Why am i always hungry?

sdrspoultry
sdrspoultry Posts: 18
in Food and Nutrition
why am I all of a sudden ALWAYS hungry?? Ive been still eating relatively the same things but I need to eat like twice as much to feel full. I drink a lot of water and take in a lot of protein, but I cant stay full!
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Replies

  • redskiednight
    redskiednight Posts: 32 Member
    Couldn't be hormones, could it? I often get a few days prior to my TOM when i am practically a black hole for food and have to stop myself hoovering up everything in sight!
  • battyg13
    battyg13 Posts: 508 Member
    I cant see your diary so im unable to offer any advice.
  • sdrspoultry
    sdrspoultry Posts: 18
    this probably makes me sound dumb, but what is TOM?
  • battyg13
    battyg13 Posts: 508 Member
    Time Of Month
  • sdrspoultry
    sdrspoultry Posts: 18
    my calorie limit is 1200, and there's days ive hit 2000. I just don't know what to do. I still have a lot of weight to lose, but when I ignore my hunger I get light headed and drowsy
  • sdrspoultry
    sdrspoultry Posts: 18
    oh, gotcha, well not to make this post awkward for all males, but that was like a week ago, that's what my mom had suggested too, but it just doesn't work
  • viliwa
    viliwa Posts: 6 Member
    my calorie limit is 1200

    there is your answer
  • sdrspoultry
    sdrspoultry Posts: 18
    my calorie limit is 1200

    there is your answer

    haha, exactly! but I don't know how to get around that
  • jim9097
    jim9097 Posts: 341 Member
    A couple of things. As already said by someone else; have no idea what you are eating. Have no idea what kind of workouts you are doing so it is hard to give any advice here. But you may want to look at the things you are eating. If many of your calories are coming from simple carbs change those out with complex carbs. If you are doing an intense workout routine; you may need those calories. Just because MFP say 1200 does not mean that is what you should have. There are several factors that go into it.
  • Rarity2013
    Rarity2013 Posts: 196 Member
    I generally find it quite easy to keep to my calorie limit because I'm not a big eater (for the most part- my downfall is usually alcohol!) But, that said, I sometimes have days where I am just hungry. I usually don't snack at all, but on those hungry days, I just want to spend all day eating- it can be healthy, it can be unhealthy, but I am genuinely hungry for about 80% of the time I'm awake.

    It almost always results in an instant weight loss. I try and take it as a message from my body that it's short on something for whatever reason. My eating habits and hunger usually ping right back afterwards.
  • sdrspoultry
    sdrspoultry Posts: 18
    A couple of things. As already said by someone else; have no idea what you are eating. Have no idea what kind of workouts you are doing so it is hard to give any advice here. But you may want to look at the things you are eating. If many of your calories are coming from simple carbs change those out with complex carbs. If you are doing an intense workout routine; you may need those calories. Just because MFP say 1200 does not mean that is what you should have. There are several factors that go into it.
    I do insanity and run, I log my workouts and that often helps, but then days that Im resting, Im still equally hungry
  • mcibty
    mcibty Posts: 1,252 Member
    Your body won't lie to you. You need to eat more.
  • sdrspoultry
    sdrspoultry Posts: 18
    Your body won't lie to you. You need to eat more.
    im just afraid of gaining weight
  • mikeyrp
    mikeyrp Posts: 1,616 Member
    Got it....

    If you are not eating back exercise calories and you are only eating 1200 Cals per day whilst working out you are simply not eating enough!

    Also - I find that I'm hungry the day after a big work out (I do long distance running) rather than the day I do it so it makes complete sence that you are hungry on rest days.

    so - Increase base calories to about 1400, eat back exercise calories and try and get an average over a week rather than looking at each day at a time - its OK to 'save' calories from a work out day for a rest day.
  • sdrspoultry
    sdrspoultry Posts: 18
    Got it....

    If you are not eating back exercise calories and you are only eating 1200 Cals per day whilst working out you are simply not eating enough!

