Food, Cravings. Help!

IAMKAMIE · May 2014

Hey, everyone, I joined like four 4 weeks ago, but have been pretty inactive because of school and finals and everything.

So I've been trying to loose weight, exercising, controlling my diet the whole shebang, and its been going pretty well. I mean, I have no access to a scale at the moment cause I'm in boarding school and we for some reason dont have a scale, except maybe in the infirmary I think, but I cant go there unless I'm sick or...anyway besides the point. Point is, even though I cant say for sure, I feel like I've lost some weight because I can see changes in my body particularly my stomach and thighs. But the problem is, i'm entering my fourth week and all of a sudden I'm having hunger pangs. I mean, I've been dieting before and I dont starve myself, just try to keep my calories between 1200 to 1600 or give or take a couple of hundred and I have been doing this for for weeks already so why the hunger pangs now. I'm getting hungry more often than I used to and craving the food I stopped eating ( soda, junk food etc). Why is this happening? Is it some wierd metabolism thing or will it pass? Should I increase my portions? So far Ive been trying to keep with the same portion sizes but I dont know. Please help

sadrithmora · May 2014

How I share your pain. It was about a month and a half of sticking to my diet before cravings reappeared. I'm no expert but I think it might have something to do with the fact that when you just start you're super motivated. Motivation is a great thing really. But later on, and especially once I started noticing results, I felt like my own body was telling me 'you did well, reward yourself, have a treat'. Struggled with it for ages, in fact it totally ruined my diet because I was trying to ignore the cravings then all of a sudden went on junk food binge.

Some say (like my husband) that it's beneficial to actually incorporate the whole reward thing into your diet. Like one desert once a week or something like that, I don't know what your diet really is.

It worked to an extent for me, but lately I've found a meal plan for myself that doesn't leave me craving anything really (8 months). I do have like a small bottle of coke or such (ex-cola addict here) every now and then though. I guess the way you can deal with it largely depends on yourself. If you think that treating yourself once a week to something nice will keep cravings at bay, then go for that! If it's not working, perhaps tweak your diet a bit more? Personally grains and other carbs leave me with cravings a lot more than other things, so might be something for you to think about.

missiontofitness · May 2014

Hey, everyone, I joined like four 4 weeks ago, but have been pretty inactive because of school and finals and everything.

So I've been trying to loose weight, exercising, controlling my diet the whole shebang, and its been going pretty well. I mean, I have no access to a scale at the moment cause I'm in boarding school and we for some reason dont have a scale, except maybe in the infirmary I think, but I cant go there unless I'm sick or...anyway besides the point. Point is, even though I cant say for sure, I feel like I've lost some weight because I can see changes in my body particularly my stomach and thighs. But the problem is, i'm entering my fourth week and all of a sudden I'm having hunger pangs. I mean, I've been dieting before and I dont starve myself, just try to keep my calories between 1200 to 1600 or give or take a couple of hundred and I have been doing this for for weeks already so why the hunger pangs now. I'm getting hungry more often than I used to and craving the food I stopped eating ( soda, junk food etc). Why is this happening? Is it some wierd metabolism thing or will it pass? Should I increase my portions? So far Ive been trying to keep with the same portion sizes but I dont know. Please help

I've always run into that issue when I've started a regime. It's all about finding what works for your body. If for example, you're filling your 1200-1600 calories with "diet" foods, and low calorie items, then that may be why you're feeling hungry. I've also done the 1,200 route, and I'm currently at 1,600 a day. What I did was divide 900 calories between three meals, and had two 150 snacks during the day when I was on 1,200 per day. I'd have my snacks be stuff like peanut butter and crackers, since it helped keep me full until my next meal. Now on 1,600, I aim for around 1,200 between three meals (plus a daily coffee, haha), and then any snacks I keep around 150-200 calories a piece. If you're finding yourself hungry, try to fit in more items like peanut butter, avocado, ect into your day. They are higher calorie, and can help keep you fuller longer.

Craving wise, keep at it. I've been at it for two months, and I no longer crave the items I used to nibble on excessively. I can now eat them within reason, and it's been a lot easier to stick to my goals when I've learned moderation. Just takes some time!

sadrithmora · May 2014

What I did was divide 900 calories between three meals, and had two 150 snacks during the day when I was on 1,200 per day. I'd have my snacks be stuff like peanut butter and crackers, since it helped keep me full until my next meal.

If you can do that, that would be wonderful. Personally I found that it works better for me if I have my breakfast really late (like lunch time really), or have no breakfast at all. That way I wasn't hungry until dinner at all. But eating early made me feel like I'm about to start biting people. Try different ways (but don't give up straight away, give it at least a weak or two at least) and chose what works best for you.

IAMKAMIE · June 2014

Thanks so much for the help! Glad to know it gets better! I think I'll try the incorporating food cravings into diet thing and see how I can use that and still stick to my calorie goal. Thanks!

IAMKAMIE · June 2014

Hey, everyone, I joined like four 4 weeks ago, but have been pretty inactive because of school and finals and everything.

