Literally Feeling Empty

I never had luck with the calorie, fat counting so I switched to Atkins....I'm never hungry. I got the book first and read it all the way through and then started. Everyone's different. Also another thing is loneliness can make you want to eat. When I was first widowed and my teenagers were out with their friends and I was home alone there was nothing to do but eat. I also find myself doing it now, even after remarrying. When he's out of town (which is not often) I find myself wanting something to "snack on" constantly..

I had that same feeling when I first cut the calories. To help get through it I find low fat snacks, like carrots-I keep a huge bag in the fridge. I also eat spinach or a salad without dressing but filed with veggies I like. Exercising around those times or before it hits helps too and drink lots of flavored water.Good luck!

I don't worry about fat too much. That's what keeps me full. I eat protein, veggies, stay away from refined carbs, eat some fruits (not a lot), and eat good fats. I still lost weight and was never starving. I ate often so it kept my metabolism going. I lost 50 pounds from August 1st to the middle of January from doing this.

Hi and I know the feeling. The first few days are the hardest. Probably well into your second week of cutting back the fat and calories your body will start to accept the adjustment. At first your body is in shock and (it sound funny but) is MAD at what's going on. The last thing it wants to do is start to burn that stored up fat. So in the beginning you may even experience headaches and mood swings. But the good news is if you can get through the first two weeks straight without giving in you will be on easy street and far as the hunger and cravings. You can also fit in things like cheese, turkey, nuts, carrot sticks as little snacks between meals during the day to get you through. Please let me know if any of this is helpful and keep me up on your progress. Much luck and success on your journey. I'm a mother of two girls 5 & 6. That's another therapy session we can discuss. lol.

I agree with eating more protein. Also, 1800 calories might not be enough for you. Especially if you are running after/taking care of 3 children. Try to fill up on healthy low cal food like fruits and veggies and whole grains, you can actually eat tons of it. You need to drink lots of water, but liquids don't fill you up like solid food - even the liquids with high calories.

I personally hate couting calories/fat etc and don't believe in cutting out all of any food. It is about portion size, good choices and moderation. I really believe any food is ok in moderation.

Changes are hard. You can do it. I like weight watchers, or see a nutritionist. I also like Self and Shape magazines for diet and excersize info. Once you start eating ealthy, your body will start to crave healthy food and feel better.

Try having one cup of cooked oatmeal,the old fasion kind.
Put cinnamon and 1 tsp. dark brown sugar. Eat it slowly, and
chew it, giving the digestive juces a chance to help you
digest it more efficiently. For lunch, have a half of a checken breast, or choice of white fish, or samon. Season with sea salt. At supper have a light meal of salad with your choice of fresh spinach, romain lettuce, celery, cucumber, tomato....and a low fat dressing. Enjoy the real taste of food. CHEW your food to almost liquid now, you won't believe the difference it makes. Just try it for a week. Weigh in the morning the first day, the a week later in the morning.
Make your decision then whether you will carry on with the for
life.
I TOTALY RELATE,

S.

It sounds like you need more protein in your diet. If you eat 3 or 4 scrambled eggs for breakfast along with 2 or 3 slices of bacon, you won't get hungry for hours. It takes protein to satisfy the brain, and you won't feel empty or hungry. Skip the OJ as it's high in sugar and carbs. For lunch, have 4 oz. of meat, no lunch meats, and a serving of green or yellow vegetables. For dinner, another 4 oz. of meat and veggies. If you do feel hungry in between meals, eat an apple or an orange every afternoon, or half a banana but just twice a week for the banana. You need a glass of milk daily for your calcium. Also, it goes without saying that your body needs at least 8 big glasses of water a day. Meat and vegetables are the secret to weight loss without hunger. Meat, fish, eggs, and veggies. Salmon patties are okay, even with cracker crumbs mixed in. You should be able to drop 10 pounds a month by following this. Yes, once a week, treat yourself to a small baked potato. If you do treat yourself, be sure to limit it to just one treat, once a week only, maybe like on Sunday. This works! You will feel so much better on a diet like this. Good luck to you, and may God Bless you and yours! Also, for me, please say "thank you" to your husband for serving our country!!!

