anyone else freakishly hungry?

rachmass1
rachmass1 Posts: 470 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Hi all, I have been watching what I eat, trying to be over BMR and under TDEE since I started on MFP but lately (this past week) I am totally famished! I just can't seem to get enough to eat. I used to eat tons of veggies but over the past month have segued into more filling foods as I haven't felt satisfied, and just this past week I either go over, or have to do additional workouts to try and get into range.

Is this normal to 5-months into watching your weight, all of a sudden become famished?

Replies

  • mamaomefo
    mamaomefo Posts: 418 Member
    I don't know if it's normal but it has happened to me today! I think mine is boredom. It's to hot to go outside and I exercised this AM. Good luck resisting the temptation to over eat!
  • kace406
    kace406 Posts: 80 Member
    Once every couple of weeks, I have a day where I just can't get full. I eat healthy, satisfying foods, but am still hungry. I don't know if it's scientific, biology, the heat, the full moon, or what. I usually just do what I have to do, because I refuse to be hungry just to fit into the day's goals. If it continues for a longer period of time, it could be worth checking with a nutritionist or a doctor for advice.
  • verptwerp
    verptwerp Posts: 3,628 Member
    Looked quick at your food diary .... perhaps it's the bread that's causing cravings .... try a different type, or give it up for a week to see what happens ?

    I can't eat most breads, it's not pretty if I do :sad:

    Best of luck !
  • Maximumresults
    Maximumresults Posts: 175
    it could be so many things...from emotions, to water consumption, you could have gained muscle and require more calories now...the list goes on...go up 100-200 calories for a while and see if that helps you and you still make progress...choose fruit, veggies, and some protein for the calorie bump up
  • LilBelieve
    LilBelieve Posts: 23
    I read an article that talked about when you are losing weight, your body thinks that something is wrong, like a famine or general lack of food, and tries to bring you back to your "normal," whatever weight your body was. It is possible that it is just your body's natural reaction to weighing less than you did. Others can probably site sources for you, but my advice is to keep doing what you're doing. If you are eating the same things but are suddenly feeling more hungry, it's probably just psychological. Try to ignore it or distract yourself with other activities, and the feeling will probably pass. Hang in there!
  • rachmass1
    rachmass1 Posts: 470 Member
    I had a slice of brown berry to help with the hunger and it didnt work. Usually do the dense German bread with a bit of hummus for protein. This hunger has been for about a week now and I am starting to make less healthy choices trying to fill up. I used to do a lot of veggies juiced but calories are too high and I can normally only take in 1700-1900 in a day.

    was okay until I started to try to eat more in the morning and less at night. Now I am hungry constantly. Am drinking a lot of water (not the best at logging h2o) but that doesn't help.

    Wonder if timing is a contributor? Started to shift to eating earlier as my weight loss is slowing down from 4 lbs per month to 2 per month
  • CallMeCupcakeDammit
    CallMeCupcakeDammit Posts: 9,377 Member
    You could try adding more protein and see if that helps. If you're not getting enough sleep, that could make you feel hungrier than you really are because that interferes with the production of leptin, which is the hormone that makes you feel full. That was my problem today, and I'm trying really hard to resist the crap they keep in the kitchen at work.
  • 140lbgoal
    140lbgoal Posts: 19
    I have been starving this week, which for me is usually a sign of, "Aunt Flo is coming for a visit". I know if I eat more protein, I feel better. Also for sweet cravings, I am satisfied with mixing up a packet of Peach/Mango or Grape flavored Energy Drink Mix. I get mine at Walmart, Great Value brand. Don't forget also, there is always room for Jello. :o)
  • sharonloraine
    sharonloraine Posts: 69 Member
    I am feeling the same way. Also very sleepy during the day. I am sleeping well at night but I am just drained all the time.
  • DaveneGfit
    DaveneGfit Posts: 338 Member
    Honestly you may be needing more calories or a higher amount of nutrient dense food. I was going though the same thing for a while and I also found my body just needed time to adjust. If you like I can take a look at your diary and try to help you figure out what could be causing it. I know everyone generally focuses on how many calories you should have, but in the long run it's about the combination of food you are eating
  • AraLiaMoonBeam
    AraLiaMoonBeam Posts: 37
    i've been having that problem. i think i just need to adjust food. i made a "vegan raw spinach keish" this week. Only problem? a main ingredient is cashews so I had to cut my helpings in half... so, for me i think it means shifting how i am planning the food. also helped a friend clean house for 5 hrs today plus half hour of yoga so.... also i agree with eating more protein. i don't agree with how much protein they are saying to eat. i have a lot of muscle, and not too much fat, so the website may be telling me what to eat based on thinking my weight is fat. (174 pounds) and probably could lose 20.
  • mamamc03
    mamamc03 Posts: 1,067 Member
    Preggers?
  • Lleldiranne
    Lleldiranne Posts: 5,516 Member
    I hit the hungries every so often. And I will allow myself to over for a few days, or even a week, when it happens. It's often after I start a new exercise or something - just my body adjusting. I try to keep it to under - or close to - my maintenance calories. Then I can go back to the reduced calories and be satisfied with it.

