Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Always hungry

Hi everyone,

This is a problem for me occasionally and I really don't know what, if anything I can do about it.

Basically I get hungry, and eating doesn't seem to be able to stop the hunger. It's normally exercise related so I'm not sure how much of a problem it is. If it happens over a few days, I've noticed I tend to actually lose weight, but it's hard to be good when you are constantly hungry.

Take today for example. I went for a ride this afternoon for about an hour and I tried to get some internvals in there. I got home at about 5.30pm and it's now 8.00pm.

But I've been hungry ever since I got home but I'm trying to get good about it. I've had a protein shake made with skim milk, a handful of ravioli pieces(taste testing tomorrows lunch), a pear, a loose handful of almonds and I've just finished off an ample dinner of beef and vegetable stir fry with rice finished off with another pear and a kiwi fruit.

And I am still hungry. I don't have cravings for anythign in particular, but just hungry.

Does anyone else get this or have any advice?

Thanks in advance.

I get the same way at times and it dosn't even have to be after a ride. I found the only way to beat it is to eat right after your ride or if this happens when your not riding find something to keep you buisy. If I had the answer I wouldn't be a clyde I would be thin. Good luck, ECB1

Same problem here. It's specific to cycling; I never had this happen before I learned to ride. :-)

there was a thing on (TV, hulu.com I don't own a TV) while back about this competitive eater...

he didn't have a "full switch"... his stomach never sent out the signal to stop eating...

or your metabolism is that good... or both.

The rice may be stimulating a spike in insulin production, making you hungry still. Try nibbling something very slowly that is relatively low in glycemic index to just satisfy the craving that has bulk, like some celery or carrot sticks, or raw cauliflower, or Broccoli when you have the insatiables.

I feel the same way at times.

One thing that helps me is to focus my mind on something else, from email to cleaning the bathroom. Getting going helps me keep my mind off the food cravings. If I just sit and obsess I'll eat.

When I exercise I'm always starving. Happens every time I've ever trained for any sport, done weightlifting, etc. I just keep eating small healthy things through the day.

Don't stuff yourself every time you are hungry or you'll gain weight, but don't sit around with your stomach grumbling either. Also, water is a good stomach filler.

I get this, too. I've lost like 10-15 pounds by these two things:
*Eat on a schedule
*Don't "nibble"

When I have my stuff together, I try to eat when I wake up, then eat every 3 hours after that (meal, snack, meal, snack, etc.). If I'm hungry between times, then I know exactly how long I should wait until I eat again, and usually it doesn't seem like that big of a deal. It's a lot harder to stay in control if you don't know how long you're supposed to wait before you eat again. If you can hold off 15 minutes for each snack then that adds up! You've bought yourself 45 minutes without hunger at the end of the day.

A lot of people say "eat when you're hungry," which is great, but not if you're always hungry. The schedule has helped me so much!

When I have a snack, I try to make it purposeful, instead of a random collection of little things. I think eating lots of little things doesn't do the trick, psychologically, even if it actually fills your stomach up.


PS: I just started going back to school on campus, and I have a 3-hour class at 9 a.m. I used to be so hungry halfway through that it was hard to concentrate. Now I'm just used to the schedule and start to get hungry near the end of the class, just before lunch. I don't want to say "starve yourself!" but I do want to say that your hunger can change :)

This happens to me on moderate exercise especially if I've had a couple of "good" days at a slight calorie deficit. However, with very intense exercise I am usually too wiped out to be hungry. It does take it's toll on my energy level and ability to accomplish anything for a day or two.

Start with liquids and high-bulk items (salads and vegs), no sugary stuff. Observe portions carefully; and plan to get out of the house and walk around after eating if possible.

+1 on water. If you know that you have taken in more then enough calories to hit your daily minimum, drink a bunch of water. For me a quick 40oz of water expands my stomach to the point i dont want to put anything in it.

Mix some fiber in with the water, works even better.

