Holy God I'm ravenous!

Today has been too hard! Not only are there brownies in the office, extremely tasty-looking ones, but I went to spinning this morning and have been freaking wanting to eat my desk ever since. I have a stock of healthy snacks up in here... But I am picnicking with my friends tonight, and I'm not sure how many calories will be in my friend's "gourmet tuna casserole", so I'm trying to leave at least 600 calories for tonight, just in case. I am also going to be filling up on the grapes, celery, broccoli and hummus I'm bringing. It's just like, sometimes, 1500 doesn't seem like enough for the day, cause I'm sooo hungry! I think maybe spinning makes me hungrier. Think there's any truth to that? What are your strategies for dealing with this? (I'm chewing gum, chugging tea... it's not really helping).

if you are hungry then eat! especially on the days when you go to spin class because you are burning even more. fill up on proteins and fiber if possible..  i know with me if i restrict myself i end up binging later on

oh man, I am in the same boat, I went to spinning last night though, and have been starving since I woke up!

I've been trying to fill up on leafy greens, vegetables and fish (lean meat) but it isn't cutting it.  I'm going for some carbs when I get home, millet is calling my name tonight!

Maybe it is not enough calories for your body especially with activity level. If you get too hungry it will lead to binging. Do you need to loose weight? Even if you do some still need more and I think it should be about lifestyle change not a quick weight loss. Hopefully after your workouts you fuel and have a healthy breakfast that is balanced as well.

Yeah, I'm trying to lose. I'm at 155 now (5"5'), and am trying to get to 135. Every day's a battle. Sigh. I just don't think I'll lose anything if I eat more calories.

But how many calories do you burn spinning?  I'm guessing a ton... If I've done some serious cardio during the day, I allow myself to go over my calories by UP TO the amount I burned in cardio.  I try to avoid having a deficit of more than 1000 calories, in any case.  Cause that's still a 2 pound per week lose.

I usually find I'm starving on the days I bike-commute, and I pack extra (healthy) food to compensate for that.  Make sure that my snacks are more complete than usual (not just some fruit, but fruit and a protein).  And even then, I'm usually hungry by the time supper rolls around.  So I have a bigger supper, too.  So yesterday, I burned an extra 1000 calories commuting, so I had dessert at supper too (about a cup of frozen chocolate yogurt), and I also had a PB+J sandwich for a snack.  Wasn't particularly hungry for the last snack, but that bumped me back up to within 1000 calories of what I burned for the day.

Clint

Thanks, Clint. Apparently I burn almost 600 calories during my spinning class... Yeehaw. I have my activity set to light, because I live in NYC and walk a lot more than the average person, probably. My estimated total burn is 2510, with the spinning class added... So my 1500 intake limit is roughly a 1000 calorie defecit. That seems about right, right?

Hi there, just my two cents:  Maybe you would be happier with less of a deficit and being able to add a few more calorie-dense snacks, and whole grains, on days you have spinning class, so that you are not so hungry.  Also, keep in mind that you need to fuel your body properly so that you aren't lacking energy for your next workout! 

I don't do spinning, but I just got into running and I have found that keeping a good balance of protein, carbs & fat makes a huge difference in the quality of my run, my energy levels and my mood.  So, maybe bringing your intake up to a 500 calorie deficit will slow your loss a bit, but it might make you a happier person - and also make your weight loss more sustainable in the long run.  That said, a lot of this is experimenting on what works for you!!  Good luck!

Thanks, cc. I get what you mean. I know I'm a bit cranky when I get too hungry, and if I feel restricted I start resenting the whole process, and being generally miserable. I've been trying to work more protein and fiber into my diet lately. I think it helps me feel full for longer. Some days I do just fine on my 1500 though, and feel satisfid. Kind of strange.

I try a large diet coke fountain drink. It's something that I don't buy on a regular basis, so I'm not tired of it. It helps, but I know how you feel. I have a few bite marks in my desk too.

If you are hungry- eat.. just eat different things - lean protein, cottage cheese, Things that will fill you up and not be donuts. 

You don't say how much weight you are losing on average every week.

Spinning is one serious way to burn calories and you need to ensure you are topping up your body afterwards.  A banana is ideal and very filling

I always keep my settings at sedentary and add in my activity every day, that way you can allow for the fluctuations in everyday life and have the pleasure of topping it up each time. I go for a 800 per day defecit between my eat and (sedentry) burn to guarantee a 1.5 lb loss each week. 

For instance my sedentry is 1730 per day so if I stick to 1200 calories the defecit is 530, I just try to add another 270 activity to the day to get my 800. 270 on a sedentry setting is nothing as you can add in housework, walking, gardening, excercise etc.

If I want to eat 1500 I just complete activities up to the value of 570 which again is not that hard to do.