    Also - I find that I'm hungry the day after a big work out (I do long distance running) rather than the day I do it so it makes complete sence that you are hungry on rest days.

    so - Increase base calories to about 1400, eat back exercise calories and try and get an average over a week rather than looking at each day at a time - its OK to 'save' calories from a work out day for a rest day.
    awesome, so should I increase my limit to 1400 even when I don't do anything cause like, I have a higher metabolism now?
  • choijanro
    choijanro Posts: 754 Member
    maybe you have a fast metabolism
  • mikeyrp
    mikeyrp Posts: 1,616 Member
    I would say so, yes - 1200 is the smallest possible intake someone can healthily sustain. I know a lot of people who work out and say that they actually lost quicker when they increased their intake a small amount (whilst maintaining a deficit) because they had more energy and were therefore more motivated to train hard.

    Also - I recommend you look at recovery drinks for after your work outs - you generally recover more quickly and feel less hungry.

    Finally, what are your goals? Because pure weight loss is different to fitness and / or maintenance.
  • mp_deep
    mp_deep Posts: 85 Member
    Calculate your BMR and TDEE

    http://scoobysworkshop.com/accurate-calorie-calculator/

    and you will find out the reason.
  • sdrspoultry
    sdrspoultry Posts: 18
    Calculate your BMR and TDEE

    http://scoobysworkshop.com/accurate-calorie-calculator/

    and you will find out the reason.
    wow, it told me 2142, what a difference!
  • Poods71
    Poods71 Posts: 502 Member
    As soon as I saw the topic I knew you would be eating 1,200 cals. As someone else said you have to up your cals. I started off on 1,200 cals aswell, as you think that is what you should be doing but after being on here a while and seeing that people were eating a lot more and losing weight. I decided I wanted a piece of that action lol. I upper my cals slowing 100 at a time until I am now eating 1,600 cals and still losing (I mostly don't eat back exercise cals though). I don't know what height you are but I am only 5' 2.5" so if I can lose weight on those cals anyone can :smile:
  • taiyola
    taiyola Posts: 964 Member
    Calculate your BMR and TDEE

    http://scoobysworkshop.com/accurate-calorie-calculator/

    and you will find out the reason.
    wow, it told me 2142, what a difference!

    Up your calories to near that and you'll do much better. I like my net to be around my BMR over the week. I'm always over cals on a Monday and Tuesday, then rein it back a little over the rest of the week back to my goal of 1850.
  • HealthyVitamins
    HealthyVitamins Posts: 432 Member
    What are you eating? 1200 made up from chips and cookies is not going to fill you up.

    1200 calories made up of two protein shakes, grilled fish and veg, oatmeal with flax seeds and lunch of rice, veg and stew is a good way to stay full.

    open your diary so we can offer better advice :)
  • Achrya
    Achrya Posts: 16,913 Member
    I had a hunch you'd be eating 1200 calories. And doing insanity on 1200? How do you even manage without passing right out?

    Great advice has been given here. I myself have lost all my weight eating at 1650+, and my goal is 1825 right now, which is my TDEE-16%. I'm never hungry and always feel like I am fueled for my workouts. That's what food is, fuel, and its crucial that you don't deny yourself that fuel.

    Good luck.
  • capster
    capster Posts: 5
    If you choose the right foods to eat, you can actually eat a whole lot of food on a 1,200 calorie a day diet.

    Most people are always hungry because they're poisoned. This is a whole other topic, but there's ingredients / chemicals put in food to purposely make us addicted and want more. People shouldn't even be able to chug a 2 liter of coke, or can after can of soda or a triple mcbacon cheeseburger, or whatever it's called these days. But chemicals, basically drugs in the food, make it possible and like with any other drug, addiction and withdrawal sets in when we try to change things. Chinese food never makes people filled thanks to MSG, which shuts down the transmitters in the brain that say i'm full...which is why people just eat an obscene amount of Chinese food, especially at buffets. MSG is just one of the chemicals in food that do this though, there's so many.

    I would try eating as much organic food as possible to avoid these ingredients. Your body is craving REAL FOOD. Food with MSG, highh fructose corn syrup and especially artificial sweeteners and so many other chemicals will make you feel like you're STARVING when you aren't. It's just the nature of the drugs in the food taking over your body....more more more.

