I'm Starving!

Don't view this as a diet. It is a lifestyle change. Eating at a deficit is a means to an end (weight loss) but eventually you'll reach maintenance and will need to handle that. If you go right back to the habits you had when you were overweight, you'll end up there again (ask me how I know ) That said, I was much hungrier when I first began eating at a deficit, but that has gotten much better as my body adjusted to the new normal. I also played around with macros and figured out I like eating higher fats and lower carb (not low carb, just lowER) to stay full longer.

Hi! If you need moral support - feel free to add me I'm sort of in the same boat. I feel ya.

I'm trying to remember it's not a diet. It's changing my lifestyle and relationship with food. Which is hard because I LOVE food and just want to stuff my face all the time. Nothing more fun then going out to a new restaurant. I"m trying to come up with new reciepes at home that are fun and healthy. And you know - it isn't so bad.

I also was of the camp of setting my goal really small.. but then I never really felt the big enough 'I need to get this done" push.

Okay, your second sentence is what got my attention. Diet? In order for this to work you'll need to make a total lifestyle commitment and change. Diets just don't work, they are temporary. With that said, you need to learn how to eat A LOT of food with very little calories. Fruits, veggies and beans are great for that and can keep you full all morning. Remember to drink lots and I mean LOTS of water starting from the moment you get up. Make yourself a glass of water while you get ready for the day. Try to drink two glasses before you walk out the door. A lot of times we are thirsty and mistake it for hunger. The first few weeks of lifestyle change are the hardest, especially if you are working out and trying to fuel those muscles. Finding the right balance is difficult, but you can do it.

CaseyWitham80 wrote: »

You are very right, I am my own worst enemy. I set a 10 pound weight loss goal so that I may actually reach it. Baby steps, right? However, I need to lose 45 pounds to be at a healthy weight for my height. Maybe if I do that I won't have to take these cholesterol pills anymore! Thank you for your comment. I needed that!

Diet !!! UGH !!! I HATE that word!! I'm also kind of getting to dislike "lifestyle change" too BUT ... Just by making the decision you are a step ahead of those that have not and are still on the sofa... good for you !!! I know it is hard, but try not to focus on the numbers... it is a conscious decision to do something for yourself and you deserve the best life you can get !!!

When I started this journey about 3 years ago, my motivation was mobility .. to regain the balance and ability to use my upper body as much as possible with a type of muscular dystrophy that I have (FSH). I knew I could stand to lose some poundage going strictly by the numbers and 50 lbs sounded like a number to shoot for - although it seemed unattainable and a lilfetime away. My focus was on improving my core strength and stamina. When I started I could do about a minute on the treadmill ... sounds laughable right! But I kept at it... now .. where once I could not raise my arms high enough to get something from top shelf in the cupboard, I can reach the wine glass and occasionally celebrate with a glass of it; where once I had to sit down to take my sock off; I can stand on one foot and do some leg raises and other balance moves; And where once my core was so weak and interfered with jogging because weak ankles and drop foot caused me to trip, I completed a 5K and one of my favorite exercises is walk/run! Today I have went past the number that seemed so far away ... I am down 51 lbs ... a new low for me. 3 years sounds like a long *kitten* time to lose 50 lbs but again ... it wasn't my main goal initially .. it became an equal goal after 35 tho lol and for the past year I have been doing the 5:2 intermittent fasting that has helped me get to where I am now.

I don't know you well enough to tell you an "alternative fact" .. and you've heard it before but seriously if I can.. you can !!! Start slow .. remember the turtle ??? Get some casein protein .. it's slow release and makes you feel full .. mixed with a little cold water, it seriously tastes like pudding ... mix it with greek yogurt and it legit tastes like cheesecake!!

Sorry y post is so long .. but this morning I am feeling a little pumped smiley: .... good luck .. you are worth it and deserve it !!!

you are starved of real food and nutrients, yes.

CaseyWitham80 wrote: »

I definitely need to learn how to cook healthier. I kind of went hard into a very low carb diet. Probably should have started off a litter slower with that.

Low carb does not = weight loss. Low carb = less energy and more hunger for most people. Carbs are not your enemy, calories are. Set yourself at a caloric deficit, log accurately, do some exercise, and eat what you want as long as it fits your macros and makes you feel full.

It's also about gaining the mindset of eating for fuel as well as enjoyment. I will never stop eating for enjoyment but that doesn't mean I have to eat until I'm "full" at every meal. I try to go for "satisfied" over "stuffed". In fact, I've really come to dislike that overstuffed feeling. It makes me feel pretty awful.

I do still eat fairly large meals but packed with veggies. Salad greens take up a lot of room in your stomach for very few calories. Add a little grain (like rice or quinoa) and a few ounces of protein and it's a pretty satisfying meal. I also eat small snacks between meals like boiled eggs, half an apple with peanut butter, celery and laughing cow cheese.

Once you do that for a couple days you get into a rhythm of food intake that will keep you more satisfied.

First things first: if you have set your weekly weight loss goal too high, and especially right off the bat, you will be hungry no matter what you are eating. If you set a reasonable goal of 1 lb/week, you will increase satisfaction, compliance, and be more likely to stick with it over the long run. Then tweak your diet as you learn what helps keep you full & what doesn't.

Eat a lot of veggies. They barely have any calories, so you can literally eat kilos of them daily and still be on a deficit. Woks, risottos and such are great.