Can you be thin without being hungry?

2

Replies

  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,430 MFP Moderator
    The more active you are, the more calories you can consume. Hell, I am rarely hungry at 2600-3000 calories a day.
  • myofibril
    myofibril Posts: 4,500 Member
    I think I eat more than I ever did but I exercise a lot more as well :)

    We have a winner...
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    yes :) i am 5'9" and 117 lbs. I lost close to 30 lbs since starting MFP and I've kept the weight off no problem. I lost the weight over the coarse of a year or 2, thus slowly "shrinking" my stomach. If you lose weight quickly, yes you will be thinner but alot hungrier because ur stomach never got smaller it just got empty haha.
    I don't want to be rude..and you probably already know this but... You are underweight.
    Eat more.

    She's 20 years old. Leave her alone. Unless she's not having a period or ACTUALLY starving herself, she's probably fine.
  • snowgrrl83
    snowgrrl83 Posts: 242 Member
    How thin? I can tell you between a BMI of 19 and 21, I can maintain that weight, and never be "hungry". When I go under, I'm always hungry and it sort of drives me crazy. That being said, I try to maintain my weight at a certain level. Eating fiber foods and protein, and balancing out my macros didn't matter when I was under that BMI 19 threshold...I was simply hungry. My stomac didn't shrink or anything....

    I'm pregnant now....so I'm in a whole new world.
  • hughtwalker
    hughtwalker Posts: 2,213 Member
    Don't you just hate it when you're just feeling virtuously 'peckish' and good about your progress and someone says, "You're not eating enough".
  • JennaM222
    JennaM222 Posts: 1,996 Member
    umm yes!!!!
  • snowgrrl83
    snowgrrl83 Posts: 242 Member
    yes :) i am 5'9" and 117 lbs. I lost close to 30 lbs since starting MFP and I've kept the weight off no problem. I lost the weight over the coarse of a year or 2, thus slowly "shrinking" my stomach. If you lose weight quickly, yes you will be thinner but alot hungrier because ur stomach never got smaller it just got empty haha.
    I don't want to be rude..and you probably already know this but... You are underweight.
    Eat more.

    She's 20 years old. Leave her alone. Unless she's not having a period or ACTUALLY starving herself, she's probably fine.

    I don't support anyone that is underweight to the point of meeting the BMI criteria for anorexia nervosa. Especially when they say they weren't always naturally this thin. BMI of 17.3 is NOT healthy, even at the age of 20.
  • AnninStPaul
    AnninStPaul Posts: 1,372 Member
    Not me personally. In order to stay thin I have to deal with being hungry much of the time. No tweaking of macronutrients affects this much. The stranglehold required to not eat when I'm hungry is wearing, so after a couple of years it will eventually burn out. Then I gain weight until it recharges and comes back online. When that happens I can lose it and maintain for another couple of years.
    YMMV

    That's what I find too. I can eat a mixing bowl full of vegetables and still be hungry. My body naturally wants to be about 130 lbs, I think.

    If that is where your body is comfortable, why not stay at 130?
  • determinedbutlazy
    determinedbutlazy Posts: 1,941 Member
    Yep. Protein and exercise. I see a lot of small, active people on here that eat over 2000 calories in maintenance.
  • cjosenga
    cjosenga Posts: 37 Member
    Are you eating food with a high satiety level? Some foods make you feel full longer. Here is a link to som information on satiety. http://nutritiondata.self.com/topics/fullness-factor
  • likemeinvisible
    likemeinvisible Posts: 309
    Yes, I've been thin all my life and rarely felt hungry. You get used to your intake.
  • auroranflash
    auroranflash Posts: 3,569 Member
    The more muscle you have, the more energy your body needs to maintain that muscle, thus raising your RMR or resting metabolic rate. Eat smart (lean meats, fruits, veggies, whole grains, not a lot of sugars or calorie-heavy simple carbs such as chips), exercise to strengthen your body, and make sure you are getting enough to eat.

    MFP sometimes sets your calorie goals too low. Check here: http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/bmr/

    Run your numbers and you may be surprised what you find. The numbers may require some tweaking to find the 'sweet spot', but, to the surprise of many people, you do not have to be in a severe deficit to lose weight and change your body composition. It does take time and dedication, planning and action, but it is definitely doable.

    If you make a plan you can stick with and think of it as a lifestyle choice instead of a diet, you are much less likely to feel the need to 'quit' the 'diet' and risk gaining back any weight you have lost.

    Best of luck.
  • chachita7
    chachita7 Posts: 996 Member
    It always comes down to what it is that you are eating... if you are keeping a balanced diet (and by diet I don't mean DIET) you shouldn't feel hungry all the time.

    For me (and of course might not be the same for everyone) the 40, 40, 20 works (of course when I am 100% keeping up with it) - what that means is - my eating is divided in to 40% protein, 40% carbs, and 20% fats
  • NovemberJune
    NovemberJune Posts: 2,525 Member
    I've gone from 85 lbs overweight to healthy weight and I don't go hungry. :smile:
    I usually eat around 1800 now. I know that's a lot for some and low for others. 2000 seems like it will be about right for me.
  • SarahofTwins
    SarahofTwins Posts: 1,169 Member
    Whether I've been big or small I'm always hungry or wanting to snack on something....

