Eating every 3 hours...even if not hungry?

taylorwaylor

I've been trying to lose weight and I've been getting into weight lifting. My calorie limit is 1200 a day, and I usually end up eating lower than that. My question is, should I eat ONLY when I'm hungry? Or should I continue eating ever couple hours... Even if not hungry? Thanks!

cartrat

you're going to have like 2390432476 responses of people telling you to eat and that 1200 is too low blah blah. however, i say **listen to your body**. if you're not hungry, DON'T EAT! this is how a lot of people get overweight in the first place is because they never PUT THE FORK DOWN.



edit: the whole theory behind the "eating every 3 hours" is so that you don't ever feel like you're starving and binge all on one meal and eat more than you usually would. it works for a lot of people. however, i still feel hungry even after i snack so that's why i just don't do it. other people, like yourself, just aren't hungry. so don't feel like you have to just because you read some article on the internet.

Lozze

How long have you been weight lifting? If you've just started the hunger will come soon. I've just started running every night and am starting to find myself ravenous.

Yes listen to your body BR sometimes we need to ignore it. If we all listened to our body none of us would be overweight or needing to tone up.

taylorwaylor

I've been weight lifting for awhile now... But i still don't feel hungry very often, and if I get hungry it goes away quick.

AnvilHead

Eat whenever works best for you. There's no benefit to eating more often or at specific times unless it's to fit your schedule and/or help with adhering to your diet. Your metabolism works 24 hours a day and doesn't own a clock.

Pebble321

My choice is to eat around about the number of calories that MFP recommends (and that's a whole lot more than 1200) every day - even if I'm not especially hungry.

I don't set specific time limits or rules, I eat either when I'm hungry or when it fits into my schedule.

I'm not a fan of saying that everyone should only eat when hungry. If you have really good awareness of how much is right for your body and you are very much in touchh with your body, maybe that's a good thing. Not for me though.
For me "eating when hungry" for years left me obese. Eating a more or less stable number of calories even if I'm not super hungry (not saying I stuff myself, but I'll eat when it's lunchtime anyway) has me healthier and happier than every before.

Experiment and see what works for you.

BetterCrazyThanLazy

Up until a few days ago I was eating every 3 hours and I felt like I was CONSTANTLY eating and that made me even hungrier. I stayed within 1200-1300 net calories. I LOVE to eat but the stacking approach didn't do anything for the weight loss.
I just now started eating only when I am hungry and I finally started seeing the move on the scale.
Listen to your own body. If you are not going to binge taking longer than 3 hour breaks then eat whenever you want, clean, healthy, balanced meals to make sure you get proper nutrition.

taylor5877

I find if I make myself eat every 2-3 hours I never get in trouble with being too hungry.

I get in trouble when I'm too hungry, so it works for me.

I need to eat a LOT more than you though, and my snacks are one of your meals, so the breakdown may lead to too small meals than you may be used to.

taylorwaylor

Thanks for your answers. I just want to say that My MFP calorie goal is actually 1200...