Dieting & HANGRY ?

[mini_b]

I am only here for a moan and a vent because I am fed up and irritable.

Irritable like a bear with a wire brush up it’s ar*e.

I’m slim but really need to lose a 9lb - stone to get back to MY ideal weight. I feel sluggish and my clothes are too tight.

My new diet is more complete than my previous beige diet in that it’s actually balanced and has appropriate protein, fruit & veggies etc. but it’s obviously lower calorie than output to create a deficit so I can shed these pesky pounds. If I don’t shift these, they will continue to creep up.

I’m constantly hungry, knackered, more absent minded than usual and I want to kill everything that makes a noise.
I’ve had a quick Google and there’s apparently chemical changes occurring that make you feel like this… dieters when does it stop

all I can think about is port salut and a whole bottle of chat de pape

 

[Lois Lame]

How long have you been feeling hungry? I mean, more than a day or so?

 

[Ellietotz]

I stopped feeling like that after a week. First few days were horrendous!

 

[Auslander]

I was about to suggest oat straw, but then I realised it was you, not your horse!

 

[mini_b]

I was about to suggest oat straw, but then I realised it was you, not your horse!

i could honestly eat straw right now

 

[mini_b]

How long have you been feeling hungry? I mean, more than a day or so?

yes!

constantly. I’ve upped my protein from pretty much negligible to what I should be having to increase satiety but I’m still hungry.

I’m “full” but then after what not seems very long I’m hungry again.

im actually close to tears and I really do feel awful for my suffering OH.

there’s no “you’re not eating enough” situation because if I ate more, I’d be putting weight on or staying the same as I am which isn’t the desired outcome.

 

[jkitten]

Honestly you shouldn't be feeling this bad. Sustainable weightloss is about changing the way we eat in a sustainable way. Think about it like this: If you want to keep the pounds off, you can never go back to the way you used to eat, because that's how those pounds appeared in the first place. Being as miserable as you are right now will make you feel restricted and resentful of the whole thing, and therefore more likely to either give up or revert to old habits once you have reached your desired number on the scale.

I would highly recommend looking into mindful eating, or if that sounds too woo for you (though it's not, it's just about learning to listen to your body) then French Women Don't Get Fat is pretty good for its holistic look at how to eat, rather than how to lose X pounds in Y time and then you're done. That book honestly changed the way I think about food for the better, I even enjoy it more than I used to (and I used to enjoy it a lot!).

 

[Lois Lame]

Do you need some more complex carbohydrate?

I agree completely with jkitten.

 

[mini_b]

Honestly you shouldn't be feeling this bad. Sustainable weightloss is about changing the way we eat in a sustainable way. Think about it like this: If you want to keep the pounds off, you can never go back to the way you used to eat, because that's how those pounds appeared in the first place. Being as miserable as you are right now will make you feel restricted and resentful of the whole thing, and therefore more likely to either give up or revert to old habits once you have reached your desired number on the scale.

I would highly recommend looking into mindful eating, or if that sounds too woo for you (though it's not, it's just about learning to listen to your body) then French Women Don't Get Fat is pretty good for its holistic look at how to eat, rather than how to lose X pounds in Y time and then you're done. That book honestly changed the way I think about food for the better, I even enjoy it more than I used to (and I used to enjoy it a lot!).

i find mealtimes very stressful at the moment. I understand it’s a lifestyle change.
I’ve had some major dietary changes in last few months and I am fairly regimented in that I can stick to things like diets.

recently I’ve eaten the most/variety of different things I’ve ever eaten in my life, I enjoyed it so much I went a bit overboard and I need to rein it in and get it off. Then go back to eating these new different things in moderation.

 

[stangs]

Do you have any very chewy foods that could tire your jaw out and hopefully satiate the hunger a bit?

 

[mini_b]

Do you need some more complex carbohydrate?

I agree completely with jkitten.

I’m eating these with each meal that fit within the caloric input/output parameters ?

 

[Ellietotz]

How many calories are you having a day and what are you eating?

 

[mini_b]

How many calories are you having a day and what are you eating?

1200

In various incarnations
brown bread
Brown rice
Cheese
Egg
Chicken
Skyr

and then loads of fruit and veggies which I’ve previously neglected from my diet exclusively of cheese sandwiches, noodles, pizza, pesto pasta (I was thin though ?)

