Running makes me hungry

I am now two or three weeks into my running program, and I've noticed that it really, really makes me hungry.  I started noticing last week that I was really eating a lot.  I'm normally pretty good at counting calories, but for some reason I have really been struggling.  I've thought perhaps it could be psychological, so I paid close attention today and as it happens, I REALLY AM hungry.  I listened to the signals I was getting from my body and decided to only eat when I feel hungry.  I'm ending the day at 2080 calories.  2080!  My goal range is 1500-1700.  I'm 24, 5'4, 170 lbs (just because someone always asks). 

IS THIS NORMAL?  What can I do?  I've got to start being a better food cop for myself.

Original Post by sarahbluebelle:

I am now two or three weeks into my running program, and I've noticed that it really, really makes me hungry.  I started noticing last week that I was really eating a lot.  I'm normally pretty good at counting calories, but for some reason I have really been struggling.  I've thought perhaps it could be psychological, so I paid close attention today and as it happens, I REALLY AM hungry.  I listened to the signals I was getting from my body and decided to only eat when I feel hungry.  I'm ending the day at 2080 calories.  2080!  My goal range is 1500-1700.  I'm 24, 5'4, 170 lbs (just because someone always asks). 

IS THIS NORMAL?  What can I do?  I've got to start being a better food cop for myself.

how long and how intense do you run?  

The more calories you use up, the hungrier you will be.

I cycle brisk walking (4 mph, which is really an effort on short, stubby legs) and running about 6 mph for only a half hour.  The treadmill shows me burning under 300 calories (and I program my weight into it before starting, let it monitor my heart rate, etc, so I trust it pretty well). 

Original Post by sarahbluebelle:

I cycle brisk walking (4 mph, which is really an effort on short, stubby legs) and running about 6 mph for only a half hour.  The treadmill shows me burning under 300 calories (and I program my weight into it before starting, let it monitor my heart rate, etc, so I trust it pretty well). 

2080 is only 380 over 1700...that pretty close to 300.  Just remember to use the burn meter if you are using CC to figure out how much you should eat each day or just factor your exercise in by yourself if you aren't.

Thanks for taking the time to go through this with me, hotfuss.  :o)

I watch the burn meter pretty closely.  I just feel like it's all that hard work down the drain.  As I was looking back at my journal (I don't get to use the internet at work, which is a big portion of the day, so I keep a notebook and add it to CC in the evenings), I just felt sick.  There are such a variety of people on this site, maybe someone will read this who has experienced the same thing.

Hi Sarah,

We have pretty close stats, except I am 6 years older than you, and consume about 1350 calories per day. I had the same problem as you, and I determined that I wasn't eating enough before excercising which made me ravenous after excercising. I work out after work at our company gym from 5:30-6:30. With just breakfast, a late lunch, and a mid morning snack I was eating about 550 calories prior to excercising, and per calorie count I was burning about 1750 by the time I was done excercising. I didn't feel hungry before I went to the gym, but would pig out when I got home. Now, I eat another snack about an hour before I go to the gym. Usually a skim milk and some almonds (which is about 240 calories) and when I am done excercising I can eat a normal dinner without the evening binge.

Original Post by sarahbluebelle:

Thanks for taking the time to go through this with me, hotfuss.  :o)

I watch the burn meter pretty closely.  I just feel like it's all that hard work down the drain.  As I was looking back at my journal (I don't get to use the internet at work, which is a big portion of the day, so I keep a notebook and add it to CC in the evenings), I just felt sick.  There are such a variety of people on this site, maybe someone will read this who has experienced the same thing.

 If I do a heavy cardio day (like 500+ calories), I let myself have up to have those calories back to eat, if I want/need them.  But I'll try not to let myself eat them all back.

The suggestion about trying to eat before running is a good one to try.  Maybe change up what you eat when, as well.  For me, I work out first thing in the morning (relatively speaking).  Up at 5, and a glass of milk or piece of fruit before leaving the house at 5:30.  Then at the gym by 6, followed by either a protein shake or a bowl of Kashi cereal, skim milk, and some fruit.  Then my mid-morning snack, and lunch as usual.  That usually gets me through my day without any heavy cravings later.  I found that if I had my full breakfast before leaving the house, I was STARVING the rest of the day.  It's like that kick-started my metabolism for the day, and I'd end up eating much more than I planned.

Clint

I LOVE to run but also find myself in the same boat, thinking that I am starving about 1/2 an hour after I'm done and even sometimes into the next day!

I also have found that a string cheese and a fruit about an hour before my run really helps to curb that little demon. And drinking LOTS of water all day and especially after, too.

On the downside, I cannot run in the morning because, as much as I would love to, I am ravenous all day after a good run or really any good cardio workout in the a.m. And that's a bummer cuz it's such a great feeling to have it DONE for the day. I admire those who can keep that hunger demon down during the day!

