eating very healthy, exercising regularly, gaining weight, always hungry

Hello

Three years ago I lost 25 lbs when I started rock climbing and dieting. I have to admit that I restricted heavily and lost the weight very quickly. Probably by getting a net calorie intake of around 600-800 and then I was on a 1200 cal diet for nearly a year, I started to go insane because I was hungry all the time. Two years ago I started to make sure that I was eating at least 1700 cals and day and when the feeling of being constantly hungry and thinking about food was still too much, I started seeing a specialist in disordered eating and stopped counting calories. But I am still hungry all the time and have gained all the weight back.

I even stopped rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking, and running, even though the activity brings me immense amount of joy. I walk a lot and do yoga, at least one or both everyday. I eat mostly whole foods (eggs and greens for breakfast, lean meat and salad for lunch, lots of veggies, berries (not much fruit), whole grains, no processed foods or sugars. I am not restrictive about my diet anymore, and love the abundant foods that I eat, but I am still tortured by feeling hungry all the time and that the amount of food that I eat wont be enough to satisfy me at all, or for very long. As a result, I am eating more than my body actually needs for energy, as evidenced by the amount of fat on my body (I am not fat, but I definitely have a muffin top).

It seems like if anyone else were to exercise and eat the way that I do they would instantly lose weight, but I have gained and am still hungry all the time!! I am familiar with Leptin, and would not be surprised if I was leptin resistant due to dieting, but maybe it's something else??

Does anyone have any experience or anyone they can direct me to that can help me?

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Replies

  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    sarhrgn wrote: »
    Hello

    Three years ago I lost 25 lbs when I started rock climbing and dieting. I have to admit that I restricted heavily and lost the weight very quickly. Probably by getting a net calorie intake of around 600-800 and then I was on a 1200 cal diet for nearly a year, I started to go insane because I was hungry all the time. Two years ago I started to make sure that I was eating at least 1700 cals and day and when the feeling of being constantly hungry and thinking about food was still too much, I started seeing a specialist in disordered eating and stopped counting calories. But I am still hungry all the time and have gained all the weight back.

    I even stopped rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking, and running, even though the activity brings me immense amount of joy. I walk a lot and do yoga, at least one or both everyday. I eat mostly whole foods (eggs and greens for breakfast, lean meat and salad for lunch, lots of veggies, berries (not much fruit), whole grains, no processed foods or sugars. I am not restrictive about my diet anymore, and love the abundant foods that I eat, but I am still tortured by feeling hungry all the time and that the amount of food that I eat wont be enough to satisfy me at all, or for very long. As a result, I am eating more than my body actually needs for energy, as evidenced by the amount of fat on my body (I am not fat, but I definitely have a muffin top).

    It seems like if anyone else were to exercise and eat the way that I do they would instantly lose weight, but I have gained and am still hungry all the time!! I am familiar with Leptin, and would not be surprised if I was leptin resistant due to dieting, but maybe it's something else??

    Does anyone have any experience or anyone they can direct me to that can help me?

    You've been eating this way for 2 years?
  • sarhrgn
    sarhrgn Posts: 11 Member
    Yes I see how that’s conflicting information. What I mean is, for anyone trying to lose weight that has poor lifestyle habits, switching to a lifestyle like mine where I am eating enough but of quality foods, not junk, and getting plenty of healthy exercise, they would likely find a happy weight for themselves. I am not restricting and I do not count calories anymore. My goal is to have a healthy relationship with my body but my body seems to want more than it needs. I am 5’2”, 135 lbs. my healthy weight is probably 125.
  • sarhrgn
    sarhrgn Posts: 11 Member
    No I eat more now than I did two years ago. Probably more like 2000-2700 since I am always hungry.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    sarhrgn wrote: »
    No I eat more now than I did two years ago. Probably more like 2000-2700 since I am always hungry.

    How much weight have you gained in what timeframe?
  • sarhrgn
    sarhrgn Posts: 11 Member
    Yes I am definitely getting enough of all the macro and micro nutrients.

    I have gained 20lbs in 6months of just trusting my body and eating when hungry and also developed a binge eating habit (again, on healthy foods, not junk) that I felt was encouraged by my therapy which assumed the pendulum had swung and I needed to just be ok with it when really I was just reinforcing the binge habit. I have stopped binging and feel much better but still hungry.
  • JCoop9
    JCoop9 Posts: 14 Member
    Are you getting enough water?
  • Redordeadhead
    Redordeadhead Posts: 1,188 Member
    sarhrgn wrote: »
    No I eat more now than I did two years ago. Probably more like 2000-2700 since I am always hungry.

    If you're not very active, I would guess this is too many calories. I maintain on about 1800 without purposeful exercise and I'm 5'5".
  • MissDenise1952
    MissDenise1952 Posts: 41 Member
    JCoop9 wrote: »
    Are you getting enough water?

    That would be my first question since I learned here on MFP a few years back, that dehydration can disguise itself as hunger. That's not a quote, but it worked for me and I started drinking my water for the day. Also, what makes me feel those hunger pains depends on "what" foods I'm eating. I don't know what it is in pizza for example, but the day after I eat that I wake up starving (or so I feel like I am, lol). Sugars do the same thing. Maybe too much bread, flours, pastas.
  • MissDenise1952
    MissDenise1952 Posts: 41 Member
    kimny72 wrote: »
    One thing to consider since you're eating mostly whole foods: are you getting enough fat? I find that I'm especially hungry when I try to eat a low fat diet.

    I would second this. Also, as @ceiswyn was saying, hunger is often psychological. I often feel hungry when I'm bored or stressed, even if I've eaten exactly the same as I always do, and no amount of food will fix it because it isn't about food.

    If you are getting enough protein, fat, and fiber and are constantly hungry and not losing weight, either it isn't real hunger and you need to explore what is going on in your head, or you might have a health issue that needs checking into.

    I think this has probably helped me too, adding good oils like Olive and coconut for just two. I don't have any hunger pains between meals any more at all.