I was told my diet was too restrictive so I had to reevaluate it for various health reasons so I’ve really had a go at eating better and eating different things and I’ve somehow put a stone on.

 

[Dasher66]

Up your water intake to 2litres a day. Have a glass of water with every meal.
Put two thirds of your meal on a plate, eat it and then wait 20 - 30min before eating the remainder. If you are still hungry you have permission to eat it. If you’re not hungry save it for lunch the next day.

 

[smolmaus]

There are very few people who actually need to eat 1200kcal to lose weight. I am 5'2" and even when I was very thin I needed more than that just to function like a normal person and not get lightheaded walking to work from the train. Have you worked out your BMR?

If you're miserable and hangry what you're eating right now obviously isn't suiting you, which is fine! Everyone is different. High protein keeps me full but some people do better with more fat in their diets or just a sweet treat every day to stop them feeling deprived. An extra 100kcal of something satisfying won't slow your weightless too much but it might prevent violence ?

 

[mini_b]

Up your water intake to 2litres a day. Have a glass of water with every meal.
Put two thirds of your meal on a plate, eat it and then wait 20 - 30min before eating the remainder. If you are still hungry you have permission to eat it. If you’re not hungry save it for lunch the next day.

i drink more than 2l of clear fluids a day already.

that “permission” sounds a bit disordered eating for me, which is something I’m purposely avoiding. After years I’m trying to nourish and look after my body properly.

I’m effing ravenous so I don’t need permission for a matchbook of cheese or a slither of bread.

 

[Peglo]

i find mealtimes very stressful at the moment. I understand it’s a lifestyle change.
I’ve had some major dietary changes in last few months and I am fairly regimented in that I can stick to things like diets.

recently I’ve eaten the most/variety of different things I’ve ever eaten in my life, I enjoyed it so much I went a bit overboard and I need to rein it in and get it off. Then go back to eating these new different things in moderation.

sorry your feeling so crap. I actually hate the crash diet, counting calories/macros, eat 1 million grams of protein stuff that’s going about now. Completely agree with jkitten with everything she says (and has been much better put than I could’ve done.) These diets have a goal and after it’s reached you realise how crap it was and resort back to how you were eating before and haven’t really learned anything. It’s too much to overhaul your eating like this.

what I found most helpful was tackling one thing at a time and once that’s cracked then you can start breaking the next habit.

I sacrifice one meal a day (dinner time for me) and that’s my lower cal/light meal. I don’t actually count calories though. Breakfast and tea is something tasty. And no snacking after tea time.

I think before I eat. Is this worth the calories? If not I just don’t eat it.

find out what your ‘problem’ food is and lessen it. Say if it’s that you have too many biscuits in one sitting then snap 1 biscuit in 4 and that has to last you. If it’s fizzy juice, you can have a tin after you’ve exercised. Crisps? One bag a day instead of 3.


And of course movement is the best of all. Not just an hour in the gym but keeping busy most of the day.

my problem now is portion size. Still need to crack that one.

sorry if you don’t want to hear any of this. I’m surrounded by people dieting and putting on weight and then paying someone else to go on their “fitness” plan. (Sigh) I’m also just venting ? and took advantage of your post. Best of luck with your weight loss. I’m sure you’ll make it!

 

[mini_b]

There are very few people who actually need to eat 1200kcal to lose weight. I am 5'2" and even when I was very thin I needed more than that just to function like a normal person and not get lightheaded walking to work from the train. Have you worked out your BMR?

If you're miserable and hangry what you're eating right now obviously isn't suiting you, which is fine! Everyone is different. High protein keeps me full but some people do better with more fat in their diets or just a sweet treat every day to stop them feeling deprived. An extra 100kcal of something satisfying won't slow your weightless too much but it might prevent violence ?

I think I’m half duck and I’ve cut too much bread out tbh. I’ve done fine previously on nearly half a loaf a day.
Bugger this healthy eating lark!!!

 

[mini_b]

find out what your ‘problem’ food is and lessen it. Say if it’s that you have too many biscuits in one sitting then snap 1 biscuit in 4 and that has to last you. If it’s fizzy juice, you can have a tin after you’ve exercised. Crisps? One bag a day instead of 3.


