Always hungry!!
eeks123
Posts: 18 Member
I hate when I am doing so good, then I sit down in front of some food and can devour 5 servings. I am 249.2 pounds, and 5'6, so I am obese, and this is why I am obese. I am ALWAYS hungry. I am addicted to soda, and carbs, and my body hangs on to fat as if its their child. My friend says I should try meal replacements or get those weird pills. I am afraid to try those things and waste 100's of dollars for it to do nothing. PLEASE help 
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Replies
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im no expert but from my personal expierence you can substitute soda with diet soda but not the generic diet coke or diet pepsi i feel like the best diet soda is diet dr pepper.... for carbs id eat more fiber with most of ur meals that way youll be more full and satisfied for longer periods of time....meal replacements do help but they can get pricey u cant try prepping meals the night before that way u can only eat what u prepared the night before no more no less....and for pills i wouldnt spend a single dime on that proper diet is the only fat burner u need diet pills are just energy pills disguised to make u lose weight.....the thing is everynight before u go to bed and when u wake up u need to constantly remind urself why ur doing this.....you also have to set a realistic goal for yourself nothing to hard or to easy something you know will make u work hard and acheive it..... every one just needs a little push from time to time.....0
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The thing is, your brain is used to eating bigger portions. It might even not get the "I'm full" signal on time.
What you can try is this: eat meals sitting down. No tv, phone, anything else that might distract you. Before you start eating have a glass of water. Chew your food slowly. When you empty your plate you get up, wash the plate (or put it in the dishwasher) and walk away. Brush your teeth if you can still taste your food.
You might need to set up some kind of schedule where you eat every 3-4 hours (smaller meals). Then when you feel hungry you can tell yourself 'I can eat in 2 hours'. Unless you have a serious medical condition of some sort you can be hungry for 2 hours. And it will pass after a couple of minutes if you distract yourself.
Alsi make sure to drink a lot of water,so that it is not thirst making you think you are hungry.0 -
Stop thinking about food maybe..... If you have eaten already, it isnt that important.0
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Stop thinking about food maybe..... If you have eaten already, it isnt that important.
If only it were that simple. But I have a brain that likes to circle back to "Give me chocolate!" every so often. So you need to make a plan to distract it, because just giving it chocolate doesn't always work.
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You might try eating dinner on a salad plate, you can fill it up and trick your brain into thinking you are eating a plate full of food. Another good trick is to eat an apple before every meal, full of fiber and works better than a glass of water. You need to come up with some things to do, before you allow yourself to eat. Take a walk around the block, call a friend instead of eating. Get on MFP and look at before and after pictures for motivation. Try to limit the triggers that you bring in the house. You can do this.0
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This is also not an expert comment but as far as I know....
If you eat/drink too much sugar you get an insulin boost so after drinking soda for instance your overshooting insulin is causing your brain to send a signal of hunger.
Now if you switch to diet soda this is not a good idea either because artificial sweeteners have the effect that your brain also thinks uhhh sugar is coming and issues a great load of insulin. But as there is not sugar is the stomach/blood (the body was just tricked it is) you also get a great feeling of hunger.
Drink water or self made tee with no sweetening - you get used to it. Maybe not on the very same day but you will one day or the other.
So what I would do in your situation is go to a nutritionist and have him look after your specific situation. He will create a diet and action plan for you that works and has all the tricks at hand that you need :-)0 -
I had the same problem (and still do to some degree). I quit soda because it was using up too many unnecessary calories. I also eat small frequent meals and snacks so I'm almost always eating. I also have found that increasing protein and fat (not low carb just balanaced) helps as well. Even though I'm now trying to maintain I still plan out my entire day's food ahead of time and then make small adjustments as I go if necessary. This helps me plan my meal and snack frequency without overeating and allows me to consistently hit my macros which is really important for controlling my hunger.
I'm not an expert but this is what has worked for me. My diary is public if you want to take a look.0 -
Stop thinking about food maybe..... If you have eaten already, it isnt that important.
If only it were that simple. But I have a brain that likes to circle back to "Give me chocolate!" every so often. So you need to make a plan to distract it, because just giving it chocolate doesn't always work.
I dont mean to sound flippant, but you are not a special case. Everyone can get out of non-addictive habits with a bit of thought. Admittedly, you need to change your mindset, but this can be done with a bit of willpower for a short period of time, and then you will be in the habit before you know it, but this is the same with any habit.0 -
Try eating 5-6 smaller meals daily. I was always hungry too but, tried this and presto it works. Good luck. e.g. 1/2 tuna sandwich/wheat bread with handful pretzels, plain greek yogurt with slivered almonds or 1 cup WW pasta salad-homemade. Whatever you usually eat just make the portions smaller.
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Stop thinking about food maybe..... If you have eaten already, it isnt that important.
