Does it get easier?

BelievePositive
BelievePositive Posts: 4
edited September 28 in Food and Nutrition
Okay, I am a grad student and not very active, except for on the weekends. And, I have just joined on here this week and started counting my calories. Currently, I am eating ~1,350 a day. But I find myself STARVING in between meals and hungry at bed time. Is the calorie amount something my body will get use to, or should I up it a little bit? The website actually started me at 1,220.. and I already increased it by a little, so I don't want to go overboard. I just don't know how this is attainable?!

Also, I eat a CRAP ton of protein and a moderate amount of healthy fats and whole grains. So I don't think it has to do with my food selection.

Replies

  • Dinob661
    Dinob661 Posts: 251 Member
    it gets easier.

    I think (For me personally anyway) When your body changes from its regular calorie intake to a lower intake you go through a food withdrawl. And for me mine lasted about 11 days. I know that sounds long...But after I pushed through it I don't get nearly as hungry and I get full faster. It is just really hard to resist those first 2 weeks but if you can make it your body will respond.
  • karamille
    karamille Posts: 79 Member
    I don't use the calorie limit it gives me on the main page. I use the basal metabolic rate (BMR) under the tools tab. I use that number as how many calories to eat - regardless of how much I work out.
  • ChantalGG
    ChantalGG Posts: 2,404 Member
    It does because you will start counting all the calories that you put in your mouth and find the low cal but filling foods to eat. I usually dont meet my daily calories of 1280 because i am eating healthier.
  • karamille
    karamille Posts: 79 Member
    And yes, it gets easier. And you get smarter about your calories, and find things that are more satisfying/filling. :)
  • The_Saint
    The_Saint Posts: 358 Member
    It got easier for me too.

    Took some time, stomach shrinking, and eating smaller meals more often (which helped kickstart the metabolism). But yes, it got easier for me. Keep on it.
  • nicothepotato
    nicothepotato Posts: 306 Member
    It gets easier when you start figuring out good snacks. Most vegetables are really low calorie so they make good snacks and they can make a meal feel huge without much added calories. You just have to skip the dressing and additives that most people put on veggies to make them taste good.
  • dracobaby82
    dracobaby82 Posts: 380 Member
    you do get used to it... drink a lot of water, it'll help keep you fuller longer. And I notice when I exercise I'm not as hungry
  • suzooz
    suzooz Posts: 720 Member
    Yes, it gets easier. It took me about 14 days to get used to it (but I had to kick a sugar habit, too!)
  • Janelle_Teaches
    Janelle_Teaches Posts: 155
    you do get used to it... drink a lot of water, it'll help keep you fuller longer. And I notice when I exercise I'm not as hungry

    water is key!!! I also put a little Mio in the water (0 calories) to make it taste better....then I can get down a glass and not feel as full :)
  • mimi7grands
    mimi7grands Posts: 616
    It has a lot to do with food choices. I honestly am never hungry on about 1500 calories. (I usually earn some exercise calories, which increases the total I can eat.) I eat tons of fruits and veggies. That's truly the secret. All the more concentrated calories do is make you want more. I rarely feel deprived. Mostly I feel indulged. Keep working to zero in on the right combination of foods for you. For me, I'm sold on veggies and fruits and other unrefined foods. It's usually the refined stuff (white sugar, white flour, white rice, etc.) that triggers the desire for more. I always thought of myself as someone who didn't have willpower. Now I know that I was just someone who wasn't eating right. I call veggies and fruit my willpower for a reason. Good luck. You can do it!
  • mrstyler
    mrstyler Posts: 43
    It partially got easier for me, and actually cutting back on my protein helped a lot. Whole grains and veggies were much more filling for the amount of calories. Beans have plenty of protein for a meal but are much more filling than a small piece of chicken, which has been enough to make me feel satisfied most days. Also, while I have issues with heavy exercise making me feel ravenous, making sure I get out for mild/moderate exercise each day definitely helps to feel less hungry.
  • CherrySunday
    CherrySunday Posts: 301
    It gets easier. I know the first week of diet reformation was a little crazy for me, just dealing with smaller portions, and making sure the food I was putting in my mouth actually had nutritional value, instead of processed crap I would buy. After the first 2 weeks though, I really started loving it. Remember that you should never put yourself on an eating plan that you can't imagine living with for the rest of your life. I could happily stay on my 1400 calories a day forever if I had to do it, but I know that when I get down to my goal weight, that I'm going to have to UP my intake, which is going to be just as strange!
  • miss_ally08
    miss_ally08 Posts: 167 Member
    I think anytime you start a diet or adjust the foods you normally were to eat before logging it in a food diary, its always hard in the beginning. But, once your body adjusts, it will get easier. To me, the first week is always the hardest, but after that, day by day, you'll find yourself adjusting =) Good luck girl, you look great already!!

    PS: I am trying to enroll in grad school for MSW - what type of program are you in? Best of luck to you!
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