Should I stop exercising to keep my hunger under control?

cleavagefurrow
cleavagefurrow Posts: 47 Member
edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I am doing C25K (just completed W3D1 this morning), and since I started that program I haven't lost any weight, and I've been struggling to stay under my calorie goal. Exercising makes me sooooo hungry! When I was only counting calories and not exercising, I was losing weight and the hunger didn't bother me as much. Now, the hunger is so strong that I can't concentrate at work unless I eat. When I am that hungry, I end up making a lot of mistakes at work and it's terrible. Eating something small won't help. My cravings are also more intense. I know exercising is good to stay healthy but the number of calories I burn from exercise is way lower than the calories I end up eating due to exercised-induced binging. Should I stop exercising if I want to continue losing weight? I really want to finish C25K, though. :( I know all about filling up on fibre and protein, so you don't need to tell me to do that. I'm just wondering whether I should risk gaining weight to stay active, or I should stop exercising (for now?) to lose weight. Please help!

Replies

  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    Are you eating back the calories you burn through exercise?
  • therealangd
    therealangd Posts: 1,861 Member
    What is your BMR? Your TDEE? How many calories are you eating each day? How many calories are you binging on?

    It sounds like you are not eating enough in general to fuel your exercise.
  • cleavagefurrow
    cleavagefurrow Posts: 47 Member
    Are you eating back the calories you burn through exercise?

    Yes, I am. I only burn around 150-200 calories thru exercise on my running days.
    What is your BMR? Your TDEE? How many calories are you eating each day? How many calories are you binging on?

    It sounds like you are not eating enough in general to fuel your exercise.

    BMR is 1,330
    TDEE is 1,688 (activity level is sedentary...should I change that? I barely exercise...)
    calorie goal is 1,250 (MFP actually set it to 1210 but I increased it to 1250 because I was so hungry all the time).

    Sometimes I can net 1250, but other times, I can get up to 1,800 or 2,000. The other day I ate an entire bag of Doritos, which was 900+ calories. Plus some dried apple chips. And that was my snack! ;_;

    I have a desk job, and I only do 30 min of exercise every other day (which I log, so my activity level on here is set to sedentary).
  • montana_girl
    montana_girl Posts: 1,403 Member
    BMR is 1,330
    TDEE is 1,688 (activity level is sedentary...should I change that? I barely exercise...)
    calorie goal is 1,250 (MFP actually set it to 1210 but I increased it to 1250 because I was so hungry all the time).

    Sometimes I can net 1250, but other times, I can get up to 1,800 or 2,000. The other day I ate an entire bag of Doritos, which was 900+ calories. Plus some dried apple chips. And that was my snack! ;_;

    I have a desk job, and I only do 30 min of exercise every other day (which I log, so my activity level on here is set to sedentary).

    You should be eating at least your BMR, but closer to your TDEE.... You are hungry because your body probably needs more fuel.

    Also, (I didn't look at your diary) you should try eating protein throughout the day. This will fill you up and make you feel satisfied longer.

    Stick with it and try different things until you find the right balance for you.
  • JSheehy1965
    JSheehy1965 Posts: 404
    what kind of calories are you eating during the day - protein to keep you full or is it carb heavy? Doritos aren't a good way to eat if you're hungry. Try filling up on stuff that has slow burning carbs or high in protein. :)
  • Blessedlocs
    Blessedlocs Posts: 1
    one thing I have learned with eating properly is you have to be PREPARED!!! I only keep healthy snacks on hand at all times. (nuts, magic pop, hundred calorie snacks if your not crazy about "healthy food", etc) Also something that could help is fueling your workouts with good carbs (fruits or whole grains/wheat) and protein (leafy veggies, fish etc) in the evenings. High fiber foods and protein shakes help combat excercise hunger!
  • kls13la
    kls13la Posts: 380 Member
    What are you eating? Are you meeting your protein goals? (Your diary is password protected.) Your calories seem low, but what you are eating could also be contributing to your hunger.
  • ATLMel
    ATLMel Posts: 392 Member
    You shouldn't be famished from that level of activity. I have a feeling this is more about not eating the right kinds of food rather than not eating enough. Soon after exercising you should have a good recovery meal to rehydrate and speed recovery. I like chocolate milk a LOT. It has a perfect carb:protein ratio and is filling.

    Are you eating a lot of nutritionally dense foods throughout the day? Complex carbs and protein leave you fuller, longer. Foods high in water content (I always have lychee in my desk) help as well.

    If you open your diary, you might get a little more detailed responses.
  • cleavagefurrow
    cleavagefurrow Posts: 47 Member
    I opened up my diary to be public now.
  • cleavagefurrow
    cleavagefurrow Posts: 47 Member
    I know Doritos aren't good for hunger but I was craving them so I just caved. :(
  • JSheehy1965
    JSheehy1965 Posts: 404
    I know Doritos aren't good for hunger but I was craving them so I just caved. :(

    We all cave at one point or another - don't beat yourself up about it. :wink: Sometimes when I'm craving, i drink water or eat a handful of nuts....not the same thing, I know, but seems to help me.
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