Exercise is making me fat!

maysflower · January 2013

Hi Everyone!

I need some help and advice. I was able to lose 75 pounds by tracking my food and exercising 3 to 4 times a week. I am down to my last 40 pounds, but something has changed.

Every time I exercise my appetite goes bonkers! I am hungry all the time...the stomach growling kind of hungry. If I go a few days without exercising my appetite goes back to normal, but then I'm back to the stomach growling hunger as soon as I start exercising again.

I'm not sure why this is happening now. I was fine before and now I am stuck. Not losing weight, frustrated at my body and myself. Does anyone know why this is happening and how I can overcome this problem?

Addition to original post:
Thanks for all of your comments, but I don't think I explained my problem correctly.

I am eating 1550 calories per day (without any exercise).

I do eat back all of the calories I burn when I do exercise.

I am trying to lose 1 pound per week.

I am doing 80% cardio and 20% weight lifting.

I understand that exercise does not make me fat, I used a poor choice of words there.

My exact problem is that even after eating my 1550 calories, plus any burn calories, I am still feeling very hungry. Which is making me overate, which is making me not lose weight.

Angmu7 · January 2013

What are you eating mostly? Working out your body will crave more food and needs more food depending. Eat more protine and fiber.

quirkytizzy · January 2013

I'm experiencing this as well. Your body simply needs more fuel to cover the extra physical activity. An Olympic mountain climber requires more food than someone who sits at a desk all day.

Same concept. Eat more, pay more attention to your macros, and you will feel A LOT better. There is also a general consensus that muscle burns calories more effectively, so hunger levels will rise appropriately.

EmilyOfTheSun · January 2013

If you're working out, then you SHOULD eat more! Fuel that body!

pastryari · January 2013

How many calories are you eating? Are you eating back your exercise calories?

Food is fuel. You're exercising so it makes sense that your body wants more food to re-fuel.

P.S. Exercise =/= make you fat. Eating at a surplus makes you fat.

lacurandera1 · January 2013

How big of a deficit are you eating? The leaner you get, the more poorly your body tolerates a large deficit. I.e. if you're eating 1200 (or even 1500) calories a day, this may not be enough to fuel your workouts.

My guess...you're hungry bc you need to eat more.

miracole · January 2013

I second what everyone else has said here. Listen to your body, if you're constantly hungry you're not eating enough. You can likely up your calories quite a bit and still lose weight (for example, I eat an average of 2200 calories a day and burn an average of 700)

meshashesha2012 · January 2013

what type of exercise are you doing.. moderate steady pace workouts tend to increase hunger

also is it possible that you aren't eating enough to begin with

maysflower · January 2013

Thanks for all of your comments, but I don't think I explained my problem correctly.

I am eating 1550 calories per day (without any exercise).

I do eat back all of the calories I burn when I do exercise.

I am trying to lose 1 pound per week.

I am doing 80% cardio and 20% weight lifting.

I understand that exercise does not make me fat, I used a poor choice of words there.

My exact problem is that even after eating my 1550 calories, plus any burn calories, I am still feeling very hungry. Which is making me overate, which is making me not lose weight.

mizzie1980 · January 2013

Have you tried decreasing the cardio and increasing the weight lifting? You won't burn as many calories, but you will keep your lean muscle mass and tone. I don't know if that would help with being hungry or not, but it's worth a try and it would be good for your body.

Rubyayn · January 2013

Thanks for all of your comments, but I don't think I explained my problem correctly.

I am eating 1550 calories per day (without any exercise).

I do eat back all of the calories I burn when I do exercise.

I am trying to lose 1 pound per week.

I am doing 80% cardio and 20% weight lifting.

I understand that exercise does not make me fat, I used a poor choice of words there.

My exact problem is that even after eating my 1550 calories, plus any burn calories, I am still feeling very hungry. Which is making me overate, which is making me not lose weight.

Maybe you could run all of your numbers on Scooby again to see if you are right on the calroies. Otherwise, maybe you could open your diary? Some foods are more filling than others and I am sure a lot of people here have good advice there if they could see what you are eating.

It sounds like you are doing everything right though. Could be a plateau. I was able to break through all of mine by a moderate calorie increase and a slight decrease in cardio. Good luck!

jonchew · January 2013

Thanks for all of your comments, but I don't think I explained my problem correctly.

I am eating 1550 calories per day (without any exercise).

I do eat back all of the calories I burn when I do exercise.

I am trying to lose 1 pound per week.

I am doing 80% cardio and 20% weight lifting.

I understand that exercise does not make me fat, I used a poor choice of words there.

My exact problem is that even after eating my 1550 calories, plus any burn calories, I am still feeling very hungry. Which is making me overate, which is making me not lose weight.

I'm in the same boat, I've been at or slightly above my current weight for several months now- FRUSTRATING! I've noticed that I'm hungrier now also, especially at night.

I know that when I first started on this journey, I was hungry... but I was able to acclimate, I'm wondering if the same holds true for us again? Perhaps if we stick to the plan, the hunger pangs will go-away, but we have to grin-&-bear it for the time being?

I'm definitely going to watch this thread!

jessicawrites · January 2013

It may come down to what you're eating. Depending on how hard you work out, your body may need different things. I'm not a nutritionist, and I don't presume to be an expert by any means, but take a peek at your fiber, protein, whole grains/produce vs. processed foods, etc. I stay fuller on eggs, low-fat dairy, and fruit than on the days I have cake.

ClarityPeace · January 2013

Never mind how many calories in the foods you're eating. Eat big bulky foods. Big bulky foods like raw broccoli, cauliflower etc always help fill me up. Eat processed foods and forever hungry.

meshashesha2012 · January 2013

your diary is closed, so what types of food are you eating?

1500 calories filled with good quality protein and fats will keep you feeling much fuller than 1500 calories of granola bars, meal replacement bars, etc.

i have a huge appetite but i'm rarely hungry because i eat lots of eggs, chicken thighs, ground turkey breast, etc

MzMiller1215 · January 2013

I have learned that what I eat makes a huge difference in my appetite. Also, you may be thirsty and need to drink more water. Lastly, have you considered doing less cardio and more weights?

jonchew · January 2013

Maybe you could run all of your numbers on Scooby again to see if you are right on the calroies

I've never heard of Scooby, so I Googled it... WOW, this is very nice, thanks - rubyann125!!

mamasmaltz3 · January 2013

I would also say what you are eating could be the reason. I have upped my protein over the last several months and I stay much more satisfied longer. I love Greek yogurt, protein shakes, peanut butter etc... I also find that mixing the protein with some healthy fats is very satisfying.

baldzach · January 2013

I echo what all the others have said about the types of foods you're eating being a major culprit (possibly)... however, how much water are you drinking? I find that often times (not always, but maybe half the time) a big glass of water or even a (*gasp!*) diet soda will take the edge off of hunger pains and allow me an extra hour or so before I get hungry again.

Exercise is making me fat!

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