HELP ME STOP THIS TERRIBLE PATTERN PLEASE

JohnnyKitty

Soooo I have good will power, but I am bad at controlling my intensely intense appetite. I am constantly craving food, even after I've eaten. And it ruins me every time.
I'm 125 pounds, but when I work really hard, I'll go to 123 pounds after just days. My goal is 120 pounds!! And then I'll get these terrible cravings, they're terrible, and I'll eat uncontrollably for a week and gain my weight back. Which is why I'm 125 pounds.
Can somebody PLEASE give me advice on how to not eat when I'm not hungry? My stomach gets satisfied but my appetite... not so much. It makes me eat random snacks when I shouldn't be and makes me go over my calorie limit. Just because food looks, is, and seems so good, I'll eat.
HELP!

beccarockslife

What's the difference in the 5lbs? Why are you so needy to get there?

Maybe the reason you are hungry when you drop some is that your body needs it? You look pretty small.

lauren128m

Weight will always fluctuate. You will always encounter days that you may be one or two pounds more than you were a few days ago.

susannamarie

How low have you set your calories? When you're trying to drop such a small amount you shouldn't be going more than half a pound per week.

Think about it this way -- if you can set to and KEEP TO a half pound/week program, you'll lose the 5 lbs in ten weeks. That seems like a LONG time -- but you'll be feeding yourself more along the way, so you'll be a lot less likely to break it and eat everything in sight.

JohnnyKitty

Well, that five pounds is pretty important to me.
My weight only fluctuates a few ounces every day. But when I'm super diligent, I can get the ounces to come off a little each day and drop a pound in about five days. I want to lose one of the pounds each week...
I eat 1200-1400 calories daily and I exercise about two hours daily.

Sidesteal

Well, that five pounds is pretty important to me.

Why?

JohnnyKitty

Personal reasons really. I really want to be 120 pounds.. I used to be 122 pounds just earlier this year. I feel bad when I'm over 124.

Jules2Be

you arent eating enough.

JohnnyKitty

you arent eating enough.

When I eat more than this, I gain weight instantly

sarahrbraun

it seems to me that your mind and your body are in disagreement. It sounds to me like your 2hr workout is burning off most, if not all, of the calories you are consuming...that means you are putting your body into starvation mode. That is why you eat everything you can get your hands on after losing the weight.

JohnnyKitty

it seems to me that your mind and your body are in disagreement. It sounds to me like your 2hr workout is burning off most, if not all, of the calories you are consuming...that means you are putting your body into starvation mode. That is why you eat everything you can get your hands on after losing the weight.

What should I do then, if when I eat more I gain weight and if I eat less I binge? Should I just maintain?

Ambr

its a strange one but it helps me, eat banana before breakfast it makes you feel full for the day

susannamarie

You're 5' 6", 125, 18 yrs old? Even your BMR is over 1200. That's why you're not able to make yourself eat under that AND exercise the way you are for very long, because your body goes like 'Hey! She's starving us again! Activate nom impulses! Devour everything in sight!'

If you choose a more modest goal (slower rate of loss), you'll be a hell of a lot more likely to actually STICK to your goal.

jdploki70

Usually your body goes into craving mode when you aren't getting something that it needs. Salt is a big one, but sugars, minerals, vitamins, whatever can trip it up. Try altering your diet to something that has the same thing that you are craving. It's the same as when pregnant women get ridiculous cravings for odd combinations or foods. It's because they are not getting enough of something that their body is requiring.

BeccaAnderton

Step away from the scales for a while, and eat a bit more. I used to eat a maximum of 1200 a day religiously, only recently have I started eating back my exercise calories. I still have a way to go, but now I always eat back at least half. At first, your weight will go up a little bit, because that's your body readjusting, but once it realises that it's going to get the nutrients and calories it needs, it'll start letting it go again, and you'll probably lose those last 5lbs. I know it sounds weird, but trust me on this. I was literally plateauing since September, but since doing this I've lost 2lbs, and it's been roughly a lb a week

ironanimal

You're headed towards an ED. Cut the crap and stop trying to starve. If you're eating so little and your body won't drop weight, it's trying to tell you something.

capnwo85

You're headed towards an ED. Cut the crap and stop trying to starve. If you're eating so little and your body won't drop weight, it's trying to tell you something.

haha dude said "cut the crap" this made me laugh.

warmachinejt

you probably are not eating very wholesome foods

xipow

Your problem is about the body craving nutrition it needs to live. Check out this study done on soldiers who volunteered to go on a starvation diet to learn how to deal with those who had been held in captivity in WWII and were returning home. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnesota_Starvation_Experiment

Among the conclusions from the study was the confirmation that prolonged semi-starvation produces significant increases in depression, hysteria and hypochondriasis as measured using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory. Indeed, most of the subjects experienced periods of severe emotional distress and depression.[1]:161 There were extreme reactions to the psychological effects during the experiment including self-mutilation (one subject amputated three fingers of his hand with an axe, though the subject was unsure if he had done so intentionally or accidentally).[5] Participants exhibited a preoccupation with food, both during the starvation period and the rehabilitation phase. Sexual interest was drastically reduced, and the volunteers showed signs of social withdrawal and isolation.[1]:123-124 The participants reported a decline in concentration, comprehension and judgment capabilities, although the standardized tests administered showed no actual signs of diminished capacity. There were marked declines in physiological processes indicative of decreases in each subject’s basal metabolic rate (the energy required by the body in a state of rest), reflected in reduced body temperature, respiration and heart rate. Some of the subjects exhibited edema (swelling) in their extremities, presumably due to the massive quantities of water the participants consumed attempting to fill their stomachs during the starvation period.

