What to do when you're STARVING?

gabrielle_eliza
gabrielle_eliza Posts: 17
in Food and Nutrition
I understand it sounds like a stupid question. But yesterday was the first day I felt absolutely starved (just check my diary, ugh!) and I feel horrible about having indulged - not to mention it wasn't the healthiest food choice either. What do guys normally do to curb your appetite? Drink a lot of water, or munch on something?

Side note: I'm not looking for a "eat vegetables, they're low calorie" type of answer...all I really eat all day is salads with protein and I can't bear to eat any more!

Also if you do happen to look at my diary, it says every day or so I still have 800+ calories to eat, but the way I have it set up is so I don't eat exercise calories back.

Thanks :)
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Replies

  • Graelwyn75
    Graelwyn75 Posts: 4,404 Member
    Given you have many days where you have 700-1000 calories left over, and are only set to 1300 to begin, common sense would suggest that maybe you should eat if you are hungry ? It is counterproductive to be having such huge deficits and will most likely set you up for either a massive binge eventually, or a point where you will find yourself too weak to keep up such workouts.
    Your deficit is already built in, at 1300, you do not need to leave your exercise calories uneaten.
  • Maridinger
    Maridinger Posts: 74 Member
    The answer is simple, EAT! If your body is actually hungry then eat. Make it high in protein though. Try drinking a glass of water and if 10-20 min later you are still actually hungry, then eat something.
  • Dlacenere
    Dlacenere Posts: 198 Member
    I only looked at the last few days and you eat very low calorie (besides yesterday which still wasn't wasn't that high - just not the best nutritionally, but it happens) and you burn a lot of calories and you don't eat them back? My suggestion is to eat more and then you won't get so many cravings. Your body is asking for fuel, that's why you are starving. How did you come up with your calorie goal? A quick and easy method s your body weight x 12 to 13 to lose. As far curbing my appetite, usually sugarless gum does the trick.
  • 1223345
    1223345 Posts: 1,386 Member
    Have you tried hot tea? I have a variety of flavored teas just in case I get "mouth hungry".
  • ScottRy76
    ScottRy76 Posts: 31 Member
    I found just a simple 5 calorie piece of gum helps curb a appetite
  • Ready2Rock206
    Ready2Rock206 Posts: 9,487 Member
    You have 846 calories remaining today. Eat something. Your options are pretty wide open with that many calories. Screw the veggies you could have a cheeseburger - or you know something healthier that's not a veggie.
  • Minerva624
    Minerva624 Posts: 577 Member
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  • angiechimpanzee
    angiechimpanzee Posts: 536 Member
    Eat.
  • Achrya
    Achrya Posts: 16,913 Member
    I eat.
  • ang3li
    ang3li Posts: 69 Member
    I would just eat more.

    You can eat calorie dense foods such as nuts and medjool dates.

    I would switch to good carbs with your meals such as sweet potatoes and yams fill you up! They are dense and rich in vitamins and I find that i keep fuller for longer when I eat them.

    If your still hungry, increase your protein intake to around 200g and see how you feel.

    Good luck! x
  • gabrielle_eliza
    gabrielle_eliza Posts: 17
    I just posted this on another forum but here is why I am confused at what to do:

    I want to lose two pounds a week. That's a 7000 calories a week deficit.
    My BMR + daily exercise is about 2400.
    So, I only eat 1300-1400 a day to create this deficit.
    How will increasing how much I eat not hinder my weight loss?

    Also thanks to everyone for the replies! I definitely want to try quinoa and yams!


    7590118.png
    Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Free Calorie Counter
  • papillon71
    papillon71 Posts: 92 Member
    I agree, with so many calories still available your body could actually kick into a higher gear if you ate something and used some more of those up, doesn't have to be all of them, go for lean proteins or low GI foods that will help you feel full. But if you are really hungry and know it's not thirst or boredom and have those excess calories to use up listen to your body and eat something, even if it's just 300 cals of that leftover, it will help your metabolism too.
  • hungryhobbit1
    hungryhobbit1 Posts: 259 Member
    Fat is not the devil. I put real cream in my coffee and it does wonders for keeping my appetite in check. Also an ounce of really good cheese for a snack, every day that I have it in the house. (Which unfortunately I don't, this week.)
  • yaseyuku
    yaseyuku Posts: 871 Member
    Like everyone said, if you're that hungry, eat more.
  • RobynMWilson
    RobynMWilson Posts: 1,540 Member
    I don't ever get to that point that I'm STARVING, because I fuel my body properly and eat several meals and snacks each day. Healthy living isn't about restriction, it's about fueling your body with what it NEEDS. Start eating back some of those exercise cals and don't let yourself get to the point where you are STARVING! I've maintained my 70-lb weight loss for over 20 years, so I know what I'm talking about!
  • JenniTheVeggie
    JenniTheVeggie Posts: 2,474 Member
    Listen to your body and EAT...I eat when I'm hungry and don't when I'm not.
  • bumblebums
    bumblebums Posts: 2,181 Member
    You are spending a lot of time on cardio machines for someone who eats so little. You need to fuel those workouts to stay sane and to lose weight. Have a look at the useful sticky threads in the main forum--they will answer a lot of your questions.
  • Klem4
    Klem4 Posts: 399 Member
    Eat peanut butter. yum yum.
  • papillon71
    papillon71 Posts: 92 Member
    In answer to your question about losing 2lbs a week as a goal, are you reaching that with what you are currently doing (not sure how long you have been going) I have been on a 1200 cal a day limit since January 4th 2013, am just under 30lbs gone now and can't do much exercise due to chronic pain from a severe back injury. I have an app that has averaged out my weight loss at 1.4lbs a week which I am pretty happy with. I was originally aiming for 2lbs a week loss but as some weeks I would lose that but others not, it has balanced out as less. I guess my question is whether you are achieving that and if it's a realistic goal (not wanting to put you off) Maybe try upping your calories and see what happens say over a 2 week period. The weeks where I have eaten more than I normally do (I sometimes don't even use my 1200 a day as not hungry) I seem to actually lose more. Good luck with your weight loss!
  • drusilla126
    drusilla126 Posts: 478 Member
    Never had this problem with my caloric restraints although when one is starving I would suggest you simply eat. Problem solved.
  • melindasuefritz
    melindasuefritz Posts: 3,509 Member
    eat
    exercise
  • hfox9707
    hfox9707 Posts: 74 Member
    and avocados...my personal trainer told me if you want to lose fat, eat more, but eat the good stuff (real food). Not processed ones. If you exercise, you need to eat more.
  • hungryhobbit1
    hungryhobbit1 Posts: 259 Member
    Also, eat a bigger (or any) breakfast. At least 200 calories, including some protein. Whenever I don't eat breakfast or I just eat carbs for breakfast I feel hungry all day.
  • amandapye78
    amandapye78 Posts: 820 Member
    eat something, if you are at that much of a deficit you are not doing yourself any favors. If I have been 400 calories or more under for one day the next day if I am hungry I eat a little more that day
  • ILiftHeavyAcrylics
    ILiftHeavyAcrylics Posts: 27,732 Member
    I just posted this on another forum but here is why I am confused at what to do:

    I want to lose two pounds a week. That's a 7000 calories a week deficit.
    My BMR + daily exercise is about 2400.
    So, I only eat 1300-1400 a day to create this deficit.
    How will increasing how much I eat not hinder my weight loss?

    Also thanks to everyone for the replies! I definitely want to try quinoa and yams!


    7590118.png
    Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Free Calorie Counter

    Your deficit is already built in. You're effectively doubling it with what you're doing now, and that's not good for the long run. Your calorie goal is just that, your GOAL. You're meant to eat right up to it.
  • onwarddownward
    onwarddownward Posts: 1,683 Member
    I found just a simple 5 calorie piece of gum helps curb a appetite

    Me, too. Plus it makes me thirsty and I down about 24 oz of water easily.
  • SanteMulberry
    SanteMulberry Posts: 3,202 Member
    Given you have many days where you have 700-1000 calories left over, and are only set to 1300 to begin, common sense would suggest that maybe you should eat if you are hungry ? It is counterproductive to be having such huge deficits and will most likely set you up for either a massive binge eventually, or a point where you will find yourself too weak to keep up such workouts.
    Your deficit is already built in, at 1300, you do not need to leave your exercise calories uneaten.

    ^^^THIS^^^
  • Erikalynne18
    Erikalynne18 Posts: 558 Member
    I just posted this on another forum but here is why I am confused at what to do:

    I want to lose two pounds a week. That's a 7000 calories a week deficit.
    My BMR + daily exercise is about 2400.
    So, I only eat 1300-1400 a day to create this deficit.
    How will increasing how much I eat not hinder my weight loss?

    Also thanks to everyone for the replies! I definitely want to try quinoa and yams!

    Maybe you have underestimated just how many calories you burn during the day :)

    I started @ 1200 calories and then increased it in January up till just over 1700 NET calories... and I have still been loosing!! :D I am way more likely to be able to stick to 1700 calories than the 1200 calories. Yes it kind of worked, for the few months I did the 1200 thing but WOW was I hungry and I was much more likely to justify treat days (not meals, days lol). Now since I am netting 1700 I don't find I "need" treat days and instead I can enjoy those special occasions I go over :) Plus @ 1200 I was so hungry that I knew I couldn't keep it up. It was either up my calories, or slowly give up. But guess who's 5 lbs from my goal? THIS GIRL! :D

    Don't be afraid to eat!! :)
  • NightmareValo
    NightmareValo Posts: 7 Member
    I find that hot liquids make you feel full for quite some time. I was drinking about 4 cups (literally just 8oz each) of decaf green tea with my meals or inbetween and I was staying so full that I could barely stand to eat at my next meal time. I ended up having to restrict myself to only one cup of green tea a day so that I dont get so full. I also heard that green tea is some kind of appetite curber as well, but I just drink it cuz I like it, I switched to just drinking it at night a few hours after my last meal to relax me and help detox me a little while I sleep. It really works wonders for your skin and to help keep you full.
  • gabrielle_eliza
    gabrielle_eliza Posts: 17
    In answer to your question about losing 2lbs a week as a goal, are you reaching that with what you are currently doing (not sure how long you have been going) I have been on a 1200 cal a day limit since January 4th 2013, am just under 30lbs gone now and can't do much exercise due to chronic pain from a severe back injury. I have an app that has averaged out my weight loss at 1.4lbs a week which I am pretty happy with. I was originally aiming for 2lbs a week loss but as some weeks I would lose that but others not, it has balanced out as less. I guess my question is whether you are achieving that and if it's a realistic goal (not wanting to put you off) Maybe try upping your calories and see what happens say over a 2 week period. The weeks where I have eaten more than I normally do (I sometimes don't even use my 1200 a day as not hungry) I seem to actually lose more. Good luck with your weight loss!

    It has been working so far! I had my 1 month weigh-in on Sunday and it was like 8.2 pounds or something like that. I suppose my goal is not all that realistic, maybe? This was the first time I was ever REALLY hungry though, it's not a common thing!

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