For the past couple days, I have been eating higher calorie levels, I don't know why- but I've been eating around 1700... some days a little lower, some a little higher. I've been excercising.... yesterday, for instance, I had 1700 calories and I did the elliptical for 45 minutes. This is making me worry- why am I so hungry? And I'm worried that I'm going to screw up my whole diet eating so many calories! What do y'all think?
you are going to be naturally hungrier when you exercise more. 1700 calories isn't actually that bad with a good amount of exercise...now if you were eating 2000+ a day (maintenance calories for many) then you might be doing something more than you want.
You might want to eat 1600-1700 on hugher workout days, and lower, like 1400 on light workout days.
There could be other factors as well. I'm always "hungrier" when I'm having my period. Or if something emotional is going on in my life. Sometimes if you can identify the reason behind the "hunger", you can get over it.
What about liquids? Are you drinking enough water? If you're dehydrated (particularly if you're exercising more), your brain may be tricking you into thinking you're hungry, when really, all you need is a few more glasses of water.
When I started walking 90 minutes a day, in addition to my regular cardio and weights, I noticed that as well. I decided to up my calories from 1500 to almost 1700 and see what happens. The next time I weighed, I lost 3 1/2 pounds. The previous weeks I had lost 1/2 to 1 1/2 pounds only. I figured, my body just needed those calories for the increased exercise even though the exercise wasn't demanding at all. I listened to my body. I have learned to do that now.
thanks girls!!! I do think I should try to drink more water- it's weird because this is the first time in 30 days that I've really had a problem- I mean, I'm CRAVING fast food and ice cream and all that bad stuff.... I am not going to give in to the cravings, though. I am going to drink some more water, and try to fill up on healthy foods.
SusanB- here's an example of what I eat during the day. I work from 5:00 in the morning until 1 or 2 in the afternoon- so I have to have things at work that are portable and easy. I do have a microwave and little fridge at work.
Breakfast- usually a nutrigrain bar and a fruit, like banana
Snack- usually yogurt or teddy graham crackers
Lunch- either tuna salad (low-fat mayo) or microwave soup or a sandwich, more fruit
Snack- 100 calorie popcorn, or 60 calorie pudding
Dinner- here's where it gets really tough. I love to eat at night, and I love dessert. Usually either a turkey burger, fajitas, or chicken breast. Usually with broccoli, a salad, or green beans/other vegetable. Sometimes rice or sweet potatoe depending on my calorie count that day.
Then I usually have a dessert, like a 120 calorie fudge bar- but if I'm being honest, I usually have some cool whip and strawberries with it.
Sometimes I get bored with my food, because I tend to eat the same things- usually because I know they are "safe" and it's hard for me to fix things to take to work. All my co-workers eat fast food together, so I have to make sure I'm prepared. Any tips would be greatly appreciated- feel free!
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