Is it normal to be THIS HUNGRY?
 

So I usually do around 40-60 minutes of cardio most days of the week. Recently I felt it would be beneficial to start running. I started out at about a 5 incline at 3.5-3.7 speed for about 20 minutes to warmp up then I increase to a run a 4.5 incline at around a 4.7-5.0 speed for about 8-9 minutes(1 miles for me) followed by a cool down. Total exercise 30-35 minutes.

I notice that eventhough the calories burned says around 200, I am pretty hungry about 3 hours later. My stomach is growling non stop. Of course I eat a little snack but im not so hungry that I need a buffet if you know what I mean.

I eat what I am suppose to as well as healthy meals and acceptable proportions. It just a new thing since I have started to run.

Anyone ever experience this?? Would you say that I am burning more calories after the initial workout?

Thanks.

Oh after my workouts I'm STARVING! Seriously I'm like WTF and if I don't eat I'm a super B*tch! I think it's normal at least thats what my trainer told me. I'm suppose to be getting 3 meals in plus 2 to 3 snacks a day. Are you getting enough food into your system? I know I usually don't which is my problem but I also go to gym after lunch and before dinner.

lol. Yes I get 3 full meals with all the nutrition plus 2 snacks...plus a whole food viatmin...I think im just burning a lot of calories after my workout.

I think it's probably the running. I know on the days I run, I'm starved within a couple of hours. I workout in the morning after breakfast, so rather than waiting for lunch, I usually have a high protein snack. Some mornings (when I run about 50 minutes), the hunger becomes unbearable so I go ahead and eat lunch early.

Well they do say that after exercise like that you burn up to 70% more then you normall would if you werent exercising which is why they suggest eating a post workout snack that includes a good amount of protein to it..

I am usually fit to eat my right arm after going to the gym! If you don't want to eat after working out, how about a protein shake? I bring a scoop of whey protein and some FF milk or unsweetened soy milk to the gym with me (total calories: 200) and that keeps me happy until the morning.

Protein, protein, protein!!! Experiment with what works for you, but making sure I get more protein during the day has significantly cut post-workout hunger for me :)

I experience this from time to time as well, especially after running. Today I did 45 minutes of intensive cardio and was starving/low energy/almost shaky after taking a shower. I didn't want to eat back all the calories I just burned by gorging myself (which is what I wanted to do), so I did a rehab snack of 1/2 Slim Fast shake, an apple, and a tbs of peanut butter. It was 250 calories and, more importantly, a good 10 grams of protein. (Would have done eggs instead of the Slim Fast for even more protein, but I ate eggs for breakfast earlier in the day). It filled me up enough so I could still wait a few hours for my normal lunch, gave my muscles a protein boost, prevented me from gorging on sugar and carbs.

Yay for amped up metabolism!

I also echo getting some protein after you workout. I have such a hard time with post-workout hunger that I find it best to work out later in the evening. It's sad that I have to isolate my workouts like that, but it works. I will typically have some peanut butter and apple or protein shake (this is very, very filling after a workout) or even some eggs.

Since I've been running I've noticed the same thing... if I don't eat something within about 30 minutes afterward, the binge monster starts to rear its ugly head. I've noticed that carrying a protein bar around in my gym bag helps immensely... I've been known to start eating it as soon as I start my drive home from the gym! My current favorite is Kashi's Go-Lean Roll bars. 190 calories, 12g protein and 6 or 7g fiber. They're not too pricey (a little over $1 each at Target). The fact that is tastes like a chewy candybar is nice as well :)

I agree with all the protein suggestions and having a snack about half an hour after a workout. Don't wait til you're hungry!

My fiance' has affectionately nicknamed my hunger my "tapeworm". He'll say, "oh the tapeworm's acting up" or "is your tapeworm acting up again?" It's actually really sweet and supportive, and it worked out well for me last night, b/c the tapeworm dictated where we went for dinner. It old him just wait 'til I'm prego if you think this is bad :)

Great suggestions everyone. I usually eat a snack about an hr before my workout but it doesn't have a whole lot of protein, so I will be sure to try that.

Thanks

Well after hearing this, I have been planning on riding my bike at night, I will make sure I keep boiled eggs on hand and eat the white a half hour after my ride. That should take care of the binging and the fact that I will be working out an hour before bed will mean I will burn more calories while sleeping. That egg should be gone by the time I wake up.. lol.. I hope.
170 lbs. 0 lost 45 to go to 125lb goal

I opt to work out in the mornings and really dont have an issue with hunger then but mine comes late at night. Im going to start having a boiled egg handy to snack on. Lately I stay up very late but I can't do that anymore because I get way to hungry and thats DANGEROUS!