J.:

Hello. Here's a couple things I can tell you about weight loss. First of all if you eat protein you will find you are not hungrey so quickly. So try some peanut butter toast in the morning. Also when you have lunch eat fruit first because it only takes 30 minutes to digest. If you are eating fruit as a snack that would also explain some of your hunger feelings.

The biggest thing is protein. Also yes water should help you fill up, but a great snack during the day is a low cal smoothie. You know a milkshake with low fat milk and fruit. Also nuts are great snacks.

I hope that helps.

Stephanie

I just want to put my two cents in here in maybe another perspective. I had weight loss surgery this year, and even when I know it is NOT physically possible for me to be hungry, my mind tell me I am starving! I literally feel a nawing in my belly telling me to eat. And like I said.. it's not possible. Be sure this isn't a mental hunger. Our bodies will play tricks on us when trying to lose weight, it's a survival tactic. Distract yourself for a bit when you feel the emptiness.. see if it helps. If it doesn't, eat a very small amount of something that will satisfy your craving, and see if that works. Good luck, and stick with the fight!

Try and make sure that what you are eating has plenty of fiber and protien. That is going to make you feel full longer. Apples are a good fiber fruit to snack on or celery with peanut butter. It is a way to make sure you are eating healthy and not feeling hungry.

J.-

By NO MEANS am I a health professional or expert, but I have picked up a few things over the years working with trainers and hanging out with health gurus. However, I had always been told that it is best to eat 3 medium sized meals and 3 snacks. It will help curb cravings and give you energy throughout the day. Also, when you are hungry your body is telling you that you are starving itself and that is not good for your metabolism. Eating smaller portions more often will help increase your metabolism. Now, when you start eating this way you will feel hungrier because your body will be used ot eating more often, but it also means that your metabolism is increasing. I have recently become allergic to sugar (my husband is also an active duty member and they believe it's linked to anxiety) and I can't eat most breads. Therefore, I have been feeling very hungry very often. I have found that foods high in fiber (apples, clementines, veggies, etc) have helped make me feel fuller longer. I usually try to eat a fruit as my mid morning and afternoon snacks. Also, in the mornings they say that it is best to have a protein rich diet. It is the meal that you have all day to burn off and you need it to get your body moving and have energy. A health expert has suggested eggs (including the yolk because eggs have balanced fats and proteins throughout the entire egg that work together well... without all parts of the egg your body isn't getting what it needs) and oatmeal (with added honey instead of sugar). Again, I'm not an expert, this is just what I have been told. There is a wonderful health and fitness expert who I HIGHLY recommend. His name is King Hoover. He is a guest on my dad's talk radio show every Friday from 6-8 AM. People can call in with questions and I have yet to hear this man stumped! People will ask the most random health questions and he will know exactly what medications they should take, what foods will help/hinder success, etc. The radio show is on Sirius Satellite radio and I don't know if you have access to that, but I listen on the internet. You can go to www.sirius.com and get a free trial subscription for 3 days. Then, if you want to continue it you can alway subscribe for $13 a month. Or... you are more than welcome to call the radio show to just ask King Hooover a question (Fridays 6-8 AM) - the number is 1-877-FAMNET1 (1-877-326-6381). You can tell my dad, Larry (of Lorri and Larry in the mornings) that you got the number through me, H.. Good luck and may the Lord bless you and your family!

H.

