Yup. I've realized that in order to maintain what would be considered by most women in Arlington or Bethesda to be slightly overweight, I need to be hungry just about all the time. I drink a ton of water and tea and black coffee to try to take the edge off when I'm feeling really hungry. I also workout every day without fail to buy me a few calories. I also find it helps to eat more often and larger quantities, so I go will eat a ton of broccoli or lettuce or green beans, for example, with a tiny bit of chicken or fish. I tend to eat about 3 meals that are roughly 200-300 calories and 2-3 snacks that are in the 50-120 calorie range, and I stay at 1500 calories or less. When I was losing weight, I ate more like 1200 calories. It sucks, but whenever I've gone over that I always end up gaining weight. It took me until my late-20s to figure it out and it's been the only way I've been able to keep my weight around where I'd like it. I'd really like to lose 10 pounds, but I'm not willing to be THAT hungry all the time.

I agree, it's a matter of getting used to hungry. I lost years ago, and after two kids and a lot of denial, I'm 7 pounds into what should become a 60 pound weight loss. I'm hoping I can get there, but at this point I'd be happy with 40 pounds.

Getting used to not eating a lot is hard. As others have said, sometimes water can help. Sometimes it's just boredom. Sometimes some protein (I keep peanut butter in my desk) helps. A hot drink is my new go -to. I can "afford" the calories of a Starbucks chai if I then don't have a snack after dinner, or an instant hot cocoa with water is another small "treat," or just a hot tea.

Anonymous wrote:Did you just have to adjust to being hungry sometimes? I have 40 to lose and I m doing ok other than just always being hungry.
I am eating enough calories, so I think it's just that my body is used to excess calories.

Example
For lunch I had a big plate of arugula with a little olive oil and lemon juice and a small grilled chicken breast and a cup of steamed broccoli. Am starving. And it's only 3.

I lost 60 pounds through dieting and exercise. My experience is that you will always be hungry and just have to deal with it. It does get easier as your stomach shrinks and you become full with less and less food.

Some times, I just couldn't take it anymore, and I would eat something with very low calories but strong taste, such as a small slice of ham, a full slice of raw onion, and a squirt of Sriracha sauce. The strong spicy flavor immediately knocks down my craving, and the slice of ham takes a bit of time to digest so it holds me over for a good hour or two.

I eat one serving of oatmeal every day and 2 apples most days. I do not limit fresh fruits and vegetables.

This isn't fail proof, but I find on the days I do this, I am definitely less hungry.

Also, increase water intake!

A cup of warm broth ... miso or just one of those cup a soups ... really helps with midafternoon hunger. Hunger is often just a habit response and as you train yourself to eat less it will diminish over time. Otherwise, you just have to figure out which path works for you. For some, extra protein. For some, more fat but staying within calorie limit for the day, and for some the high fiber, high volume veggie path. They all work so find the one that suits you best. Best wishes!

I do think I am starting to adjust. I'm not as hungry. Today I had 2 hard boiled eggs in the late afternoon before the gym and I was able to have a small dinner of mixed greens and 4 turkey meatballs and a handful of nuts. Not the best dinner, but a big improvement on what I would have normally had on such a hectic night. Slowly but surely......

Protein. Protein. Boiled eggs.

I was hungry a lot when I first started losing weight. I hadn't been losing on a more moderate, weight watchers approach. But my body adjusted, and now at a stable weight I'm not hungry all the time, just when it truly is time to eat. I like the PP's advice - hungry is just another feeling. And going to bed early helps. You can't eat while you are sleeping.

But the hungry phase shouldn't last weeks and weeks - your body should adjust!