Hunger pangs

Amo_Angelus
Amo_Angelus Posts: 604 Member
in Getting Started
I'm currently set to loose less than 1lb a week, but it's still so much less than I was eating before. Which is why I need to go on this diet to begin with I know...but it's really hard. I went dancing yesterday and that really crippled me. Doing the Charlston in heels having never done it before is NOT a good idea lol,

So anyway, without an exercise boost I'm struggling. I've nearly reached my goal and I'm STARVING! I know that the hunger fades as the body gets used to a lower calorie diet, but urgh...starting the damned thing is the hardest part. I just want to snag the chocolates from the other room and EAT
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Replies

  • Tanya949
    Tanya949 Posts: 604 Member
    I'm having the same problem. I'm drinking a lot of water, and eating small meals at regular intervals. Also getting lots of protein, but I'm hungry every 2 hours or so, and run out of calories before I'm full at night. Are you eating all healthy foods? You can eat a lot more food if it's whole and low in calories as opposed to high, empty calorie fast/processed food.
  • katy_jane_2013
    katy_jane_2013 Posts: 38
    my advice would be drink lots of water and inbetween meals eat low calorie but healthy foods like carrot sticks and hummus this is what I have done, I really don't like water that much but it has been working even if I add some dilute juice in the water sometimes and also try to keep busy so you don't really think about it :D
  • aluethi1
    aluethi1 Posts: 97 Member
    I find eating lots of veggies helps since you can pretty much pig out on them without it making too much of a dent in your calorie goal.
  • KatherinesRiver
    KatherinesRiver Posts: 128
    Yipes! Go get those chocolates and GIVE them to your neighbor!!! Then put all the veggies you can find in one big pot and steam them! I know how awful it is to try and deal with hunger pangs.:heart:
  • skinnyinnotime
    skinnyinnotime Posts: 4,078 Member
    You're hungry....but you want to want chocolates?

    That doesn't even make sense. Chocolate is not a meal.
  • bwogilvie
    bwogilvie Posts: 2,130 Member
    It took me about 3 weeks for the hunger pangs to subside to a reasonable level. I keep a jar of dill pickles around for between-meal snacking, but I try as much as possible to push through hunger; since I've been eating at a deficit for over a year (except for 3 weeks around the winter holidays), I've gotten used to it and no longer get really hungry between meals.

    Nuts actually help a lot. They have a lot of calories, but if you weigh them so you stick under your calorie goal, they're useful, because they are very filling. My wife keeps some 100-calorie packs of almonds around for snacking (she's the kind of person who gets "hangry" - hungry and angry - if her blood sugar dips too low).
  • PositiveAngel
    PositiveAngel Posts: 28
    I have over 45 pounds to lose and keep failing because of the hunger pangs at night I end up bingeing then getting really upset.

    If anyone would like to add me as a friend to help each other or has any tips and advice on nightie binges I'd really REALLY appreciate it as I'm coming to the end of my tether and starting to think I honestly can NOT do this!:cry:
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    I'm currently set to loose less than 1lb a week, but it's still so much less than I was eating before. Which is why I need to go on this diet to begin with I know...but it's really hard. I went dancing yesterday and that really crippled me. Doing the Charlston in heels having never done it before is NOT a good idea lol,

    So anyway, without an exercise boost I'm struggling. I've nearly reached my goal and I'm STARVING! I know that the hunger fades as the body gets used to a lower calorie diet, but urgh...starting the damned thing is the hardest part. I just want to snag the chocolates from the other room and EAT

    If you're not hungry enough to eat an apple, you're not really hungry...
  • PositiveAngel
    PositiveAngel Posts: 28
    I wish that was my problem!
  • Amo_Angelus
    Amo_Angelus Posts: 604 Member
    I have cibrophobia so the steaming veggies and the like isn't really an option.
  • wrenegade64
    wrenegade64 Posts: 410 Member
    I feel your pain young lady. I am an emergency communications operator for a Level I Trauma Hospital in Kansas and we are connected to the emergency room. Nurse's celebrate EVERYTHING. Bonnie got pregnant---someone bake a cake, Judy got engaged----someone make a pot of chili, there's a blade of grass growing in the parking lot---SOMEONE GRILL A BUFFALO!!! I deal with this kind of stuff at least once a week.
    WATER WATER WATER is your best friend. Also keep some good snacks around. I love having cups of sugar-free Jello and sugar-free pudding in the fridge and plenty of fruit. You can do this. Just keep your eye on the prize and keep pushing. U CAN DO THIS!!!
  • lisawinning4losing
    lisawinning4losing Posts: 726 Member
    Try Mega-T green tea diet pills. You take one with a glass of water 20 minutes before your two biggest meals. They actually do help, but I don't always take them like I should. Sometimes I take them, sometimes I don't. But you can buy them almost anywhere and they help.
  • veganpancake
    veganpancake Posts: 12
    I've found that any type of pain is exacerbated by a (natural) anxiety to make it go away ASAP. Hunger pangs, which are painful, are just like that. We are hungry, so our body wants us to eat ASAP. Try and challenge that thought process. Yes, it hurts, but it won't actually hurt you. You aren't starving, and your body isn't in danger. I'm a chronic pain sufferer, and I would be in permanent misery if I didn't think this way! So yeah, try some cognitive restructuring. It takes time, but it helps!