Hi J.,
Are you breastfeeding? Did your doctor put you on this plan of 1800 calories? Are you sure that you are truely eating 1800 calories? And are you eating at the right times? Do you know how much of those calories is suppose to be your protein? Your Carbs? and Your Fats? You may be workout alot and not getting enough calories? or Your calories may be empty? Or you maybe over training? Find out how many calories (an estimation) your really suppose to be intaking? Find out of those calories how many are suppose to be protein (help muscles rebuild), Carbs, fat (not saturated)? Make sure you eating at the right times of day, eat small meal every 2.5 to 4hrs or 3 meals and snack inbetween. Best time to eat: within the 1hr you wake up, eat just to get your metabolism going. 1hr to 2 hrs before you strength train, eat something (meal or snack) for cardio no big meals will make you sick but something very light like a fruit if you must (so you could not eating for about 3 to 4 hrs and have a snack 1hrs before and possibly be just fine. Cardio is suppose to be aerobic if you are planning to burn fat (which only need water and oxygen to fuel the activity), and strenght training need carbs to fuel its activity so you need to definitely eat 1 to 2hrs before you go in. However after you workout no matter what youve been doing you need to eat immediately like within 15mins, I like to have a zone bar because it has 4 to 1, carbs to protein and thats what you need. Then that will hold you until you can eat but only for an hour. Make sure your workout regime is balanced and not outragous, 2 to 3 times a week strength training and 3 to 5 times a week cardio (vary type of cardio)? 1 Yoga or pilates class or dvd. think of your metabolism like a fire the more you add to the fire the more it burns. If you don't eat, your metabolism slows up and stores fat and calories, which it can get from your muscles or when you eat. To obtain your goal it is a slow and methodical process, it is not fast and quick, it happens overtime and not instantly. Hope this helps, My name is A., I am a group fitness instructor and fitness coach, with 2 boys, 3 years old and 4 years old. Maybe we should talk, this is just the skeleton, but I could definitely give you a body. Good luck on your journey. Remember the more you know, the more you grow.

If your interested in checking out different diets go to this web site: www.adelmolino.qhealthbeauty.com
click on diet and fitness and check out the trim advantage diet. It a healthy way to lose weight. The bars leaving you feeling full. The energy drink has no carbs, no suger and only 8 caloies. There is a couple of drinks that has 2 carbs and the most calories is 12. Check out the site and you can read more about it. Also if you need more energy check out Double X under vitamins. It's 100% organic/all natural. I hope this helps you out.

A diet that has you feeling this miserable is a diet that ultimately won't work. Calorie counting is smart. Exercise is a must. Don't forget to eat the right things, though. I think it's more important to listen to your body than to follow a strict diet. If you are hungry, you should eat -- but eat whole grains/fruits & veggies/ healthy food. Fill up your plate for a meal and eat that without getting seconds -- or wait 30 minutes before deciding it's your stomach that's hungry and not just your mind that thinks you should eat. Also, six small meals a day (grazing) is a better way to keep your metabolism up and your tummy happy than to do the three meal a day routine. Perhaps you could check out Weight Watchers or talk to a nutritionist. Good luck to you!

One more thing: if you're nursing the 6 month old, don't calorie count. You want to make good milk and you need the extra calories anyway. AND, nursing is a GREAT way to lose baby weight.

Hi there,

Go to the library and rent, Dr. OZ "You on a Diet". It will answer every question you could possibly have about eating and how it makes you feel. It will help you drop the weight and stay healthy. I am an aerobics instructor (going on 8 years now. A mother of two, 12 and 8.) and simply love the book. I tell lots of my clients the same thing. Also, Bob Greens book. I don't know the name of it. It is his latest book.

I also tell my clients to eat to live. A lot of us tend to eat good but allow ourselves to have treats. The treat should be that we are eating healthy. The treat is when you see the results of how you look and feel after eating good foods. Add Almonds to your diet. Eat the same thing every morning for breakfast. I like Breyers fat free yogart, (7 grams of sugar) any flavor, add fresh berries like black berries or blue berries. The darker the fruit the better. I hope this helps some. Take snacks with you like apples and raw carrots.

Okay, there is my two cents worth. I hope it helps some.

K.

