Uncontrollable hunger from running

Im also kind of opposite. Running supresses my appetite. I try not to eat before a run, sometimes if i get up late or im slow to get out i end up feeling starving. After a 30min run those hunger pangs are gone!

I'm exactly the same: I've just come back from an 18 mile run and I couldn't dream of eating anything (I just struggled to get through half a graze box), which has left my calorie count stupidly low for the day.

Running for me switches off any snack-attacks I get, and I really have to pre-plan long-run days as if I had my way I'd eat nothing at all for the rest of the day. But, it's not all bad, it's quite handy on days where we have a more calorie dense tea: a good 10k prior to that, and I tend to feel a heck of a lot more satisfied from a smaller amount of food.

I'm just like you. When the mileage gets high I struggle to eat enough. I do my long training runs early Saturday mornings and a lot of those days I'm still in the red for calories at 8pm. I have to force feed myself or eat peanut butter by the spoonful. Which isn't so bad.

I'm pretty sure the poster meant to pick from that list of post run snacks, not eat them all.

Yes, thank you. I thought it was obvious, but I'll remember for the next time that some people require "or" between each listing.

I find eating a banana after run makes me feel full, also porridge, whole wheat bagel or yogurt. I've had to use self talk, telling myself running is not a licence to eat more. If I lose 1000 cals and then eat 2000 then what's the point? It makes you want to make good choices. I also wait after run, go for a swim etc just to teach my body it's not about stuffing myself after.

One of the reasons studies have found that it's diet, not exercise, that makes us lose weight is exactly what you're talking about. We eat a lot when we exercise because we're hungry.

I assume you're eating back your running calories.

You might try eating a bit before you run - not immediately before, but before - just so you have some reserves. I've found after I lost most of my pudge that I have fewer reserves and need to keep my blood sugar up.

I have started running most days for up to an hour, and now find that I need to eat more calories than before. Well, I am also even hungrier now, and find myself over eating for the past couple days! It's all healthy stuff, I just find that I get so ravenous. Also, I think it might be in my mind sometimes, because I see that I have more calories and go a little crazy with my new freedom. Any tips?

You are burning more calories than you are consuming and no, you will not go into starvation mode.

Just ensure you eat good nutritious food.

Unfortunately, if you are trying to lose weight (ie not maintaining), even if you do tons of running, you still cannot just eat and eat and eat, you would still need to be in a deficit, this is how weightloss works.

Some of the posting on this Topic is a tad mental!!

lets not get confused between cause and effect!

running burns calories= Fact

Food is calories= fact

if you burn more then you eat you will lose weight= Fact

finding some middle ground between the amount you run and eat? well thats just self control in my opinion

i run 5km ever day, burning roughly 3500-4500 calories per week,

factor that into your weekly calorie target, you cant go wrong?

Running can not make you fatter, only eating can make you fatter

Been there! I drink protien shakes after I'm done, which is about 210 calories and 26 grams of protien to keep me full. It works like a charm!

The problem of eat the burned calories after exercise is that you don't know exactly the amount of calories burned. My rule is, if possible, don't eat the calories. If the effort was great ( 4 hours of hikking ) i eat 1/3 of "theorical" calories burned. Ah, don't forget the BCAA.

Sorry for my english.

P.S. I'm on betablockers and the control of calories via HRM is impossible and i've an additional problem http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1429255/pdf/brjclinpharm00296-0032.pdf

I read an article recently that described how over-exercising actually leads to uncontrollable hunger, resulting in binging which completely offsets the calories burned. You might try reducing your running to just 30 minutes and see what happens. I have found short, intense exercises have worked for me. They seem to actually decrease my appetite, so I have lost 40 lbs. I use the workouts at www.dailyhiit.com (note that hiit has two "i"s for High Intensity). I am sure there are many other such free programs on the Internet as well. At important rule of thumb to keep in mind is "90% nutrition, 10% exercise," meaning your focus should be on what you put into your mouth and exercise should just be supplemental.

Been there! I drink protien shakes after I'm done, which is about 210 calories and 26 grams of protien to keep me full. It works like a charm!

Me too, Protein, banana, spoon of almond butter, ice.

When I have a crushing Crossfit with my buddies, we are all starving mid day. I just make better choices now than I used too and drink water before I make any food decisions

Your diary is not open so its hard to tell exactly. My guess would be you are eating somewhere around 1200 calories and by adding in cardio (which burns calories) you have pushed your deficit even further. As a result your hunger is increasing.

No, I eat about 1800 to 2000 a day

My guess... You need to eat more. Your profile shows 19 years so your metabolism is still high.m run your TDEE. I eat at 2100 per day to maintain and I am almost twice you age... So a slower metabolism unfortunately.

Also, try a high protein diet. I noticed a huge difference in hunger when I upped my protein to 100g a day. I stay much fuller now.

Yes, you are "rungry"!! I love running and think you've gotten lots of good advice

I also try to throw lettuce into everything to "trick" my brain into thinking I'm eating more. Spaghetti? Nah, spaghetti and lettuce. Turkey sandwich? Nah, turkey and double lettuce sandwich. etc

This is not always a successful plan, so I am open to suggestions/advice, as well!

Spaghetti and lettuce??? OH please don't do that, it's just so wrong

I have the exact same problem! and it is not even like I run too much; I run about 15 minutes at a stretch, and that is all I can do as of now. I run early mornings, and the entire day I am constantly hungry. If I've had lunch at 1, I get hungry again by 3. As a result I end up eating all the time and I'm sure I've gained some weight instead of losing it! I'm apprehensive about actually checking my weight now!

I always eat before I run in the morning, but I have to leave at least 30 minutes between eating and running. Generally, it's better practice to eat at least a little something prior to running. And, within 30 minutes of your run, eat something that has carbs and protein for muscle recovery. It helps fight the inflammation that causes those legs to be sore afterwards. Maybe try a breakfast bar or string cheese if you're not up for cooking. Something quick to give your body fuel. A car can't run on empty - neither can we!