Crazy Hungry

kpchoate
kpchoate Posts: 13 Member
edited November 13 in Health and Weight Loss
Hello everyone! I'm Kevin. A bit of a newbie to the whole diet/exercise kick and I have run into something I'm not sure how to respond to.

To start off, I'm 45 yrs old, 5'11 257 lbs. Five years ago, I was 313 lbs when I bought a bike and started riding it and walking. So I've made some progress. A few weeks ago, I decided to try C25K just to change things up a bit and I also started strength training which is something I've never done.

I'm learning to love the soreness. I suppose I have a slight masochist side there. But here's my issue. A few hours after I finish my workout whether it's running or weight training, I am ridiculously hungry. I don't just mean I have a craving. I mean, I feel like I could eat the tire off my pickup truck if it was the only thing around. I've been big my entire life, but I've never felt hunger like that before. It's difficult to put into words. It goes past ravenous hunger. It's like obsession dump out the fridge hunger.

Am I doing something wrong? Too much or too little of something? Is this just one of those things that happens? If so, whats the best way to deal with it without compromising progress?

Thanks in advance for any help/tips. ;-)

Kevin

Replies

  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    Wow -- you've already had great success.

    Have you increased the number of calories you're eating to reflect your increased activity?
  • kpchoate
    kpchoate Posts: 13 Member
    janejellyroll wrote: »
    Wow -- you've already had great success.

    Have you increased the number of calories you're eating to reflect your increased activity?

    I'm using a plan my doctor recommended. Lower (but not zero) carb because of a diabetes issue. Currently, I take four blood pressure meds and a med for type 2 diabetes. My goal is to be off all of them by summer of 2017.
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    I would echo janejellyroll's question about whether or not you have added in calories since you've increased your activity level.

    I'll also say that when I switched from bodyweight exercises to weightlifting, my hunger levels went up a lot even though the calories burned per workout went down a bit.
  • deannalfisher
    deannalfisher Posts: 5,600 Member
    while ppl on MFP can provide you advice - you might also want to go back to your doctor with this information if you are using a plan recommended/prescribed by them/are you working with a dietician (RD) or just a doctor
  • kpchoate
    kpchoate Posts: 13 Member
    deannalfisher wrote: »
    while ppl on MFP can provide you advice - you might also want to go back to your doctor with this information if you are using a plan recommended/prescribed by them/are you working with a dietician (RD) or just a doctor

    LOL. I have to tell you something funny first. When I first read this, I thought you said WHITE people as opposed to WHILE. Time for eye check too I suppose. haha

    I am not working with an RD. My next doctor's appt is in two weeks and we will definitely be discussing it. Just looking for a tip or two in the meantime if there are any. haha Thanks!

    Kevin
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    kpchoate wrote: »
    deannalfisher wrote: »
    while ppl on MFP can provide you advice - you might also want to go back to your doctor with this information if you are using a plan recommended/prescribed by them/are you working with a dietician (RD) or just a doctor

    LOL. I have to tell you something funny first. When I first read this, I thought you said WHITE people as opposed to WHILE. Time for eye check too I suppose. haha

    I am not working with an RD. My next doctor's appt is in two weeks and we will definitely be discussing it. Just looking for a tip or two in the meantime if there are any. haha Thanks!

    Kevin

    :D White people are always providing advice here, tbh (as well as other people). That made me laugh!

    I second the recommendation to consult with an RD. Usually I would tell someone in your situation (increased activity, very hungry) to increase their calories and re-consider low carbohydrate, but your medical needs create a special situation. An RD will be able to help you come up with a plan to address your health needs *and* fuel your increased activity.
  • deannalfisher
    deannalfisher Posts: 5,600 Member
    if you open up your food diary, folks here can take a look and maybe provide some recommendations
  • spiriteagle99
    spiriteagle99 Posts: 3,740 Member
    You will get used to the increased activity. When I started running, I read that you are supposed to eat something after a hard workout. At the time, I took that to mean any workout, since they all seemed hard. The recommendation was to eat a mix of carb and protein, like chocolate milk or a half sandwich. (You don't want to eat more calories back than you burn.) At this point I've been running for 5 years and I only feel the need to eat after runs that last 90 minutes or more. As I got more used to running, the effort seemed a lot less, and my appetite also decreased. OTOH, after a long run, I'm starving! But then I also have a pretty good calorie budget.
  • Goober1142
    Goober1142 Posts: 219 Member
    What do your macros look like? When I'm really hungry and my weight loss gets stuck I add fat, like a rotisserie chicken. Helps every time and I don't gain weight from it. That's my two cents for what it's worth!
  • nowine4me
    nowine4me Posts: 3,985 Member
    Are you drinking plenty of water? Even in the colder months, running can be dehydrating. Drink buckets and buckets. On lifting days, try having a snack right when you finish to take the edge off. Protein bar, apple and cheese, yogurt -- sorry don't know carb counts, but I'm sure you do.
  • nutmegoreo
    nutmegoreo Posts: 15,532 Member
    Nothing makes my hunger increase like weight lifting and swimming. Those two do me in every time. I do have to play with my macros a bit to help. I find that fats, proteins, and fibre are quite filling. I use extra vegetables to bulk my meals to give the full feeling without adding considerable calories. I agree with the suggestion of seeing an RD who can help guide you with respect to diet and medical conditions. All the best in getting towards your goals. Dropping a few of those medications is going to be a great feeling, dropping them all will be awesome!
  • KimiAR
    KimiAR Posts: 117 Member
    edited December 2016
    Talk to your doc and or RD (if you get there) about your macros. You may craving energy bc you just burned all of your sugar working out. Ask them to help figure out how to balance that so you get past the hunger hurdle. I have found eggs Help w an overall all day satiety but nothing beats the right balance after a work out.
    You're doing great so far! I'm excited for you!!
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