    Also when you're hungry, eat fruit. Ice cold cucumbers sprinkled with some salt, a tomato with salt. Get creative! But eat WHOLE, REAL foods, not drugged up chemical laden food from Acme & Shoprite because you'll always feel hungry. Also foods high in fiber will especially make you feel full.
  • sdrspoultry
    sdrspoultry Posts: 18
    As soon as I saw the topic I knew you would be eating 1,200 cals. As someone else said you have to up your cals. I started off on 1,200 cals aswell, as you think that is what you should be doing but after being on here a while and seeing that people were eating a lot more and losing weight. I decided I wanted a piece of that action lol. I upper my cals slowing 100 at a time until I am now eating 1,600 cals and still losing (I mostly don't eat back exercise cals though). I don't know what height you are but I am only 5' 2.5" so if I can lose weight on those cals anyone can :smile:
    im 5'5", and thanks :)
  • sdrspoultry
    sdrspoultry Posts: 18
    What are you eating? 1200 made up from chips and cookies is not going to fill you up.

    1200 calories made up of two protein shakes, grilled fish and veg, oatmeal with flax seeds and lunch of rice, veg and stew is a good way to stay full.

    open your diary so we can offer better advice :)
    my meals the last couple days are screwy cause I just had my wisdom teeth out but im proud of myself for figuring out how to open my diary :P
  • sdrspoultry
    sdrspoultry Posts: 18
    I would say so, yes - 1200 is the smallest possible intake someone can healthily sustain. I know a lot of people who work out and say that they actually lost quicker when they increased their intake a small amount (whilst maintaining a deficit) because they had more energy and were therefore more motivated to train hard.

    Also - I recommend you look at recovery drinks for after your work outs - you generally recover more quickly and feel less hungry.

    Finally, what are your goals? Because pure weight loss is different to fitness and / or maintenance.
    I weigh 150 and would like to get down to around 120-130, Im a runner and want my times to go down and would not be complaining if I could get a set of abs :P
  • sdrspoultry
    sdrspoultry Posts: 18
    THANKS EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! =D
  • mp_deep
    mp_deep Posts: 85 Member
    In my opinion, this is the food pyramid to weight loss and avoid starvation:

    pryamid.jpg
  • CoderGal
    CoderGal Posts: 6,800 Member
    I would say so, yes - 1200 is the smallest possible intake someone can healthily sustain. I know a lot of people who work out and say that they actually lost quicker when they increased their intake a small amount (whilst maintaining a deficit) because they had more energy and were therefore more motivated to train hard.

    Also - I recommend you look at recovery drinks for after your work outs - you generally recover more quickly and feel less hungry.

    Finally, what are your goals? Because pure weight loss is different to fitness and / or maintenance.
    I weigh 150 and would like to get down to around 120-130, Im a runner and want my times to go down and would not be complaining if I could get a set of abs :P
    1. I started at 150lbs, and I was eating at about 1700 cals without exercise and losing weight. With exercise I was up over 2000 and losing weight. Particularly if it was cardio. I'm 127lbs now and I'm still eating over 2000 and not doing cardio. This site can really skew a persons version of what is normal to eat.

    If you're a runner I recommend fueling up, you can get injuries easier when you don't have enough fuel to repair yourself. I recommend checking out this thread:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/963088-level-obstacles-lose-weight-target-fat-easy

    If you have the genes for it and you've been thin before via running and managed to get abs, then just keep doing what you're doing. I got to 120lbs and still didn't have any and had a bit of a muffin top so I had to put on muscle by eating at a surplus and lifting progressively heavy weights. I found the benefits of cardio on my physique was minimal. I was eating at a calorie deficit so I was going to get smaller anyway. If you want to lose weight and you don't care if it's water or muscle, cardio is VERY helpful with that. If you want to try to get rid of a higher ratio of fat, lifting is the way to go. But if you enjoy the running keep it up, it's great for your heart.

    Untitled.png
    On the left I was running every day on a treadmill plus many walks. On the right I was lifting a few days a week. There's only a ~7lb difference in my weight between the 2 photos.

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