I DO know what you mean... been there, done that! I believe you should eat lean protein (chicken breast, turkey breast, water canned tuna, egg whites - this protein will also give you some fat) and a wholesome carbohydrate (old fashion oatmeal, yams or sweet potatoes, brown rice, 100% whole wheat bread ) and greens in the form of salads, broccoli, green beans, asparagus. You could use Pam spray to sauteed and just a bit of olive oil + tamari or soy sauce for your salad dressing.
I don't have your stats... weight, height. body fat % but a good rule of thumb is 40% carbs, 40 to 45% proteins and 15 to 20% fats.
By eating lean protein and a wholesome carb at every meal, you trick your body to feel full longer.
I'd taper down the carbs as the day goes by... Eat them for breakfast, mid morning snack and lunch and then cut them all together but the 'greens' until the next morning.

1800 calories... you could eat 6 mini meals of 300 calories each... that could be 3/4oz chicken breast, 1/2 brown rice + salad or 1 can of tuna mixed with peppers, celery, carrots, 1 teaspoon of mayo, 1 whole wheat slice of bread... or 5 oz turkey breast + 4 oz yam + green salad...

I invested in a $10 kitchen scale (Wal Mart) just to make sure I was eating the right amount of food.

Try to be physical in some form of exercise... walking is great, running is my thing! ;-)
and always eat within 1 hour you finish exercising...

Good luck! You'll get there... Keep us posted!

Apples, Applies, Apples! I have finally gotten down to my pre-pregnancy weight (after 20 months! Sheesh!) and now I'm trying to lose those "Newlywed" pounds. My little secret is apples. If I am feeling hungry or "empty" I eat an apple (usually Gala) and chase it with a big glass of water. All that fiber helps me to feel full for awhile. I also like to take a slice of bread with thin layer of peanut butter. That really helps curb those afternoon cravings. Good Luck!!

J.,
I feel your "hunger pains"!

What I do is eat 5-6 small meals throughout the day. I eat a small breakfast (cereal w/ fruit, oatmeal, egg, etc), then a snack, then lunch, then snack, then dinner, then another snack. I typically do not exceed 1200 calories a day. I too drink lots of water, but if during the day I have a hungry feeling I try to eat something healthy (apple, bananas, handful of grapes, strawberries, make a smoothie, occassionally I'll have a hershey kiss or other small chocolate). All my meals are the same size so that when I sit down to eat my mind thinks I'm eating a "real" meal. Also, I find that if I'm feeling hungry that doing something helps too (play a board game with kids, read a book, do a craft, call a friend, etc).

Hope this helps :)

I have been successful with the weight watchers diet. There are certain things your body needs and this is a great diet. Check it out at www.weightwatchers.com. Good luck!!

You didn't indicate what foods you are eating. I know it helps me to start the day with warm tea or just warm water with lemon juice. The best foods to fill you up are foods that have bulk . . . and lots of fiber. Berries with yogurt,
bananas, apples with peanut butter. Handful of raw walnuts or almonds to snack on through the day. The biggest thing that helps me is soup. I make homemade soups - split pea, lentil soups, vegetable, chicken noodle, white bean etc. (Watch canned soups that have high sodium). That with a half of a turkey sandwich on whole grain and I am good. Personally I stay away from the typical meal of meat potatoes and vegetables. Love steamed or sauted vegetables with brown rice and maybe a little of sliced beef or chicken thrown in. If you are drinking any diet drinks they may actually be making you crave more food.
I hope this helps.

low sugar, lots of fiber and lots of protein is the way to go. fiber one has a great line of products. fill 1/2 your plate with salad and/or veggies. the other 1/2 of the plate should be cut in 1/2 again. 1/4 of that should be a serving of lean protein the size of your palm or a deck of cards. the other 1/4 a good carb. stick with it. it takes 3 days for your body to adjust to a low sugar level.

Sometimes my stomach hurts if I let it get completely empty. Eating small, frequent meals with plenty of protein and fiber usually help me feel satisfied. Also, sometimes when I start dieting and cut back on excessive sugar, I can feel like I am starving, but that goes away and eventually I will actually feel better.

