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Really hungry after the gym all the time :(

ConallRose25
ConallRose25 Posts: 1
edited March 1 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi,
I've recently started working out and trying to lose weight, including going to the gym in the morning and trying to eat healthy. But whenever I get home I am always really hungry for the rest of the day and don't seem to get full, but it's hard because I'm trying to eat healthy!

Anyone know why this happens or what I can do to stop the hunger? Any foods best to eat after the gym?

Replies

  • MSeel1984
    MSeel1984 Posts: 2,297 Member
    The hunger is a normal response. You ramped up your metabolism by exercising. Nothing wrong with hunger. Just choose healthy foods to fill up on. (Some veggies and humus, whole grain bread and natural peanut butter, half an apple and sharp cheddar, etc). I always seem to be hungrier on days I work out...especially days I run.

    Food isn't the enemy-it's fuel. If you drive your car more often, you may find you have to get gas more often, right? Same with exercise. It's about the foods and the amount you choose to eat. Eat healthy, don't go crazy/eat huge portions all day...small frequent meals and especially foods that are high in fiber and/or protein will help you feel full and satisfied. Also be sure you're hydrated.
  • brcossette
    brcossette Posts: 89 Member
    I'm no expert by any means but i know that you should eat after you work out because thats when your metabolism is in high gear. I start each day by walking two miles and then i eat a high protein breakfast like 3 eggs for example.
  • WithWhatsLeft
    WithWhatsLeft Posts: 196 Member
    I've struggled with that myself. I lift heavy weights like a monster but then I eat like a crazy lady. I gain muscle but don't lose fat. I'm about to "hit it" again on Sunday so I'm trying to figure this out myself.

    Will wait for someone more knowledgeable to chime in.
  • FindingAmy77
    FindingAmy77 Posts: 1,268 Member
    The hunger is a normal response. You ramped up your metabolism by exercising. Nothing wrong with hunger. Just choose healthy foods to fill up on. (Some veggies and humus, whole grain bread and natural peanut butter, half an apple and sharp cheddar, etc). I always seem to be hungrier on days I work out...especially days I run.

    Food isn't the enemy-it's fuel. If you drive your car more often, you may find you have to get gas more often, right? Same with exercise. It's about the foods and the amount you choose to eat. Eat healthy, don't go crazy/eat huge portions all day...small frequent meals and especially foods that are high in fiber and/or protein will help you feel full and satisfied. Also be sure you're hydrated.

    yep I agree with this. food is your fuel. just plan to have a snack or meal after the gym. no need to stop the hunger. its your body's sign that says hey we need some fuel here. feed us. I plan to have a something before and after working out and still lose weight.
  • lamps1303
    lamps1303 Posts: 432 Member
    This is usually a side effect of working out! To ease the hunger you could have a small handful of nuts, cereal/protein bar, piece of fruit, veg with humus dip, hard boild egg, protein shake.

    It may be that you're thirsty - a lot of the time when you think you're hungry, a glass of water will actually do the job. You may be a little dehydrated after your workout. I find green tea helps with hunger too.

    A lot of the time hunger is psychological too - if you're bored for instance, you will turn to food. There may be times when you're hungry and just have to deal with it.

    Obviously if you have the calories/macros EAT if you're hungry!

    Your diary is closed so I don't know what your meals consist of but make sure you eat protein and fat at each meal to keep you fuller for longer. When you're hungry your instant reaction is to reach for carb-dense foods, like cereal, bread, pasta, etc. but this will just cause your insulin levels to peak and drop suddenly - making you hungry again.
  • jdscrubs32
    jdscrubs32 Posts: 515 Member
    What are you eating when you finish a workout? You need to eat within an hour of finishing a workout and what you eat needs to be high in Protein to help repair the muscles and also protein heavy meals will make you feel less hungry. If you have protein powder, put a scoop of that in your bottle & mix with water straight after a workout. Have it with a banana. Then when you get home have something like chicken, eggs, loads of veggies like Brocoli, avacado, cucumber, etc. Then throughout the day eat plenty of fruit and a handful of nuts, unsalted ones like Almonds, Cashews, etc.
  • wibutterflymagic
    wibutterflymagic Posts: 788 Member
    What are you eating? You can't have a workout and then eat a salad and expect to be full. You need to be eating protein.

