Can't fight the hunger craving

Make sure you aren't hyper-restricting yourself. Don't automatically set your intake at 1200, if that is what you have done. Work yourself down to that. Add protein to your diet, and drink a lot of water. Other than that, just wait it out. It will get easier once you adjust

I don't know about you, but I've failed every diet that I was hungry on. I just can't beat it. So this time round, I eat lots of veggies. I can eat bucket-loads for virtually no calories, so I stay full and get in lots of nutrition at the same time.
I've been here since August and haven't given up. Maybe it would work for you too?

go for some low to no calorie substitutes, celery, strawberries, carrots... salad (watch the dressing) it fills you up and kills the craving without killing your calories for the day

I'm going to buy some cookbooks for this but I'd suggest at looking at Volumetrics:

http://www.webmd.com/diet/volumetrics-what-it-is

Adding low calorie, healthy roughage to bulk up your meal essentially. Today I added about 1/4 cup chopped cucumber to my tuna- with a 1/2 Tbsp of Sriracha and a 1/2 Tbsp mayo, and that cucumber really helped!

An example of volumetrics I've seen in a magazine would be eating grapes instead of raisins- the air and liquid present in a grape is *more* filling than raisins right?

Plus it really helps to plan ahead ..at least a day ahead and make sure you're snacking throughout the day so you're not stranded and hungry.

You're not getting enough protein to prevent those feelings of hunger. Drink 2 full glasses of water before your meal. Take at least 20 minutes to chew/swallow that meal. Relax and enjoy your meal time rather than "inhale it".

Are you working out? I know when I started I was starving all the time too. Hubby told me (who has worked out for years) that it was because I finally got my metabolism going again. So that's a good thing! Eat lots of protein and fiber; it will keep you feeling full longer. And drink tons of water! Good luck!

I find it's best not to get hungry - have a piece of cheese with low fat crackers before the hunger pangs strike.

I've been trying to follow a list when I get the munchies:

1) drink a glass or two of water.
2) drink cinnamon or some other herbal tea with no sugar
3) eat some sort of vegetable (carrot, celery, salad, boiled cabbage, asparagus, cauliflower, broccoli, etc.. whatever you have that sounds good at the moment)
4) eat a piece of your favorite fruit
5) if you have to eat something more calorie dense, eat it, but don't go crazy. decide how much in advance, log it in myfitness, weigh/measure it, put it away, eat it (this goes for everything you eat).

This keeps me from diving into the cookies or chips. If you are in a position where you can just take a nap instead or got to bed earlier, do that. sleeping = no eating. and I find the more practice I get sleeping without eating something first is good for breaking my habit of eating before sleeping. Also, try something to distract you: read, walk, video games, whatever.

I find that if I eat plenty of lean protein (chicken breast or fish) in the day and vegetables, I don't get as hungry. eggs in the a.m. help a lot, too

thanks for all the tips

The cravings weren't so bad until today and I've basically kept my menu the same. Today I had my normal cups of coffee, drank a slimfast shake for breakfast, had some cheez-it's for a snack then a chicken ceasar salad for lunch. I've also drank about 4-5 glasses of water so far today.

As lazy as it might sound, I have not started any excerise yet. I wanted to conquer the whole "eatting right" thing first, lol

It's not just about cutting the calories of the foods you're eating, but also eating high QUALITY foods. I can't see your diary, but it sounds like you're eating a lot of processed garbage and not getting the nutrition you need. Instead of a slimfast shake, try making your own smoothies with greek yogurt and fruit and a little honey or stevia. Instead of cheez-it's, go for an apple with a tablespoon of natural peanut butter, or veggie sticks (think carrot or bell pepper or celery) with hummus. Stick closer to whole, natural foods -- you'll be getting a ton more fiber, which helps keep you feeling full, as well as the vitamins and minerals your body needs to function AND to feel satisfied. Whole grains, fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, beans, lean protein and lean dairy are your friends.

Great Dinner:
Rump Steak cooked in - 1 calorie spray
with a mixed salsa of chopped fresh tomatoes, olives, red onion, with the 1 calorie spray balsamic dressing

It's a struggle - I always allow for an emergency pitta bread !

A really low cal lunch: Morrisons American style salad, extra fresh raw chopped red pepper, and small 60g tin of tuna, 1 tablespoon soy sauce - is only about 160 calories.

fill yourself up with raw veg / salads - Morrisons have great, cheap ready made salads.

Stir frys are great too and practically no calories.

plan your food the day before and DRINKS lots of water

swop your sugar for 'half sugar' the low cal stuff thats just like sugar and you get from Sainsburys

and have a list of low cal emergency snacks

Options hot chocolate
pitta bread
Snack a Jacks
butterkist low cal popcorn

so you don't feel totally deprived. But above all i'd say clear your fridge/house of 'goodies' - if they're not there you can't eat them. Walk everywhere ! buy a pedometre - it counts your steps. Great incentive to just move more.

hope this helps. I'm into my first week and have lost 5 lbs - just given up smoking so needed to become preoccupied with calories. good luck xx

I am struggling with hunger, as I've always had. I'm going over my calorie intake nearly everyday. The problem is, my blood sugar drops too quickly so it's a nightmare trying to balance it on top of dieting. I am pre-diabetic and I take medication (the doctor gave me the option as I don't really need it in a way, but it helps me with the sugar imbalance and I can eat smaller portions and feel satisfied - whereas before I'd eat mindlessly).

So, why I am back on a diet? Well, the tablets (metformin) only works if you eat right and last year I lost the plot, not on portions but on food choices (luckily I no longer eat until I feel like I am about to burst). At Christmas I lost it twice more. And this is the result.

Before taking metformin I had no energy all day, the tiredness was overwhelming, I could only think of sleeping....even after having lost 14kg. Now, providing my blood sugar doesn't drop too low, I can work all day and my brain is still sharp.

I am just saying this for people who might have the same problem as me. I have friends who are overweight but their blood sugar levels remain stable even if they go for a long walk (I have to eat half way).

If this is your case, go to your doctor. There is a test to measure the sugar in your blood for a 3 hour period, as well as the amount of insulin running in your body (in my case it was 4 times more than it should be).