Also, try to pay attention to whether your hungar is more physical or psychological. A desire to eat and hungar are not always the same thing.

well your sometimes your body is telling you that your not getting something. usually when you feel hungry and you just ate, its because you are lacking complex carbs.
after almost every ride i boil some organic whole grain noodles then i cook up some organic eggs and boil some veggies. after everything is cooked i add them all together and put olive oil on it and some hot sauce like Tabasco or something. keep the portion small. anyway i never get that feeling if i eat something that has whole grains and is healthy. not all but most people get that feeling when they take out carbs completely. you just have to take out simple carbs. if that doesn't help then down a big glass of water before you eat, you could be dehydrated. gotta listen to your body, not indulge it but listen to it.
also for that hungry feeling when you start snacking down some almonds. almonds seem to make me feel full quickly. hopefully that helps

Another +1 on the water.

And +1 on the celery/carrots.

+1 on fiber.

Green veggies and things like cauliflower help.

Best thing I found is to combine all the ideas and eat fruits and vegetables that have high water content, like celery, peaches etc. It can be a little gassy at times :) but it helps the full feeling. I like eggs and tuna also as a fill me up. I drink fat-free/skim milk also but it doesn't seem to work to make me full, more of a thirst quencher. Yougurt with granola is great too. Especially the weight watchers brand...the best tasting yougurt IMHO plus they add protein and fiber.

Sometimes though I do get hungry and can't seem to satisfy it...so right now I ignore it if I've had enough, easier said than done. I know. I'm in weight loss mode now, and I think about my bike riding and don't want to feel like I wasted my ride by eating it all away.

I'm with ya...

I'm not being flip. If you've eaten enough to satisfy your caloric needs and you are still hungry, get your mind on something else. Sex for example, or a hobby that really engages you.

Another +1 on the water.

And +1 on the celery/carrots.

+1 on fiber.

Green veggies and things like cauliflower help.

Best thing I found is to combine all the ideas and eat fruits and vegetables that have high water content, like celery, peaches etc. It can be a little gassy at times :) but it helps the full feeling. I like eggs and tuna also as a fill me up. I drink fat-free/skim milk also but it doesn't seem to work to make me full, more of a thirst quencher. Yougurt with granola is great too. Especially the weight watchers brand...the best tasting yougurt IMHO plus they add protein and fiber.

Sometimes though I do get hungry and can't seem to satisfy it...so right now I ignore it if I've had enough, easier said than done. I know. I'm in weight loss mode now, and I think about my bike riding and don't want to feel like I wasted my ride by eating it all away.

I'm with ya...

very good advice. one of the biggest issues with losing weight period is realizing when you have had enough to fuel your body. what happens is your mind gets taught that when your stomach is bulging that your full. but actually its much sooner than that. i actually eat until i dont feel hungry...the second my hunger is satisfied i take 2 more bites and in about 30 min i feel great. not full but not hungry.
ALOT of people mistake the signal that your mind sends for dehydration as hunger. when you figure that one out you will start shedding lbs like crazy.
with this type of eating habit i went from 235 to 207...in 3 months. i just weighed in at 207 this a.m.
i drink about a gallon of water a day and more on my longer ride days. when water is used to quench food cravings it is the key to weight loss.

or just go get checked for worms... :D

or just go get checked for worms... :D

That makes me sooo hungry for a nice eggsalad sandwich from the restroom vending machine. :thumb:

Too bad they go all nutso and start spreading through your blood stream in real life. :(

This may sound odd but it works for me. A tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar in the morning not only helps my sinuses it curbs my hunger.

I also agree about possible dehydration. Drink lots of water.

Are you hungry for something specific, or are you just hungry?

If you are just hungry, I can not help.

If you are hungry for something specific, then we are alike. I have never been good at diets. I get hungry for something specific and eat everything in sight until I find that one item that I am looking for. Sometimes it is fresh fruit. Sometimes it is red meat (steak). Sometimes it is something sweet like chocolate.