How much hunger is normal?

[redlight]

I started a new diet yesterday, aiming for eating between 1600 and 1800 calories (I estimate). I'm cutting way down on sweets, and am trying to eat a smaller dinner and have only low calories snacks at night.

How much hunger should I be experiencing? I guess it's normal to have some. How do you deal with the hunger?

BTW, I'm 5'5.5" and weigh 177.

 

[ohMom]

Kudos to your for deciding to incorporate a healthy lifestyle! (i don't like the "d" word )

I experience hunger at the beginning of such a eating change, your stomach has expanded to accomodate the amount of food you had been eating, it takes some time for it to shrink back to it's normal smaller size. I think how much time varies person to person, for me it's about 5-7 days.

How do deal: drink water first and foremost. Our brain oftens misinterprets the signal of thirst for hunger. 64 oz of water a day is a good goal. beyond that == is there a calorie-free beverage you like? hot tea? coffee? if you just can't stand it -- snack on low-calories low-starchy vegetables like cucumber, celery, peppers, etc

hang in there -- everyday it gets easier --- and you're going to feel fantastic!!

 

[NeverlandClub23]

I agree with ohMom. Try to keep your mind off of your hunger as well. Like if I start to feel "hungry" I get out of the house and go for a walk. It's really hard at first with the kitchen just a few steps away to resist the temptation. Or if it's past 9 p.m. and I really want something to eat, I go to sleep . But, honestly, it really is a whole lot easier after a few days.

And congratulations for making the decision to have a healthier, longer life!

 

[Lesli54]

I definitely agree with getting in more water. It really does help curb the appetite.

It is great that you are cutting back your calories and as long as you make those calories count, you probably won't experience a large amount of hunger. Instead of saving your low cal snacks for the evening, try spreading them out through the day. If you 5-6 small meals (includes snacks) through the day, you will significantly reduce the amount of hunger you will experience. There are many veggies & fruits that you can eat quite a bit of and not have too many calories, such as green beans, watermelon, green peppers, etc.

Whatever you do don't let yourself get too hungry before you eat again since that tends to lead to alot of overeating rather quickly. You will notice in a week or so that you aren't as hungry as you were when you started.

Good luck.

 

[redlight]

Thanks everyone!

I drink at least 64 oz of water already, often more, as well as coffee.

 

[pjlla]

Well... I have to say, that even after 15 full months on Weight Watchers, there are STILL times when I am HUNGRY! Usually it is when I have made a bad choice and spent my points on empty calories (you know, a slice of chocolate cake is a WHOLE lot less filling than the many, many apples you could have for the same points!). But sometimes I make all the right choices and I am STILL hungry. I have learned to live with it. I am hoping when I finish losing and go into maintenance mode, that I can figure out how to not be hungry so often. I know that I should eat more often. I tend to get busy (like now) and push my meals back a few hours when I shouldn't.

Anyhow, I do have a few low point/no point foods I go do when I am desperate. I like the General Foods French Vanilla Cafe (decaf, sugar free). A cup of that really fills me up. I ALWAYS keep baby carrots in the fridge, as well as celery,apples, and usually grapes. When I am desperate I eat handfuls of the carrots! Laughing Cow cheese with a few crackers is also pretty filling... I top it with peach/pineapple salsa... YUM.

You will find things that work for you as you go along. Good luck.........P

 

[snarlingcoyote]

Start exercising.

Seriously, the more you exercise, the more you can eat. And you won't magically just wake up one morning when you're at the weight you want to be at and be able to go exercise vigorously for an hour a day 5 days a week.

So start now and start eating those calories now.

Go walk for an hour and enjoy the sunshine, have fun with your kids. It'll get you away from the fridge for that hour and at the end of it, you'll have enough calories for an extra apple.

I'm a WW Lifetimer who has maintained for 2.5 years. It is HARD for me to maintain unless I exercise.

I started by walking 10 minutes a day, then started walking one mile a day. Now I get my fanny on the elliptical, set the resistance fairly high, and elliptical while I watch YouTube for about 50 - 60 minutes a night. On weekends, I spend at least one day doing something volunteery for at least 8 hours. On my feet, moving, working kind of volunteery. That burns calories AND helps my community.

I can't maintain without the physical activity. I couldn't lose without the physical activity. I would STARVE if I tried.

 

[redlight]

I'm already exercising. I jog a couple miles about 3 times a week, and I use Leslie Sansome tapes.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

...It is great that you are cutting back your calories and as long as you make those calories count, you probably won't experience a large amount of hunger. Instead of saving your low cal snacks for the evening, try spreading them out through the day. If you 5-6 small meals (includes snacks) through the day, you will significantly reduce the amount of hunger you will experience. There are many veggies & fruits that you can eat quite a bit of and not have too many calories, such as green beans, watermelon, green peppers, etc.

Whatever you do don't let yourself get too hungry before you eat again since that tends to lead to alot of overeating rather quickly. You will notice in a week or so that you aren't as hungry as you were when you started...

I have found that this works too. Take the same healthy choices you plan to eat and split them into portions that you can eat every couple/few hours. Try to not have anything too close to bed time.

Good luck with your journey!

 

[TammyNC]

Great job for getting started. Don't let the hunger pains get the best of you. Some wonderful thoughts have been given. I too agree that it is hard when your body is adjusting to your new way of eating. It is almost like it is protesting and fighting you along the way. Stay strong and stick with it and you'll push through. Also make sure that the calories you are eating are good ones and not empty ones.

 

[redlight]

Thanks. I've lost 2 lbs in the first week.

 

[tabbybizgan]

My trainer has told me to eat 5 times per day, but small meals. If you eat every 2-3 hours, it'll keep your metabolism going. Also, some carbs are good for having energy to exercise.

I lover popcorn, and if you eat the light butter one, it's a good snack when you feel like munching. I've heard that if you drink hot tea or hot water in the morning it'll curb your appetite??? I don't know if it's tru.

I liver my coffee!!!!!

 

[MelanieC]

It's like those WW's comercial with the orange "Hungry".

I definately find that when I start watching what I eat or I'm getting back on track I fixate and feel extra hungry. It takes determination to work through "hungry" until you feel in control. After about a week or so (especially if you give up your sugar and white starches), you will feel so much less hungry and in control. Filling type foods help me too. There is a book called volumetrics (can you rent it from the library) that talks about how certain foods are more filling based on density. Example - a cup of grapes is way more filling than the equal number of calories of raisins. Adding a little rice, beans etc. to your foods help you feel full. Also adding veggies to your meals helps.

Just take it one day at a time and conquer "Hungry".