A doc told me something no one else has....

Low carb can work with people who have dramatic spikes in insulin levels. Lowering carbohydrate can assist with that and decrease hunger. Calories do matter, so monitoring those is important too. There's nothing wrong with low carb - it's not 'no carb' it's 'low carb'. I get tired of people claiming a low carb diet cuts out all carbs. It's funny how people get so defensive over a macro nutrient that is not technically required by our bodies.

Low carb is one approach that might work for the OP, and there's nothing wrong with suggesting it just as there's nothing wrong with suggesting a IIFYM approach.

The problem with low carb for the vast majority of people is that it doesn't actually address the problem.

Low carb doesn't really offer many, if any, benefits over more traditional and sensible methods. And the kicker is that pretty much no one is going to do "low carb" forever. So being on no carb to lose weight doesn't actually teach you to make healthy choices in the future.

So when you realize your long term goal isn't immediate weight loss, low carb makes less sense. Your long term goal is to learn to make good choices within the confines of a normal, sustainable diet. That's what IIFYM is all about. Eat whatever food you want - that can be nothing but organic whole foods, if that's what matters to you - as long as you fit it into your calorie and macro goals.

Low carb offers an advantage for those with metobolic issues, and while those people are not the majority, numbers are rising to be a significant minority and that cannot be ignored. So I am suggesting an alternative - and that alternative most certainly 'addresses the problem' for me. Low carb isn't "no more cake or pasta or bread ever again for the rest of my life' - it's perfectly sustainable, just like CICO/IIFYM can be for others.

That's a great note. I always know that I will struggle with my stomach yelling at me, but I never really think about being grumpy. I've read about the hormones stored and released in fat, but I never once correlated that with my attitude or fluctuations in my behavior. This is a great note!! I can think of it this way and know that while I am working hard to lose the weight, I'll be working against my body and my attitude (because of hormones) as well.

Thank you!

Have you considered a low carb or ketogenic approach? Eat as much as you like within reason. The loss of refined carbs means you never feel hunger pains. I dont want to preach too much but I highly recommend looking into it as it completely changed my perspective on "diets".

I do this and lost about 50 lbs and have kept it off. Steady insulin, can go a day without getting hungry (not recommended) and a ton of energy.

For me.... I'm not really sure if it's so much the feeling hungry as it is the addiction! I quit smoking 6 yrs ago and feel that same feeling from both. It's an addiction that has to be broken. Just my opinion!

I think there was a short time when that was true. Here are a few tips for not being hungry.

- Eat foods that fill you up. A good combination of high-quality carbs and protein will help. IE: 0% Greek yogurt with a sliced apple etc. Junk doesn't fill you up, so get rid of it.
- Spread out your calories. Make sure you eat smaller meals, and eat snacks.
- People are different, some are hungrier in the morning and other at night. Have your larger meal at that time.
- Dink water, sometimes that will take away the huger and help us to feel more full. I suggest drinking a large glass 15 minutes before you eat.
- Exercise takes away the cravings.

And yes, there will be some times when you are hungry, so?

I was almost 100 pounds overweight laying in the ICU - I'll take life and hunger any day.

I agree with this. I've lost 72 pounds, so far, and I rarely give myself a chance to get hungry. I have my moments, when a make poor choices but if you are eating the right foods, you will not be hungry. I usually eat five times per day.

My lunch and dinner is at least half vegetables and I squeeze in other fruits and vegetables throughout the day. Lean protein and foods made from whole grains are also very filling.

Here are some foods that are low in calories and they are nutrient dense that you can pretty much eat as much as you want.

- cumcumbers
- citrus fruit
- celery
- apples
- kelp
- asparagus
- apricots
- watermelon
- tomatoes
- broccoli
- cauliflower
- strawberries
- leafy greens
- red chili peppers
- mushrooms
- red bell pepper
- summer squash
- Turnips
- green tea
- water

http://fitbie.msn.com/slideshow/20-healthy-zero-calorie-foods

Have you considered a low carb or ketogenic approach? Eat as much as you like within reason. The loss of refined carbs means you never feel hunger pains. I dont want to preach too much but I highly recommend looking into it as it completely changed my perspective on "diets".