    I know of others who eat small meals and still get pretty full.
  • likemeinvisible
    likemeinvisible Posts: 309
    yes :) i am 5'9" and 117 lbs. I lost close to 30 lbs since starting MFP and I've kept the weight off no problem. I lost the weight over the coarse of a year or 2, thus slowly "shrinking" my stomach. If you lose weight quickly, yes you will be thinner but alot hungrier because ur stomach never got smaller it just got empty haha.
    I don't want to be rude..and you probably already know this but... You are underweight.
    Eat more.

    She's 20 years old. Leave her alone. Unless she's not having a period or ACTUALLY starving herself, she's probably fine.

    I don't support anyone that is underweight to the point of meeting the BMI criteria for anorexia nervosa. Especially when they say they weren't always naturally this thin. BMI of 17.3 is NOT healthy, even at the age of 20.

    The BMI was invented 150 years ago, there are better ways to measure health. My highest BMI ever was 18 and I never was at a worse state.
  • Hendrix7
    Hendrix7 Posts: 1,903 Member
    Of course you can.

    To think otherwise or to purposely put yourself through such stress on a day in day out basis is totally absurd.
  • cruzcrzyMarie
    cruzcrzyMarie Posts: 251 Member
    It does come down to WHAT you are eating. I am at goal (129 pounds) and I eat constantly, LOL.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,430 MFP Moderator
    The more muscle you have, the more energy your body needs to maintain that muscle, thus raising your RMR or resting metabolic rate. Eat smart (lean meats, fruits, veggies, whole grains, not a lot of sugars or calorie-heavy simple carbs such as chips), exercise to strengthen your body, and make sure you are getting enough to eat.

    I want to stress this point. If you want the ability to eat more calories, then work on gaining another 20 lbs of muscle. More muscle = more calories.
  • Arexxx
    Arexxx Posts: 486 Member
    Um.. yes.
  • snowgrrl83
    snowgrrl83 Posts: 242 Member
    yes :) i am 5'9" and 117 lbs. I lost close to 30 lbs since starting MFP and I've kept the weight off no problem. I lost the weight over the coarse of a year or 2, thus slowly "shrinking" my stomach. If you lose weight quickly, yes you will be thinner but alot hungrier because ur stomach never got smaller it just got empty haha.
    I don't want to be rude..and you probably already know this but... You are underweight.
    Eat more.

    She's 20 years old. Leave her alone. Unless she's not having a period or ACTUALLY starving herself, she's probably fine.

    I don't support anyone that is underweight to the point of meeting the BMI criteria for anorexia nervosa. Especially when they say they weren't always naturally this thin. BMI of 17.3 is NOT healthy, even at the age of 20.

    The BMI was invented 150 years ago, there are better ways to measure health. My highest BMI ever was 18 and I never was at a worse state.

    BMI has been heavily debated for people that are at the high end point of the range because of the muscle/fat body ratio. However, at a low BMI, there isn't enough fat (nor muscle) to change your health status. Basically, from one underweight person to another, they all have a very close % of body fat and muscle.
    Your genetics may have made you thin, but this person above was not born this way...she had to lose 30 lbs.
    She was at a perfectly healthy weight before she started MFP to lose the weight (BMI 21.7), right smack in the middle of the healthy weight range. She didn't "unintentionally" lose the weight, which gives off signs that this person is unhappy with their body image when at a healthy weight.... which would be another sign of the anorexia nervosa diagnosis.
  • meggonkgonk
    meggonkgonk Posts: 2,066 Member
    Probably depends on what you are eating...
  • Graelwyn75
    Graelwyn75 Posts: 4,404 Member
    yes :) i am 5'9" and 117 lbs. I lost close to 30 lbs since starting MFP and I've kept the weight off no problem. I lost the weight over the coarse of a year or 2, thus slowly "shrinking" my stomach. If you lose weight quickly, yes you will be thinner but alot hungrier because ur stomach never got smaller it just got empty haha.
    I don't want to be rude..and you probably already know this but... You are underweight.
    Eat more.

    She's 20 years old. Leave her alone. Unless she's not having a period or ACTUALLY starving herself, she's probably fine.

    I don't support anyone that is underweight to the point of meeting the BMI criteria for anorexia nervosa. Especially when they say they weren't always naturally this thin. BMI of 17.3 is NOT healthy, even at the age of 20.

    The BMI was invented 150 years ago, there are better ways to measure health. My highest BMI ever was 18 and I never was at a worse state.

    BMI has been heavily debated for people that are at the high end point of the range because of the muscle/fat body ratio. However, at a low BMI, there isn't enough fat (nor muscle) to change your health status. Basically, from one underweight person to another, they all have a very close % of body fat and muscle.
    Your genetics may have made you thin, but this person above was not born this way...she had to lose 30 lbs.
    She was at a perfectly healthy weight before she started MFP to lose the weight (BMI 21.7), right smack in the middle of the healthy weight range. She didn't "unintentionally" lose the weight, which gives off signs that this person is unhappy with their body image when at a healthy weight.... which would be another sign of the anorexia nervosa diagnosis.