    Cravings, on the other hand, are an entirely different story...
  • robinsgirl410
    robinsgirl410 Posts: 4
    cold time of year here...so I am voting for making soup! If you can, make a broth based soup with lots of veggies. Celery, carrots, onions, whatever is looking wilted in the fridge. Add whatever spices you like. Almost calorie free and you may feel like you are eating a substantial snack with a cup or two for very little calories. Saute veggies in a bit of olive oil first (a tsp or less) for more flavor. Even with a piece of dry toast may not be many calories. Good luck! I am just starting out-big push to count starting tomorrow since a Sunday. Will keep you posted. Robinsgirl410
  • Tanya949
    Tanya949 Posts: 604 Member
    Cravings, on the other hand, are an entirely different story...

    Wow, I just noticed something ... while I have hunger pangs, I have NO cravings... now, what does that MEAN???
  • rachelamber_x
    rachelamber_x Posts: 104 Member
    Cravings, on the other hand, are an entirely different story...

    Wow, I just noticed something ... while I have hunger pangs, I have NO cravings... now, what does that MEAN???

    My understanding is that cravings are usually due to deficiencies (please correct me if that's wrong!)
    So I would assume that you are hungry but your body isn't in need of anything specific?
  • Bearbrat
    Bearbrat Posts: 230
    I'm not sure if these are options for anyone who posted, but for me this has worked....almost to the point of being too much sometimes. I buy bags of chicken breasts and lots of salmon, lean meats etc. over my days off I spend three or so hours in the kitchen cooking and bagging up pre portioned bags of the protein. 4 oz of chicken breast is huge amount of food and pair that with a few servings of veggies and a carb like brown rice or sweet potatoes and you'll feel full for a long time. The salmon I buy from Costco, it's I believe 7 oz per serving and is 340 calories. I eat it with probably 12 asparagus spears and 3 cups of salad with various vegetables and a light dressing. Breakfast usually consists of either 3 eggs, or two eggs and two egg whites with spinach and mushrooms and sometimes ham and a side of oatmeal with blueberries and almond milk. Lunch is always some kind of wrap made with a whole wheat tortilla, spinach, thin sliced cucumbers, low fat provolone, turkey or ham and oiko's greek yogurt dip. Apples, cutie mandarins, small banana's and greek yogurt with pure vanilla extract.

    The key for me is plenty of protein and good carbs with every meal, the protein usually helping the most for hunger. If you don't have the extra time each week like I do, maybe sit down and figure a way that you can do something similar?

    I found when I completely switched my diet up and went to eating stuff like this it was actually hard at first to make it to my calorie goal, so I ended up adding in nuts, avocados, peanut butter and things like that.

    Because cutting out all the crap, the processed food...fast food, ice cream (for the most part lol) the chips, the cookies (for the most part) cake etc...it took a significant amount of calories out, but gave me the ability to eat way, way more.

    I hope this helps some of you and I don't mean to sound rude at all
  • WendyLee74
    WendyLee74 Posts: 7
    That's the hardest part about losing weight for most people, especially if you live here in the United States, Western culture has a way of making everything so tempting as well as addictive.

    Just know that your body is physically addicted to bad foods as well as mentally and emotionally. It takes time to get over this hump. You can do it, but know that it does take time and lots of TLC towards yourself.
  • ahawk56702
    ahawk56702 Posts: 136 Member
    You are going to have to go through some pain in order to attain your goals. If you feel sore from strenuous exercise, go for a 60 minute leisurely walk. If you are actually injured, rather than sore there are a lot of exercises you could do sitting down. Concentrate on your upper body. If it is your upper body that is injured, walk. For hunger pains you are going to have to get over your aversion to healthy food or sit there in pain. It's your choice, but you are going to develop a whole new set of health issues without them even when you get thin. One thing I like to do is plan my meals and exercise for the entire day first thing. I try to stick to it no matter what. That way I don't screw myself over in the morning and run our of calories for dinner. If you control yourself better during the day, purposefully save most of your calories for dinner. It is not ideal as eating late is not healthy, but if that's what'll get you following a new routine, then do it anyway.
  • NuggetLovesEdie
    NuggetLovesEdie Posts: 477 Member
    I find that substituting whole grains for white has helped a lot. When I want a "sweet treat" the rule is that I have to bake it myself. I use King Arthur whole wheat white flour in just about all my cookie, muffin, and quick bread recipes. It adds fiber and protein.

