How does one learn to be OK with being hungry?

Erienneb

I don't think you guys are getting it. It's not just when I'm dieting (although it is much worse then). I am always hungry. For example,I could eat two double-cheeseburgers with fries and still be hungry. The only reason I stop eating is because I think I'm supposed to. I'm always hungry. I mean ALWAYS. Have any of you ever actually been obese?

I'm considered "morbidly obese" I got up to 307lbs. I'm on a 1000 calorie a day deficit and I don't have hunger pains. I eat when I'm hungry, I just eat less. Then I'm not hungry anymore. Maybe the first day or two it sucked but I'm eating better things now and I don't get hungry as often as when I was weating 3x the calorie amount worth of fast food. It's all in what you choose to eat, and telling yourself it's ok rather than keeping the negative self-talk.

DesireeLovesOrganic

I don't feel hungry either. Lots of fruits and veggies = lots of fiber which keeps you feeling full. How about oatmeal for breakfast (not the little packet nothings, like real oatmeal with 6-7 protein and lots of fiber? I put fruit (fresh, not dried) and walnuts in it, keeps me feeling full for hours...

I do hot tea at night when I watch TV. Not because I am hungry but that is when I get the most temptation to snack on something...

3dogsrunning

I agree with PPs.
Just to add -
One of the things I have found helpful is 6 smaller meals. Eating every 3-4 hours keeps me from getting that starving feeling. Doesn't work for everyone, but I find it helpful.
You also have to look at what you are eating. Some things keep us feeling fuller longer. Meals/snacks with fiber, protein and fats will keep you feeling full longer.

3dogsrunning

I don't think you guys are getting it. It's not just when I'm dieting (although it is much worse then). I am always hungry. For example,I could eat two double-cheeseburgers with fries and still be hungry. The only reason I stop eating is because I think I'm supposed to. I'm always hungry. I mean ALWAYS. Have any of you ever actually been obese?

I am sorry but this wasn't clear in your OP so no, I didn't get it. I have not been Obese but plenty here have.
It sounds like this is something you should address with a medical professional.

withchaco

I don't think you guys are getting it. It's not just when I'm dieting (although it is much worse then). I am always hungry. For example,I could eat two double-cheeseburgers with fries and still be hungry. The only reason I stop eating is because I think I'm supposed to. I'm always hungry. I mean ALWAYS. Have any of you ever actually been obese?

I think your hunger might be more psychological than physiological, even if it is accompanied by hunger pangs. Over time you've trained your brain to think that you're always hungry even when your body does not need more food.

Maybe go strict on yourself for 2 weeks and see what happens? Be sure to eat enough protein (1g per lean body mass in pounds at least, can go higher if you're REALLY hungry) and fiber (at least 25g a day; again, go higher if you're hungry) as those are what keep you full.

And adopt a new hobby. Something that 1) does not involve food and 2) keeps you entertained and focused for a long time. My bro plays computer games to take his mind off food, and he could easily pull all nighters playing games!

3dogsrunning

Double post.

haroon_awan

Eating clean and healthy is the main thing. Compare:

Eating exactly 1800 calories of McDonalds
Eating exactly 1000 calories of McDonalds + 1000 calories of clean foods
Eating 2000-2500 calories of clean foods

Which one do you think will help you tone your body?

If you are hungry, eat more. But if you are having problems then you should go and see your doctor.

junebaby21

My husband said it best to me, "If you are trying to lose weight, you will always be a little hungry." It makes sense, but I had to hear it from someone I respected before I believed it. Plus, I had to get it in my mind that it is OK! I am not going to starve to death if I don't have snacks and huge meals.

Graceious1

If you are hungry eat. In order to make this journey a successful one you must also exercise. Instead of eating burgers eat something else that is more nutritious. Friend people on here who have been successful with their weight loss. I am sure you can find people who have been where you are now.

GuybrushThreepw00d

if you are hungry you are doing it wrong. Hungry, low energy, irritable.......your body is telling you something, time to reasses.

Couldn't have said it better myself

It's time to look at your diet and spot the empty calories (high calorie foods that don't fill you up). Eat more protein, drink more water.

californiagirl2012

Bottom line: To lose weight you have to burn more calories than you take in. But what no one has ever explained to me is how to go about your day while being hungry. I know people say you have to drink water or snack on veggies. And I'm sorry, but those things do not take care of the hunger pains. So to lose weight we have to take it as given that we're going to feel hungry all the time and I just don't know how to deal with that. Suggestions?

Unfortunately it is part of the process. Some people can handle it better than others. Some people can handle a deeper calorie deficit than others.

When I was losing my 60 lbs I went to bed hungry a lot. My husband remembers, I would sometimes cry (I'm a girl!) myself to sleep and I'd always wake up fine. And I was losing SLOW. It took me two years to lose 60 lbs. It's not like I was doing anything crazy. But I seemed to finally build up a tolerance for it and I was riding the victories at the end and it kept me going and I was even able to handle a deeper calorie deficit for the last 17 lbs. I learned that the feeling of hunger will not kill you and you will not go into starvation mode if you are fat. The only people who have to worry about starvation mode are skinny people.

If you have emotional eating issues than you are not going to be able to handle such a deep deficit and if you eat too low it will backfire. A better strategy is to eat at a shallower deficit, and sometimes give yourself a break from the deficit and eat at maintenance. This is not going backwards, but eating to low and then binging because you can't sustain it is going backwards. It's better to stay forwards even if it is slower. The tortoise wins this race in the end.

I drank a ton of water and herbal teas. Constantly. And I ate satisfying foods that fueled my body for good strong workouts day in and day out. But I did have to go to bed hungry most nights.

