always hungry

I tend to eat lower calorie foods so that I can consume more quantity. After the first week or two of being on MFP my stomach shrunk and now I have to force the food in at times, because I'm always full. I have an occasional craving from time to time, but hardly ever hungry.

minniemoo1972 wrote: »

kendahlj wrote: »

What do you eat? It won't be a popular answer, but try to eliminate the following for few weeks and see how you feel: sugar, bread, pasta, rice and potatoes.

This is not necessary.

Not necessary for some people. OP, google insulin resistant or carb addiction and you may find that it would be helpful to you to try eliminating these foods at least temporarily. It definitely helped me, and I was having the same issue.

I was struggling with this issue for a while, and my attempts to use MFP as a weight loss tool failed at first. When I tried to plan healthy meals within my goal calorie range, it just made me more hungry. What helped me was to stop thinking of food as a reward. In my mind, I was thinking that if I had a really good week and stayed within my calorie goals, I could go out to a restaurant and essentially binge. Often I thought "I did really well today, so I can have some candy or a soda tonight." It was difficult to stop thinking like this, but I was able to change it little by little. The first step was to go into my closet and look at all of the clothes into which I could no longer fit. I thought about how confident and pretty I felt when I wore them, and how that attire fit my career goals much better. I also looked at what was in my hamper, and it was all baggy shorts, oversized teeshirts, exercise clothes, etc. I was pretty upset with myself that I no longer dressed the way I wanted because I couldn't fit into my clothes the way I wanted to. My workplace is very casual, so it was okay with everyone else. But, it wasn't okay with me. That got me into logging everyday. For maybe a week or two, I didn't even try to diet. I just ate what I wanted and logged anyways. Then, I looked back at everything that I ate, how many calories, etc. And I was really surprised. I was eating so much junk food and fast food. But, I like those things and cutting them out seemed really difficult and heartbreaking. So, I didn't cut anything out. I just reduced. If I wanted to have Chicfila for breakfast, I had a light lunch, or swapped lunch out for two or three little snacks spaced throughout the work day. If I wanted to have hibachi with my buddies, I immediately set aside half of the portion served for later, and then dug in. But I never had any of my guilty pleasure foods unplanned, and I opted for going light before the indulgence, rather than after. It is easy to say that I would eat light after a large cookie from Chicfila, but then I might not actually follow through. But, if I cut calories earlier in the day and then had the cookie for dessert, there was no worry about follow through. Finally, I followed the advice of some people posting here about cravings. When I felt a craving, I drank a glass of water and waited 20 minutes. If I still wanted the item, I had half of a portion of what I wanted. If I was craving something particularly bad/super bored, I would have a hot tea and wait, if I felt it again, I would drink a glass of water and wait, and only have the item if I still wanted it after this.

Obviously nothing will work for everybody, and a lot of it is in the mind. I was still struggling with all of this, and it really was a battle for me. I would do really well for a few days, then binge and quit logging. But, I had a moment of clarity, and it has been much easier since then. One of my coworkers had some delicious smelling takeout at their desk one day, and I was caught up in the smell. My peanut butter sandwich seemed disgusting in comparison. So, I got in my car and drove to the Zaxby's nearby for some fried chicken. I ordered the food and a brownie, and then as I sat there, I saw on the menu the meal was almost 2000 calories. I paused in shame long enough to realize I wasn't even hungry. I was just eating this because of emotional reasons and the mindset that I was depriving myself to diet. It did something for me. Since then, I have been waking up every morning to go for a walk before work, walking when I get home, cooking nightly, and drinking tons of water. I still eat whatever I want, just in smaller portions. If I go out, I order a half portion; if I go through a drive thru (still addicted to Chicfila), I order a kids meal. I bought some low calorie fudge bars, and I eat one usually every night for desert. I don't feel deprived, and that is helping me a lot. I also try not to use the word diet at all--even in my own thoughts.

I don't know if any of these methods will help you, but I wanted to reach out with support. Talking to someone is a good distraction from the mindless desire to snack. Posting here more often, and interacting with the MFP community could help. Good luck!

I love that everyone is trying to help and focusing on the mental part of this thing. But, I sometimes get the impression that people think it is an exaggeration when the OP, for example, says they are ALWAYS HUNGRY and can't stop thinking about food. I watched my Mom go through this, and TBH, thought the same thing. It wasn't until I experienced it myself that I understood what she was really going through. And, I didn't experience it myself until I had fallen into a cycle of eating a certain way (and probably hit a certain age, BMI, etc). And, I probably never would have realized what I was doing to myself if my Mom hadn't figured it out first. My point is, some people can't just tell themselves to go do something because they're bored or just drink a glass of water and wait. Some people literally feel a gnawing hunger and an infuriating drive to eat. These people might need a bit more help than CICO or suck it up.

I know exactly how you feel.. I'm currently on the same boat. I've gone off track again but have started fresh as of now and I found at the start of the year when I was at my fittest that I just lowered my portions, drank more water to keep my tummy full and eventually my tummy shrank (after even 2 weeks) which allowed me to fill fuller for longer. Unfortunately it's just something you need to stick to for a few weeks and keep yourself in control of your food intake until your tummy shrinks... It will work trust me! Feel free to add me as a friend, let's get through this together!

marmalade225 wrote: »

There are certain diets where you can eat as much as you want of certain foods. For example, the cabbage soup diet. You can eat as much as the soup as you want, plus other approved foods such as (I think) fruits the first day and veggies the second. This is just an example, but there are diets out there designed like that. If you don't want to do that, then try just having a big bag of romaine or other leafy greens around to nosh on guilt free. Once you start eating better the cravings quickly start to go away, I promise.

PS: I personally think no-carbing is a big pot of crock. But that's a personal decision

Personally, "no-carbing" would be a pot of crock to me. Luckily, I am just low-carbing, with high fat. And I'm slightly offended that you just compared LCHF to the ridiculous cabbage soup "diet". Maybe try some research before lumping a person's way of eating in with dangerous fads.

marmalade225 wrote: »

BABetter1 wrote: »

marmalade225 wrote: »

There are certain diets where you can eat as much as you want of certain foods. For example, the cabbage soup diet. You can eat as much as the soup as you want, plus other approved foods such as (I think) fruits the first day and veggies the second. This is just an example, but there are diets out there designed like that. If you don't want to do that, then try just having a big bag of romaine or other leafy greens around to nosh on guilt free. Once you start eating better the cravings quickly start to go away, I promise.

PS: I personally think no-carbing is a big pot of crock. But that's a personal decision

Personally, "no-carbing" would be a pot of crock to me. Luckily, I am just low-carbing, with high fat. And I'm slightly offended that you just compared LCHF to the ridiculous cabbage soup "diet". Maybe try some research before lumping a person's way of eating in with dangerous fads.

There's no need to be so rude and obnoxious, seems that's a common attitude around here. I'm not attacking you, I just really don't appreciate the tone. It is possible to present your personal opinions in a respectful way. I want to say more to you, but since all I want to say is disrespecful and rude I'm going to just shut my mouth and leave. Like an adult.

So, my response (mentioning my "slight" offense and recommending research) was rude and obnoxious, but your "pot of crock" comment was perfectly respectful. Hm. Interesting perspective.