    Totally agree with you.
  • EccentricDad
    EccentricDad Posts: 875 Member
    Yes. The question is, can you not be hungry and still be healthy? And the answer is "no".
  • likemeinvisible
    likemeinvisible Posts: 309

    BMI has been heavily debated for people that are at the high end point of the range because of the muscle/fat body ratio. However, at a low BMI, there isn't enough fat (nor muscle) to change your health status. Basically, from one underweight person to another, they all have a very close % of body fat and muscle.
    Your genetics may have made you thin, but this person above was not born this way...she had to lose 30 lbs.
    She was at a perfectly healthy weight before she started MFP to lose the weight (BMI 21.7), right smack in the middle of the healthy weight range. She didn't "unintentionally" lose the weight, which gives off signs that this person is unhappy with their body image when at a healthy weight.... which would be another sign of the anorexia nervosa diagnosis.

    There's nothing wrong about wanting to be thinner when you're already thin, doesn't mean you're crazy. Just because her BMI was at a healthy range doesn't mean she was healthy, she could be very weak and suffer lack of nutrients. Don't rely on BMI as a measurement of health.
    When are you thin ? when you feel like it. I didn't feel good about myself when I could pinch a handful off my belly. I've sorted that out and improved my health, see my resting heart rate to the left. If I asked people before I started they would say, you're too thin to workout, go get a pizza. I could do just that, be happy with my body image, and be much less fit but I Imagined a firmer body for myself:)
  • snowgrrl83
    snowgrrl83 Posts: 242 Member

    BMI has been heavily debated for people that are at the high end point of the range because of the muscle/fat body ratio. However, at a low BMI, there isn't enough fat (nor muscle) to change your health status. Basically, from one underweight person to another, they all have a very close % of body fat and muscle.
    Your genetics may have made you thin, but this person above was not born this way...she had to lose 30 lbs.
    She was at a perfectly healthy weight before she started MFP to lose the weight (BMI 21.7), right smack in the middle of the healthy weight range. She didn't "unintentionally" lose the weight, which gives off signs that this person is unhappy with their body image when at a healthy weight.... which would be another sign of the anorexia nervosa diagnosis.

    There's nothing wrong about wanting to be thinner when you're already thin, doesn't mean you're crazy. Just because her BMI was at a healthy range doesn't mean she was healthy, she could be very weak and suffer lack of nutrients. Don't rely on BMI as a measurement of health.
    When are you thin ? when you feel like it. I didn't feel good about myself when I could pinch a handful off my belly. I've sorted that out and improved my health, see my resting heart rate to the left. If I asked people before I started they would say, you're too thin to workout, go get a pizza. I could do just that, be happy with my body image, and be much less fit but I Imagined a firmer body for myself:)

    Are you trying to say that a resting heart rate of 44 BPM is healthy while being underweight? You better check your numbers and your science. Look up sinus bradycardia, it is both characteristic of athletes and anorexia patients. It is characterised as a heart rate of under 50 bpm.
  • Tokkeditok
    Tokkeditok Posts: 7
    I can only tell you my experiences, but I think one can be not hungry and thin. I was anorexic for a very long time but have finally recovered (after 3 years of therapy, I think I'm able to say "recovered" and mean it :) ) I am still very thin with a BMI of 18. I am eating what I like, when I like. And if I want some more, I eat it as well! I just love healthy eating so I'm not the chocolate binger anymore. When I am hungry, I eat some carbs (like fruit or a slice of bread with cheese), and a handful of nuts. The fat in the nuts make you full for a long time, until it's time to have a larger meal. I'm not hungry at any time of the day and still am thin.
    And I also have some days, like every two weeks or something like that, when I literally binge and eat a lot, even unhealthy foods. I try to eat normal the next day - and I never gain weight with that, and if, only slightly.
  • estitom
    estitom Posts: 205 Member
    It depends on what your body wants and needs. And how you define 'thin'.
  • MelissaGraham7
    MelissaGraham7 Posts: 406 Member
    For me, the trick is really learning what HUNGRY is. Eating for me was mostly habit rather than hunger. Emotional eating, time of day eating, etc. Seldom am I really HUNGRY. I have to really work on that...not eating just because I am accustomed to eating when I'm through work, snacks, etc. I have found myself eating when I'm still full but for some reason thinking I'm hungry. I am sure the answer is YES, you can be thin without being hungry. You can be fat without being hungry. You need to train your brain to understand and respond to actual hunger cues not emotional, habitual, and eating out of boredom, etc.
  • starcollapsing
    starcollapsing Posts: 57 Member
    don't know if you can be... I've had an ed for a long time and though I'm not underweight at the moment I am a way below *my* healthy weight (and don't get my period) and I am really struggling because I am ALWAYS hungry.

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