^^^
I started this way of eating about a week and a half ago. I have to say I don't feel starved all the time and my weight is finally going down

I get false hunger pangs when I'm detoxing from sugar. It might be worth some reflection and experimenting to see if you have a sugar sensitivity that leads to false hunger pangs.

For me, detoxing takes 3 -4 days, and then I feel mostly OK on my deficit of 500 calories. When I'm on a sugar free diet, I have no hunger through the day (but often go to bed hungry.)

I'm on day 2 of my detox today. Breakfast and lunch added up to about 1100 calories, so I only have 250 left and I'm having intense hunger pangs. I know from experience that my body isn't truly hungry, it's just complaining because it's not getting it's fix.

I'm more sensitive to sugar's effects than most people, but if you indeed are someone who has sugar sensitivity, and you indulge in a "reasonable" serving of dessert twice a week, you're going to be hungry constantly. That's no fun!

The longest period of time that I was sugar free was about 4 months, and they were the happiest months of my life, as far as well being goes. I'm on my fourth detox this year, and I'm determined to make this one last! It's so easy to forget how difficult the detox is, and it's so tempting to believe that a little scoop of ice cream couldn't honestly cause so much trouble.

Sorry I'm ranting....just so hungry...can't eat while I'm typing!

huh?

are you saying you have a legit medical condition? or do you think sugars are "toxins"?

seriously, huh??

I can say that when I started my journey here on mfp, I indeed found myself going to bed 'hungry' for about the first 7 to 10 days.
An unheard of situation for me since evenings was ALWAYS my worst time for cravings, and I indulged them.

But once I started really tracking what I was eating, here on mfp, I did not give in to the cravings anymore. I had a hard time getting to sleep at times because i was so 'hungry' (I thought).

I was pleasantly surprised actually, when all of a sudden, after about a week, I realized one morning I had not felt hungry the night before, AND I had actually fallen asleep far more easily than in the past.
This was after just a week of a LOT more water than I was used to, as well as cutting out as much processed foods, refine flours and sugars etc., as possible. (sure I had sugars still, just not refined ones, or artificial sweeteners).
I was already feeling more energy, sleeping more easily and 'better', and I simply felt more motivated than I ever really had before, to keep going! It was like I had foun the 'switch' in my head AND stomach, and both were now on and operating at peak performance! No more mixed messages.

What was actually more difficult, in comparison, was once I decided I had gone far enough (75 lbs gone) and switched to maintenance.
I struggled to get enough calories to maintain, while trying to not add back more of the cakes/breads type foods I had eliminated (and stopped craving!).
Adding back even just a little more than I'd been eating for a year, triggered my cravings for those 'treat' foods all over again and it has been a constant struggle ever since, and my 'brain' betrays me all the time by trying to convince me I am 'starving' when in fact I KNOW it is just those rotten cravings I spent all my life battling, and had kicked for awhile.

I regret having undone all the good work I had done in beating those cravings and getting more in touch with what actual hunger was. In fact the only cravings I had for awhile was for homemade vegetable soup! *LOL* Now? it's for pancakes or banana bread.

Now I am trying to get myself back in the same frame of mind to beat those cravings to the curb again.. 'cause I have a bunch of summer shorts and dresses I want to be able to wear and right now I know they will be too tight.

I miss being 'hungry'... never thought I'd say that! *LOL*

No need to check out my diary at the moment.. *LOL*... it is not looking the way I want it to look, but every meal is another opportunity to take control.. so... bring on summer!

Just my personal experience, had to share

Blance and eliminating processed foods. Look at your plate. You should see fresh lean meats fresh fruit and fresh vegatibales. The foods that ruin a healthy diet are foods found In boxes, cans and packages. Yes you will have times of hunger because your brain and body thinks you have to maintatin your current weight. Plan your meals and don't leave meals to chance. You will feel less hunger.