Way below calorie Req, but not hungry, what gives?

ynotcycle

I just don't understand it. Apparently I am eating way below my calorie requirements. I just don't feel hungry. I eat 2-3 times a day.

I read about the starvation mode thing and all but wouldnt my body indicate it is hungry and in need of food if that were the case? When I do get a little hunger thing I just eat an orange or something and I'm good until the next meal.

Anyone else experiencing this? Am I doing it all wrong? I just can't stand the idea of eating when i'm not hungry.

athenasurrenders

If it was just once in a while it wouldn't matter, but looking at your diary you are way under a lot of the time.

If it suits you to only eat twice a day, that's absolutely fine. You could easily add extra calories to those meals. An ounce of cheese is over 100 cals and won't add too much bulk to your meals. Or a tablespoon of olive oil.

Sarauk2sf

Your 'hunger' signal hormones ghrelin and leptin are probably out of whack. After a while of eating at a deficit they can go awry. The bigger and longer the deficit, the more out of whack they can get.

tyresank

I had the same issue at one time, but not now. I think you need to up your calories, you are eating less that I am in most cases, and Men need more calories typically. For a while I just ate because I knew I needed to fuel my body for my 60 min workouts, but now I do get hungry and things are no longer outta whack! I am down 90 lbs in 60 weeks by eating 5 times a day, but if you prefer to eat only 2-3 that should work too! Good luck.

chanellenoble

From looking at your food diary I can see that you skip breakfast some days. This can stop your body from feeling hungry through out the day as it hasn't had that initial kick to get started. Also try eating more frequently through out the day. This will boost your metabolism, meaning you will burn through the food you've eaten faster (as well as fat) and feel hungry when it is time for your next meal.

XXXMinnieXXX

Does seem too low looking at your diary. I'd add in 2 x 1 oz of nuts per day ad snacks. Extra 250-300 cals without being too filling!

JesterMFP

I just don't understand it. Apparently I am eating way below my calorie requirements. I just don't feel hungry. I eat 2-3 times a day.

I read about the starvation mode thing and all but wouldnt my body indicate it is hungry and in need of food if that were the case? When I do get a little hunger thing I just eat an orange or something and I'm good until the next meal.

No, unfortunately it doesn't happen like that. It's very common for people who are under-eating to stop feeling hungry. The good news, if you can raise your calories again, your appetite should return.

You don't have to force large quantities of food into yourself to get there. While you're still not hungry, focus on more calorie-dense foods like nuts, seeds, nut butters, cheese, avocados, dark chocolate, eggs, full-fat dairy products etc. Add healthy oils to your salads, or in cooking. Drink protein shakes, smoothies, milk etc. Anything high in fat will get you there, but also slightly increase your portions of meat and carbs.

It doesn't really matter how many times a day you eat, but perhaps eating a bit more often would help you to get more food in without feeling too full.

tommygirl15

Are you going through any stress these days? This can suppress your appetite (though, in some cases it makes people want to eat more).

wswilliams67

WOW brother, your sodium is WAY out of control! Most doctors/trainers recommend staying at 1500mg/day or less. That raman you ate was over 2000/mg alone! All that sodium = water retention.

But in regards to your OP... your metabolism is shutting down or has shut down already. Remember to think of your body as an engine... no fuel = stops working. You need to keep it stoked with 5-6 small meals throughout the day. I noticed you seem to have the same eating pattern I did. My doctor called it the "corporate binge". No breakfast, fast small lunch, then gorge on dinner right before going to bed. Bad mojo man... bad mojo. When your metabolism shuts down... you will not feel hungry. It's how our bodies cope with what it thinks is 'starvation mode'.

TIPS:

• EAT MORE FREQUENTLY! You should have 5-6 small "grazing" meals throughout the day. More if you exercise heavily.
• Eat within 1 hour of waking up. No excuses. This starts the engine for the day.
• Try eating clean for two weeks. You'd be surprised how much better you'll feel.
• Avoid processed lunch meats and restaurant foods. The sodium is insane.
• Drink more water. For your weight you should be drinking 14 glasses/day. ((weight / 2) / 8) = cups of water per day (8 cups minimum)
• Eat back your exercise calories.

