Knowing when you're hungry?

[teachingmykids]

I've just started Atkins, and realized I must be carbo sensitive. The huge amounts of protein have really helped me regulate my appetite.
Do you all eat on a schedule? I've found myself wandering around wanting to eat just because I can.
I know it sounds crazy, but I'm so used to eating junk anytime/anywhere that I'm not sure I know when I'm hungry.
~~g.

 

[maryliz]

I know what you mean. I'm not sure if I'm really hungry right at this very moment, or if the chocolate covered almonds that someone here is selling is just playing tricks on my mind/stomach I keep drinking my water and telling myself that I do not want them ... but the water cooler is right beside the table where they're selling the darned things

Sorry, not really the serious answer you were looking for ... but your post reminded me of what I'm struggling with here today I'm not on Atkins so not sure whether eating raw veggies throughout the day/evening is something you would do to combat feelings of hunger/need to be eating something.

Mary Liz

 

[ohMom]

busying yourself for 15 mins -- if you are still 'hungry' after that point you probably are hungry! if you get lost in something else, a book, scrapbooking, kids, etc -- then you were maybe bored? i know I overeat out of boredom usually -- i make myself do something else and see if it passes

 

[teachingmykids]

You're probably right, it's not hunger, just the call of the food.
Resist those almonds Mary Liz............
~~g.

 

[maciec]

I don't know where I read this or even if it's true, but I think I read that sometimes when you think your hungry it's really your body telling you that it needs water. I know this may sound silly (it does to me), but I really think I heard that somewhere.......actually, now that I think about it I think I heard it on Dr. Phil or Oprah.

 

[Minniespal]

I still find it difficult to get my head round the fact that when I think I am hungry perhaps I am only thirsty. Going to pay more notice to my body this week and see what happens.

 

[teachingmykids]

It's kind-a scary that I'm so out of touch with my body and what it's saying to me.

I will try drinking water every time I think I'm hungry, then see what happens.

Thanks for the help and encouragement.

~~g.

 

[Beanie]

Originally posted by teachingmykids
It's kind-a scary that I'm so out of touch with my body and what it's saying to me.

I used to feel the same way!! It was scary!! But before you know it, you will be right in tune with what your body is saying and will know right away what it needs!!

Good luck!!

 

[firecracker]

I had a hard time with this exact thing. We're so programmed to eat in our culture, even if our body does not need food, we give it food!

Occasionally, I will say "I'm not going to eat anything until my stomach growls." I will drink water, but I won't eat anything or have any gum/mints. The first time I tried this I went for 34 hours without eating! No, I wasn't lightheaded or anything! My body REALLY did not need food for 34 hours! I thought that was amazing!

DISCLAIMER: I do not do this often. This is a test and ONLY a test. If it had been a real eating emergency, I would have eaten. Now that I am eating/living healthy, I can't go more than 6 waking hours without my stomach actually needing food.

Carmen

 

[septbride2002]

I can usually tell when I'm hungry because my stomach will start to growl. If I drink water and it quenches it for about 15 to 20 minutes then I know I am legitamally hungry and need to eat. Now that I have been eating regularly I can usually tell when I will be hungry by what I eat. If I eat a big 3 egg omelet with cheese I usually won't get hungry until 1pm or 2pm. If I eat a small egg muffin or apples and peanut butter I usually get hungry about 11a.m.

Another thing that has been mentioned on www.lowcarbfriends.com is that people seem to be hungrier before their body does the big whoosh! And I have to agree I tend to eat more and more often about 2 days before WHOOSH!

~Amanda

 

[nativetxn]

Georgia, are you still on induction? If you are, it will take 4 or 5 days before you get into ketosis. When that happens your appetite will leave you and you will have to remind yourself to eat. Until that happens eat when you feel hungry (try the water first) but eat if you feel hungry.

You're going to love ketosis

 

[teachingmykids]

Yes, I'm in Induction. I started last Friday -- Sat. church pot luck there was NOTHING but carbs. I started again Sunday.
How will I know ketosis? (I actually turned down a muffin at a social today -- that was a first!)
Sunday I had a weird headache, not my usual sinus one. Yesterday and today I've had plenty of energy and a strange sense of optimism.
I haven't had any strong cravings, but I would really like a bowl of cereal with cold milk. (I eat for texture.)
No changes in weight or inches.

The book says induction is 2 weeks, but I've read here that some are on it after 4 weeks. Is that a personal preference?

Thanks for your help and support.
~~g.

 

[nativetxn]

My dh went into ketosis at the end of his 4th day. He went from feeling like he had flu symptoms to having a LOT of energy and absolutely no feeling of hunger. This happened sometime between 5 and 8pm of his 4th day of induction. Everyone is different though. You could go into ketosis before day 4 or not until day 7, no way of telling.

There are Ketostix you can use to test your urine but you will most likely know when you go into ketosis. You are only at the end of day three so give it 3 more days and if you don't feel bunches better by then we will discuss this again, okay?

Hang in there, you can do this and you will be glad once you get past the first week