Running makes me hungry...anyone else?

karoline8
karoline8 Posts: 14
in Fitness and Exercise
I've been doing MFP and exercising fairly regularly for quite a while, but I've recently upped the mileage that I run in order to train for a 10K in six weeks, and I've hit a new problem. Even though running burns a ton of calories for me (most or all of which I eat back), the exercise almost seems self-defeating because I am hungry almost all the time now. I've experimented with eating back some or all of my calories, and even going a little over, but then I don't lose weight. I've grown to love running because of the energy it gives me and that it makes me feel stronger and more proud of my body, so I don't want to stop. Using the elliptical or doing another exercise doesn't burn nearly as many calories as running, but every single day I run AND the day after turns into a test of my willpower because I'm constantly thinking about food.

Does anyone else have this problem? Does it get better, or is there something I can do to calm down my hunger signals?

Replies

  • runningjen74
    runningjen74 Posts: 312 Member
    With all that running are you drinking more? I find I'm not hungry after a run. But I do often confuse thirst with hunger - so first thing is to grab a drink, coffee/water/herbal tea for me and then re-evaluate.
  • iWaffle
    iWaffle Posts: 2,208 Member
    Even though running burns a ton of calories for me (most or all of which I eat back), the exercise almost seems self-defeating because I am hungry almost all the time now.

    By increasing your running you're getting in better and better shape so you're not wasting your time. If you're worried about weight it's still the same when you're running. You need to be even or have a deficit if you want to lose weight. As was pointed out some of this simply could be thirst.

    Don't let your stomach "feeling" dictate what you eat. Keep making smart decisions even when you "feel" hungry. Keep using your head just like when you're running and you feel like stopping. Don't let your body tell you what to do. Take charge.
  • michellekicks
    michellekicks Posts: 3,624 Member
    Yes. People who begin marathon training often gain weight because running takes so much out of your body it wants more fuel.

    Make sure you get lots of sleep. Sleep is a huge part of recovery for running. Also, make sure you're getting adequate protein to feel full and supply much-needed protein to those recovering muscles: 1g daily per pound of lean body mass.

    Track calories. Eat your exercise calories back. Not doing so is likely to cause fatigue and binging. Fuel that running...
  • karoline8
    karoline8 Posts: 14
    Even before I really started running I got in the habit of drinking water throughout the day with an additional glass of water or coffee/tea before eating to make sure I'm really hungry. As far as diet goes, I eat a relatively high protein/low carb diet because of hormonal issues (PCOS and insulin resistance) - by that I mean every day I still eat between 150-200 grams of carbs and I go well over my MFP "allowance" of protein grams. I try to stay away from refined sugar as much as possible by only eating whole wheat and limiting sweets to once or twice a week, even though that's what I crave the most.

    Of all these suggestions, sleep jumps out at me as the most likely cause. I have noticed that I've been more tired lately and wanting to go to bed earlier than usual. I've heard that not getting enough sleep can affect the hunger signals in your brain.
  • 99cherrypie99
    99cherrypie99 Posts: 205 Member
    Are you measuring? You may not be losing weight, but losing inches due to being more fit!

    Jen

    jenhudsonmosher.blogspot.com

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