    You say it's a morning workout? Then you should be having a good hearty breakfast........an egg sandwich with meat and cheese, just the eggs and meat and cheese, real oatmeal(not instant) with peanut butter or fruit or whatever you like...but with a protein source, a protein shake and some greek yogurt with fruit or granola etc.

    If you're hungry all the time then I'd say you aren't eating enough. You need to be eating back your exercise calories.
  • acpgee
    acpgee Posts: 8,126 Member
    Strange. I find that a strenuous cardio workout surpresses my appetitie for an hour or so.
  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,603 Member
    My immediate thought is, "If you're hungry, you should eat." I eat when I'm hungry and don't when I'm not, though. If I want more carbs one day and more protein another, I eat that. I do not eat up or down to numbers.

    If you're on a plan and eat certain numbers of food at certain times, then I guess you should stick with it and just be hungry until it's time to eat that amount.

    When I started, I had to be hungry sometimes. Then my stomach shrank and it got all kinds of easier.

    What do you want to do? That's probably the best place to start figuring out what you should do. :)
  • lamps1303
    lamps1303 Posts: 432 Member
    Strange. I find that a strenuous cardio workout surpresses my appetitie for an hour or so.

    Ditto!
  • bwogilvie
    bwogilvie Posts: 2,130 Member
    What are you eating when you finish a workout? You need to eat within an hour of finishing a workout and what you eat needs to be high in Protein to help repair the muscles and also protein heavy meals will make you feel less hungry.

    This is true if you're an athlete in training, doing frequent, intense workouts. If you're an ordinary person doing a typical 45-90 minute workout at moderate intensity, there's no need for recovery food.

    The current recommendations for recovery meals after aerobic exercise are to have a 4:1 ratio of carbohydrates to protein. Low-fat chocolate milk is just about perfect: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23075563
  • FatFreeFrolicking
    FatFreeFrolicking Posts: 4,252 Member
    That's normal. It's your body's way of telling you it needs food.

    Greek yogurt
    Sandwich/wrap
    Protein shake
    Multigrain bread with peanut butter
    Burrito with beans
  • Myhaloslipped
    Myhaloslipped Posts: 4,317 Member
    Protein. I always have a shake with 30 grams of protein after my workouts, especially on lifting days. It kills that ravenous, post- workout hunger until I am ready for a meal. Then I do fine with just eating normally throughout the day.
  • DeadliftAddict
    DeadliftAddict Posts: 746 Member
    Hi,
    I've recently started working out and trying to lose weight, including going to the gym in the morning and trying to eat healthy. But whenever I get home I am always really hungry for the rest of the day and don't seem to get full, but it's hard because I'm trying to eat healthy!

    Anyone know why this happens or what I can do to stop the hunger? Any foods best to eat after the gym?

    I don't know what your idea of healthy is. It's different for everyone. But, eating plenty of brown rice, beans, potatoes,and other high fiber foods along with adequate protein and fat should be taking care of that hunger. If you're hungry eat more. Also make sure you're drinking plenty of water.
  • DeadliftAddict
    DeadliftAddict Posts: 746 Member
    What are you eating when you finish a workout? You need to eat within an hour of finishing a workout and what you eat needs to be high in Protein to help repair the muscles and also protein heavy meals will make you feel less hungry.

    This is true if you're an athlete in training, doing frequent, intense workouts. If you're an ordinary person doing a typical 45-90 minute workout at moderate intensity, there's no need for recovery food.

    The current recommendations for recovery meals after aerobic exercise are to have a 4:1 ratio of carbohydrates to protein. Low-fat chocolate milk is just about perfect: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23075563

    ^ Yeah this, you don't have to eat right after you workout if you don't want to. Unless you are getting contest ready the average joe isn't going to lose all his or her gains cause they didn't eat in that "magical window" within 45 minutes of training.
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