We are pleased to announce that on March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor will be introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the upcoming changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!
Hunger
mymodernbabylon
Posts: 1,038 Member
I've spent the last few months figuring out my TDEE but haven't been able to lift more than 2x a week until recently, which meant that I wasn't able to really move up in weights and wasn't feeling particularly hard worked. I've now gotten to the point where I'm doing Stronglifts 3x a week and at a challenging level (for me). I've decided to do a small 10% deficit to cut some body fat and I'm super hungry. Has anyone else found that when the lifting becomes harder that you became hungrier? I don't think the small deficit is making me hungry as I've eaten at this level in the not too distant past and been fine.
0
Replies
-
I was wondering the same thing. Ever since I started lifting I seem to be ravenous and I need to lose about 15 pounds.0
-
It probably has to do with your body repairing itself. It may seem insignificant, but it does take calories post-workout to repair your muscles (especially after heavy lifting).
If I were you, I'd add in some more calories (like 100-200 dense calories) and track your weight for 2-4 weeks to see what your weight does. You may be able to get away with eating more when you're working out more often/lifting heavier. I know that I can eat a ton more food when I'm lifting and running than when I'm just running, yet I still see weight and composition changes with the higher calories.0 -
Thanks. I think I will keep with my calorie goals for now but spread them out through the day more and have something immediately after my lifting sessions. If I keep being hungry and I lose more than the .5 per week, I'll add. Actually, even if I don't lose weight, I might add a bit.0
-
I'm eating at a small deficit but I can stave off hunger if I eat an hour or two before lifting. More than that and I get very hungry. I prefer to lift in the evenings so this is doable. Another possibility is to eat more on lifting days and adjust on non-lifting days to keep your deficit.0
-
deadlifts in particular. they can really make a zombie famine of me. i try to get home and go for a protein shake after most days when i lift.
they do say that it's good to eat something fairly carb-rich within a few hours at most after heavy lifting. it helps with energy replenishment and also (probably) something else i forget. i know i've been reading forever about chocolate milk being the perfect answer, even back in my old bike-commute days among all the hardcore roadies. for myself, i don't like the pre-mixed stuff but i keep meaning to go buy a can of something with a bit of a vitamin kick to it, like ovaltine or horlicks or milo powder.0 -
You are definitely not alone in this. Upping my protein has helped a lot for me. I also eat about 90 minutes before lifting and grab something with carbs and protein after. And I definitely agree that you can eat more than you might think when you lift heavy, so watching your cals for a few weeks and adjusting is also great advice.0
This discussion has been closed.