So I've been trying to loose weight, exercising, controlling my diet the whole shebang, and its been going pretty well. I mean, I have no access to a scale at the moment cause I'm in boarding school and we for some reason dont have a scale, except maybe in the infirmary I think, but I cant go there unless I'm sick or...anyway besides the point. Point is, even though I cant say for sure, I feel like I've lost some weight because I can see changes in my body particularly my stomach and thighs. But the problem is, i'm entering my fourth week and all of a sudden I'm having hunger pangs. I mean, I've been dieting before and I dont starve myself, just try to keep my calories between 1200 to 1600 or give or take a couple of hundred and I have been doing this for for weeks already so why the hunger pangs now. I'm getting hungry more often than I used to and craving the food I stopped eating ( soda, junk food etc). Why is this happening? Is it some wierd metabolism thing or will it pass? Should I increase my portions? So far Ive been trying to keep with the same portion sizes but I dont know. Please help

I've always run into that issue when I've started a regime. It's all about finding what works for your body. If for example, you're filling your 1200-1600 calories with "diet" foods, and low calorie items, then that may be why you're feeling hungry. I've also done the 1,200 route, and I'm currently at 1,600 a day. What I did was divide 900 calories between three meals, and had two 150 snacks during the day when I was on 1,200 per day. I'd have my snacks be stuff like peanut butter and crackers, since it helped keep me full until my next meal. Now on 1,600, I aim for around 1,200 between three meals (plus a daily coffee, haha), and then any snacks I keep around 150-200 calories a piece. If you're finding yourself hungry, try to fit in more items like peanut butter, avocado, ect into your day. They are higher calorie, and can help keep you fuller longer.

Craving wise, keep at it. I've been at it for two months, and I no longer crave the items I used to nibble on excessively. I can now eat them within reason, and it's been a lot easier to stick to my goals when I've learned moderation. Just takes some time!

Wait, so I should reduce "diet foods" and eat, like, normal stuff? That sounds good!

missiontofitness · June 2014

Hey, everyone, I joined like four 4 weeks ago, but have been pretty inactive because of school and finals and everything.

So I've been trying to loose weight, exercising, controlling my diet the whole shebang, and its been going pretty well. I mean, I have no access to a scale at the moment cause I'm in boarding school and we for some reason dont have a scale, except maybe in the infirmary I think, but I cant go there unless I'm sick or...anyway besides the point. Point is, even though I cant say for sure, I feel like I've lost some weight because I can see changes in my body particularly my stomach and thighs. But the problem is, i'm entering my fourth week and all of a sudden I'm having hunger pangs. I mean, I've been dieting before and I dont starve myself, just try to keep my calories between 1200 to 1600 or give or take a couple of hundred and I have been doing this for for weeks already so why the hunger pangs now. I'm getting hungry more often than I used to and craving the food I stopped eating ( soda, junk food etc). Why is this happening? Is it some wierd metabolism thing or will it pass? Should I increase my portions? So far Ive been trying to keep with the same portion sizes but I dont know. Please help

I've always run into that issue when I've started a regime. It's all about finding what works for your body. If for example, you're filling your 1200-1600 calories with "diet" foods, and low calorie items, then that may be why you're feeling hungry. I've also done the 1,200 route, and I'm currently at 1,600 a day. What I did was divide 900 calories between three meals, and had two 150 snacks during the day when I was on 1,200 per day. I'd have my snacks be stuff like peanut butter and crackers, since it helped keep me full until my next meal. Now on 1,600, I aim for around 1,200 between three meals (plus a daily coffee, haha), and then any snacks I keep around 150-200 calories a piece. If you're finding yourself hungry, try to fit in more items like peanut butter, avocado, ect into your day. They are higher calorie, and can help keep you fuller longer.

Craving wise, keep at it. I've been at it for two months, and I no longer crave the items I used to nibble on excessively. I can now eat them within reason, and it's been a lot easier to stick to my goals when I've learned moderation. Just takes some time!

Wait, so I should reduce "diet foods" and eat, like, normal stuff? That sounds good!

Yep! You wanna eat things in a way that you can maintain after you switch from loss to maintenance. I have found that diet foods tend to be higher in sodium/fat/ect, if they're lower in calorie. So that's why I'm a fan of portioning out chocolate, pizza, peanut butter, avocado, ect and keeping/fitting those in my daily intake. I'd also recommend considering upping your cals as well. Depending on your weight loss goals, 1,200 may be too aggressive. I've been losing weight/inches on 1,600+/day for quite a while!

bareessentials · June 2014

I sort of give into my cravings, like I always crave salty and sugary foods so I made healthy alternatives to foods I would usually eat when I'm feeling like this.
Instead of chocolate I eat date chocolate and almond ball things (all natural sugars from the dates) and if I feel like something salty I eat kale chips. I don't really like either of these things so I get my sugar/salt hit and don't eat anymore because I don't like it

glasshalffull713 · June 2014

Try eating foods high in fiber that can keep you full longer. (oatmeal, apples, veggies, whole grains). Also try pairing your carbs with proteins, this will also help keep you full longer (yogurt with fruit, crackers with peanut butter). Are you getting enough protein? I find I am more satisfied when I am getting more protein. Also, stick to whole foods as much as possible. All that processed stuff wreaks havoc on your body.

IAMKAMIE · June 2014

Thanks so much everybody for the help! I have found that eating less "diet" foods and more foods I actually like which are considerably low calorie have helped! Thanks again.

Food, Cravings. Help!

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