HELP!!! I'm always hungry

[Alxx714]

I've been doing really well, this past month.  Down 15lbs!!  I've been experiencing old habits of always being hungry the last few days.  Concerned I'm going to gain back, what I fought so hard to lose.  Any words of encouragement would be helpful.  Thanks!

[Private_Syntax]

I agree with those who mentioned protein. If you are hungry, it means your body needs food. The question is what type of food you put in it to satiate that need. I find a hard-boiled egg or even two or one or two low-fat mozarella cheese sticks can satisfy a hunger pang, give me energy and is very reasonable calorie wise and health-wise. Personally I also prefer to have 6-7 small meals a day rather than 3 big ones where I eat beyond satiation just because society says it's done that way. Thus I AM eating every 2-3 hours while awake but it's healthy small low-cal snacks which seems to work best for me. Hunger is not your enemy; eating the wrong foods when hungry and/or not listening to how your individual body works is what usually causes problems for people. I swear by protein personally but that's because it works for me. I hope some of these ideas can help!

[crista73]

Prewarning; long post ha

It's ok to Eat you won't ruin your goal. It's also ok to have a cheat now and then so that you don't go nuts. I tried that nutrisystem diet once basically all it was, was portioning. The food was not that 'good', it was just smaller portions. I was eating chocolate muffins for breakfast, shrimp cocktail or a boiled egg for a morning snack, rice cup & salad for lunch, celery/carrots & string cheese for afternoon snack, hamburger & veggie for dinner, chocolate covered pretzles for a late night snack. I still lost a ton of weight. 

Sometimes I log my food for the day typing in things I want to eat, and then things I know I can force myself to eat to keep my calorie count down, ahead of time. This way I know where I can cheat a little and I just look forward to that moment and bear thru the other moments. When you start to feel hungry outside these times drink water or tea. Sometimes I will even take a piece of a boullean cube (chicken, beef, veggie) and mix it with water so that I taste and fill up that craving. Hot liquids make u feel full. 

However what I am getting at is that eat more often, even if you have to force yourself into a morning, afternoon and evening snack. It helps u feel less hungry later. 

It's actually crazy that most of just need to eat less but alot more often so that our metabolism stays working. Eat every 2 hrs and exercise. And allow yourself a cheat food. Have a piece of pizza for dinner one friday night and a salad. Workout more that day instead or the day after to help u feel better about it if need be. 

I think it was webmd that said workout more then the calories you eat, if u want to loose weight (not maintain). Sounds hard, but idk about u but I can walk on a treadmill all night as long as the TV is nearby. I don't have to be vigorous everytime in my workouts. 

Also sometimes its best to eat slower and wait. Your body needs time to feel that satifaction in the stomach. Just tell yourself ok I can have that other piece but I have to wait 10mins first. Sometimes by the time that 10mins is up u finally feel full and move on.  

Also if you can change out some of the foods you eat into vegetables. For instance
pasta = sqaghettie squash, zuchhini noodles
potatoe = turnip
There is a ton of lower calorie food replacements out there. I remember the other day I was eating spaghettie sqash, chicken pieces, asparagus, can of diced tomatoes with some seasoning and I got full so fast I had to toss my food out. That never happens like never but it was bc it was a vegetable and my body could only take so much before it was just full/stuffed. 

Juicing is also a love of mine. Its like a detox. Now I have never and will never just drink juice all day. I just juice beets, kale, and carrots. Scarf it down and know itll help my body feel full, make it healthier, and help me loose weight. Its a win.win.win. Our bodies need veggies.

Watch Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead on Netflix. It's Awesome. Its how I got started on juicing. 

Best of luck community,
Crista

[SeverdSoldier]

Drink more water. Track how much you are drinking to help stay full. This helps me out a lot. 

16 oz when you wake up

16 oz before each meal

8 oz before bed 

Anytime you feel hungry drink a glass or bottle of water and eat a piece of fruit or vegetable. I find Bananas to be extremely filling when paired with a bottle of water. 

If that doesn't help, exercise or go for a walk. Bordem is the number one reason I get hungry. Do something active that will make you forget you are hungry. It's easy to get hungry when you are sitting around watching tv. When you are focused on a physical activity it quickly becomes much more difficult.