Having excess fat is like having a big mortgage payment. It's hard to pay off the debt. But life is nice once you are debt free, although it still takes dedication to stay at maintenance. I've stayed there for over a year now. And I lost the 60 lbs at age 50 when us older ladies have all the weird hormone issues and life seems against us. For me the bottom line was I had to learn that the feeling of hunger won't kill me. Our bodies are designed to handle it. It's only modern societies who have become wimpy about it with our over abundance of food and never having to feel it until we are forced to pay off our fat debt because of heath problems.

Once you are debt free it's amazing. A person who is debt free (no excess fat) can sit next to a person of the same height and gender who has the excess fat (debt) and eat more and not gain, because they are debt free.

Anything worthwhile is hard work. Day in and day out grind of calories and exercise is not exciting or glamorous. You just have to do it. Keep your eye on the prize. Just like going to school, working at a job, etc. It's the day to day grind that matters. The graduation is exciting and glamorous, nothing else in the process is.

DesireeLovesOrganic

I would cut sugar if you are feeling hungry and see if you still feel that way? If you have time, this is really interesting. It's long and science-y but it made a ton of sense to me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBnniua6-oM

Basically it was that fructose (without fiber, so not whole fruit but things like fruit juice, soda, high fructose corn syrup.....which is in so many processed things) doesn't signal your brain like other foods (or even glucose) does. It's worth a shot if you aren't getting the signal (feeling full) to stop eating.

zaph0d

Eating clean and healthy is the main thing. Compare:

Eating exactly 1800 calories of McDonalds
Eating exactly 1000 calories of McDonalds + 1000 calories of clean foods
Eating 2000-2500 calories of clean foods

Which one do you think will help you tone your body?

If you are hungry, eat more. But if you are having problems then you should go and see your doctor.

Not enough information here. You can 100% "clean foods" with poor macros and your body comp will suffer for it. It's not about clean vs unclean. It's about nutrients, macro and micro.

zaph0d

When I was losing my 60 lbs I went to bed hungry a lot. My husband remembers, I would sometimes cry (I'm a girl!) myself to sleep and I'd always wake up fine. And I was losing SLOW. It took me two years to lose 60 lbs. It's not like I was doing anything crazy. But I seemed to finally build up a tolerance for it and I was riding the victories at the end and it kept me going and I was even able to handle a deeper calorie deficit for the last 17 lbs. I learned that the feeling of hunger will not kill you and you will not go into starvation mode if you are fat. The only people who have to worry about starvation mode are skinny people.

If I recall, you have made some posts encouraging huge calorie deficit and low net calories . This is the result - going to bed hungry, and slow weight loss. This is why it's best to keep a moderate calorie deficit and find a good balance where you don't go to bed feeling hungry and deprived, and you don't stall your weight loss.

treebyriver

I have not been too hungry-- and drinking hot decaf tea helps-- but I remember what being overweight felt like and I never want to go there again. I also remind myself of what I am gaining instead of what I don't have. I make a very filling cauliflower lasagna that is delicious-- so I feel mostly great most of the time. <a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"><img border="0" src="http://tickers.myfitnesspal.com/ticker/show/2605/745/26050745.png&quot; /></a><p style="text-align:center;width:420px;"><small>Created by MyFitnessPal - <a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com">Free Weight Loss</a> Tools</small></p>

know_your_worth

I think our bodies have to learn that we are feeding it what it NEEDS as opposed to how we used to eat before. Whenever and as much as we wanted.

^agreed.

thebigoneiscomin

Hi I have found having a protien with your breakfast and lunch....staved off hunger and use the snacks for unlimited veggies....help me alot.

Akimajuktuq

No, it's a fallacy that you have to be hungry to lose weight. I have lost 23 pounds in the last 11 weeks. I have NOT been hungry; except when I really am hungry and then I eat something. However, I am also not eating a Standard American Diet.

And forget the weight loss, I have resolved a very long list of health problems by eating the way that I do.

djsaysyolo

Think about the glycemic index of the food that you eat. I changed my 7AM breakfast from one cup cereal, one cup milk and a banana to one egg fried in butter and a banana then added a 2PM snack of 1/4 cup nuts and my hunger pains are gone.

Restybaby2012

I don't think you guys are getting it. It's not just when I'm dieting (although it is much worse then). I am always hungry. For example,I could eat two double-cheeseburgers with fries and still be hungry. The only reason I stop eating is because I think I'm supposed to. I'm always hungry. I mean ALWAYS.


Have any of you ever actually been obese?

With all due respect.......seriously. Lemme ask ya something..
You DO realize what kind of forum this is? I mean.,,,really...,..like what it's main purpose is? Im serious.........really.

I gotta give it to ya........you may be dead serious but you have one helluva sense of humor with that last line!!!!

Now.....I am sorry that you're always hungry. I DO know that feeling and hate it....it's miserable to have to STOP something like this just because some part of you feels you "should". I havent been truly hungry since I started this journey July 16th. There are times I cant hit 1200 calories because Im full......or Ive convinced myself I am and wont eat anymore. I DO have a lot of weight to lose.

Space your meals....eat little bits of protein throughout the day....dont let others dictate what, when or how you eat (LOL like we're doing here huh) combine a protein with a good carb like a piece of fruit with a piece of cheese. Drink water.....lotsa water..carry a bottle of it everywhere including to bed. Easy on things labeled sugar free....it'll go right smack thru ya.....literally and wont help.

Mostly though...dont sweat the small stuff....dont overthink this and go all dramatic....just remember 3 words......

JUST
DONT
STOP

No matter how many times ya fall.......get back up...plant your feet..square your shoulders, head up, chin tucked, chest out.....NOW deep breath in thru the nose....out thru pursed lips.......and tell yourself "I GOT THIS **** HANDLED"!!!!

and remember exercise is important..