[swtbttrfly23]

So most of the time I am able to hold it together, I do 2000 calories per day and on most days I feel like that's enough. I'm not too hungry, I find that smaller meals really satiate me just fine, and I can typically keep myself in control for 2-3 days at a time. But by the end of the 3 or so days, I find myself almost ravenous, and I end up going a little crazy (basically a late night graze, although it is still less than I would typically binge on before). And then usually, the next few days will be really good again. But the scale hasn't budged in 3 weeks and I am worried that I am just sabotaging myself like I tend to do.

Does anyone experience this? I decided that I was going to allow more calories per day in exchange for consistent exercise (I used to be too off and on to make a difference), plus I'm a total foodie and my roomie is training to become a chef. But now I'm wondering if I'm not enough calories if I keep getting so hungry mid-week? I have heard of the once a week cheat day, but this is no good!

[moonkissed]

Idk it might just be what you are eating and when.

I have been told that a good trick to keep yourself full is to eat a protein with a carb. So like a slice of whole wheat bread/or an apple with peanutbutter. And that is supposed to keep you full longer. While some stuff like empy calories are not going to keep you as full.

Do you eat your meals at the same time everyday? Maybe you need to shift it around and make some snacks in there. Some people say to eat 5-6 smaller meals a day. I am bad at that lol but I think it would help me with my grazing issues.

Also since you do good during the start maybe it is a pattern of boredom. Like you need to shake up the routine in the middle of the week to help you get back on track.

goodluck

[LiliK]

Without knowing more about your diet, it's hard to know precisely what the issue might be. I'm completely stuffed at 1400 calories per day (and I'm a big eater!), but there aren't any chefs-in-training around here, and most of what we eat is high-fiber, high-volume stuff.

Since you mentioned the chef-in-training, I'm wondering if it's the methods of preparation or sauces that might be doing you in. Maybe try for simplification of cooking method (grill, broil) and sauce that you dip your fork into rather than spread on the food? Like I say, without details, it's hard to know. Best wishes to you, though--I totally get the frustration of starting something and then having it be SO hard to continue!

[shannonmb]

Like Lili said, it's hard to say exactly without knowing what you are eating, but definitely mixing any carb snacks with a protein is a good thought from moonkissed. I am not doing low carb, but I find that if I just carb out on one particular meal, I'm starved before the next meal. So I try limiting empty or 'white' carbs unless I'm also eating substantial protein at the same time.

You definitely don't want to go too low on the calories, but I think 2000 a day would be my upper limit, even with exercise. I eat a different amount of calories every day, 1500 being a low day and 2000 maybe twice a week and I'm having good consistent losses at this weight. I am always perfectly satisfied if not stuffed at the end of the day, so I think WHAT you are eating and when probably has a lot to do with it.

Do you feel like posting what you ate yesterday and seeing if anyone can tweak it for you? Good luck, darlin'! Being hungry sux and is a sure way to send you into a tailspin! BTW, I applaud you for being able to do this with a Chef in the house!

[swtbttrfly23]

Yeah, I've been monitoring my food more each day, and I do find that while some weeks I eat a ton of fruits and veggies, some weeks my calories come from not the best foods (even if I stay on track).

On a side note, the last few days I decided to try going down to 1800, but all three days I ended up doing the full 2000. It could be that I'm just not used to planning out the 1800 like I know how to plan out the 2000. I have done the 1500 per day before, but I find it super hard to sustain. I think I'm going to keep feeling it out, and see how my body responds. Thanks everyone!