Getting Used to Being "Hungry"

I have the same problem. MFP said I should eat 1200 cals. to lose a pound a week but that was nearly impossible for me. I would workout everyday just to get more calories so I could eat and not feel like I was starving! Well, that didn't work I was still hungry, so I recently upped my calories and changed my settings to .5 pound per week. This is MUCH easier and more attainable for me. I no longer find myself going over the allowed cal. limit.

I could never get used to being hungry. But the "wanting to eat"...THAT I can relate to. I can always eat.

same here!

maybe look at what you're eating... and try to find the healthier substitute for it. It will save you come calories.

Eg. Replacing Regular cream cheese with the fat free or whipped one ... Whole milk w/skim.. things like that.

I am curious to know what your new total daily calorie is. Mine is currently 1200 as yours was, and although I can usually stick to it, or below, I would be interested to know what you are now doing, since it is easier for you.

I routinely eat right at 1000-1200 calories. I usually have a hard time getting more calories than that.

It isn't are you getting enough that you should be asking.... It is WHAT are you getting? If you are eating the right kinds of foods you WILL be eating A LOT of food and having a hard time getting the calories that MFP sets for you.

I can have 6 different helpings of veggies and not break 200 calories in a sitting.

So, check to make sure that you are not wasting your calorie allotment on "junk" calories. Spend them wisely and you will have more than enough to eat.

Try eating more. Sounds like your starving yourself. Eat small but often.

I went over calories quite a bit in the first few weeks and was constantly hungry and I still lost weight. You are not really going that far over your calories. Just keep doing your weekly weigh-in and if you are losing weight eating the amount you are eating now I would not worry about it. As the weight loss slows, then I would slowly lower my calories. When you start out your metabolism is pretty high so you could easily lose weight eating what you are eating now. It takes a while to adjust to the numbers to fit your body and system.

You should be basing your daily limit by your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)....which means the amount of calories your body needs to function at rest (to maintain vital organ function, blood circulations, oxygen consumption, etc.). BMR is based on surface area, so the larger you are....the more calories your body needs just to maintain those vital functions. You can only decrease from the original amount so much before your body goes into that 'starvation mode' where it holds on to what it's fed.

Also--eat your protein and veggies first on your plate....then carbs as a side bite..not a side dish. And drink water with it all.

I copy/paste this from one of my program lessons:

We want to create custom settings for your daily nutritional goals so it is specifically catered to your fitness goals and body type. First, we want to find your basal metabolic rate (BMR). Your BMR is the level of energy required to sustain vital body functions in a 24 hour period. It is related to your body surface area. These are the amount of calories your body NEEDS to function if you were lounging, watching TV all day.

Calculating Your Own Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR):

First find your height in centimeters [inches x 2.56] and your weight
in kilograms [lbs / 2.2].

Height (cm)-______________
Weight (kg)-_______________
Now use the formula based on your gender:
MEN: 88.362 + (4.799 x HT) + (13.397 x WT) – (5.677 x AGE) = BMR
WOMEN: 447.593 + (3.098 x HT) + (9.247 x WT) – (4.330 x AGE) = BMR

My BMR = _____________calories
*60-90minutes after moderate exercise, your BMR will remain elevated. This means optimal nutritional uptake and you will burn off more of what you consume (within that timeframe only). This is the prime time to have protein shakes or eat nutritional foods and healthy carbs.
Ask Tracy how many calories you should deduct from this initial BMR value. It will vary for each individual between 0-1,500 calories.

My Net Calories/Day =______________calories

MFP had my daily calories set to 1200 and i felt like i was about to pass out with that. (i have hypoglycemia, so my blood sugar will drop off and i'll pass out if i don't have anything to eat for a couple hours) i upped my calories to 1350, it's much more manageable for me. if MFP set you at 1350 maybe you wanna up your calories a little more, you might lose a little slower. for me when i upped my calories i started losing faster.

I've found that by being choosy and measuring, I'm seldom actually "hungry"... my problem is just wanting to eat... I might start chewing gum or something. I used to smoke, and I think I inadverently subbed smoking w/ snacking. I find myself aimlessly wandering into my pantry, the same as I used to go outside to smoke if I didn't have anything better to do (or if i was avoiding what I NEEDED to do)... drinking water helps fill you up, if you're actually "hungry" sometimes your body can confuse the signals, and you might actually be thirsty, but it also fills you up too.

Unfortunately, when your body switches to burning fat reserves for energy the result is hunger. Your body tells you it's hungry so you will eat and not use those precious reserves. The problem is that if you are overweight...the reserves are not so precious!! It is rough in the beginning, but hunger is inevitable :grumble:





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Does that mean, that even though I'm w/in my calories, I should eat less if I'm not feeling hungry between meals?

I put in my height/weight and a goal of 2lb weight loss per week and MFP said 1350 a day. If I set my goal at 1lb weight loss per week, MFP said 1850 cals per day.

I would stick with 1# week. or try splitting the difference. That should help a lot with the hunger, while also still being in a caloric deficit.

My tips:

* Gum
* Warm drinks (i.e. tea, coffee, ect.)
* Crunchy, non- guilty snacks (i.e. carrots, celery, ect.)
* Stay as busy as possible (instead of taking a lunch out, walk during your lunch break & eat at your desk, for some reason makes time go by much faster)
* Log into myfitnesspal for extra support & motivation

Hope that helps!!

Congrats shrinkingninja, I have the same rule!






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MFP has me set for 1200 calories and some days I don't reach that and not hungry. The reason; *what* I'm eating. 50% of my calories are fat, 30% protein ... these foods are more satisfying and stay with you longer. Fat does not make you fat. Make sure it's healthy fats, and avoid anything with sugar in it. That just drive hunger, adds empty calories and has zero nutritional benefit. My diary is open if you want to look.