And of course movement is the best of all. Not just an hour in the gym but keeping busy most of the day.

my problem now is portion size. Still need to crack that one.

sorry if you don’t want to hear any of this. I’m surrounded by people dieting and putting on weight and then paying someone else to go on their “fitness” plan. (Sigh) I’m also just venting ? and took advantage of your post. Best of luck with your weight loss. I’m sure you’ll make it!

Problem foods are alcohol and cheese which I’ve really tried to cut down on. I’ve recently started eating meat which opened up my choices and I’ve just gone mad to be honest.

my job is on my feet for 6 hours a day so it’s not that I’m inactive. I’m literally just eating too much of the wrong foods!

this horrible tired, moody, sickly feeling has never happened to me before. …is this what happens in your 30’s ?

 

[Lois Lame]

I’m constantly hungry, knackered, more absent minded than usual and I want to kill everything that makes a noise.
I’ve had a quick Google and there’s apparently chemical changes occurring that make you feel like this… dieters when does it stop

all I can think about is port salut and a whole bottle of chat de pape

You shouldn't be feeling knackered. You need more fuel.

... this horrible tired, moody, sickly feeling has never happened to me before. …is this what happens in your 30’s ?

No. In your 30s you should be bouncing. Even in your 40s, 50s and 60s. It all depends on what and how much you eat.

 

[Lois Lame]

I've been eating like a horse in the last year or two, and exercising less and less. There was a time when my partner and I walked A LOT. I like feeling good and having energy and feeling light-weight. Should we start a H&H support group? I'd be in it.

 

[smolmaus]

I think I’m half duck and I’ve cut too much bread out tbh. I’ve done fine previously on nearly half a loaf a day.
Bugger this healthy eating lark!!!

Bread is so demonised but bread is so good ? now that I've stopped being scared of bread I have 2 slices every morning with 2 eggs and and other assorted bits (spinach, mushrooms, something pickled) and I'm convinced I have perfected breakfast.

You can't be on your feet for 6 hours on 1200kcal, no wonder you're cranky!!! Have some toast for pity's sake!

 

[Ellietotz]

1200

In various incarnations
brown bread
Brown rice
Cheese
Egg
Chicken
Skyr

and then loads of fruit and veggies which I’ve previously neglected from my diet exclusively of cheese sandwiches, noodles, pizza, pesto pasta (I was thin though ?)

I was told my diet was too restrictive so I had to reevaluate it for various health reasons so I’ve really had a go at eating better and eating different things and I’ve somehow put a stone on.

I'm in exactly the same boat as you. Somehow put on a stone, Fitness Pal said 1200 calories a day to lose weight, I dropped about 5 pounds probably in water weight alone in a week and a half. It's been just over 3 weeks now and I've lost 9 pounds. The first week was horrendous so I upped it to 1400 calories and then went back down to 1200. I now just aim to stay between those amounts so I don't feel like I'm completely restricted as I think mentally that doesn't help!

I've been having lettuce, chicken, cucumber with light mayo salads and a caramel snackajack for lunch everyday and a normal dinner as I usually have about 800 calories left after lunch anyway! I skip breakfast and fast until lunch. Dinner is usually 150g of potatoes, a chicken grill and beans or something! Also gives me some extra calories for a chocolate or something without going over the limit!

Your body is probably just having a long adjustment period to your new diet if you weren't eating properly before. How long has it been?

ETA: Just seen that you're on your feet most of the day. Fitness Pal says 1200 for me as "lightly active" as I work at a desk all day, poo pick at night and ride at the weekends (during winter eves when it's dark) so you most likely need a fair bit more than that!

 

[Lois Lame]

Problem foods are alcohol and cheese which I’ve really tried to cut down on. I’ve recently started eating meat which opened up my choices and I’ve just gone mad to be honest.

my job is on my feet for 6 hours a day so it’s not that I’m inactive. I’m literally just eating too much of the wrong foods!

this horrible tired, moody, sickly feeling has never happened to me before. …is this what happens in your 30’s ?

How do you feel if you completely cut out the alcohol?

