Always SO hungry!!!

karalex9
karalex9 Posts: 2
in Health and Weight Loss
Does anyone else have the problem of always being hungry? I mean, like REALLLLLLY hungry? I feel like I've tried eating different foods to combat this; high protein/fat foods, high complex carbs, nothing seems to work. And then I reach for bad choices and feel guilty. I'm not gaining weight, but I'm not losing it either.

I exercise 3-5 times a week (swimming for 30-40 minutes each time), and it's on those days where the hunger is even worse. I'm finding it really hard to stay within my calorie bounds each day. I'm always a couple hundred over. I can't even take Vitamin B anymore because then the hunger is seriously out of control.

Any tips on how to deal with this struggle?

Replies

  • maryloub0312
    maryloub0312 Posts: 1
    drink lots of water. it will help you feel full.
  • nayla1984
    nayla1984 Posts: 17
    How many colories are you eating?
  • mzjessicaxo
    mzjessicaxo Posts: 330 Member
    Open your diary so we can see what you're eating :)
    Eat nuts, raw veggies, fruits and things that are low cal, you can eat soo much in a day if you choose the right things!
  • flyingwrite
    flyingwrite Posts: 264
    I'm always ravenous after a swim. My advice is to eat.
  • labellecanuck
    labellecanuck Posts: 105 Member
    Are you eating back your exercise calories? Also, I find green tea really helps to satiate hunger.
    If you're starving all the time, the weight may stick.
  • AlongCame_Molly
    AlongCame_Molly Posts: 2,835 Member
    I'll bet anyone a dollar OP is a 1200er...
  • concordancia
    concordancia Posts: 5,320 Member
    How many colories are you eating?

    This is a very important question when considering hunger.
  • JamesHalterman
    JamesHalterman Posts: 3
    Drink lots of water and drink a protein shake. I have been using Shakeology for almost a year now as a meal replacement and it is awesome!
  • toaster6
    toaster6 Posts: 703 Member
    It's normal to feel hungry after working out. Eat when you are truly hungry. As long as you keep a deficit, you'll lose weight.
  • anifani4
    anifani4 Posts: 457 Member
    More information is needed to give any specific advice. But .. in general, feeling so hungry all the time means that you ARE hungry. You either need more food or different food.

    I am always hungry after a swim too so I make sure a meal or snack containing all macros is coming up soon.
  • dallahd
    dallahd Posts: 1
    Are you following the food guide? generally if you dont get enough grains or veggies then you are famished... had the same issue the tried that even my craving for sugar is gone. Hope that helps :)
  • XXXMinnieXXX
    XXXMinnieXXX Posts: 3,459 Member
    Sounds like you possibly need to eat more for your activity levels if you've tried eating more protein, fats, complex carbs... What are your macros set at? I eat 100-120g of protein per day. Even at 80 I'm really hungry. Find I can keep my calories to 1400-1600 without being hungry if I get the protein in. If your not getting that much, might be worth adding a protein shake in around work out time. Get 20-30g of fiber per day and make sure you always get a minimum of 8 glasses of water in

    I do 35% carbs, (normally around 30% but some days it spikes up)
    35% fat
    30% protein.

    I usually eat 100-120 carbs per day. Much more than 120g and I find myself hungry, must be the spikes and drops of blood sugars. I used to be constantly hungry until I swapped to these macros, once I did it suddenly be ane much easier. I now feel this is something I can sustain long term.

    Home... Goals... Change goals... Custom...

    Hope that helps!

    Zara :-)
  • FindingMyself24
    FindingMyself24 Posts: 613 Member
    YES!! Sometimes i will feel like i havent eaten all day. Some days I am starving all day long no matter how much I eat or what I do. I just feel like I cannot get full. I will usually eat a piece of meat, drink lots and LOTS of water, or drink coffee to help fill me up. I may still be a little hungry after those but it does help some.
  • doubleduofa
    doubleduofa Posts: 284 Member
    I have this issue as well. Do you take any medications that can increase appetite? Antidepressants and Thyroid meds can do this.

    Also on days you exercise, you need to eat a bit more. I find that a protein shake helps if I drink it within a half hour to an hour after the workout. If I'm extra hungry, ill add some fat to it - like coconut oil or a handful of almonds. I also make sure to have enough fat during the day - nuts, avocados, cheese can all help satiate hunger especially when eaten with fiber.
  • chriscolh
    chriscolh Posts: 127 Member
    I hear ya! The hardest part of controlling my eating is always the first few weeks for me. (yes, I know I have a problem - I just love to munch all day long.) A few things that help me...

