[geoblewis]

I count everything, calories, carbs, fiber, fats, proteins. I need to in order to track because I don't plan my menus and I need to stay on top of how much I eat. I workout hard and I get really hungry. I'm trying to manage the hunger by keeping carbs lower. Instead, I replace them with protein and fats. I try not to go too high with the proteins, which means I eat more fats. In fact, I actually crave them. My diet looks similar to a ketogenic diet, except there are days when I go a little high on carbs.

I don't have a problem with eating this way. However, I struggle A LOT with cutting overall calories. Because I'm tall (5' 10") and I do weight training and Pilates three hours a week plus cardio three times a week, and my lean body mass is 152 lbs., I have calculated that I can eat just over 2000 calories a day and still lose weight, about a pound a week.

I'm happy with that rate of weight loss. If only I could keep my calories down to that. I find that I am still quite hungry in the afternoons and evenings and I let extra fats sneak in. If I try to add other macros, like protein or carbs, they just get added on top of the fats. I eat an average of 150 gm of fat a day, and averaged just under 2500 calories/day. Not losing weight at all now.

I tried increasing my activity, but that just makes me hungrier. If I could figure out why I'm craving so many fats and then address that, my weight loss would actually start happening again!

Anyone else struggle with fat cravings?

[kayin]

I do a ketogenic diet as well as calorie count and I find that if I go higher in carbs that's when I get cravings (Usually a few hours later, AND the next day). Nowadays, I always stay under 20g net carbs per day, but your number for feeling no cravings may be different. I excercise about 15-20 hours a week including walking. Maybe the higher intensity workouts that you are doing could be making you hungry, I don't know, but don't stop doing them they are great for the body.

Two days ago I did a relatively new workout (hiking instead of walking) and yesterday I had MAJOR cravings and ate about 3 times my usual calories. I craved FATTY MEAT!

Just letting you know that I am also low carb and sometimes do suffer from cravings.

I hope you find your balance and begin losing again!

[geoblewis]

Did a bit more reading on craving fatty things. What I read suggested that when the body lacks certain fat-soluble nutrients, it may crave fats. It was discovered that I have very low vitamin D levels. I was supplementing, but fell off from taking my vitamins over the last three months. Which coincides with my most intense cravings for fats. Back on the vitamins today!

[kayin]

Thanks for the info. I'm on lots of vitamins and supplements so I think I'll be alright, but will definitely not forget my Vitamin D, which is new to me.