It's not about depravation, and indeed that can put you in starve mode.

XGill

You shouldnt chew gum... it produces saliva and your stomach thinks its about to get food..so therefore it can make you hungrier... this is just what Iv heard, and I noticed myself after chewing gum I do be hungry

May I add my two cents here?

I was in starvation mode a couple of weeks ago myself. I joined CC on 3 June, had lost 3-4 lbs right off the top ~ then dead end.

I posted for advice & others in here told me to up my cal intake to the recommended 1600 for my activity level, etc. But I was afraid that I would not lose if I ate more...WRONG! I have since lost 1-2 lbs a week & I feel great!

I am always full; as a matter of fact, I have to struggle to keep it @ 1400 (minimum) most days, lol ~ but it is working.

I'm sure it will for you, too ~ esp. with your activity level (much greater than mine, I can assure you) and since you only need to lose about 20 lbs, you should reach your goal in just a few short months.

Good luck...I am so-o jealous, lol! (I need to lose 84 more. )

I know how you feel, I get very hungry after exercise.  I exercise right after work and then eat dinner.  This way I can re-fuel with a meal not a snack.

good luck!

Hi,

First-Look away from the brownies then start eating your healthy snacks.  If you must ... just satisfy your craving but you got to go to the gym after work and burn it.

I'm doing a daily of 1300 calories and I leave it open for 1500 so I try to just eat within those calories.

Now I go to the gym during lunch and its hard then I try to go to the gym after work at least for 1/2 hour

Breakfast - I have 2 egg whites with turkey slice and 1 piece of cheese, ketchup total = 246

snack-depends

Lunch-Smart One total =220-270 depends

Dinner-Smart One total=220-270 depends

you are still left with alot of calories and you could have a snack

plus you could subtract your activity to your total calorie intake

I'm wrong please correct me

Do you eat before and after you work out?  If you don't then you need to start!  Yes, spining burns a good amount of calories, but I find that I burn more calories on the elliptical or by doing HIIT cardio.  Before I work out I do a "Lean Shake" from GNC and a banana.  The complex carbs give you the energy you need and the fiber and protien keep you satisfied.  After 50 min of cardio and a 60 minute circuit training I eat a piece of fruit and some oatmeal with a small handfull of cashews with a cup of tea.  In total I eat between 1700 and 1900 calories a day, sometimes more, depending on the ttal activity I do.  You may want to look into buying a BodyBug or GoWearFit.  It's an awesome too used to measure your true calorie expenditure vs calories consumed.  You just out the armband on and download the information at the end of the day.  You will have a readout of your total activity, total steps, moderate/vigerous activity levels, total sleep, and all of your calories consumed (including nutrient information).  I have learned that 1500 calories does not work for everyone, because everyone works out differently.   

I recently (last week) purchased the ebook burn the fat feed the muscle by Tom Venturo, to help me better decide how to optimize my weight loss since joining CC in March.  He agrees with a lot of what people say in these forums but one item I have not heard in this thread might be useful:

eat 5 small meals a day (3 hours apart), spreading out your calories across all 5.  Each of these meals should consist of some protein and complex carbs to lessen the insulin reaction of the pancrease.

But eating smaller frequent meals with protein should help curb your ravenous state.

Original Post by gillsl8tr:

I always keep my settings at sedentary and add in my activity every day, that way you can allow for the fluctuations in everyday life and have the pleasure of topping it up each time. I go for a 800 per day defecit between my eat and (sedentry) burn to guarantee a 1.5 lb loss each week. 

For instance my sedentry is 1730 per day so if I stick to 1200 calories the defecit is 530, I just try to add another 270 activity to the day to get my 800. 270 on a sedentry setting is nothing as you can add in housework, walking, gardening, excercise etc.

If I want to eat 1500 I just complete activities up to the value of 570 which again is not that hard to do.

It's not about depravation, and indeed that can put you in starve mode.

XGill

 Wow, never thought of doing that!! Love this site, I get new ideas everyday!

I agree with most everyone on this post, eat if you are hungry.....spinning is great but I also am ravenous on those days and CRANKY!!

Oh my, lots of responses! Thanks a lot everyone. I will try some of your suggestions! :)

Before doing any kind of workout I always eat some kind of power bar or at least a granola or snack bar. i try to by ones that are healthy and have less than 100 carlories per bar. YOU eat one before you work out so that it sustains you gives you some energey. dont worry about the calories though bec you will burn it off after spinning or any kind of cardio work out.

try eating a small bar before you go next time. See if that helps crave your hunger. Then once you get into work make sure you have breakfast. Every morning when I get to work I have a bowl of oatmeal and it sustains me unil lunchtime. Good luck!