Over junk food.. now I have a new problem!

zlottery
zlottery Posts: 25
in Food and Nutrition
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Hi guys,

So I've been losing weight about four months now and I've lost close to 30 lbs. I've cleaned up my diet A LOT I don't really crave any junk foods anymore, really. I eat tons of fruit, veggies everyday and get virtually all my protein from lean meats/fish, greek yogurt, and eggs. My problem now is staying below my calorie limit. I used to obsess about not going over 1200 and I would not distribute my calories well so I would be hungry for most the day and end up binging badly. Now, I've upped my calorie intake by 200-300, and I end up going over at least half the week but it's ALWAYS on healthy foods. Fruit, especially, is an issue for me. I've began working out more, and harder and I'm very happy with my progress even though it has slowed recently, but I don't know how to control binges. It always starts out with me feeling not-too-guilty because it's on good food, but I end up going overboard and feel ten times worse.

What do you do?

Replies

  • ahamm002
    ahamm002 Posts: 1,690 Member
    If you've bee working out more, then it's not surprising that you're getting hungry. Perhaps it's time to recalculate your BMR, activity, and exercise calories burned to see if you're aiming for too low a goal.

    If you're not aiming for too low a caloric intake, then it's time to reassess why you can't stay within your goals. Are you getting enough protein? Are you eating too many calories early in the day? In general I wouldn't worry too much about your fruit intake, but make sure you're only eating solid fruit and not drinking any calories. And is there a certain type of fruit you really abuse like say bananas?

    I've had the most luck with keeping my calories for breakfast and lunch fairly low, sticking to mainly lowish carb / paleo (excluding peri-workout nutrition) for those meals. Then I eat most of my calories and carbs at night. It just makes it super easy b/c during the day I'm usually busy anyway. But night time is when the food cravings can get the better of me, so by saving up most of my calories for the evening / night, it's just so much easier not to go over.
  • Phaedra2014
    Phaedra2014 Posts: 1,254 Member
    Congratulations on cleaning up your eating and working out :)

    I eat a big breakfast and a big lunch. I don't like the feeling of getting close to 5:00pm and feeling famished. I eat a fruit before dinner with some almonds and my dinner is generally the lightest meal of the day. I eat a big bowl (or two) of mixed salad or chunky vegetable soup or fish with vegetables etc.

    Try changing up how much you eat at breakfast and lunch and see if it can help you with not getting to the end of the day feeling so hungry.
  • anifani4
    anifani4 Posts: 457 Member
    Looked at your diary for the past week. You went over only one day. Take the average and you'll see you are just fine overall.

    Keep working towards a better balance. If you want it, you can do it. Congrats on your "pounds lost" so far and even more so for changing to a healthier food plan.
  • awesomek001
    awesomek001 Posts: 167 Member

    Keep working towards a better balance. If you want it, you can do it. Congrats on your "pounds lost" so far and even more so for changing to a healthier food plan.

    Congrats from me too (from another big looser - 70 lbs and counting). I didn't peek at your diary but I'd say bump your protein intake, especially earlier in the day. It will help you feel full longer, so you won't get those cravings later in the day when you are reaching for the fruit.
    Good luck on the small tweak! Those are the ones which will make the difference now.
  • heathercicle
    heathercicle Posts: 91 Member
    If you've bee working out more, then it's not surprising that you're getting hungry. Perhaps it's time to recalculate your BMR, activity, and exercise calories burned to see if you're aiming for too low a goal.

    If you're not aiming for too low a caloric intake, then it's time to reassess why you can't stay within your goals. Are you getting enough protein? Are you eating too many calories early in the day? In general I wouldn't worry too much about your fruit intake, but make sure you're only eating solid fruit and not drinking any calories. And is there a certain type of fruit you really abuse like say bananas?

    I've had the most luck with keeping my calories for breakfast and lunch fairly low, sticking to mainly lowish carb / paleo (excluding peri-workout nutrition) for those meals. Then I eat most of my calories and carbs at night. It just makes it super easy b/c during the day I'm usually busy anyway. But night time is when the food cravings can get the better of me, so by saving up most of my calories for the evening / night, it's just so much easier not to go over.

    This says everything I wanted to say, only better! :)

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