    I am also one who usually eats less in the mornings and more in the afternoon/evening. It works for me. If it was working better for you to do it that way, I would go back to the smaller breakfasts and larger suppers. There's nothing magical about eating more early and tapering off through the day, and it doesn't benefit everyone. And if you feel less hungry being able to eat more in the afternoons, go with it. Your daily calorie intake is more important than when you eat them (though I know I'm going to get a lot of people saying I'm wrong)
  • CallMeCupcakeDammit
    CallMeCupcakeDammit Posts: 9,377 Member
    I hit the hungries every so often. And I will allow myself to over for a few days, or even a week, when it happens. It's often after I start a new exercise or something - just my body adjusting. I try to keep it to under - or close to - my maintenance calories. Then I can go back to the reduced calories and be satisfied with it.

    I am also one who usually eats less in the mornings and more in the afternoon/evening. It works for me. If it was working better for you to do it that way, I would go back to the smaller breakfasts and larger suppers. There's nothing magical about eating more early and tapering off through the day, and it doesn't benefit everyone. And if you feel less hungry being able to eat more in the afternoons, go with it. Your daily calorie intake is more important than when you eat them (though I know I'm going to get a lot of people saying I'm wrong)

    If it wasn't past my bedtime I'd dig up the links that show that meal timing is not important. :smile:
  • rachmass1
    rachmass1 Posts: 470 Member
    Honestly you may be needing more calories or a higher amount of nutrient dense food. I was going though the same thing for a while and I also found my body just needed time to adjust. If you like I can take a look at your diary and try to help you figure out what could be causing it. I know everyone generally focuses on how many calories you should have, but in the long run it's about the combination of food you are eating

    Thank you. I may not be eating the best. Trying to eat things that will fill me up and mostly veggies don't cut it. Not pregnant and TOM was 2.5 weeks ago. I am nearing menopause and hope that doesn't have anything to do with it (it could hit next week or 10 years, who knows, I am 51).
  • rachmass1
    rachmass1 Posts: 470 Member
    I hit the hungries every so often. And I will allow myself to over for a few days, or even a week, when it happens. It's often after I start a new exercise or something - just my body adjusting. I try to keep it to under - or close to - my maintenance calories. Then I can go back to the reduced calories and be satisfied with it.

    I am also one who usually eats less in the mornings and more in the afternoon/evening. It works for me. If it was working better for you to do it that way, I would go back to the smaller breakfasts and larger suppers. There's nothing magical about eating more early and tapering off through the day, and it doesn't benefit everyone. And if you feel less hungry being able to eat more in the afternoons, go with it. Your daily calorie intake is more important than when you eat them (though I know I'm going to get a lot of people saying I'm wrong)

    Thanks! I was going off the FB site which said I shouldn't consume more than 30% of my calories at dinner and beyond and I typically do.

    I also sleep poorly for the most part, maybe averaging 6.5 hours per night but often quite a bit less. Don't want to have to hit on pills to help and I am fairly active so should be tired. I did recently start adding in very light time of intense elliptical (hard puffing) once or twice a day. Maybe that caused some of the shift.

    Thanks all!!!
  • DalexD
    DalexD Posts: 236 Member
    I was the exact same for the first few weeks on this. I just kept saying to myself "wait until eleven, wait until one, wait until five" etc when I felt the hunger start. Eventually I trained myself to just eat at regular times which stopped me snacking.
  • rachmass1
    rachmass1 Posts: 470 Member
    I was the exact same for the first few weeks on this. I just kept saying to myself "wait until eleven, wait until one, wait until five" etc when I felt the hunger start. Eventually I trained myself to just eat at regular times which stopped me snacking.

    Thing is I have been doing this since January and the freakish hunger really just started. It's very weird. I have had a few days here and there of extreme hunger over the months, but this has been going on for over a week :(
  • DalexD
    DalexD Posts: 236 Member
    I was the exact same for the first few weeks on this. I just kept saying to myself "wait until eleven, wait until one, wait until five" etc when I felt the hunger start. Eventually I trained myself to just eat at regular times which stopped me snacking.

    Thing is I have been doing this since January and the freakish hunger really just started. It's very weird. I have had a few days here and there of extreme hunger over the months, but this has been going on for over a week :(

    So you might just have to train yourself again. No biggie. Just keep pushing through.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    I would suggest going back to eating a lot of veggies but eat them with fat. Toss them in olive oil and roast them, stir fry them, add avacado or nuts to salads and top with a vinagrette made with olive oil.

    I find that foods cooked with fat tend to satisgy me for much longer than low-fat foods. Fat is high in calories so you don't want to go crazy with it, but I go over my fat goal nearly everyday and I'm rarely hungry on 1700 calories, and that includes a couple glasses of wine.
  • kyle4jem
    kyle4jem Posts: 1,400 Member
    Are you getting enough protein?

    I try and have some protein with every meal as protein usually keeps you feeling fuller, for longer.

    I also eat pretty much what I want, as deprivation can lead to totally irrational cravings, I just don't eat the volume of food I used to.

    If you enjoy dairy, low-fat dairy is good and helps fat transit.

    Soups are relatively low in calories, but a nice big bowl of thick veggie soup (maybe with some bacon or chicken) or a fishy chowder make a great lunch.

    Smaller meals more often can help some folks stave off hunger.

    When you feel hungry, have a drink and if you still feel hungry after 30mins then eat something.

    Do something that can distract you for an hour or two. I usually find when I'm busy I never even thing about food.

    You might need to give into your urges now and again... as long as it's not a daily habit... having a bit of a blow-out can help, either by satisfying your cravings or making you realise how stuffed you feel and then remember that sensation so the next time it will make you think twice.

    Good luck!

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