Why am I so hungry?

I'm doing 1500 calories a day, which is what is recommended....just started yesterday. I feel like I'm starving and I'm so hungry. I'm drinking Crystal Light like nothing and staying away from the kitchen. I'm at about 1000 calories today and waiting for dinner.

Does hunger mean I should eat? Am I screwing up my weight loss by not right now?

It will take a few days for your body to adjust - don't stress too much if you go over by a couple hundred calories the first couple of days as long as you're eating well and eating only when hungry. I'd suggest eating some cherries or some crunchy veggies - look for high fiber foods that will keep you feeling full longer.

You can't really do anything in 1 day that will significantly screw your weight loss up (or your metabolism for that matter)

Last night I had a caesar salad and was starving half an hour later...I do have baby carrots and have snacked on them too. What other high fiber choices are there out there?

Part of the problem is most likely because you just started. If you were eating a lot before, going down to 1500 calories is a shock to your body. It will take a few days for your stomach to shrink and not keep begging for more after you've just fed it. Another reason you're feeling so hungry might be partly in the mind. I started on a 1200 calorie a day diet 3 weeks ago and for the first few days all I could think about was food. If you're doing the same thing I was, the constant focus on food and calories might be making it worse for you these first few days.

I'm not sure what you're doing for breakfast but I would personally suggest a serving of Special K and 1/2 cup of 1% or skim milk. That has approx. 200 calories and you feel fairly full afterwards. If you have any cereal like that at your house right now, try having a little bit. Or have a carrot. A medium sized carrot has about 25 calories in it and your body burns almost that many just digesting it.  Also, apples are pretty high in fiber, they're delicious, and have about 100 calories - I think.

oh I so know how you feel. Try putting fibresure in your water or juice, it dissolves completely and has no taste and it has 9 grams of fibre per tbls.

Thanks for that fiber tip, I'll have to try it.

This morning I had a bowl of Cheerios with 2% milk, with a banana...yummy. How is that Special K cereal? I have the Special K 90 calories bars that are new...chocolate/raspberry and chocolate/orange...they are awesome!

1/3 cup large flake oatmeal (the kind you have to cook) with a banana will stay with you much longer than Cheerios or Special K. I like mixing the raw oatmeal with yogurt and banana ... yum!

Cherries are great because they take time to eat too. Check out really high fiber breads too - sliver hills makes a great flax bread that has 5 grams of fiber per slice.

If you add 1 tbsp of ground flaxseed to a smoothie that increases the fiber and stays with you for a long time - try a 1/2 banana and 1/4 papaya (both frozen) blended with 1 tbsp ground flaxseed and 1/2 cup pinapple coconut juice and 1/2 cup water .... yummy! And only about 200 calories.

Be sure to drink lots of water too with all that fiber!

I HATE unflavored water...ugh. I've been doing some crystal light, watered down. I figure that's better than drinking none at all.

I like to use a good protein as a snack.  It works better for me regarding hunger.  One example I'm really into lately is greek style yogurt.  Very high in protein.  Trader Joe's fat-free Greek Style is 120 calories and 13 grams of protein.

The adjustment time is tough for most folks I think.  Sometimes it takes me about 2-4 days to feel less hungry.  Truth be told, I am typically not entirely satiated when I'm in a calorie deficit.

Good Luck!

Not to worry!  Those hunger pangs will subside as your body adjusts.  For me, the first 2 weeks or so were miserable, but I swear that if you can get past that, you'll be coasting.  In fact, with the right foods, you'll feel more full and satisfied than you ever have before.

Even though the "daily grade" of the Analysis function can be pretty whack, make sure you're paying attention to it, especially the protein.  Lean meats, beans, and natural peanut butter and nuts really make you feel full and powerful.

I also suggest checking out the Foods and Recipes forums.  I was hopeless until I started reading them and figured out just how tasty and filling food could be.  Lots of tricks and tips there, it's helped me a lot.

Honestly, if you can make it past the first few weeks, I promise it gets sooo much easier, and you actually start to like what you're cooking/making/eating more than anything you'd ever dreamed of.  (Maybe not cake... I'll admit that I splurge on that once every couple of weeks!)  But it's good stuff.

I'm sending many, many happy and healthy vibes your way!

P.S.  I would also suggest checking www.phord.com/cc.  It might give you a better idea of the caloric intake you need.

I hate unflavored water also... All Bran makes a drink mix (the single serve kind like crystal light), it has 10g of fiber per serving and 20 calories. The pink lemonade flavor is great and is potent enough that one package will favor a big bottle of water. It is hard to find, they carry it at WalMart and at Rite Aid in the diet section.

www.phord.com/cc says I should be eating about 1528 a day...and I'm aiming for 1500, so that's good! :)

I love peanut butter, but we just have the regular reduced fat creamy. (hate crunchy and boyfriend LOVES it). Does buying all natural make a big difference?

About peanut butter, most of the natural ones don't have any extra salt or ingredients. Salt gives extra sodium and water retention and pounds that stay put, which makes losers mad.

Spreading out your calories into 5 or 6 meals throughout the day may keep your blood sugar on an even keel so you do not feel starving. If you're eating 5 meals, that means you're at 300 calories equal meals for your 1500 per day. Assuming dinner you go for 300, you could try a 200 calorie snack. Some of my faves:

slice of bread and tablespoon of peanut butter (a bit over 200 with regular bread)

Banana and some walnuts (or almonds - we're talking 10 almonds or 7 grams of walnuts)

Cup of cherries (or blueberries) and some nuts

10 Olives and a piece of bread

Orange and 20 grams of dark chocolate

A few cups of air-popped popcorn with vinegar, garlic powder and parmesan

Thanks for the info..I went to the doctor today and already lost a pound in the last few days. I needed the motivation!