If only it were that simple. But I have a brain that likes to circle back to "Give me chocolate!" every so often. So you need to make a plan to distract it, because just giving it chocolate doesn't always work.
I dont mean to sound flippant, but you are not a special case. Everyone can get out of non-addictive habits with a bit of thought. Admittedly, you need to change your mindset, but this can be done with a bit of willpower for a short period of time, and then you will be in the habit before you know it, but this is the same with any habit.
I never claimed I was a special case. And you can break habits. But for someone who is flailing about being constantly hungry, just saying "stop thinking about food" is not supportive, and not a constructive suggestion.0 -
Stop thinking about food maybe..... If you have eaten already, it isnt that important.
If only it were that simple. But I have a brain that likes to circle back to "Give me chocolate!" every so often. So you need to make a plan to distract it, because just giving it chocolate doesn't always work.
I dont mean to sound flippant, but you are not a special case. Everyone can get out of non-addictive habits with a bit of thought. Admittedly, you need to change your mindset, but this can be done with a bit of willpower for a short period of time, and then you will be in the habit before you know it, but this is the same with any habit.
I never claimed I was a special case. And you can break habits. But for someone who is flailing about being constantly hungry, just saying "stop thinking about food" is not supportive, and not a constructive suggestion.
But this is the root cause.... if you didnt think about food, you wouldnt be hungry.-1 -
Not every brain functions the same way. And hunger signals are not always bad, just when they are actually caused by boredom, or thirst, or something else.
It's like if I told you to stop thinking about that funny kitten video. Some people will think about it, go eh, and move on. Others will still laugh about the video half an hour later.
And to get to a point where you can stop thinking about food, or when you can at least avoid eating every time you think about food, you need to have some sort of plan and strategy.
That is why I suggested what I did; frequent meals, so you don't have much spare time to think about food and not being able to eat; being mindful while eating; and removing yourself from food once you are done. Ideally, you will form habits which will translate well into maintenance and beyond.0 -
Not every brain functions the same way. And hunger signals are not always bad, just when they are actually caused by boredom, or thirst, or something else.
It's like if I told you to stop thinking about that funny kitten video. Some people will think about it, go eh, and move on. Others will still laugh about the video half an hour later.
And to get to a point where you can stop thinking about food, or when you can at least avoid eating every time you think about food, you need to have some sort of plan and strategy.
That is why I suggested what I did; frequent meals, so you don't have much spare time to think about food and not being able to eat; being mindful while eating; and removing yourself from food once you are done. Ideally, you will form habits which will translate well into maintenance and beyond.
You thinking about it way too much. A strategy for not eating? Just dont eat. No-one forces you to do so. Just dont physically get up and prepare something. That is your choice. If you were just not thinking too much about this, you wouldnt perceive it as so complicated.
The kitty might be hilarious, but I am not going to think about it every day am I, so an irrelevant comparison. Plus I would be thinking about it for a positive reason, so where would the harm be?0 -
Apparently eldamiando has never had any real problem with food. Seriously, that' s like saying it's so easy to lose weight, just eat less and move more. While it's technically true, it's more accurate to say it's that simple, not easy - if it was that easy, we wouldn't have an obesity epidemic. Please have some compassion. Look, normally I abhor whiners and I definitely don't believe in food addiction but there are such things as bad eating habits that can take a long time to deal with. I personally have trouble with emotional/boredom eating and sneaking food. While I've made great leaps and bounds in the last 5 years, I still have to fight off these lifelong bad habits from time to time.
Back to the OP.... I'd suggest slowly cutting down your soda and carb intake. These foods will always leave you feeling hungry because they're not really that nutritious. If you want carbs, go for more natural sources like fruits, veggies and whole grain breads and cereals. The higher fiber content will help. Try getting more protein and healthy fats into your diet as these will also keep you full longer. Lean meats, whole eggs, legumes, etc.
Start logging. Even if you go over a lot at first, it's a good habit to develop. In the next couple of weeks, try planning out meals more so that you're more likely to stay within your daily goal. If you have a sweet tooth, look for lighter/healthier alternatives. When I first started, I loved Vitatops (find online or in some stores) and those Special K bars. Now I mostly have chocolatey protein bars.
Best of luck!0 -
Yes, I know I think too much, I said so in the beginning.
But to each their own, I'll do what works for me, you do what works for you, I was just offering my point of view, that is the whole purpose of these forums after all.0 -
"if it was that easy, we wouldn't have an obesity epidemic"
The obesity epidemic is down to various things, largely, that a lot of people live in denial about how much they are eating, preferring to blame external factors such as metabolism for their reasons for not being able to lose weight.... anything else but themselves.
Other factors include the dieting industry, who con people into believing that you can get by on what is an unrealistic and unsustainable way of life, in order to make money.
