Curse you cravings!

jcubedatund
jcubedatund Posts: 71 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I have been doing a relatively good job of following my diet goals and the weight has been coming off. There has been an even balance of being slightly over my calorie goal some days and just under on others. I also make sure I eat lots of protein. Yesterday, I felt like I was starving all day. My stomach was even growling throughout. I just could not feel satisfied, even though I ended up going well over my calorie goal. Do you guys ever have days like that? Does anything help? Thanks in advance!

Replies

  • FLBeachluvr
    FLBeachluvr Posts: 110 Member
    A growling stomach sounds like genuine hunger. Cravings are more just wanting a specific food even though you aren't really hungry. Try eating more high protein foods. I find when I feel like I'm "starving" if I eat something like a Quest bar I feel more full than if I were to eat the same amount of calories of something like chips.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    Where are you in your menstrual cycle? When my appetite spikes up premenstrually, I honor it and eat at maintenance for a few days. Most times I add a snack and have a slightly larger dinner, and/or a treat.

    When I do the following, I don't have cravings:

    1. Get sufficient sleep
    2. Exercise regularly - when I get the happy hormones from exercise, I'm not prone to seeking them from food.
    3. Get sufficient protein in relationship to carbs. I'm not low carb, but reducing carbs and upping protein worked for cravings for me. See also http://www.nutrition.org.uk/healthyliving/fuller/understanding-satiety-feeling-full-after-a-meal.html
    4. Eat moderate amounts of fruit. This makes me less interested in higher calorie sweets.
    5. Take a magnesium supplement. This can be especially helpful for women premenstrually.
    6. Save foods like chocolate for after dinner, in small amounts
    7. Stay hydrated
  • JeromeBarry1
    JeromeBarry1 Posts: 10,179 Member
    Just once in seven months. I did yield to it. I did get back on the program the very next day and it's ok now.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    Every single month before my period. It sucks. I just try to avoid 'empty' calories at that time, but it still doesn't really help.
  • Aaron_K123
    Aaron_K123 Posts: 7,122 Member
    I experienced that cycle when I tried dieting a long time ago before I got comfortable with how to approach weight loss. The reason was because I wasn't eating enough (I set my calorie deficit too high) and now and again that cumulative calorie deficit would catch up with me and I'd have gnawing hunger that would pre-occupy my thoughts. The solution was to not be so aggressive with my diet and to just regularly eat more.

    Not sure what you are eating in calories per day or what your weight loss goal is but its possible you just being over aggressive with your calorie restriction.
  • SuzySunshine99
    SuzySunshine99 Posts: 2,989 Member
    Boo hormones! I usually have a PMS day when it doesn't matter how much I eat, I will be uncontrollably hungry. Sometimes I give in, sometimes just try to occupy myself with something to keep my mind off of it.
  • kayla554
    kayla554 Posts: 99 Member
    I just want to share a quick tip about dealing with cravings that has helped me maintain a healthy weight even though I'm in college surrounded by cheap unhealthy food. Always have a chocolate bar, I like the Godiva ones. Whenever you are having a craving eat about two squares of it (maybe even four). You will (hopefully) feel satisfied.
  • PJWood67
    PJWood67 Posts: 1 Member
    My problem is I exercise early in the morning before work, and by the time I get home from the gym, I am beyond ravenous and my protein shake doesn't work. I end up eating a ton of calories before I even leave the house for work :( ... and I drink 32 oz of water before getting home from the gym. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    PJWood67 wrote: »
    My problem is I exercise early in the morning before work, and by the time I get home from the gym, I am beyond ravenous and my protein shake doesn't work. I end up eating a ton of calories before I even leave the house for work :( ... and I drink 32 oz of water before getting home from the gym. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

    Ditch the shake. Have real food.
  • jagodfrey08
    jagodfrey08 Posts: 425 Member
    kshama2001 wrote: »
    Where are you in your menstrual cycle? When my appetite spikes up premenstrually, I honor it and eat at maintenance for a few days. Most times I add a snack and have a slightly larger dinner, and/or a treat.

    When I do the following, I don't have cravings:

    1. Get sufficient sleep
    2. Exercise regularly - when I get the happy hormones from exercise, I'm not prone to seeking them from food.
    3. Get sufficient protein in relationship to carbs. I'm not low carb, but reducing carbs and upping protein worked for cravings for me. See also http://www.nutrition.org.uk/healthyliving/fuller/understanding-satiety-feeling-full-after-a-meal.html
    4. Eat moderate amounts of fruit. This makes me less interested in higher calorie sweets.
    5. Take a magnesium supplement. This can be especially helpful for women premenstrually.
    6. Save foods like chocolate for after dinner, in small amounts
    7. Stay hydrated

    Yes. To all of this. When my hormones are raging, I can quickly turn into a hangry, eating machine. I eat 5 times a day everyday. Small, filling meals and snacks. I also enjoy one square of Ghirardelli sea salt soiree when I am craving chocolate. :) I also take a magnesium supplement, which has helped.

    You will get there. Just gotta power through.
  • jcubedatund
    jcubedatund Posts: 71 Member
    Thanks for the feedback. I think you are probably right that it is coinciding with my cycle and hormones. I am feeling better today so I am back on track!

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