You should eat 5 to 6 times a day, smaller meals and snacks throughout the day, much like a small child would do. Take it easy you are doing fine, it will take time for the hunger to go away. I think our bodies are so used to eating a lot more that when we cut back it is maybe something that the body is used to eating more.

Try protien. I read that you need 1g of protein per pound of body weight to keep your metabolism going. Also, eat many snacks throught the day, but make them healthy...carrots, celery, grapes, etc. I like the Muscle Milk Light, it's kind of expensive, but I feel better when I use it...Of course I do water aerobics and cardio too. It's kind of expensive, but I get it at the GNC on base while it's on sale so I get double the benifits...I'm in the process of moving out there, do they have a GNC on base?

Have you ever had your blood sugar tested? If I eat nothing but carbs for breakfast my blood sugar shoots up (which I don't feel). Then it crashes (THAT I feel). Besides feeling very hungry, I feel shaky and sick to my stomach and faint. My doctor told me to make sure I eat protein with my breakfast carbs and that will keep my sugar in balance. I also eat a snack between breakfast and lunch.

Try increasing your fiber with each meal. Fiber makes you feel fuller and more satisfied. Beans are a great source of fiber and can be eaten with your lunch and dinner. They are also lower in calories. Good luck!

J.,
I have gone on many, many diets in my lifetime. I have to admit that I learned the most about eating properly from the Six Week Makeover Plan by Michael Thurman. It is a healthy way to eat, you are never hungry, and it makes sense. In general, you should eat six times per day and never skip breakfast. Though I am not trying to lose weight anymore, I continue to try and follow the basics of this plan whenever possible. I have two egg whites scrambled and a bowl of oatmeal with a half of a banana in it every morning. The original plan calls for no milk or milk products, no salt, and regular exercise. There is much more to it if you really want to follow it exactly, but what it taught me is HOW to eat well. I love it because with your chicken or beef and veggies, you also MUST have a baked potato or rice! Not many diets allow you to have those carbs but they are what help you to stay full and have energy, and they work together to break down fat.
So, you can find it on the internet if you are really interested. I just felt your pain and know that at 57 years of age, this is the first thing that really made sense to me AND worked!
P.

Hi J.,

What you're feeling is not terrible will power, it's lack of nutrition or withdrawal from something your body is used to. Our bodies get addicted, not to food, but to the chemicals (pesticides and preservatives)that are in them. Your body is used to a certain amount and you've cut back. A good absorbable multivitamin will help tremendously if you're not on one. I know these ladies are probably tired of hearing this, but my husband lost 110 pounds just by taking a vitamin that I found to work great. When the nutrition is actually absorbed in your system, your system starts working right. The cravings vanish.

Feel free to email me back if you're interested and I'll get you more detailed.

Regards,

M.

I have really enjoyed the Weight Watchers program and I don't feel hungry.

J.,

It sounds like to me that you need to incorpate some healthy snacks to get you through until the next meal. Try some carrots or celery or something along those lines. Studies show that 4-5 small heathly meals are actually better for you when you are dieting than eating 3 regular meals a day. Good luck and don't get discouraged! We all have our moments and the important thing is that you stick with it!

Take care,
S.

Hi-
I am an exercise science student and it sounds like you are not consuming enough calories. It does depend on your weight, height, and activity level. However, if you are breast feeding, you definantly are not consuming enough calories. You may want to add a couple hundred calories (200-500) and more slowly reduce your calories. The other thing is to try make your meals a little smaller, but more frequently so that you blood sugar is not peaking and crashing. It will help you feel more consistantly full. The other thing is to make sure you have some protein, fat, and complex carbs in your meals and snacks. You should also slowly add some exercise to your routine. Good luck!

First of all GOD bless you. PLEASE trust me on this as a lifelong dieter. IF you will eat low fat meat, veges and fuit you will stay full, feel satisfied and cravings will subside. stay away from fats, bread and sugar.

