Why do I only think about my next meal??

That is me completely. It seems the more I track and have to think about making the right choices the more I want to eat all day long. I am hoping this will go away as warmer weather comes and I get outside more. I thought I was the only one that felt this way.

For ages when I first started . . . sorry but you are completely "normal", ha ha.

I obsessed about food like crazy, it does get better once you get into your own groove.

Wait, is this a problem? I'm totally guilty of planning out my next meal while I'm still chewing my current meal. But If you're feeling hungry all day, then I guess that is a problem.

Have you tried planning out the whole day's meals in advance? Are you eating 5-6 smaller-sized meals a day instead of 3?

I found that when I switched to 6 meals a day and planned out my whole menu in advance, it was an awesome switch. At first I didn't always feel satiated with my small meal, but I knew the next one was coming 2-3 hours later. But after a short adjustment period, I got very used to it. Now I could never go back.

I agree with taso42

and I cut back on the carbs..they are my trigger food for cravings

How;s your fiber intake? Adding fiber to your meals will help keep you full (not hungry) for much longer. Since I started adding high fiber ingredients to my meals, I eat my snacks out of habit instead of necessity.

If you are still hungry, make sure that you increase your caloric intake at breakfast or lunch, making good choices of food that will sustain you till the next meal. Starches, turn quickly to sugar and leave you hungry. I have been keeping my calories in the 200 to 300 for breakfast and a little bit more at lunch then lighter at supper if I can. I try not eating a big meal after six p.m.

Also, I think it is good to think about and plan your next meal when you use MFP, it keeps you from going over when you know exactly what you are going to eat and how many calories you have available to use or what you need to cut back on. I did that for a night out at Ruby Tuesdays, was THE best idea! Did my research knew how many calories were in what I needed to order and it was a breeze with NO stress trying to figure out the calories! Cause I did my homework! Try that and see how it works for you!! The best of luck!

I have a dry erase board in my kitchen with the whole week planned out right down to snacks that will be eaten etc. I think it is good to be more aware and put more thought into what you eat.

If you are alway hungry maybe you should try adding a few snacks in between meals. I have three meals a day plus at least two snacks (one after breakfast and one after lunch...) I will have more if I am doing a lot of exercising that day.

Wait, is this a problem? I'm totally guilty of planning out my next meal while I'm still chewing my current meal. But If you're feeling hungry all day, then I guess that is a problem.

Have you tried planning out the whole day's meals in advance? Are you eating 5-6 smaller-sized meals a day instead of 3?

I found that when I switched to 6 meals a day and planned out my whole menu in advance, it was an awesome switch. At first I didn't always feel satiated with my small meal, but I knew the next one was coming 2-3 hours later. But after a short adjustment period, I got very used to it. Now I could never go back.

I do plan my meals and snacks. The night before. And I eat about every 2 hours. Small meals of course. Here is the strange part. My brain thinks I'm hungry but my stomach doesn't. I don't know how to turn it off. It's just like there is this little man sitting on my shoulder saying, " you know you are going to fail at this just like you have every time you've tried to lose the weight. Go ahead and have that yummy tri color tortellini and bread!" I HATE that little man by the way.

Find a distraction? I try to find things that I get really involved in and then eating is a chore. I like to sew, I used to crochet, sometimes I try to distract myself with pilates moves. I draw a few cards from my fitDeck (www.fitdeck.com) and that will do the trick most of the time plus you get a little extra toning.

Here is the strange part. My brain thinks I'm hungry but my stomach doesn't. I don't know how to turn it off. It's just like there is this little man sitting on my shoulder saying, " you know you are going to fail at this just like you have every time you've tried to lose the weight. Go ahead and have that yummy tri color tortellini and bread!" I HATE that little man by the way.

The little guy sucks for sure. It sounds like if you have a spare moment, or you're bored, your mind goes to food. I've been there a million times. It just takes practice to tell that little pasta-loving imp that he is not welcome and you don't need him.

I am always thinking about what I am going to eat too. It is a lot of work to change bad habits into a healthy life-style. Hopefully, over time, healthy food ideas and options will become more natural and I won't have to think about it so much. For now, food (recipes, shopping, planning, cooking) and exercise take up a lot of my mind these days. But it won't be forever. I hope to be hitting my GW in under year and in doing so will have weathered through all four seasons and each holiday.

So, here's what you do...you find yourself feeling hungry, chug a bottle of water. I am sure you have heard that a few times, so....
If you have already done that, keep a rubix cube, puzzle book, or something similar near you at all times. (something that stimulates your brain) When you feel that urge coming on, pick up your go-to thing and work on it for a few minutes. Eventually, you will pick it up subconsciously whenever something triggers your brain to crave food and it will replace your craving with brain-building exercise and as a bonus, help you stay sharp.

Absolutely!! Evenings are the worst. I can't decide if I'm actually hungry or it's just habitual for me to be eating while watching tv. I'm hoping in another week or so the habit will be completely out of my thoughts??

I'm the same. I find myself constantly thinking about what i'm going to eat next when i'm being more 'strict' with myself. But over the past few weeks i've had so much going on i've not really had the time to pay close attention. I'm mindful of what I eat but I haven't taken any measures to make what I eat more healthy and i've not been strict with my calories. And i've found that i've not been constantly thinking about food as a result. It is strange.