It's funny that you should mention calorie cycling: I've done that all along (even when I was losing). I love it because it allows for special occasions.

Also, I've tried some form of fasting before, and actually, if it weren't for life circumstances, I think I would do quite well with it. I've often thought that if I could just skip breakfast altogether, I might be better off. I'm not hungry until much later in the morning, but if I eat anyway (because perhaps I know that I won't have the opportunity later), it seems to set me off in eating "mode"--if that makes sense.

Well, we are all an experiment of one, as Meg would say. I also balked when I read you eat yogurt for breakfast and then nothing until 1:30 - that would leave me starving! Yogurt has protein but little fat, no fiber. I've also found that occasionally when my breakfast is light and lunch is very delayed, I can't make up for it for the rest of the day. I will just be extra hungry, no matter what I then eat. So I try to eat something, or carry emergency snacks, to avoid this if I don't get to my planned meal. But you did then say that you aren't hungry usually, so... a few suggestions. Also I second the "play with you macronutrients" idea. Try more fiber or healthy fats for breakfast, see if it holds you better through the day.

I also wonder if you should try to reduce carbs at certain times of day, or switch the types of carbs you're eating to eat whole grains. I eat carbs and am totally pro-carb, but I do eat mostly whole grains, fruits, and yogurt for carbs. Processed carbs like those found in white breads, pretzels or chips, or most brownies, cookies, and cakes make me want more and more of them, regardless of hunger, so I eat these less often. If I do eat a lot of sugary things, like at Christmas, I find myself craving them for several days and have to sort of detox myself/get over the hump for a few days before I'm back to normal.

And as Jessica suggested, make a note when you're hungry like this. It might only be at certain times of the month.

I hope you figure out a slightly better solution! I just can't live with gnawing hunger. If you are genuinely hungry I don't think there's anything at all wrong with eating a healthful snack or meal.

This is a common reaction and one I share as well. I like JUDDD combined with EatStopEat. One 24 hour fast once a week, and sometimes two 24 hour fasts per week. Never more than 2 per week, for me. These correspond to my down days.

I have found many benefits to this woe, including Maintanence. However, it has been only 2 months. Started right before the holidays, and am glad I did:-)

My solution would be more fat. I find my hunger levels significantly reduced when I eat full-fat dairy and put a little olive oil and vinegar on my salad and a little butter on my vegetables. Carbs that contain sugar (like cookies) cause more hunger and famished feelings than carbs like potatoes or bread.

For breakfast, I do oatmeal with a mashed banana (no sugar or milk, generally), AND I do some Greek yogurt (NOT reduced fat). If I eat just the oatmeal, it doesn't stick with me; if I eat just the yogurt, I have low blood sugar all morning and thus feel famished from that.

So I need the complex carbs AND the protein AND the fat. Then I'm fine. Otherwise, I really fight the gnawing hunger. And it's not fun.

Over time, I've also found this to be true for me (although, as you can see, I don't always adhere to it).

I feel more in control since Sunday. At this point, I'm really focusing on eating substantial meals and/or snacks (although I don't do too much of the latter). For example, I had planned to have a bit of dark chocolate & a shot of Bailey's Irish Cream last night with my espresso (after dinner). However, I realized that I was still hungry after dinner and that those treats wouldn't put a dint in my hunger. So, instead of eating those, I had some Fage yogurt w/ a banana & a peanut butter granola bar crumbled into it. I felt full and satisfied after that. Yes, I reached my calorie limit, but I didn't exceed it and I didn't feel hungry the rest of the night. That will be my approach for the rest of the week until this hunger "phase" is over (& I'm really hoping it is just a "phase").

Has anyone ever experienced this when moving into maintenance? I am so scared about regaining the weight.[/QUOTE]

Hi there,

I've also been working on maintenance since last October, after losing 50 pounds. Just recently I had a 2-week period in which I felt a lot hungrier than usual, for no reason I can identify. I still don't have a firm plan for dealing with such episodes, so I'm right there with you. When I feel distracting hunger pangs I usually have a couple of flax/honey crackers or a small handful of sweet-potato fries, but sometimes that isn't enough and I find myself rooting around the fridge, trying to decide between volume and caloric density. It's a difficult game, isn't it?

Freelance

Absolutely! From other posts, it seems like we're almost weight loss "twins"---losing approx the same amount of weight during about the same time frame.

One thing that has helped me so far this week (although it's only Tuesday!) is that I'm back to strict planning. I was slacking on that last week. Odd as it seems, when I have too many choices, that tends to encourage me to overeat. This week, I've been logging my meals before I even eat them. Doing that has encouraged me to stop thinking about what I can eat--i.e., ponder my many choices---and just eat what I've logged. So far, calorie-wise, I've been successful this week. Also, because I'm back to strict planning, I feel more in control of my eating than I did last week.

<<Absolutely! From other posts, it seems like we're almost weight loss "twins"---losing approx the same amount of weight during about the same time frame. >>

Since we're already twins, would you consider being buddies? Perhaps we could email each other to report on our progress and share tips. I know we're discouraged from posting emails, but I much prefer email to the PM system so I'll take the risk: gbauer**at**sympatico.ca. No offense taken if you'd rather not do the buddy thing.

Freelance

Sure! Except that PM is probably best for me as I check that more often that my E-mail (just lazy, I guess ---or just like going on this forum! ).

<<Sure! Except that PM is probably best for me as I check that more often that my E-mail (just lazy, I guess ---or just like going on this forum! ).>>
__________________

I sometimes forget that not everyone checks their email 20 times a day as I do. As a freelance writer I have a legitimate excuse as I have to keep up with editors' can-I-have-this-by-yesterday requests. Forgive my ignorance, but how do I do the PM thing?

F.

In the top, right-hand corner of the 3FatChicks menu bar, you'll see an option near your screen name for "Private Messages." When you click on that, you'll see your mailbox and other options. On the left side, there's an option to "Send New Message." The rest is intuitive.

Hope that helps!

I don't think freelancemomma has enough posts or days as a member yet for Private Messages... But I'm not sure. It's either 20 and 20 or 30 and 30.

Jay

<<I don't think freelancemomma has enough posts or days as a member yet for Private Messages... But I'm not sure. It's either 20 and 20 or 30 and 30.>>

Yeah, I haven't found any "private message" option near my screen name. I guess I'll just have to wait a little longer...

F.