I find that I have the same thing, I'm 5'5' 163 or so and I jog on my treadmill for 30 - 40 mins. this week I have done it everyday and I too am starving! lol   Not really, I also ate 2,018 calories today, so I shouldn't be, but I feel like I am. It is frustrating, exercising and then it makes me hungry, I eat = I don't lose weight. :( I actually think I seem to have better results when I dont exercise and then I have less of an appitite and I can cut down on the calories without as much of a problem. I'm sorry I don't have a real answer, I really wouldn't stop exercising, but hang in there. If anything at least we will be fit!

Hi Sarahbluebelle and others,

When I first started running over 30 mins I would get absolutely ravenous ALL the time, it's good to see I wasn't the only one, as I thought I had a strange metabolism ha ha.

I'd say if you want to keep using running as your cardio for weight loss, you need to balance it up with good diet, and if you are hungry, your body obviously needs more fuel (but not overkill) to work.

I'd say go for low GI, wholesome carbs between at least 1-2 hours before a run.  E.g. for a 1pm lunch I would have:

wholemeal sandwich with lean ham, spinach and tomato, no butter

then do 30 min run about 3pm

Try to avoid running in order to eat...and more like, eating to run.

I used to think I could eat whatever I wanted just because I knew I could run it off.  I was as fit as a racehorse but my weight stayed the same, as I would eat then run, eat then run.

So it's definitely important to eat well if you want to keep running.

You might also find, the more your body gets used to the running (as you say you've just started) it might balance itself out. 

 

 

Thank you all for your replies.  I've always been afraid to eat before I run (I've heard that it'll make you sick, etc), but I'll see if I can't get a snack a little closer to work out time.  And other than that, I'm just going to be disciplined.  Mind over matter, right?

I'm an early morning runner. How much and what I eat before a run depends on how hungry I am when I wake up. If I am not hungry, I can use the caloris in G2 Gatorade to hold me over until I eat breakfast, or an apple on the way to work. I run with a bottle or it in a bottle belt or in camel back on long run days. At other times I have a 100 calorie protein drink like a Light Muscle Milk or even a Gu packet.  Since I have reflux I have had to play with what I eat before a run to avoid indigestion kicking in. Have tried bannas, apples, cheese, and yogurts with not a lot of luck before a run. Have evovled into current balance of taking an acid reducer pill upon awaking (after weighing myself), then Gu or protein drink before my run. During long runs I was eating nuts or a protein bar and that didn't work well and I am about to switch to Gu or other gel.

Trial and error and listening to your body is what I think we all have to go thru. We are all to unique in that respect.

Original Post by bobev:

I'm an early morning runner. How much and what I eat before a run depends on how hungry I am when I wake up. If I am not hungry, I can use the caloris in G2 Gatorade to hold me over until I eat breakfast, or an apple on the way to work. I run with a bottle or it in a bottle belt or in camel back on long run days. At other times I have a 100 calorie protein drink like a Light Muscle Milk or even a Gu packet.  Since I have reflux I have had to play with what I eat before a run to avoid indigestion kicking in. Have tried bannas, apples, cheese, and yogurts with not a lot of luck before a run. Have evovled into current balance of taking an acid reducer pill upon awaking (after weighing myself), then Gu or protein drink before my run. During long runs I was eating nuts or a protein bar and that didn't work well and I am about to switch to Gu or other gel.

Trial and error and listening to your body is what I think we all have to go thru. We are all to unique in that respect.

Of all the replies I have read, this one is the one I agreed with the most.  I have been running for a little over a year now and I am currently training for a full marathon.  I am an early morning runner as well.  I have found that a Diet Pepsi and a banana are what work for me before runs that are 5 miles or under (about an hour or less).  Anything more than that I usually have the Diet Pepsi and a Clif Shot Block (3 pieces per serving) and I take Gatorade with me on my run and set my timer for 15 min repeats and take a few swallows to keep hydrated.  If it's up to a ten mile run then I will eat a little more before.

I have found that if I am eating properly, i.e. a small meal every 3-4 hours, then I am definitely HUNGRY by the time my next "feeding" comes around.

I have figured out what works for me just the same way you are.  Ask a lot of questions, get a lot of feedback, try numerous things, gauge how I feel and use what works for me. 

So, I hope this helps you on your road to your own special routine.  Keep running, it's good for the soul!

NB

You're not alone!! On days when I run in the morning, I'm starving the rest of the day. When I run in the evening, I'm starving the next day. sometimes I literally wake up with my stomach growling.

I am pretty miserable when I'm hungry, so I just eat. The weight loss is slow, but to me it's worth it. I'm in great shape, and if I didn't eat as much as I do, I wouldn't perform as well in my physical activity.

Anyway, good luck :) Don't get discouraged!

meeeeeee tooooo!!!!!! and if i try to deny myself food, i end up bingeing within a few days. so i've decided to eat just enough when i am hungry and don't feel like i should be eating anymore that day. This has worked for me in the past, I  find that as long as i don't binge/overeat, and honestly eat just enough to feel satisfied, i lose weight.

anyway the alternative is to not run, eat less, and not be inshape which is worse for your body. its kind of nice having "extra calories" i think from exercise. you can slip up a little more than the average person who doesnt exercise, like you know, going out for a little ice cream is never really a big deal. just my thoughts!