We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Really hungry in the last few days.

NYCNika
NYCNika Posts: 611 Member
edited January 28 in Food and Nutrition
So I've been on a net 1,500 calories a day for few months now. And I've been perfectly fine with this, not feeling hungry.

But in the last few days I just want to EAT. I feel hungry. Yesterday had one tiny snack after another all afternoon.

The only thing that changed is that I am strength training with a personal trainer now (up until 3 weeks ago I only run). BUT... 1) I'm in a third week of it and did not feel this way in week 1 or week 2. and 2) I DO eat back the calories, so this should have compensated.

Replies

  • Jenny_Ren1
    Jenny_Ren1 Posts: 65 Member
    I hear you! I started lifting a month ago, and last week I was STARVING! I'm going to stick around for comments from those that may know what they are talking about. I couldn't pinpoint anything else that was different, but I also found it strange that I became hungrier after the first couple of weeks. Maybe because I'm lifting more? This week I've started my days with big egg breakfasts to try and avoid the full day of snacking.
  • rahlpn
    rahlpn Posts: 551 Member
    Could TOM be right around the corner? I notice I get ravenous right before and the first few days of TOM. I hate TOM...lol
  • beckymlong
    beckymlong Posts: 111 Member
    Please do your own research but have you considered increasing your protein? I use protein shake for the same reason it really helps plus the fat is melting away....
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
    Lifting does indeed make you hungry. When you lift heavy, you use up all of your energy stores. Try having a protein shake after you lift.
  • LexiAtel
    LexiAtel Posts: 228 Member
    Please do your own research but have you considered increasing your protein? I use protein shake for the same reason it really helps plus the fat is melting away....

    ^^this

    If you are not exercising, eat 40g.
    If you are, eat at least 60g and up it until you start feeling better.
    Make sure they are lean choices.
  • rahlpn
    rahlpn Posts: 551 Member
    Please do your own research but have you considered increasing your protein? I use protein shake for the same reason it really helps plus the fat is melting away....

    Just curious, what brand of protein shake do you use. I'm looking for inexpensive yet effective. I just started adding weight/resistance training into my routine and I need to add protein as I lack every single day.
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
    I bought a chocolate whey protein powder that is carried at drug stores, walmart, etc. I put 1 scoop in a glass and add a cup of 2% milk and stir it up good. I often add half a scoop to my coffee on a non lifting day because I sometimes don't meet my protein goals with just food.
  • graceylou222
    graceylou222 Posts: 198 Member
    I have been the same way lately. I increased my calories from1200 to 1500 about 2 months ago and that seemed to help. But now I am back to being hungry all of the time and wanting to snack. It is however that TOM for me right now so that could be it.
  • NYCNika
    NYCNika Posts: 611 Member
    I'm not "lifting heavy". I use pretty low weight dumb bells.

    As for protein shakes, I thought about it. 2 factors are holding me back so far.

    1). 1 serving of protein smoothies is often 200 calories + (there are more delicious/filling things I can eat for those caloreis).

    2). I do not know enough about this kind of protein. Is one kind better than the other?

    Is processed protein not as good, like processed fiber? For example, a lot of people look at the fiber content on a label in a bar or cereal and think they are eating healthy and have no clue that this fake fiber does not actually act in the body in the same way that real fiber does. So I don't want to be making such mistake with protein and eat all those calories for nothing.
  • evileen99
    evileen99 Posts: 1,564 Member
    Every time I increase my weight training I get ravenous, so I eat more. I'm still getting smaller (and stronger).

    Eat!
  • onedayatatime12
    onedayatatime12 Posts: 577 Member
    I think it may be TOM as some other posters said!
  • eep223
    eep223 Posts: 624 Member
    I've never had a protein shake, so maybe I'm not the one to answer, but when I'm trying to up my protein a bit, I like to snack on Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, or eggs. It may be that this isn't nearly as much protein as would be in the shake, but like you, I'd rather eat food than supplement with something I won't enjoy as much. Even an extra meat snack maybe?
  • BarackMeLikeAHurricane
    BarackMeLikeAHurricane Posts: 3,400 Member
    Please do your own research but have you considered increasing your protein? I use protein shake for the same reason it really helps plus the fat is melting away....

    ^^this

    If you are not exercising, eat 40g.
    If you are, eat at least 60g and up it until you start feeling better.
    Make sure they are lean choices.
    Even that seems pretty low. I try to eat 60g as a bare minimum but normally at least 80g. And it doesn't matter if it's a lean source.
  • ohnstadk
    ohnstadk Posts: 143 Member
    What level do you have myfitnespal set at? Meaning are you stationary, slightly active, etc. If you have it set at stationary, even if you have a desk job, you should consider increasing it to at least slightly active. If you work out several times a week hard then you should consider bumping it up to a higher level then slightly active. The body burns more calories if you work out more, and you still should count your exercise calories. If you believe that it is at the right setting, then try boosting your protein, but the setting should be a first priority to make sure you are eating enough calories to support the activity.
  • beckymlong
    beckymlong Posts: 111 Member
    Please do your own research but have you considered increasing your protein? I use protein shake for the same reason it really helps plus the fat is melting away....

    Just curious, what brand of protein shake do you use. I'm looking for inexpensive yet effective. I just started adding weight/resistance training into my routine and I need to add protein as I lack every single day.

    I use usn ultra lean protein shake, there may well be better ones out there but so far this works well for me and out tastes quite nice (choc) I mix mine with milk, I was never hitting my macros even eating eggs, cottage cheese chicken pulses etc, this boosts it right up only been using it a short while but so far so good.

    Once I get stronger with my lifting I will look into a full amino acid supplement one that provides 9-11 of them but was advised this is not necessary just yet.....also take things step by step that way you know which things work for you. Good luck
  • beckymlong
    beckymlong Posts: 111 Member
    I'm not "lifting heavy". I use pretty low weight dumb bells.

    As for protein shakes, I thought about it. 2 factors are holding me back so far.

    1). 1 serving of protein smoothies is often 200 calories + (there are more delicious/filling things I can eat for those caloreis).

    2). I do not know enough about this kind of protein. Is one kind better than the other?

    Is processed protein not as good, like processed fiber? For example, a lot of people look at the fiber content on a label in a bar or cereal and think they are eating healthy and have no clue that this fake fiber does not actually act in the body in the same way that real fiber does. So I don't want to be making such mistake with protein and eat all those calories for nothing.

    I had similar concerns myself, I also heard that whey was a waste product, however after doing lots of research there are plenty of things out there to say that it's actually fine, when selecting mine I discussed it with a nutritionist who didn't suggest the most expensive brand but it's working for me so far. So many people on here use protein shakes and supplements that I figure they can't all be wrong, I guess it boils down to trial and error I tried other things to no avail....
This discussion has been closed.

Categories