    Get rid of the "bad food choices." This is hard for me, because I don't buy the cookies, brownies, and goodies - I make them. And it's hard to get rid of flour and eggs and milk... But if I can stop myself from making them in the first place, I won't eat them.

    Plan out when you can eat. Knowing that I get to eat something in just another hour sometimes helps me hold off until then, instead of munching all day.

    Stock your fridge and pantry with low cal choices. For me, my go to things right now are crystal light "to-go" packets, popcorn, fiber one brownies (they taste good enough to satisfy my sweet tooth, but not so good that I can't stop myself from eating just one), cheese sticks, lots of raw broccoli with low-cal ranch dip, and celery with peanut butter.

    Bottom line is that you've got to control your eating... SO HARD for people like me who just haven't for a long time. But I've found that if I can control my eating for just two weeks, my "out of control hunger" starts to get in control and it really does get easier. Good luck!
  • lizzyxo
    lizzyxo Posts: 24 Member
    I used to have this EXACT problem until I started drinking protein shakes! It was so frustrating!
    Usually 2 times a day I wake up and have breakfast with a protein shake, and then after I work out I drink one.
    I use "light vanilla silk soy milk" and "designer whey protein" the chocolate is my favorite and I get it from Target. It is about 170 calories for 22 grams of protein and it tastes delicious and gives me energy.
    I highly recommend it! it has helped me sooooooooooo much with weight loss, energy before and after workouts, and feeling full for longer.
  • minizebu
    minizebu Posts: 2,716 Member
    I can't see your diary, but perhaps you are not getting enough protein? I find that getting about 25-30g of protein at my first meal of the day and another 25-30g of protein at my second meal of the day makes a big difference in my hunger levels for the remainder of the day. Protein is more satiating than carbohydrate.
  • Deanna_garnermommy
    Deanna_garnermommy Posts: 118 Member
    Try drinking green tea and make sure you eat before and after you work out.. more protein is my advice.. if after a week or so that does not work, I would look into supplements like 5-htp... google it.
  • fbmandy55
    fbmandy55 Posts: 5,263 Member
    When I lift I feel ravenous too. So I eat!

    A lot of people say drink water but honestly, if you drink plenty of water and you still feel that way, you need food.
  • Deipneus
    Deipneus Posts: 1,861 Member
    Does anyone else have the problem of always being hungry? I mean, like REALLLLLLY hungry? Any tips on how to deal with this struggle?
    I've been on maintenance for almost a year. What I heard a lot of, and you will hear, is that it is because you are doing something wrong. I don't have an easy answer for you since I'm convinced it has a psychological component even though we experience it as 100% physical.

    People say "eat" but I have eaten 3000 high quality healthy-choice calories and still felt hungry.

    Yes, you can drink water and that might help, might not. The only thing that gets me through it is determination. Sorry, wish I could do better.
  • Only1Mickee
    Only1Mickee Posts: 415 Member
    If you are going by what MFP has told you to eat(calories) you probably aren't eating enough. Read this:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/937712-in-place-of-a-road-map-ver-3-0

    Also open your diary so we can help you.
  • Deanna_garnermommy
    Deanna_garnermommy Posts: 118 Member
    Does anyone else have the problem of always being hungry? I mean, like REALLLLLLY hungry? Any tips on how to deal with this struggle?
    I've been on maintenance for almost a year. What I heard a lot of, and you will hear, is that it is because you are doing something wrong. I don't have an easy answer for you since I'm convinced it has a psychological component even though we experience it as 100% physical.

    People say "eat" but I have eaten 3000 high quality healthy-choice calories and still felt hungry.

    Yes, you can drink water and that might help, might not. The only thing that gets me through it is determination. Sorry, wish I could do better.

    I totally agree with you.. very intelligent response.. I am one that is always hungry.. struggle with it all day.. I do find eating higher protein and more frequently helps me.. and chewing the crap out of trident cinnamon gum most days and staying away from the kitchen.. not an easy task working from home ahhaha!!
  • karalex9
    karalex9 Posts: 2
    Wow - thank you ALL so much for the helpful tips! After reading all this, I've got 2 big takeaways to implement - drink more water, eat more veggies. In my WW days I would drink 100 oz of water a day; I'm lucky if I crack 48oz most days. I also don't eat vegetables everyday either. I'll also try the protein shake idea as well - have a couple of protein powders in my pantry I need to use up!

    With activity, my daily goal of calories is typically about 1800 calories. I have no idea what my macros are set at, but will change that and open up my diary. I know I'm not eating the best diet to help me with my weight loss - maybe opening up the diary will make me face that once and for all!!

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