Once your metabolism wakes up again you will start having hunger pangs again, but if you eat regularly, you should only have then when you wake up in the morning.

Hope this helps.

ynotcycle

@sarauk2sf That totally makes sense as a week or two ago I was feeling hunger, Then I started this routine i am on now.

@jester, I love that avatar about creating yourself.Isn't that the truth. I will shop today and get the foods you suggested.

@tommygirl15 Not much more than usual but I have been feeling kinda lonely lately, I guess that could be considered stress, who am i kidding.. it is stressful. Fortunately stress doesnt make me want to eat.

@wswilliams67 I took your advice and started the day with a banana and a turkey sammich with garden salad on it. Is that enough calories to get the engine running for the day? I will stick to this eating breakfast and small frequent meals as has been suggested and see if I can ramp up my metabolism. I hear ya on the sodium! I didn't buy any ramen this last shopping trip, probably wont buy it anymore as i've noticed a monstrous difference in how i feel if i eat healthy and how i feel after eating ramen. I think I am done with quick junk like that.



So, assuming my metabolism is slow, or shut down, how long does it take to get it back on track? days,weeks?

And one other thing, I like fresh cooked stuff like turnip greens etc, but it's energy intensive to cook them and takes time. I notice in the frozen food section there are ready to go stuff like spinach, greens etc. Are they as good or close to fresh cooked nutrition wise?

Thank you everyone for your help!

Sarauk2sf

WOW brother, your sodium is WAY out of control! Most doctors/trainers recommend staying at 1500mg/day or less. That raman you ate was over 2000/mg alone! All that sodium = water retention.

But in regards to your OP... your metabolism is shutting down or has shut down already. Remember to think of your body as an engine... no fuel = stops working. You need to keep it stoked with 5-6 small meals throughout the day. I noticed you seem to have the same eating pattern I did. My doctor called it the "corporate binge". No breakfast, fast small lunch, then gorge on dinner right before going to bed. Bad mojo man... bad mojo. When your metabolism shuts down... you will not feel hungry. It's how our bodies cope with what it thinks is 'starvation mode'.

TIPS:

• EAT MORE FREQUENTLY! You should have 5-6 small "grazing" meals throughout the day. More if you exercise heavily.
• Eat within 1 hour of waking up. No excuses. This starts the engine for the day.
• Try eating clean for two weeks. You'd be surprised how much better you'll feel.
• Avoid processed lunch meats and restaurant foods. The sodium is insane.
• Drink more water. For your weight you should be drinking 14 glasses/day. ((weight / 2) / 8) = cups of water per day (8 cups minimum)
• Eat back your exercise calories.

Once your metabolism wakes up again you will start having hunger pangs again, but if you eat regularly, you should only have then when you wake up in the morning.

Hope this helps.

How is his metabolism shutting down? - he has only been on a calorie deficit for a few weeks. And your metabolism does not shut down until you are dead and really has nothing to do with hunger signals. The context you are using starvation mode in is totally wrong. Your metabolism isn't even impacted for 72 hours. There is nothing rev up, kick start or stoke.

There is no reason to eat multiple times a day unless that helps with energy or with adherence. There is no engine to start and eating early has no impact on your metabolism versus eating later, calories and macros being constant. It may be beneficial to the OP to get enough food in but it has nothing to do with your metabolism.

Regarding drinking water - there is no science behind your suggestion. You only need to pay attention to thirst and to pee color.

mmapags

WOW brother, your sodium is WAY out of control! Most doctors/trainers recommend staying at 1500mg/day or less. That raman you ate was over 2000/mg alone! All that sodium = water retention.

But in regards to your OP... your metabolism is shutting down or has shut down already. Remember to think of your body as an engine... no fuel = stops working. You need to keep it stoked with 5-6 small meals throughout the day. I noticed you seem to have the same eating pattern I did. My doctor called it the "corporate binge". No breakfast, fast small lunch, then gorge on dinner right before going to bed. Bad mojo man... bad mojo. When your metabolism shuts down... you will not feel hungry. It's how our bodies cope with what it thinks is 'starvation mode'.