    I also eat more vegetarian meals with beans, lentils, etc than meat and cheese. I try to use meat and cheese as flavoring ingredients most of the time instead of the main component of a dish (unless it's like beef stew or something that I rarely but sometimes make).

    Weekday morning breakfasts usually are oatmeal of some type. If I put it with some protein and fat (walnuts, almonds, egg, or a small sausage link), I don't get hungry until lunch unless I worked extra hard for my exercise in the morning.

    Also, having a couple carrots or a small apple if my body is telling me I'm hungry seems to help.
  • veganpancake
    veganpancake Posts: 12
    Cravings, on the other hand, are an entirely different story...

    Wow, I just noticed something ... while I have hunger pangs, I have NO cravings... now, what does that MEAN???

    My understanding is that cravings are usually due to deficiencies (please correct me if that's wrong!)
    So I would assume that you are hungry but your body isn't in need of anything specific?

    Nope, not really. 99.99% of the time, our bodies aren't that smart. (Salt cravings are sometimes related to needing salt, and there are probably other exceptions.
  • Tanya949
    Tanya949 Posts: 604 Member
    I am planning my meals on a weekly basis, always have healthy snacks with me at work. I have no junk or bad carbs in the house to snack on. I do not eat meat, but am getting adequate protein according to my macros. I just had to have my dinner in 3 phases to spread it out so I'm not hungry at 8pm. I have done a complete about face with my food, I've never eaten this healthy in my life and I am hungry every 2 hours. I hope it's just a phase, because it's very hard to deal with. *** And to to poster who commented about chronic pain..I think I know what you are trying to say... I"ve had chronic back pain for 10 years, and I have learned to fight through it or get to a point where I barely notice it. I guess it may happen with this too, but it's a new feeling for me, I don't remember the last time I felt truly hungry before this. But I thought that a healthy diet shouldn't make you feel hungry.
  • Bearbrat
    Bearbrat Posts: 230
    I am planning my meals on a weekly basis, always have healthy snacks with me at work. I have no junk or bad carbs in the house to snack on. I do not eat meat, but am getting adequate protein according to my macros. I just had to have my dinner in 3 phases to spread it out so I'm not hungry at 8pm. I have done a complete about face with my food, I've never eaten this healthy in my life and I am hungry every 2 hours. I hope it's just a phase, because it's very hard to deal with. *** And to to poster who commented about chronic pain..I think I know what you are trying to say... I"ve had chronic back pain for 10 years, and I have learned to fight through it or get to a point where I barely notice it. I guess it may happen with this too, but it's a new feeling for me, I don't remember the last time I felt truly hungry before this. But I thought that a healthy diet shouldn't make you feel hungry.

    Maybe try some tea with almond milk between meals? Also almonds just as a snack, a small handful....10 or so of them has helped me if I get in the situation where I feel this way. Like right before bed, if I end up with those hunger pains (rare, but it happens) almonds help. It's awful trying to sleep that way.
  • 2Dozen
    2Dozen Posts: 66 Member
    What is a hunger pang? Is that the same as a hunger pain?
  • Tanya949
    Tanya949 Posts: 604 Member
    What is a hunger pang? Is that the same as a hunger pain?

    Same thing I believe... severe stomach rumbling, or gnawing feeling (like something is chewing on your insides). I wouldn't say it hurts but can be quite uncomfortable.
  • Tanya949
    Tanya949 Posts: 604 Member
    I am planning my meals on a weekly basis, always have healthy snacks with me at work. I have no junk or bad carbs in the house to snack on. I do not eat meat, but am getting adequate protein according to my macros. I just had to have my dinner in 3 phases to spread it out so I'm not hungry at 8pm. I have done a complete about face with my food, I've never eaten this healthy in my life and I am hungry every 2 hours. I hope it's just a phase, because it's very hard to deal with. *** And to to poster who commented about chronic pain..I think I know what you are trying to say... I"ve had chronic back pain for 10 years, and I have learned to fight through it or get to a point where I barely notice it. I guess it may happen with this too, but it's a new feeling for me, I don't remember the last time I felt truly hungry before this. But I thought that a healthy diet shouldn't make you feel hungry.



