II have been lowcal-lowfat for about a year and I have lost 20 pounds! Thing is I'm always hungry! I just want to eat really bad for me food! I was thinking about going back on lowcarb for a while so I dont have to limit my calories, I just dont know! If I slip up on my diet now it shows, I'm having a hard time keeping those 20 off!

Everyone has their own thing that works for them. Sounds like lowcal lowfat isn't working for you.

Being hungry all the time is a terrible way to lose weight. It makes us cranky and irritible. No fun. This should be an enjoyable journey to health not diet hell! Also, if you are hungry, there might be nutrition that your body needs missing from your diet. So, even if there is enough energy (in the form of calories) going in, your body needs something you are not getting.

So, what works? Below is what works for me. You could be a totally different person so it might not work for you.

In terms of not being hungry, I try to record all the times I am hungry (which isn't very often now) and ask myself the following:

1. How long has it been since I ate?
2. What did I have at my last meal or snack?
3. Am I really thirsty not hungry?

Best way to not be hungry is to always be eating or drinking. I carry my water bottle everywhere with me . I also eat at 10 am 1 pm 4 pm 7 pm and 10 pm (I am a late riser). It's not always that regulated but if I eat about once every three or four hours, I don't get so hungry that I want to eat an entire pizza (a weakness of mine :) ).

I also am counting calories and try to stay under 1400 a day so the meals are small but satisfying. How to make them satisfying?

1. protein, protein, protein. I discovered adding 20-30 grams to my diet gave me more energy and made me feel fuller.
2. good fats (in small quantities). I am a big soy nut fan. They sort of taste like sunflower seeds to me and are very crunchy.

Those are my two cents. If you need more specific help, feel free to PM me.

Kay kay,

I just posted a new two week challenge, you should join! I need to get the scale moving again too! Come if you'd like!

-Kristen

II have been lowcal-lowfat for about a year and I have lost 20 pounds! Thing is I'm always hungry! I just want to eat really bad for me food! I was thinking about going back on lowcarb for a while so I dont have to limit my calories, I just dont know! If I slip up on my diet now it shows, I'm having a hard time keeping those 20 off!

Hi Kaykay

That was (is) always my main problem--always feeling hungry. I pretty much did what dlpdld suggests as well. So I bought the book "Volumetrics" where they show you how to feel full while eating low calories for your diet, still get to have some cheese & dairy & sweets, and feel comfortable (no more hunger pangs 30 minutes later and reaching for the chips). It really helped me. Her main advice is, mix a little protein with your food (protein will actually make you feel fuller longer & reduce the carb cravings), bulk up whatever you do eat by mixing in low cal veggies (e.g., pile the sandwiches extra high with veggies, mix veggies in with the pasta), and go for soups.

Also, I divided my calories throughout the day so that I eat a little at 7am, 11am, 1pm, 4pm, 7pm, and at 9pm. This way, I am constantly grazing but not overeating, and not tempted to cheat as much.

Since I figured out how to stay full on 1700 calories, my problem now is how to dealt with eating when I'm stressed/frustrated/bored at work. Everytime the pressure mounts, I just want to grab a piece of chocolate!

If that doesn't work, you might look at how many calories you are getting? If you've been exercising this year, then you have been building muscle, which actually needs more calories. You might increase by 50-100 calories per day and see if the hunger pangs go away, making it easier for you to stick with the diet for the long haul... I've heard a few people on here say that adding just the 50-100 calories per day worked for them.

You've done so much! I can't wait to have lost my first 20 pounds like you!

Hey Kay Kay,

Just wanted to see if you got the scale moving again???...:D

-Kristen

No, I havent got the scale moving again yet! I've been stuck at 129-134 for 6 months now. Regardless of my exercise routine(which I have temporarily given up for 7 days now!) I just cant seem to get down to 125! I got to 127 a couple of weeks ago, then did my cheating on the weekend thing and was back up to 129 again by monday! I've been scared to look lately since I havent walked or worked out in a week! I need a new work out routine also! I absoultly dread the treadmill! I walk at around 4.1-4.5 mph up and down for 45 min, then I do several ab workouts, then top it off with 50 jumping jacks. It totals about an hour or so. All of this is just keeping me at 130ish. I have figured out I eat at work out of boredom, not hunger! I wont even be hungry and eat those fried tator babies til I'm miserable. Then its not time to go home yet and I'll have a fried chicken strip. I just lose control and give in to temptation in the afternoon. Mornings are fine. I even tried eating breakfast, because I read somewhere that if you eat breakfast you will consume less calories for the whole day! Not true, I still had my tator feast in the afternoon when I got bored. I'm trying to find some of those Shirataki Noodles, I hear they are filling and good. Cant find them anywhere here. I found a wedsite where I could order them, but thats not doing me any good now. I'm thinking of getting rid of my treadmill and getting a elliptical. I have a fear of falling on the treadmill! I've been walking for over a year and only fell once, but I always feel out of balance. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

How about trying a workout video, or a workout class? I can't stand treadmills either, and only do an elliptical once a week. The other days, I go to a class that varies the exercises every day, and does strength training.

As for work, I know what you mean! I figured out that my current job is what made me gain all this weight. When I started my job, I had been at 145 for years. Then, 3 years later, I find myself close to 200. So I've been bringing tons of healthy & guilt free snacks to work. Every time I stress, I pop a grape in my mouth instead of an M&M. I have the 100 calorie popcorn bags, and tangeriens & bananas & instant oatmeal. I swear, my cabinets are like a trip to the grocery store!