TIPS:

• EAT MORE FREQUENTLY! You should have 5-6 small "grazing" meals throughout the day. More if you exercise heavily.
• Eat within 1 hour of waking up. No excuses. This starts the engine for the day.
• Try eating clean for two weeks. You'd be surprised how much better you'll feel.
• Avoid processed lunch meats and restaurant foods. The sodium is insane.
• Drink more water. For your weight you should be drinking 14 glasses/day. ((weight / 2) / 8) = cups of water per day (8 cups minimum)
• Eat back your exercise calories.

Once your metabolism wakes up again you will start having hunger pangs again, but if you eat regularly, you should only have then when you wake up in the morning.

Hope this helps.

How is his metabolism shutting down? - he has only been on a calorie deficit for a few weeks. And your metabolism does not shut down until you are dead and really has nothing to do with hunger signals. The context you are using starvation mode in is totally wrong. Your metabolism isn't even impacted for 72 hours. There is nothing rev up, kick start or stoke.

There is no reason to eat multiple times a day unless that helps with energy or with adherence. There is no engine to start and eating early has no impact on your metabolism versus eating later, calories and macros being constant. It may be beneficial to the OP to get enough food in but it has nothing to do with your metabolism.

Regarding drinking water - there is no science behind your suggestion. You only need to pay attention to thirst and to pee color.

What Sara has said is correct. Other than the bit about sodium, the balance of that post is total myth. It may have helped that poster with compliance but there is no metabolic advantage to meal frequency or timing whatsoever. You haven't been eating in a deficit long enough for adaptive thermogenesis to be a factor at all. Your metabolism is working just fine and there is no need to wake it up or bring it back from the dead! lol

Edited to add: Are you not completely logging your intake? There are some days that your intake is very low. If you are logging it all, you should set a reasonable goal of, say, 1 lb per week and then eat to that target. Undereating substantially over the long terms can have adverse effects.

Sarauk2sf

So, assuming my metabolism is slow, or shut down, how long does it take to get it back on track? days,weeks?

You are fine, your metabolism is fine - just eat to a reasonable calorie deficit going forward. Eat more regularly/more calorie dense foods if that helps.

tobnrn

WOW brother, your sodium is WAY out of control! Most doctors/trainers recommend staying at 1500mg/day or less. That raman you ate was over 2000/mg alone! All that sodium = water retention.

But in regards to your OP... your metabolism is shutting down or has shut down already. Remember to think of your body as an engine... no fuel = stops working. You need to keep it stoked with 5-6 small meals throughout the day. I noticed you seem to have the same eating pattern I did. My doctor called it the "corporate binge". No breakfast, fast small lunch, then gorge on dinner right before going to bed. Bad mojo man... bad mojo. When your metabolism shuts down... you will not feel hungry. It's how our bodies cope with what it thinks is 'starvation mode'.

TIPS:

• EAT MORE FREQUENTLY! You should have 5-6 small "grazing" meals throughout the day. More if you exercise heavily.
• Eat within 1 hour of waking up. No excuses. This starts the engine for the day.
• Try eating clean for two weeks. You'd be surprised how much better you'll feel.
• Avoid processed lunch meats and restaurant foods. The sodium is insane.
• Drink more water. For your weight you should be drinking 14 glasses/day. ((weight / 2) / 8) = cups of water per day (8 cups minimum)
• Eat back your exercise calories.

Once your metabolism wakes up again you will start having hunger pangs again, but if you eat regularly, you should only have then when you wake up in the morning.

Hope this helps.

Say what. So much wrong information. Meal timing is irrelevant. His metabolism isn't broken after 2 weeks. 1500mg sodium restriction is given to kidney patients.

ynotcycle

I really appreciate the depth of knowledge here, I am sure glad I found this site/app. You guys rock!

I was wondering about the water thing as I am only ever thirsty midway through my rides and after. I don't like to feel like my gut is a water balloon ha. Pee is clear unless I eat a multi, then it's a little yellow. Sorry for the TMI lol

Does anyone know if Endomondo is accurate about cal burn? I've referenced my pace and intensity to calorie calulators on the net and they all seem to be a couple hundred under Endomondos assumption about cals burned. It is still a handy tool for automagically tracking my rides.

tobnrn

I really appreciate the depth of knowledge here, I am sure glad I found this site/app. You guys rock!

