Is hunger just a part of remaining thin?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Funny how bodies can be completely different at similar stats. I am 5'6" 144lbs but comfortably a size 2-4. I mostly need the 4s in tops because of my muscular shoulders. I would look unhealthy at low 130s and I am always perplexed at women of similar height weighing in the 120s trying to lose weight.

It is odd. I am 5.8” and 139 and am thin but with wide hips and I wear a 12.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm 52. I guess not "thin" at 5'4 and 120, but I have a larger frame. I have no trouble maintaining without being hungry.

I eat 3 meals and snacks daily, more food than DH who weighs 110 pounds more. I've always been like this - I remember eating more than my teen brother when I was 8. I eat less junk and exercise more than I did when I was younger, but I'm the same size I was in HS.

5'4" and 120 lbs is in fact thin. I highly doubt you have a larger frame.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm 50 yo, 5'7" and 125 lbs. I am usually not hungry but I know the food to eat that fills me up for lower calories and I lift heavy weights. I eat "healthy" most of the time and still have calories left to have treats.

Your 7lbs from underweight … lol

exactly! my 16 year old DD who is a very serious athlete and very thin is 5'8" and 129 lbs. the women responding to this are insanely thin

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At 58, having gone from 5 7 163 menopausal weight to 130, my experience has been, as others stated, that its all about a low carb and high protein lifestyle. Protein keeps you feeling full - although I do feel hungry on occasion, it's normal and a few nuts or some cottage cheese can take the edge off before my next meal. It's really that simple. I lost 33 pounds over a couple of years just by a few simple diet modifications and I also exercise and walk regularly. Things really kicked in when one of my kids was diagnosed with T1D so I modified our families diet for them which cuts lots of sugar and carbs. Our rule is around 15 carbs per meal plus lots of protein. I have never felt or looked better and this is easier and tastier than you may think. My husband also lost 30 pounds and we both see now how much we overate and ate poorly in the past.

What is atypical day for you? 15 carbs per meal seems low but maybe I can learn from you!

There is too much for me to put in a post - but in general the keto rules and cooking websites are really helpful. Same with Mediterranean diet websites. - I get many of our simple and tasty recipes from instagram and tiktok and I've never enjoyed cooking more. There are lots of healthy and delicious recipes to choose from. I don't count calories much at all - but I am mindful of protein and carbs and it's really easy once you get the hang of things and read labels.

[Anonymous]

I can be 15 lbs lighter as long as I'm hungry 20-22 hours a day.

It was tough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Funny how bodies can be completely different at similar stats. I am 5'6" 144lbs but comfortably a size 2-4. I mostly need the 4s in tops because of my muscular shoulders. I would look unhealthy at low 130s and I am always perplexed at women of similar height weighing in the 120s trying to lose weight.

It is odd. I am 5.8” and 139 and am thin but with wide hips and I wear a 12.

I’m 5’8” when I was 138 my doctor told me I needed to gain weight to get pregnant. I got to 145 and bam pregnant. I was size 10/12 and thin, very thin. But I (as an example) wear size large men’s gloves, my legs are forever long and my hips don’t lie.

[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.

Would be nice to know your height/weight. I don't particularly care what people think of my size, but I don't personally enjoy being fat. At 57, I'm quite happy being 5'7" and 135. I don't think I would enjoy being 5'7" and 165. Or whatever. That would probably make me miserable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Funny how bodies can be completely different at similar stats. I am 5'6" 144lbs but comfortably a size 2-4. I mostly need the 4s in tops because of my muscular shoulders. I would look unhealthy at low 130s and I am always perplexed at women of similar height weighing in the 120s trying to lose weight.

It is odd. I am 5.8” and 139 and am thin but with wide hips and I wear a 12.

Interesting. I'm 5'8" and 139 lbs too. I wear a size 4. You clearly have a bigger frame than I do--I have hips like a teen boy. But a big chest. Go figure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m 42 and I’ve been the same size 0-2 my whole life. I usually just have 2 cups of coffee with a little half and half in the morning. But my lunch and dinner is comprised of filling, satiating food that doesn’t lead me to snack. There’s always animal protein or dairy at the forefront, with veggies, and a smaller portion of grains, rice, pasta, etc.

These days my appetite has seemed to decrease. If I go overboard at all, my guts let me know LOL, so it’s easier to not go overboard in the first place.

That's not very useful. Are you 4'10" or 5'9"?

[Anonymous]

Yes. Now mind you, some people are naturally thin eating what they want. It’s that if they wanted to be even a little bit thinner than that though, they’d have to be hungry to get there. I can eat whatever I want and weigh 105. I could also restrict and be hungry and be 102. It’s not worth it to me to be that hungry to be a little thinner- but to some people it would be.

[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.

Would be nice to know your height/weight. I don't particularly care what people think of my size, but I don't personally enjoy being fat. At 57, I'm quite happy being 5'7" and 135. I don't think I would enjoy being 5'7" and 165. Or whatever. That would probably make me miserable.

+1

[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.

Agree w you, OP! PP was just trying to knock you down and roll their eyes at you, but the truth is…people comment! That means they’re looking. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

No but I've always been thin and also I think I just am not that into food. But if I'm hungry I eat. Including if I want something not good for me. But I don't eat that much total.

[Anonymous]

To maintain my ideal weight - size 10-12, I had to count every calorie, be hungry a lot and exercise, which made me more hungry. As I got older, even that was not enough. I started 'time fasting' - no eating for long periods during the day. I get low blood sugar and feel sad and cranky. Taking Tylenol to kill the pain of hunger. Taking Benedryl so that I sleep hungry.

Then I watch my husband eat and drink anything he wants, all day, everyday. He never gains weight and has been slim all his life. Good genes.

[Anonymous]

I kind of like that hungry feeling. Once I power past it, it's weirdly energizing.