Sugar makes you crave. carbs go right thru you. meat sticks with you.

THEN exercise alot! READ "Intuitive Eating"... the BEST book on food issues i've EVER read. I prayed for you today!! L.

I use Shaklee Cinch snack bars. High in fiber and protein, and no artificial sweeteners. They work great for me. I really think protein and fiber help. They both work to stabilize your blood sugar level which is one of the things that makes you crave. Fiber keeps you fuller long and fills you up faster as well. I have had 11 children and had to work to get back to a healthy weight 8 of those times so I really feel for you!

Best of luck to you!

K.

Try eating things w/ a lot of fiber in them. Oatmeal is good. You can also try a fiber supplement. This will help that empty feeling go away. Good luck on your weight loss.

Hi J.,

Don't be too hard on yourself! You just had a baby and I'm sure hormones play into some of this. Anyways, I just had a baby too 2 months ago. I stay at home but have a home business, sell health and wellness products with a top notch company, I love it!! I have a great weight loss line that has protein shakes using vegetable protein, weight loss chews which are great when you need a snack and pick me up - they give you lots of energy, and a new energy drink that definitely decreases your appetite, increases energy and boosts metabolism. My husband doubled his work out and my step-sister and mom are using the energy drink and say it decreases appetite. My mom has lost 5 pds already! My products are natural botanically based and don't have any artificial additives/sweetners or chemicals. There is a 45 day back guarantee if something doesn't work. It may be what you need with decreasing appetite and increasing metabolism and energy, which with a 6 month old and 2 other children I'm sure you need!
Let me know, I would love to help.
Thanks,
K.

I too am on a diet and have been for 2 months. I was having the same problem for the first two weeks. I can tell you that eating oatmeal in the mornings made a HUGE difference for me. The more fiber you can add to your diet the fuller you will feel. I also eat an apple with Smart Start peanut butter. If you will add lean protein to every meal, in a matter of days the empty stomach syndrome will go away. I promise. Also, if you have started exercising, your metabolism has been kick up a few notches and your body is burning more and you will feel more hungry. If you feel hungry all day...your diet will not last long. I have had GREAT results by cutting out all sugar and eating only whole grain breads. I eat all the fruits and veggies I want and protien with every meal and have lost 15 pounds already. I do not feel hungry, and when I do....I eat, but just the right things. Good luck!

J.-
I am a active Army medic, a mother of a 7 month old son, and have had to watch my weight my whole life. Okay, now you know my creditials. Whenever you cut calories, especially if it's a dramatic cut, your body will automatically assume you're starving. It will do what it needs to to get the calories it is use too, including making you fill empty so you'll eat. Also be prepared, it will turn most of the intake to fat in the first few weeks unless you intervene. My advice would be the following:
1) Don't blow your fat allowance all at once
2) Diets don't work, take this oppurtunity to change your family's eating habits for the best
3) Begin an excercise regime- you can use the gym on post. I'll be honest even though I have to do PT I also go to Curves at least 3x a week to tone. It's great for beginners, only takes thirty minutes to do two circuits, has military discounts, and is really a motivating program.
I would love to give you more advice if you want, just send me the message and I'll send you my email address privatly. I hope your husband's deployment goes well.

Here is a plan that you might want to consider...

http://www.cinchplan.com/focusonhealth

It includes Shakes that actually fill you up and curb your appitite! If you want to learn more... let me know.

I did weight watchers to lose my baby weight. You may need more calories than you think. Weight watcher flex point system is determined by your current weight, activity level and age. You can add in points when you exercise (which is a must to increase your metabolism.) You can eat a lot of things that have 0 points to stay feeling full all day. I found when I ate the correct amount of points each day I was so FULL. I hope this helps.

I sell Juice Plus which is all your daily fruits and veges in a capsule, chewable, or gummie. I never get sick, have more energy, and stay regular every day.