I was wondering about the water thing as I am only ever thirsty midway through my rides and after. I don't like to feel like my gut is a water balloon ha. Pee is clear unless I eat a multi, then it's a little yellow. Sorry for the TMI lol

Does anyone know if Endomondo is accurate about cal burn? I've referenced my pace and intensity to calorie calulators on the net and they all seem to be a couple hundred under Endomondos assumption about cals burned. It is still a handy tool for automagically tracking my rides.

Endomondo is pretty close with my running & hiking. Its off on my mountain trail runs.

As far as hydration as long as your urine is a very light yellow you are fine. You don't want it colorless or dark.

tigersword

Take Sara's advice, she hit it perfectly. Meal timing and frequency is an old myth, total calories are the only thing that impacts your metabolism, not how often you eat. Basically what happens, you eat too few calories, your body suppresses ghrelin (the hormone that tells you you're hungry,) and leptin (the hormone that tells you you're full) rises. When this happens, you stop feeling hungry. Just boost your calories in whatever way you want (more meals, bigger meals, however) and your hormones should reset in a couple weeks. Until then, get used to eating when not hungry. Eating too few calories is just as dangerous as eating too many.

mmapags

I've found Endomondo to be decently accurate on runs and walks but way off on biking.

likemeinvisible

I really appreciate the depth of knowledge here, I am sure glad I found this site/app. You guys rock!

I was wondering about the water thing as I am only ever thirsty midway through my rides and after. I don't like to feel like my gut is a water balloon ha. Pee is clear unless I eat a multi, then it's a little yellow. Sorry for the TMI lol

Does anyone know if Endomondo is accurate about cal burn? I've referenced my pace and intensity to calorie calulators on the net and they all seem to be a couple hundred under Endomondos assumption about cals burned. It is still a handy tool for automagically tracking my rides.

Get an HRM, it's hard to tell the amount of effort you are putting when cycling as it relies mostly on wind direction and slope. Drink BEFORE you are thirsty, when you're thirsty it's too late. If your pee is clear you're doing well. I remember feeling the weight of my bottles after an hour of ride, I would carry 2 full bottles but wouldn't take a sip
As to your original question, I looked at your diary and you are eating enough. I wouldn't worry until you reach 6% BF.

chanellenoble

How is his metabolism shutting down? - he has only been on a calorie deficit for a few weeks. And your metabolism does not shut down until you are dead and really has nothing to do with hunger signals. The context you are using starvation mode in is totally wrong. Your metabolism isn't even impacted for 72 hours. There is nothing rev up, kick start or stoke.

There is no reason to eat multiple times a day unless that helps with energy or with adherence. There is no engine to start and eating early has no impact on your metabolism versus eating later, calories and macros being constant. It may be beneficial to the OP to get enough food in but it has nothing to do with your metabolism.

Regarding drinking water - there is no science behind your suggestion. You only need to pay attention to thirst and to pee color.
[/quote]

Whether there is no science behind it or not, it worked for me and it would be worth a try for any one who isn't feeling hungry through out the day. I got the advice to eat as soon as I wake up from my dietitian. I never used to feel hungry in the mornings, and only ever ate at dinner, but ever since I started eating breakfast, I have felt hungry through out the day, have had more energy and have lost weight.

CarmenLynn75

I've had this happen too.. I'll be at like 798 cals for the day.. but it's because I've eaten ALOT of food- just healthy, fibre/protein filled foods. I usually make up my day plan of meals in the morning, and I don't always subtract what I dont eat, but yea.. I hear ya. I allow myself a big glass of 1%milk or a glass of cranberry cocktail on those days

aproc

If your constantly eating under then you need to increase the calories at the meals you do eat. If you can only eat 2 or 3 times, then find ways of making some high calories meals. Not getting enough calories will do more harm than good if your way under.

Sarauk2sf

How is his metabolism shutting down? - he has only been on a calorie deficit for a few weeks. And your metabolism does not shut down until you are dead and really has nothing to do with hunger signals. The context you are using starvation mode in is totally wrong. Your metabolism isn't even impacted for 72 hours. There is nothing rev up, kick start or stoke.

