Why would I suddenly be hungry all the time?

Loves418

When I saw my Dr. back in Nov he offered me an appetite suppressant. At the time I wasn't overly hungry. Since then I lost 17 pounds. The past few weeks I suddenly find myself hungry all the time. I was never like this even before the weight loss.

Is there any reason you can think of why this is suddenly happening? I really don't want appetite suppressant. What can I do? I need to lose more weight and really don't want to gain back what I struggled to lose.

Any thoughts?

kathyrazz

Have you changed to eating more carbs as opposed to protein? That might trigger hunger....it does for me.

sofitheteacup

Did you recently start working out? Is there a chance you could be pregnant? What does your protein consumption look like?

JacksMom12

I have no scientific proof to back up what I'm about to say, but I'll tell you my personal story. I am assuming the appetite suppressant you speak of is probably phentermine or something similar. Phentermine is an amphetamine. I spent years abusing prescription amphetamines (adderall) and when I finally got off the stuff, my body was ravenous. For a year, I was always hungry, and despite efforts to diet or exercise, I was gaining upwards of 5 lbs a week. It's like my body was having some crazy reaction because it wasn't running on speed anymore. Obviously that's an extreme case but I'm convinced that taking amphetamines to control appetite is the furthest thing from a long term solution and while it does obviously help people lose weight while taking it, it puts you at a dead end.

I agree that it's weird and I totally know what you mean.

pinkita

Here are some reasons:

1. Lots of cardio
2. Not eating enough (check your basal metabolic rate with an online calculator). You should not eat below that # in calories
3. Not enough protein
4. All of the above

NewChristina

Have you changed to eating more carbs as opposed to protein? That might trigger hunger....it does for me.

I was going to say the same thing. This gets me every time. If I eat excess carbs, I go crazy-hungry over the next few days.

itsjustdawn

How many calories are you limiting yourself to a day?

JB5349

I did not look at your diet log but I have the same problem when I don't eat enough protein. I actually try now to eat more protein it keeps you fuller longer... if you are burning more calories then your body is going to required more fuel

tlafrance

BUMP

nucreeman

Did you recently start working out? Is there a chance you could be pregnant? What does your protein consumption look like?

It could possibly come from working out. Working out makes me ravenous, and I've heard the same from others.

frostie64

Sorry to hear that... the problem with appetite suppressants, is that they lead to the yo-yo effect, and the rebound is often higher than you started. Better to stick with healthy diet and exercise, so hopefully you won't bounce too high! Hope this helps

etodd41

I have been trying to sneak in a lean protein as an extra to breakfast or morning snack - meaning a hard boiled egg or a light mozzarella string cheese - in addition to my morning ritual of oatmeal. My weight loss doctor (that I see every 4 weeks) suggested it because I am also struggling with being hungry later in the day and didn't have those urges prior to recently. I actually did go on phentermine (appetite suppressant) in February as part of my weight loss program (that includes doing journaling on this website) and she has been coaching me on how to naturally keep my calories low and my energy levels up, as I will be going off of it soon - as soon as my BMI goes under 30 I think - I am currently at a BMI of 33. She also stresses at least 5 servings of green veggies and fruits per day. Snacking on nuts and dairy. GOOD LUCK! there is nothing like having a great day go awry with the binging urge late in the day...this is her solution and I have found it helpful - just thought I would share.

victoria4321

well its possible!

Christine1110

Eat more fiber...and protein. It will keep you full longer.

Ke22yB

I know this happens to me if my cardio is up I feel ravenous but I found out after conversations with my son I was not upping my water while I increased my jogging and I was really thirsty I drink more now especially as soon as I get back from workout and no more hunger pangs

basillowe66

I agree the suppressant isn't good. are you eating good food, not fast food? You s\hould count your calories, but try to get into a walking or slow running routine. that way if you do eat, you are getting your metabolism up which will help you lose weight. Keep of of the sugar!

Basil

pkiss25

Don't forget about our friend hormone 'leptin'.

Leptin is your body's way of telling you that your body wants food! leptin is usually LOWERED after prolonged periods of dieting (due to your body may thinking it is starving). Your body usually maintains steady levels of this hormone, as the body likes to maintain a ballance of everything, including weight, so when you go either too far below or above the "norm" your body has ways of trying to regulate this (leptin).

As Leptin is responsibile for either triggering or surpressing hunger, The less leptin you have (from dieting too long) the more hungry you feel, and visa verca.

"The absence of leptin (or its receptor) leads to uncontrolled food intake and resulting obesity."

Solution: Eat!! Eat a big meal, listen to your body and make it think you're NOT starving. THEN get back on your diet :-)

Loves418

I have NOT taken any appetite suppressants. He talked about it and I said NO that was in NOV. I have been working out since then so not more intense. My protein is set to 45 a day and I usually go over. My calories is set to 1200 and I eat back my workout ones sometimes I am 10 to 40 under not a huge amount. Carbs except for today I have been under and today it came from Dreamfileds pasta.

