what if I'm hungry?

Hi Everyone,

my main problem isn't that I need to change my unhealthy eating habits. In general, I'm pretty good. I loooovvvvveee apples, rye break, grapes, and all vegatables, but my problem is that I eat too much (and yes, of course I need to hold off those cookies)

What I am trying to do is lose the fresh man 15 (Caf. food was not kind). Luckly, I am living on my own and able to make meals. My first thing was to stop eating so late at night, and second I just need to eat a little bite less, and actually watch what I put in my mouth. I'm suppose to stay at 1400cals daily, which has been pretty good, except that sometimes I get hungry??? or I eat my meal, and am still hungry?? Since you guys all seem to have some great little tricks, I was wondering what you do when you get hungry?? but you're at your limit?

If your hungry you have to eat..depending on the time of day you can get away with grapes..if its late..but if its not and you need a meal..try...salad with 20 grapes little FF dressing add 4oz of chicken and 2 big  mushrooms..that will come out about 200 cal..and they are good cals ..not to shabby for a meal..good luck..(add alot of salad in a HUGE bowl..thats what I eat ALOT..lol..makes me feel like Im eating a ton when really is not bad)..STAY STRONG~~~

hi there 4k :)  I understand what ya mean about feeling a lil hungry still, but what I do is eat about every 3/4 hours.  I find that it keeps me just full enough over the course of the day. The trick is to find things that will fill you up and satsify you w/out it being bad for ya.  I love steamed veggies so I eat a lot of those! The great thing is you can find green beans and mixed veggies that you can poke some holes in the package and stick in the microwave to steam, it takes 3 minutes eh voila! How easy is that! Also, a lot of variety each meal is very satisfying.  A typical lunch for me would be, mixed green salad, veggies, no salt blue corn tortilla chips (16 chips is one serving and yep I count them out!)  3 or 4oz of chicken, or 4 oz of albacore tuna and a couple of hot chili peppers. 

Also don't forget your 25 grams of fiber each day.  I like the Weight Watchers Flakes N Fiber cereal for breakfast, 1 cup = 18 grams of fiber, and trust me that'll take you thru the next 4 hours easily! (210 total calories btw, and 16 gr of protein)

Light Rye Crisps are awesome too.  1 crisp is only 30 calories and you can top it w/ anything healthy. 

Drink plenty of water/fluids.

Good luck, keep on keepin' on!

You should try finding a healthy food that you really like and that u can binge on as much as you would like so that u can stay healthy but also not gain weight.

Great ideas above!

I found the first two weeks of less food was very unpleasant. Your body is being introduced to the idea of less, and it doesn't like it!

But thats ok. The thing that helped me was telling myself it was ok to be hungry sometimes, especially when I knew I was getting enough calories.

I'll even admit I talked to my stomach, especially late at night, and I think my reasoning finely got to it because I do pretty well now on about 1600 calories. But I never want to have to do that first two weeks again!

Here is my growing list of suggestions (I gave these to someone just a bit earlier, but they might help you, too):

Non-food related options:

Watching television is a HUGE mistake. There are so many food related commercials and snacking in front of the television is second nature to some people.

After midnight it gets easier, because I distract myself with planning tomorrow's menu

Find someone from this site to chat with on IM

Another distraction I find, is reading through the archives on this website. Just reading everyone's challenges and successes keeps me in the right frame of mind and gives me courage.

Here are some other things to try. Housecleaning! Even if you keep a very clean and tidy house, there is always something that could use a good scrubbing.

Make something elaborate to eat for tomorrow. Like I just spent the past 2 hours making a pot of chili. Chopping veggies is very time consuming. Lots and lots of veggies.

Low calorie, Food related options:

Make a cup of hot tea, somehow hot liquids help

Slowly lick a spoon of peanut butter

Eat spinach leaves, raw and plain (1 cup of fresh spinach is 7 calories)

Cantaloupe, Watermelon, Strawberries - these are your friends. They are sweet, but full of good stuff and lots of liquid.

If all else fails, I make a pot of popcorn. I have decided to stay away from microwave popcorn and starting making my own on the stovetop using white kernels. I sprinkle just a dash of salt and I drink lots of water with it. (1 cup is 33 calories and very filling)

1 Cup of Chicken Broth, 38 Calories

1 Cup of Veggie Broth, 15 Calories

Oh, another thing I do is suck on a lemon or lime. That really helps. I don't really care for either, but if I am really craving food, I just tell my brain to shut up and stick a lime in my mouth.

Another trick that I do, is situps. Like if I want something to eat really bad, then I make a deal with myself. 20 situps for one serving according to the package of whatever it is I want or 1/4 of a cup, which ever is the smaller amount.  

I also try to space the time between my meals out more. Like I still have one small meal left for the night. I know it can be difficult and it is a delicate balance, but have patience. You can do it!

I was a chronic -not each much all day, load up at night kinda gal.  Evening snacking is still an issue that is on my goal list of things to work on.

One thing that works for me is always planning for regular snacks, including one for after supper.  On weekends, when my schedule is different, I leave more calories for supper and later.

One trick that works when I'm hungry (or think I am) is to cook up some frozen broccoli pieces (one cup is 60 calories).  Very bulky, nuitritious and filling and makes me feel superior the next day that I didn't eat a bag of Lays and dip or order in pizza. lol

The other thing I know to be true it that whatever we focus on (thought or feeling) we make it bigger.  If I dwell on the fact that I want a certain thing or feel a certain way, the want or feeling become bigger.

The key for me is finding something else to focus on.

You also raised an excellent point about being able to binge on even healthy foods.  This weekend, instead of counting out some carrots to eat as a snack, I took the whole back with me when I went to do something else.  Wound up eating 3/4 of the bag.

I fully expect to be orange later today.  The point is, I set myself up for mindless uncontrolled eating.  Doesn't matter what  the food is.

Plan when you will eat.  Meals and snacks.  Other than that, tell yourself "The kitchen is closed."

You can do this!