There is no reason to eat multiple times a day unless that helps with energy or with adherence. There is no engine to start and eating early has no impact on your metabolism versus eating later, calories and macros being constant. It may be beneficial to the OP to get enough food in but it has nothing to do with your metabolism.

Regarding drinking water - there is no science behind your suggestion. You only need to pay attention to thirst and to pee color.

Whether there is no science behind it or not, it worked for me and it would be worth a try for any one who isn't feeling hungry through out the day. I got the advice to eat as soon as I wake up from my dietitian. I never used to feel hungry in the mornings, and only ever ate at dinner, but ever since I started eating breakfast, I have felt hungry through out the day, have had more energy and have lost weight.

It may have worked for you and I did not say that it may not work for the OP to be able to eat more and said it may be beneficial. Also, I also get hungry if I eat breakfast, which is why I do not do it. I just pointed out the things that are incorrect from a physiological perspective.

Edited to fix quotes

Sarauk2sf

As to your original question, I looked at your diary and you are eating enough. I wouldn't worry until you reach 6% BF.

Ignore this advice

trixietime

Hi, Just looked at your Diary, too. You probably need to up the calories, to get back on track with hunger. You never want to skip meals, especially breakfast. A male friend of mine was doing an app like this and accidentally put himself in a a woman (lol) and his calories were ridiculously low -- he didn't really lose much. Once he fixed that mistake and started eating for the correct goal (500 more calories,) he started losing 2lbs a week steadily and felt so much better physically.

If anything, you can add some cheese to a sandwich here or there, or add a side salad, or hard boiled egg, to get into the safe realm. Women aren't supposed to go under 1,200 calories daily, to be safe. And men are a bit higher than that. Going too low everyday could also be counter-productive and unsustainable in the long run. Looks like you got some great advice here already! You're doing a great job so far, just be sure to have breakfast (my favorite meal.)

NCchar130

I just don't understand it. Apparently I am eating way below my calorie requirements. I just don't feel hungry. I eat 2-3 times a day.

I read about the starvation mode thing and all but wouldnt my body indicate it is hungry and in need of food if that were the case? When I do get a little hunger thing I just eat an orange or something and I'm good until the next meal.

Anyone else experiencing this? Am I doing it all wrong? I just can't stand the idea of eating when i'm not hungry.

That happens to me sometimes. I might go 5-10 days where I'm coming in 200-300 calories under. Like you, I don't want to force feed myself if I'm not hungry. However, I always have hungry days, sometimes several in a row. And that's where I make up the difference :bigsmile: It's gotten so predictable at this point, that I've quit worrying about coming in under that often.

Interesting thing I've noticed since I starting weighing every day: My weight will stay right around the same number during the lower cal days and the day after I make up the difference is when I'll have the big drop in weight for the week.

Cranktastic

Hi, Just looked at your Diary, too. You probably need to up the calories, to get back on track with hunger. You never want to skip meals, especially breakfast. A male friend of mine was doing an app like this and accidentally put himself in a a woman (lol) and his calories were ridiculously low -- he didn't really lose much. Once he fixed that mistake and started eating for the correct goal (500 more calories,) he started losing 2lbs a week steadily and felt so much better physically.

If anything, you can add some cheese to a sandwich here or there, or add a side salad, or hard boiled egg, to get into the safe realm. Women aren't supposed to go under 1,200 calories daily, to be safe. And men are a bit higher than that. Going too low everyday could also be counter-productive and unsustainable in the long run. Looks like you got some great advice here already! You're doing a great job so far, just be sure to have breakfast (my favorite meal.)

i have coffee for breakfast...save my calories for a little later in the day...whatever works for you

robin52077

• EAT MORE FREQUENTLY! You should have 5-6 small "grazing" meals throughout the day. More if you exercise heavily.
• Eat within 1 hour of waking up. No excuses. This starts the engine for the day.

LOL....no....

Also,
metabolisms don't need to be "kick started", "jump started", or any other Dr. Oz style buzzword of the week. They don't "stop". If they did, you would be dead.

Total calorie intake over a 24 hour period is all that matters.

No need to eat when you wake up, no need to stop a certain amount of time before bed, it's all irrelevant.

Stop perpetuating the nonsense.

vanguardfitness

I would see an endocrinologist as well