 

[mini_b]

I'm in exactly the same boat as you. Somehow put on a stone, Fitness Pal said 1200 calories a day to lose weight, I dropped about 5 pounds probably in water weight alone in a week and a half. It's been just over 3 weeks now and I've lost 9 pounds. The first week was horrendous so I upped it to 1400 calories and then went back down to 1200. I now just aim to stay between those amounts so I don't feel like I'm completely restricted as I think mentally that doesn't help!

I've been having lettuce, chicken, cucumber with light mayo salads and a caramel snackajack for lunch everyday and a normal dinner as I usually have about 800 calories left after lunch anyway! I skip breakfast and fast until lunch. Dinner is usually 150g of potatoes, a chicken grill and beans or something! Also gives me some extra calories for a chocolate or something without going over the limit!

Your body is probably just having a long adjustment period to your new diet if you weren't eating properly before. How long has it been?

im using MFP too.
So previously, I reckon I was eating 2500+ a day beige life l diet. I had been the same weight since my teens.

for one reason and another I had a bit of an intervention and it was strongly suggested I start eating meat (If anyone wanted to, don’t need a lecture on plant protein, my diet was literally making me crumble - it wasn’t working for me)

I’ve decided to really sort myself out before the extra pounds get out of hand and too difficult to shift and Ive been “dieting” a week. And boy do I feel sh*t!

I don’t feel restricted as such as I’m eating so many different things now.

 

[mini_b]

How do you feel if you completely cut out the alcohol?

yack if i do and yack if I don’t to be honest ?
It was a problem in that it was doubling my daily caloric intake, not that I can’t function without it, just clear that one up lol

 

[Peglo]

Problem foods are alcohol and cheese which I’ve really tried to cut down on. I’ve recently started eating meat which opened up my choices and I’ve just gone mad to be honest.

my job is on my feet for 6 hours a day so it’s not that I’m inactive. I’m literally just eating too much of the wrong foods!

this horrible tired, moody, sickly feeling has never happened to me before. …is this what happens in your 30’s ?

i start feeling really unwell if I eat too little. Always hits me the next day and I struggle to function. I can’t cope without carbs. I’m not surprised you feel crap having to cut down on alcohol and cheese though!! ? it’s a fine line of eating enough but not too much.

great you have an active job though. I would struggle having a stationary job (and my little brain isn’t clever enough for anything other than physical work ?)
Do look after yourself! If you need to up the calories then do. Your body maybe just can’t cope on that little.

 

[Ellietotz]

im using MFP too.
So previously, I reckon I was eating 2500+ a day beige life l diet. I had been the same weight since my teens.

for one reason and another I had a bit of an intervention and it was strongly suggested I start eating meat (If anyone wanted to, don’t need a lecture on plant protein, my diet was literally making me crumble - it wasn’t working for me)

I’ve decided to really sort myself out before the extra pounds get out of hand and too difficult to shift and Ive been “dieting” a week. And boy do I feel sh*t!

I don’t feel restricted as such as I’m eating so many different things now.

With your lifestyle and the fact you got away with eating 2500 calories without putting on the weight, I would say 1200 is nowhere near enough and you are bound to be feeling groggy! I certainly did with 1200 at first and I sit on my bum 9 hours a day! I think NHS says to reduce your calorie intake by 400-600 to lose weight.

On MFP, have you got it set to very active? Mine goes up to 1900 calories if I set it to that.

 

[mini_b]

With your lifestyle and the fact you got away with eating 2500 calories without putting on the weight, I would say 1200 is nowhere near enough and you are bound to be feeling groggy! I certainly did with 1200 at first and I sit on my bum 9 hours a day! I think NHS says to reduce your calorie intake by 400-600 to lose weight.

On MFP, have you got it set to very active? Mine goes up to 1900 calories if I set it to that.

thats a wild guesstimate as I’d never counted my calories but I ate loads and loads of my fave bread at 230 a slice ?
Then Prosecco or red wine and cheese.

No I haven’t got it set to very active - I don’t want to be too keen to say I am very active incase I overestimate and scupper my plans.

 

[Lois Lame]

How can a person burn off what needs to be burned off if he or she feels weak? I'm really against anything that produces this feeling. Hunger is one thing, fatigue is another.

ETA: This is not in response to anything --- just my musings as I think about crash diets.