At the end of it all weight loss is a reality check. The problem illustrated by the OP is that she thinks a complex regime is required in order to carry out something simple such as not eating chocolate. It shouldnt be this way. Apologies if that sounds ignorant, but the best cases of people who lose weight just get on with it so thats why I advise that way.0 -
I completely agree with you eldamiano. There are also a lot of emotional/mental factors involved, which is my point. You cannot just post an off the cuff comment like "well, then stop thinking about food" to someone who obviously has a problem. I was obese for many years and dealt with comment like this from loved ones and it made me feel like such a failure that I couldn't, for some reason, just stop eating so much. Thank goodness I finally figured it out and was able to have some success.
Your follow up comments illustrate that you're a pretty intelligent guy... It's my hope that in the future you'll put as much time and effort into your responses to folks who are obviously dealing with some real issues and need constructive helpful advice.0 -
"Your follow up comments illustrate that you're a pretty intelligent guy"
You're the first person ever to say that to me.....0 -
I can't just say " Don't think of food" Trust me, have tried. Brain's don't work like that when your stomach feels like it's in a knot. So instead of trying to say rude things to the other people who suffer from this, you can just ignore my post. I wasn't asking for people to fight about this, I just want to lose weight lol.0
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I won't say I know how you feel, OP, because I can't really, but I can say that I have dealt with similar issues. And have managed to deal with them, so it is possible.
Just keep trying, learn from your mistakes and move on.0 -
I can't just say " Don't think of food" Trust me, have tried. Brain's don't work like that when your stomach feels like it's in a knot. So instead of trying to say rude things to the other people who suffer from this, you can just ignore my post. I wasn't asking for people to fight about this, I just want to lose weight lol.
That's just how message boards work - kind of like good conversations in real life. The subject veers now and then and side conversations happen. You did get some good advice so please go back and re-read and ignore anything that doesn't pertain specifically to your question.0 -
Consider just keeping the unhealthy foods out of the house if portion control is going to be an issue. Alternatively, consider buying things that only come in single servings so that there isn't as much risk of semi-unintentionally taking down multiple servings in one sitting. You might also be able to find some snacks that you can trick your sweet tooth with.... for me, it is non-fat vanilla greek yogurt. Feels like a treat when I eat it.
Oh, and take a look at your macros to see if there is some room for improvement. Personally, I have felt much more 'full' throughout the day since I started getting more protein and fiber in my diet.0 -
Stop thinking about food maybe..... If you have eaten already, it isnt that important.
If only it were that simple. But I have a brain that likes to circle back to "Give me chocolate!" every so often. So you need to make a plan to distract it, because just giving it chocolate doesn't always work.
I dont mean to sound flippant, but you are not a special case. Everyone can get out of non-addictive habits with a bit of thought. Admittedly, you need to change your mindset, but this can be done with a bit of willpower for a short period of time, and then you will be in the habit before you know it, but this is the same with any habit.
I never claimed I was a special case. And you can break habits. But for someone who is flailing about being constantly hungry, just saying "stop thinking about food" is not supportive, and not a constructive suggestion.
But this is the root cause.... if you didnt think about food, you wouldnt be hungry.
If it were this easy, none of us would be here.
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I hate when I am doing so good, then I sit down in front of some food and can devour 5 servings.
You may have tried this already, but if not: one useful technique is to sit down in front of ONE serving: That is, serve yourself, put the rest of the food away, and only eat after all that is in front of you is what you intend to eat. I used to mindlessly shovel tortilla chips, nuts, popcorn, etc. down my throat until the container was nearly gone. Now I don't, and since I know I won't have as much, I appreciate what I eat more.
More protein and fewer simple carbohydrates will help you feel more sated between meals, and eating slowly will help you feel more satisfied during meals.
Good luck!0 -
I started at nearly 320 lbs and have now lost over 45 lbs. I still think about food constantly though and I too find it irritating when people say it is easy to just eat less. I am an emotional eater as well. What is working for me? I cleared the cupboard of high cal foods, started thinking about those hunger pangs as something to be welcomed as normal rather than something to be avoided and I plan my daily foods in advance. I eat a huge amount of vegetables as I still need to see a plate full but I cannot snack in between meals as there is literally nothing here to nibble on! Having said that, I have bought small packets of chocolate buttons as a treat as they are not too many calories and I log everything!!0
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I hate when I am doing so good, then I sit down in front of some food and can devour 5 servings. I am 249.2 pounds, and 5'6, so I am obese, and this is why I am obese. I am ALWAYS hungry. I am addicted to soda, and carbs, and my body hangs on to fat as if its their child. My friend says I should try meal replacements or get those weird pills. I am afraid to try those things and waste 100's of dollars for it to do nothing. PLEASE help
Just make changes to what you are eating. Eat 5 plates of salad, eat 5 servings veggies and I guarantee you won't still be hungry. Substitute water, Crystal Light or even diet soda for the full sugar soda you now drink.