MzMandi1025

I actually eat a lot of protien & recently, I've started to get really hungry. Like, I just ate dinner & it was a pretty good dinner, but I'm hungry again & I'm fighting the urge to just munch. My husband, who has an extremely fast metabolism, says welcome to his life. So it could be a possiblilty that your metabolism has increased.

Loves418

well its possible!

HA NO it's not for many reasons..but NO WAY...and funny with my kids I was sick as a dog..only gained 15 pounds with my daughter lost a lot at birth the rest fast after...lol..

slrrese

Well, you don't have your food log open, so I can't comment on what your eating, but others have given you good advice- more water, protein, etc... Also, 1200 calories is really not much. I was on 1200 for a few months, but after I lost 10 lbs I upped my daily calories to 1300 and upped them again after I had lost another 10. I do also go through periods where I am super hungry and I find if I just plan to have one big meal ( it is a time we might plan to go out for something yummy) then get right back to my normal exercise and eating , and that one big meal helps satisfy me for a long time. Note: sometimes these big meals are in my calorie count for the day, and sometimes I just allow myself to go over.

LeggyKettleBabe

ALIVE BODIES CRAVE FOOD.

Symonep

ALIVE BODIES CRAVE FOOD.

Especially more than 1200 calories a day

ShellyMacchi

i can only speak from my own experience, but, after some weight loss and eating back my exercise calories, i found i was getting hungrier too... (i was at 1200 net).... and i took it as a signal from me to me that i needed to up my calories... much as i was afraid to *LOL*.

It worked for me, i just had to be super careful to not up my carbs as a method of upping my calories.

That was last summer.

Since then i went more towards maintenance and my food diaries are all over the place these days, so don't use my diaries 'now' as an example *LOL*... last summer i was golden in eating carefully and consistently, and learned to really pay attention to what my body was telling me,, now i am still mostly coasting *S*

I just know, that approach worked for me, and will work again should i need it to *S*

FitLink

I have no scientific proof to back up what I'm about to say, but I'll tell you my personal story. I am assuming the appetite suppressant you speak of is probably phentermine or something similar. Phentermine is an amphetamine. I spent years abusing prescription amphetamines (adderall) and when I finally got off the stuff, my body was ravenous. For a year, I was always hungry, and despite efforts to diet or exercise, I was gaining upwards of 5 lbs a week. It's like my body was having some crazy reaction because it wasn't running on speed anymore. Obviously that's an extreme case but I'm convinced that taking amphetamines to control appetite is the furthest thing from a long term solution and while it does obviously help people lose weight while taking it, it puts you at a dead end.

I agree that it's weird and I totally know what you mean.

But stopping amphetamines could not have made her hungry, since she was not given amphetamines, and did not indicate she was taking them for any other reason either.

Sd0510

From my own experience, not fact: Sometimes when I get 'hunger pains' it can be because I am thirsty. I would suggest trying to drink more water during the day to see if it helps. If not, I agree with the post about proteins. When I eat a whole ton of protein, I am less hungry throughout the day opposed to when I eat more carbs. I hope this helps.

Also, I think you would be able to do it without an appetite suppressant, but I think it may be difficult at first since you and your body are not used to the feeling of hunger.

CMB1979

Try to avoid caffeine too. It can cause cravings to surface.

Maybe you're eating more of a "trigger" food than you did before?

victoria4321

Try to avoid caffeine too. It can cause cravings to surface.

Maybe you're eating more of a "trigger" food than you did before?

How true is that? I always hear caffeine is an appetite suppressant. In the long run it doesn't make a different over all if you over eat later, but it certainly doesn't hurt a well balanced diet.

Robin_Bin

In addition to the suggestions above, enough protein, water, etc., is there anything else your body may be missing? Sometimes when I'm low on something, I get cravings and I'll "graze" until I eat the right thing. One thing I've been learning is to identify the different feelings... sometimes it's protein, sometimes vegetables, sometimes chocolate , but when I eat the "right" thing it works much better than tons of other stuff. Sometimes a vitamin pill helps.

weisegirl1119

bump

Loves418

In addition to the suggestions above, enough protein, water, etc., is there anything else your body may be missing? Sometimes when I'm low on something, I get cravings and I'll "graze" until I eat the right thing. One thing I've been learning is to identify the different feelings... sometimes it's protein, sometimes vegetables, sometimes chocolate , but when I eat the "right" thing it works much better than tons of other stuff. Sometimes a vitamin pill helps.

funny you said this...Milk..for an odd crazy reason I am craving milk and NO I am not pregnant 100% sure...lol.