Starving after strength training!

JulieG1443
JulieG1443 Posts: 43
edited December 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Help! I'm so hungry after completing my strength training so far today I've had 3 bowls of cereal, a smoothie, tomato soup and tonnes of healthy snacks and I'm already at 1300 calories leaving me 500 calories for dinner.

I do 30 minutes of strength training a day and some cardio.

Does anyone else get this? Although I'm in my calorie goal I feel so miserable about eating so much and it being tonnes of carbohydrates :(

Replies

  • Sofithomas
    Sofithomas Posts: 118
    Exact same thing happens to me, id say up your protein intake to feel more satisfied and feed them muscles :D
  • freckledrats
    freckledrats Posts: 251 Member
    Agreed. More protein!!
  • th2much
    th2much Posts: 156 Member
    GO for high protien snacks like hard boiled egg, low fat greek yogurt topped with fruit,chicken salad .
  • KareninCanada
    KareninCanada Posts: 962 Member
    DEFINITELY need more protein in there. All you ate was carbs, most of them refined or with added sugar - they burn off super fast so it's no wonder you're hungry!
  • love4fitnesslove4food_wechange
    love4fitnesslove4food_wechange Posts: 6,897 Member
    it really doesn't make much of a difference whether or not you've eaten carbs--just make sure you're getting ENOUGH protein and you're fine. 1g per pound is MORE THAN ENOUGH.

    If your snacks were more carbs you might want to eat some protein and fat for satiety but carbs, in general, aren't "bad."
  • JulieG1443
    JulieG1443 Posts: 43
    I've had most of my protein today.. I just don't understand how I can burn food off so fast it seems so abnormal? Usually my body can last but since I've gone heavier with my weights it's gone crazy

    But oh well... I'll take your advice and up the protein with boiled eggs etc as I can't afford shakes.

    Thanks for the advice everyone

    :)
  • thelms77
    thelms77 Posts: 27 Member
    I get hungry after strength training too but I usually do a protein smoothie or protein bar. Sometimes it helps, sometimes it doesn't! :sad:
  • love4fitnesslove4food_wechange
    love4fitnesslove4food_wechange Posts: 6,897 Member
    I'm also ravenous after strength training--your body utilizes more energy during the period after strength training than it does after cardio--which is probably why you're hungrier than usual.
  • fitnhealthykaren
    fitnhealthykaren Posts: 117
    yes! this happened to me last night, as i did almost an hour of strength. i was so hungry i went over my goal of 1300 for the day (i went over by 200)! grrrrrr
  • love4fitnesslove4food_wechange
    love4fitnesslove4food_wechange Posts: 6,897 Member
    yes! this happened to me last night, as i did almost an hour of strength. i was so hungry i went over my goal of 1300 for the day (i went over by 200)! grrrrrr

    after you account for the afterburn you weren't 200 over, but i can definitely understand your frustration. maybe increase your calorie target on strength days by 100-200 and add an additional snack GUILT FREE...there are tremendous benefits of strength training and the additional hunger is definitely worth it.
  • SPNLuver83
    SPNLuver83 Posts: 2,050 Member
    Being so hungry is normal after strength training. That means you are pushing hard! Eat a lot of protein and fiber, they will help you feel more full. Though I struggle with the same thing... it's freakin hard!!!
  • skylark94
    skylark94 Posts: 2,036 Member
    I've had most of my protein today.. I just don't understand how I can burn food off so fast it seems so abnormal? Usually my body can last but since I've gone heavier with my weights it's gone crazy

    But oh well... I'll take your advice and up the protein with boiled eggs etc as I can't afford shakes.

    Thanks for the advice everyone

    :)

    How much protein is "most". If you're strength training you may want to increase your goals. A good guideline is 1 gram per pound of body weight.
  • dsjohndrow
    dsjohndrow Posts: 1,820 Member
    Instead of the smoothie, try a protein shake. Also, try to save more calories for after. Everyone seems to be hungriest at a certain time of day, I suggest upping the intake there, and cutting it back in the other meals.
  • Zylayna
    Zylayna Posts: 728 Member
    believe it or not, just a 1/2 tbsp of peanut butter with a normal breakfast actual helps me after a workout. If it's a strenuous weight training session then I have a protein recovery drink (more to combat soreness than hunger though).
  • karinefitness
    karinefitness Posts: 336 Member
    GO for high protien snacks like hard boiled egg, low fat greek yogurt topped with fruit,chicken salad .

    Exactly!
    Also, MFP may tell you you're over when it comes to protein, but like someone else said, you 1g per pound of bodyweight is a good rule of thumb (more is fine also).
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