    Maybe try some tea with almond milk between meals? Also almonds just as a snack, a small handful....10 or so of them has helped me if I get in the situation where I feel this way. Like right before bed, if I end up with those hunger pains (rare, but it happens) almonds help. It's awful trying to sleep that way.

    Thanks for the advice. I have an intolerance to almonds though. I had some hazelnuts this morning which helped a bit. I have to watch myself with nuts since they are high in calories. I'm at goal for today and still hungry, had some raw veggies but that didn't help. I'm really hoping this will pass.
  • Byemyfatself
    Byemyfatself Posts: 92 Member
    I have cibrophobia so the steaming veggies and the like isn't really an option.

    You mean cibophobia? If so, what foods do you fear? It might help others to help you if they know what you WILL eat.
  • Bearbrat
    Bearbrat Posts: 230
    I am planning my meals on a weekly basis, always have healthy snacks with me at work. I have no junk or bad carbs in the house to snack on. I do not eat meat, but am getting adequate protein according to my macros. I just had to have my dinner in 3 phases to spread it out so I'm not hungry at 8pm. I have done a complete about face with my food, I've never eaten this healthy in my life and I am hungry every 2 hours. I hope it's just a phase, because it's very hard to deal with. *** And to to poster who commented about chronic pain..I think I know what you are trying to say... I"ve had chronic back pain for 10 years, and I have learned to fight through it or get to a point where I barely notice it. I guess it may happen with this too, but it's a new feeling for me, I don't remember the last time I felt truly hungry before this. But I thought that a healthy diet shouldn't make you feel hungry.




    Maybe try some tea with almond milk between meals? Also almonds just as a snack, a small handful....10 or so of them has helped me if I get in the situation where I feel this way. Like right before bed, if I end up with those hunger pains (rare, but it happens) almonds help. It's awful trying to sleep that way.

    Thanks for the advice. I have an intolerance to almonds though. I had some hazelnuts this morning which helped a bit. I have to watch myself with nuts since they are high in calories. I'm at goal for today and still hungry, had some raw veggies but that didn't help. I'm really hoping this will pass.
    I'm not sure what else can help since it looks like you're vegetarian? So it's an area for me where I don't know where you can get extra protein to help. Do you eat eggs at all or would you eat egg substitutes? I don't know if that's part of a vegetarian diet. The only other suggestion is to up your fiber intake, but be careful with that as it can completely backfire on you and make you miserable :(
  • Fishshtick
    Fishshtick Posts: 120 Member
    My tip is a little bit counter-culture for MFP. I suggest you consider not exercising during the first month or two of a weight loss program, just diet and be a couch potato. Yes, exercising can help retain a bit more lean mass and burn some extra calories, but study after study shows that exercise really intensifies hunger to the point that many people cannot lose weight by exercise alone or will even gain weight due the increased hunger. Moreover, that tendency to maintain or increase meal size with exercise means your stomach's stretch receptor's and associated hunger feedback system (leptin etc) do not readjust to accept smaller portions as satiating. I suspect this stomach retraining process may be particularly defeated when someone starts their weight loss program right off with intensive exercise and follows the 'eat back your calories' strategy that is heavily promoted on MFC.

    It's not that I don't think that exercise and eating back calories should come into play at some point in a weight loss program, but my own experience and readings suggest they might best come into play AFTER a person gets some control on portion sizing and acclimates a bit to just having a daily calorie deficit. In my case that strategy worked amazingly and drastically reduced the early diet pangs. After a couple months I started in with some low intensity exercise and have been ramping it up with some eating back of calories in the form of in-between-meal snacks. That is simply because my stomach is now retrained to smaller portions and it would not be good to undo that. As it turns out it is now actually uncomfortable if I do try to eat amounts in one sitting that used to be common for me. I almost never feel a desire to go back for seconds. I consider that a big success for my ability to maintain my weight loss.

    Interestingly, my wife and I started our diets at the same time and she started right in with the exercise and eating back calories because she liked not having to reduce portions or daily intake as much. I was initially overloaded at work and didn't have time for the gym and so I just dieted to the same total calorie deficit goal as her. As it now stands I have been able to maintain my diet and she has ended up starting and stopping repeatedly. I have lost about 4 times what she has and it is now a family joke that it's not fair to compare her to me because I don't need food anymore. Obviously I do, but just much less in a given sitting and I attribute this to holding off on the hunger-intensifying effects of exercise early on to allow my hunger satiation system a chance to reset.
  • zyxst
    zyxst Posts: 9,149 Member
    I would just go eat a portion of the chocolates. Going over my calorie limit is better than sitting around being miserable and in pain.

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