I’ve been listening to the show since November of 2005 and I absolutely love it.  I’ve always been good about eating right and exercise but I’ve never been consistent.  Over my lifetime I’ve had an endless array of fat years and skinny years and I’ve finally gotten sick of it.  This can’t possibly be good for your health can it? Since I’ve been listening to the show I’ve lost 10 pounds and this time I intend to keep it off.  I still have about 20 more to go to reach a healthy goal for my height and frame but the daily minutes keep me inspired to stay on that wagon.  This biggest problem I have, which I hope others may have some advice for, is that the more I exercise the hungrier I am.  I’m sorry but salads and lean protein and fruits and veggies just don’t fill me up.  One hour later I’m STARVING and sometimes the need for something “bad” is so overwhelming I give in just so I won’t be hungry anymore.  I’m tired of eating and I’m tired of being so hungry all the time.  So now what?

Hi Cabalerro,

Welcome to MTM land!  People here are really friendly, so don’t worry about asking stupid questions.  God knows I’ve asked more than my fair share, and I’m not finished yet.

In terms of being hungry:
1. Are you drinking enough water?  I know that in in another thread I seemed harsh against drinking lots of water, but do make sure you’re getting enough.

2. Are you eating enough?  Starving yourself is not a good way to lose weight.  Make sure you’re getting enough calories for your size and activity level.  If you’re exercising a lot, 1200 calories a day probably isn’t going to cut it!

3. Are you eating the right things?  From your post, it seems like you know the right things to be eating, but just make sure you’re getting a good balance from all the food groups.  Carbs are not the enemy, especially if you’re working out a lot!

Hope this helps!  I’m sure other people will be able to give you even more concrete advice.

Julie

Hi Atlanta, and welcome to community,

I’ve used the website ‘www.fitday.com” to help monitor what I’m eating (either good or bad). It can actually help know what I am doing right/wrong, and sometimes let me know what I need to eat so I can stay on track. It’s a great way to help track how your doing over a period of time. (a journal online too). 

We all know WHAT we should be eating, and how to take care of our bodies, minds etc.  It’s the consistant part that I believe everyone has a problem with.  We must have ‘free will’ like Scott keeps saying in every action you take, everyday.

Again welcome to the show.  It’s a great community there are NO question you can’t ask.

All the BEST!

Tom from Carlsbad, CA.

Hi Cabalerro -

I second what Julie says in point two. My first thought when I read that you were always starving is “is she eating enough?” 1200 calories would be the BARE MINIMUM that experts say you can eat and safely lose weight.  But it’s possible you are eating less than that, esp. if you are going low carb or low fat.  Better to set your calorie goal higher and know you can stick to it than to set it too low and risk hunger causing you to give in to those cravings.

Like Tom, I too use fitday.com, and have found a couple of times that a day’s worth of planned meals only comes out to 900 calories. So I go back in and add some carbs here and some almonds there to get to a more healthy (and comfortable) calorie total.

Welcome to the group and keep us updated on your progress.

Laura

Hi Caballero
I agree with others in our community. Also, from my own experience, you do go through cravings when changing from one plan to another of food. And the cravings also come when you change activity level at the same time that you change your food plan. Absolutely, don’t starve yourself. Do you know, approximately, how many calories you were consuming before you started losing weight? Usually, if you cut a total of 500 calories (from the combination of more activity and less food), you will see slow, but permanent results. This, for some people, reduces the pangs.

When you talk about the type of foods that “seem to be allowed” on your plan, I see veggies and salads, but no mention of other types of carbs. Is yours a plan that eliminates carbs, or gives you low carbs? When was the last time that you mixed-up the type of veggies and the content of your salads? If your choices of complex carbs are primarily “low” glycemic, and you are not used to such a regime, you will feel the difference from the previous eating style.

If you can shake off the cravings in the first 14 - 21 days, you will find that the attention-getting cravings will dissipate, and you can get on with your food plan with less anxiety.

Wow!  So much great advice!  I’ve taken it all to heart and am implementing many of the suggestions.  Particularly about eating more carbs.  It’s so great to know that there are so many fellow strugglers out there.  Live well and eat healthy.  Thanks so much.