My hunger levels have been through the roof.

Hi there,

I've been having insane issues with hunger lately...and I'm not sure why. I pulled my leg last week and I have to cut out all leg exercises (aside from light/moderate paced walking) for two to three weeks. I've still been working around the house, walking, and doing upper body exercises, but I'm doing nothing near as much as usual in terms of exercise. Ever since being forced to severely cut down my exercise routine, I've been having MAJOR stomach issues (I have IBS and other GI problems) and extreme hunger pangs. I don't enjoy eating at all, and those that know me are well aware of that. Now I am feeling so hungry that I want to eat! It's not small amounts either...I'm talking about 3000 or more calories per day. Yes, I am on my feet all day, but it makes no sense for my body to be SCREAMING for so much food. The real kicker is that, while it is screaming for food, my stomach is also aching...I'm getting nauseous and cramping a lot in ways that tell me that I'm extremely full. I don't know what to do!

I have IBS too, among other problems. I've found that when I feel starving for a few days, and I eat as much as my body seems to want, it just continues on and on and I never stop feeling that way. However, if I try to keep it reasonable and exercise self control, the extreme hunger goes away after just a day or two. Try eating more calorie dense foods in smaller quantaties and see if that helps.

Original Post by raynsong:

I have IBS too, among other problems. I've found that when I feel starving for a few days, and I eat as much as my body seems to want, it just continues on and on and I never stop feeling that way. However, if I try to keep it reasonable and exercise self control, the extreme hunger goes away after just a day or two. Try eating more calorie dense foods in smaller quantaties and see if that helps.

 Thanks for the advice...I shall try that. I just hope that it's not *real* hunger caused by a growth spurt or something. A few days shouldn't hurt, either way.

You may be so hungry because your body is trying to heal and therefore requires more energy.  You say you recently pulled your leg muscle... that would seem to make sense to me.  

Also, on the IBS, I completely agree with raynsong on the self-control.  I was recently found to be sensitive to gluten, although I don't have the celiac disease antibody (I went through a painstaking elimination diet guided by my doctor after many a stomach issue).  As a result, I have had to learn self-discipline the HARD way.  Believe me, I would want nothing more than to have that big bagel calling my name from the office kitchen, but I know that as soon as I'm done I will have a most unpleasant feeling! 

Throughout this process I have also discovered I need to eat in smaller amounts, which makes calorie dense foods a necessity.  But if you're hungry, feed your body.  Particularly if you've just gotten injured!  That'll help make sure you're back in the swing of things in a few weeks.   

Good luck!