yet, because I want to keep the muscle I have and lose mostly fat, I have been lucky so far but knew I needed to do more.

I am having the same exact issue, I just had breakfast which would usually be fine for a few hours, and I still feel hungry.

How to combat this? I have my protein up, not quite a gram per pound yet but very close, it is a challenge to get that up and keep my fat/carb macros down but so far I am doing it.

I do recall having protein right after I lifted yesterday, a protein drink with 12 grams and an apple.

perseverance14

Reading this topic, and pulling out a protein shake to mix.

12by311

Old thread is old. haha :flowerforyou:



I have to be mindful to keep my protein up and get plenty of water.

I also do intermittent fasting and even though lifting makes me super hungry, somehow IF works with my schedule and helps me feel satisfied. Now I'm completely used to it and it works for me.

JoRocka

When you exercise your body burns fuel and therefore needs it replaced. Simple as that. Add those exercise calories burned to your total and eat some of them back.

this.

When I leave the gym- I'm completely famished- I usually pack a snack- I go shopping after I leave the gym for my weekly groceries- and I HAVE to have a snack or I'll buy EVERYTHING in the store.

I don't get super hungry the next day- but I get super hungry right after. It's part and parcel- you're body needs fuel for the work it did. Feed it.

in4nomz

When you exercise your body burns fuel and therefore needs it replaced. Simple as that. Add those exercise calories burned to your total and eat some of them back.

this.

When I leave the gym- I'm completely famished- I usually pack a snack- I go shopping after I leave the gym for my weekly groceries- and I HAVE to have a snack or I'll buy EVERYTHING in the store.

I don't get super hungry the next day- but I get super hungry right after. It's part and parcel- you're body needs fuel for the work it did. Feed it.

Double this! You gotta replenish those growing muscles somehow!