I found this article about hunger. . http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071005111739.htm This is not the problem you have, however, the pleasure of eating is why many cant control large portions.

CleanandLean33

I think we are in a similar position weight wise and I have repeatedly had the same sort of pattern but following advice from the eat more to lose weight forum I seem to be very slowly steadying my eating and losing with my new higher kcal plan. Check out the eat more 2 weight less board I think it will really help if you follow their plan and there is alot of good info and advice.

Also think about toning up rather than just the weight... I was super shocked at a pic i saw recently the difference between two women of the same height and weight... One lean with muscle and one mo muscle and high body fat. The difference was huge.

nikki_1979

you're more than the number on the scale!

take a break from the scale. Try measurements and body fat percentages. You may be at the lowest that you can healthily go. Those things are generally more accurate.

So many things can fluctuate your weight like everyone else has said.

And I agree -- you're headed for an ED if you're not already there.

fitniknik

Join the "eat more to lose more" group and read this: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/3047-700-calories-a-day-and-not-losing

You are "eating" 1200 calories a day but you burn way more than that just being alive then you add in the 2 hours of exercise you are in the hole on calories probably by 500-600. That means that once you eat something more than your 1200 your body says HOLY CRAP SHES EATING! QUICK STORE THIS AWAY!

Up your calories and eat your exercise calories back. But dont eat junk food. Eat nutritionally dense foods... fruits, veggies, dairy, whole grains, fresh meats.

You wont lose right away you might even gain a week or two but eventually you will stop gaining and start losing because your body is taking a longer time to use the energy you consume.

teenio7

Sounds like you might be a social eater. Like if you are somewhere there is food you eat even if you aren't hungry. I would try smaller portions so you don't feel deprived. Also, maybe limit your exercise to 1 hour instead. Hope that helps.

JohnnyKitty

You're 5' 6", 125, 18 yrs old? Even your BMR is over 1200. That's why you're not able to make yourself eat under that AND exercise the way you are for very long, because your body goes like 'Hey! She's starving us again! Activate nom impulses! Devour everything in sight!'

If you choose a more modest goal (slower rate of loss), you'll be a hell of a lot more likely to actually STICK to your goal.

Hahaha this made me laugh (:

DrKittyCat

Why don't you stop obsessively weighing yourself everyday? Stick to a daily diet and fitness regimen--talk to your doctor about it beforehand. There is such a weight that our bodies are most healthy at, and therefore our bodies tend to stay at that weight. Please talk to your doctor about your problem... you shouldn't be worrying about 5 pounds if you're at an ideal body weight. A goal is to be healthy and fit, not to be a number on a scale.

jennkain97

I can't see your diary, but it sounds like you're not eating the RIGHT things. Like another poster said, cravings happen for a reason. It may just be a nutritional deficiency, or it may be that you are becoming insulin resistant. If I were you, I'd take a trip to the dr's office for some blood work to rule these things out.

abberbabber

You're headed towards an ED. Cut the crap and stop trying to starve. If you're eating so little and your body won't drop weight, it's trying to tell you something.

This. You're obsessing over 4 pounds. STOP.

neurochamp

To the OP: the title of your thread is asking for help, so here's the best I can offer:

1. Go to the "Groups" section of MFP and look up the group "Eat More to Weigh Less"

2. Read through some of the posts on their main page about hitting weight loss plateaus, "starvation mode" and all that jazz - there is a lot of info, but it's worth taking the time to read

3. Whether or not you decide to join that group, TRY upping your calorie intake so you net at least your BMR and do that for at least two to three months. You will probably gain weight at first, but you need to ignore the scale and get your metabolism back on track. If you desperately want to get down to 120 and STAY THERE, you've gotta do it by nourishing your body with the right kinds and amounts of food

4. If you decide you don't want to increase your food intake, please do not be surprised if your weight yo-yos up and down every time you splurge on a treat - if you can only maintain your weight by starving yourself, then....well, you'll only be able to maintain your weight by starving yourself. Nobody here wants that for you.

becoming_a_new_me

You are 5'6" 18 yo 125# girl who works out 2 hours a day. Even if I calculate you as moderately active (moderate exercise/sports 3-5 days a week), your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) including your total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) is 2207.74 calories per day. If you are only eating 1200-1400 calories per day, then you are trying to acheive a 2 lb per week loss. Try eating 1700 calories per day (don't eat your exercise...I know I will be flogged for saying this, but I ALREADY factored in your activity level). You may gain the first couple of weeks, but then it WILL drop off.

Even if you figure your BMR at sedentary, you still have a Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) including your total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) of 1709.22 calories per day. That means if you are eating 1200 calories, you would need to eat your exercise calories back every day.

Balance it yourself, but you really should be eating more.

I do this for a living, so I see people all the time who fight the "Eat more to lose", but once they finally do it, they really do start losing

superstarcassie

Your body is probably happy where its at and you are at a healthy weight. It sounds like you are undereating then binging. I would just up your caloric intake to stabilize your metabolism. Underfeeding will slow your metabolism. Maybe you should focus on body fat loss verses the number on the scale. I weigh the exact same as I did a year ago, but have lost body fat and look much better. To do that you need to eat more and heavy lift.

breathefire

I HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM ;~;