Is hunger just a part of remaining thin?

[Anonymous]

Just wondering, for all you thin people. Does it take work to maintain your weight? Do you experience hunger daily? I'm 5'7 and 139; just lost 10 pounds and hoping to lose 7 more to get back into my clothes. Sort of went on a binge since Covid and became heavier than I'd ever been. I'm finding that to lose the weight, I have to be willing to endure hunger every day. Not all day, but certainly, for periods of every day - I go to bed a bit hungry and I spend much of my morning (like right now) hungry. I've been able to power through it because I'm seeing progress on the scale and it's motivating. But generally, I love the feeling of being full, even stuffed, and it's rather depressing to think that if I want to be at my goal weight, I'm going to have to eat less for the long term and thus, maybe, be hungry for a good portion of my life.

[Anonymous]

For a lot of people (especially perimenopausal/menopausal women) it is. It’s because rather than being where their body is most comfortable and they can eat normally - which is probably a size 8-14 - they will do WHATEVER IT TAKES to stay as skinny as they were in college or whatever.

[Anonymous]

I like to be a little bit hungry. It helps me enjoy my meals better. I can’t relate to enjoying feeling stuffed at all—I hate that feeling. For me, I’m fairly rigid about mealtimes, so when I start to feel hungry, at least I know there’s food coming soon. I don’t really deprive myself of anything.

[Anonymous]

I can't imagine caring that much about what people think of me --a middle aged mom-- to be miserable and hungry every day when I could be a comfortable, normal weight.

No one is looking at you. No one cares or even notices if you can squeeze into your pre-covid clothes. You are making yourself miserable for actually no reason at all.

I don't get it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For a lot of people (especially perimenopausal/menopausal women) it is. It’s because rather than being where their body is most comfortable and they can eat normally - which is probably a size 8-14 - they will do WHATEVER IT TAKES to stay as skinny as they were in college or whatever.

OP. That's a really good point. At 47, I guess this is where I might be. Size 8 feels shameful to me, weirdly. I want my 6s to be comfortable. Accepting that I'm past the size 4 stage where I was in my 20s...at my age, I think too skinny doesn't look good.

[Anonymous]

I’m 5’8” and 139 and 50 and rarely feel hungry. I dislike feeling full though.

[Anonymous]

Yes. I have been hyper aware of all of this since middle school. Grew up in the height of teen magazines and the waif look being in. Admittedly, I over exercise and carefully watch what my diet. Have seen a therapist for it but I’d rather be thin than have the 24/7 crazy talk in my head.

[Anonymous]

For me PMS is when my cravings really mess with my heathy diet! The rest of the month I am happy eating moderate portions of fiber-rich grains, lean protein, whole fruits and veggies. But that week before my period... ugh. Always a struggle, no matter what I try.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't imagine caring that much about what people think of me --a middle aged mom-- to be miserable and hungry every day when I could be a comfortable, normal weight.

No one is looking at you. No one cares or even notices if you can squeeze into your pre-covid clothes. You are making yourself miserable for actually no reason at all.

I don't get it.

OP. I don't really agree with this. As a middle aged mom, I definitely look at my fellow moms and admire those who are slim and beautiful. I'm talking women 35-55. DH also appreciates that I've lost weight and compliments me. I know what you mean that people don't look at women our age in the same way that we were gazed upon in our youth, but most definitely, appearance matters. It's nice that you don't care what people think about you. I really do care, and being heavier makes me feel miserable and slovenly and unhealthy.

But...it sucks to be hungry.

[Anonymous]

Now that I’m mid 40s yes. Before that I could eat whatever I want which was mostly deli sandwiches and pizza and cake and stay 125 5’6”.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For a lot of people (especially perimenopausal/menopausal women) it is. It’s because rather than being where their body is most comfortable and they can eat normally - which is probably a size 8-14 - they will do WHATEVER IT TAKES to stay as skinny as they were in college or whatever.

OP. That's a really good point. At 47, I guess this is where I might be. Size 8 feels shameful to me, weirdly. I want my 6s to be comfortable. Accepting that I'm past the size 4 stage where I was in my 20s...at my age, I think too skinny doesn't look good.

You are 47 and still starving yourself to be thin? No one cares or notices what a 47 year old woman looks like. So you are starving yourself to just..see a certain number on your pants when you get dressed in the morning?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't imagine caring that much about what people think of me --a middle aged mom-- to be miserable and hungry every day when I could be a comfortable, normal weight.

No one is looking at you. No one cares or even notices if you can squeeze into your pre-covid clothes. You are making yourself miserable for actually no reason at all.

I don't get it.

OP. I don't really agree with this. As a middle aged mom, I definitely look at my fellow moms and admire those who are slim and beautiful. I'm talking women 35-55. DH also appreciates that I've lost weight and compliments me. I know what you mean that people don't look at women our age in the same way that we were gazed upon in our youth, but most definitely, appearance matters. It's nice that you don't care what people think about you. I really do care, and being heavier makes me feel miserable and slovenly and unhealthy.

But...it sucks to be hungry.

This is not normal.

[Anonymous]

I actually managed to lose my appetite (and a few pounds) during covid. I couldn't exercise so my appetite naturally lowered. I lost a ton of muscle and looked pretty bad though. I think it is possible for your appetite to lower post weight loss, but your mindset can't come from restriction. Like you can't tell yourself that you're never going to eat chocolate again and expect to not make chocolate your trigger food.

I also recently went on a small diet and lost a few pounds without much hunger. I found some high volume foods and found a new hobby to distract myself with.

Hope this helps!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Now that I’m mid 40s yes. Before that I could eat whatever I want which was mostly deli sandwiches and pizza and cake and stay 125 5’6”.

I’m mid-40s and I still eat all of that, just smaller portions than before. And I run a lot. Works for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't imagine caring that much about what people think of me --a middle aged mom-- to be miserable and hungry every day when I could be a comfortable, normal weight.

No one is looking at you. No one cares or even notices if you can squeeze into your pre-covid clothes. You are making yourself miserable for actually no reason at all.

I don't get it.

OP. I don't really agree with this. As a middle aged mom, I definitely look at my fellow moms and admire those who are slim and beautiful. I'm talking women 35-55. DH also appreciates that I've lost weight and compliments me. I know what you mean that people don't look at women our age in the same way that we were gazed upon in our youth, but most definitely, appearance matters. It's nice that you don't care what people think about you. I really do care, and being heavier makes me feel miserable and slovenly and unhealthy.

But...it sucks to be hungry.

You are slim, unless you're lying about your stats in your OP.