Air pop a huge bowl of popcorn and snack on that.
Seriously- there are innumerable ways you can cut a LOT of calories and not be hungry.
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Maybe, just maybe, that is the problem. I can't see what you eat or are trying to eat, but if you deprive yourself, by eating too few calories, or denying yourself things you love, your brain and body will protest. You don't need to be very strict, just eat a little bit less than you burn, and you will lose weight.I hate when I am doing so good
Then don't do that. Only serve yourself with an appropriate portion and put the rest back before you start to eat.then I sit down in front of some food and can devour 5 servings
Find out if this is true or something you just imagine. Do you get the proper nutrients, five servings of fruit and vegetables, enough protein, fats, fiber and water? Or are you just too used to always eating something? How does the hunger feel? Where is it located? We are conditioned to fear hunger, but we can tolerate it very well. If you eat at least your BMR of nutricious food every day, you won't starve.I am ALWAYS hungry
You can get well. Drink water and eat a varied diet of foods you like.I am addicted to soda, and carbs
Funny, but not true. You don't lose weight because you eat too much. If you eat less, but don't starve yourself, the weight will come off. Be accurate, consistent and patient.my body hangs on to fat as if its their child
No, don't do that. Pills don't work, and can have nasty side effects. Meal replacements won't teach you anything about eating right.My friend says I should try meal replacements or get those weird pills. I am afraid to try those things and waste 100's of dollars for it to do nothing.0 -
This will probably be repeating others, but I have definitely been in that space where I was hungry so much of the time even when vastly overeating...
What helped me:
1) logging everything and getting real with myself
2) big time committing to prepping food at home and getting a good balance of fat-carb-protein (generally I eat about 1800 per day, 150-200 g of carbs, 80-120 g of protein, and the rest fat) and eating 3 meals and 1-2 snacks per day.
3) I've minimized sugar and refined carbs, although I still have them occasionally. It did not take long for the cravings to go away and as long as I keep them pretty low my hunger and cravings are not a problem0 -
I know they're not healthy, but drink diet soda! If you really can't stop drinking it, it's so much better than sugar. (For your weight and glucose. The chemicals over years of drinking it might not be good for your health.) But now it's diet focus time.
Sugar makes you hungry because it's burned off quickly.
It raises your blood sugar initially which makes you feel really good & energized, and then an hour later your blood sugar crashes lower than it would have if you'd eaten something with protein (without simple carbs & sugar).
If you're just switching to diet soda (I had always said I hated it's taste), I second Diet Dr Pepper! Tastes the most like regular soda. And once you do switch to diet, always drink diet and NEVER go back to sugar soda! One, you hafta train your tastebuds to enjoy the diet stuff all over again. Two, if you only drink diet, regular soda tastes cloyingly syrupy and gross once you've switched! Which is a good thing.
I'm a binger & hypoglycemic so I feel ya!
My biggest advice is, buy veggies at the store every couple days! Eat lots of them. Keep prewashed on hand if you're like me & too lazy to prepare them in advance many days.
Then when you're hungry ... tell yourself, okay ... I can eat what I feel like I need to eat ***AFTER*** I have a humongous giant helping of veggies! (Then you won't have that empty feeling from just eating tiny meals or snacks.) It helps. Honestly.
When you're not counting calories and accustomed to eating all the time & enjoy feeling FULL (I was eating an average of 4,000 calories a day last month before I started on MFP) people who say "it's willpower, simple ... just don't eat" well, that works for them. But they just don't get it.
Eat a ton a veggies (with fat free or local dressing & measure it!) along with a protein (like an egg, or slice of lean ham) before eating anything else.
Then go distract yourself. Watch tv, play video games, call a friend, go run errands, go online here & search for tips and other people who are in the same boat.
If you're still hungry an hour later, eat more. Just track it all. You'll see where those sabotager calories come from! I couldn't eat peanut butter the first week. It was just too calorie dense. (How often do I eat only 1 tbsp of PB?) now that I've gained some willpower & ability to tolerate hunger, it's easier.
There are a lot of bingers here who will understand. You'll read their stories (thank you those who've shared their personal struggles) and go hey, if they can do it then I could do it, too.
Go add on posts or post your own message on the forum asking for friends who are similar to you. It's a great community. And your own friends will inspire you!
Good luck & feel free to add me! I'm only a couple weeks in, so I'm no expert. But it's getting easier. I promise, if you're like me you'll amaze yourself seeing that you actually DO have some willpower!0 -
Please don't give up. You are worth the work. I think you already know that. Binging comes from a place of feeling deprived. You are comforting yourself with food. But emotional eating isn't about food at all. It's about stuffing those emotions down. Try and find a qualified therapist to talk to about your issues with food. I did and it REALLY helped. Many will work with you on a sliding scale. Take care.0
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