[JossFit]

^^ Either way, it's just one suggestion. One thing to try, and if it doesn't work you'll be no worse off than you were to start.

[ennay]

besides what is the bigger problem? the weight loss stall or the constant hunger?

Refeeds may or may not help break a plateau but they can do wonders for the constant hunger.

There are a lot of theories as to why the hunger can build but sometimes whatever it is a refeed of a few days can fix it.

[Kayriel]

Originally Posted by ennay

besides what is the bigger problem? the weight loss stall or the constant hunger?

Refeeds may or may not help break a plateau but they can do wonders for the constant hunger.

There are a lot of theories as to why the hunger can build but sometimes whatever it is a refeed of a few days can fix it.

I agree and also would like to add that I find that reducing carbs in my diet helps a lot with hunger. When I have too much carbs (particularly carbs found in things like rice, pasta, potatoes), I feel hungry within an hour or two. With more protein and vegetables, I find that I don't have hunger or cravings as much.

If you're trying IF, I suggest eating dinner earlier if possible (I eat at 6pm), so you can break it earlier at 10am. Also, don't do the full 16 hours at first if you're finding it hard. Start at 12 hours and work your way up an hour a day. It gets easier. I only started incorporating IF in the last week and the first day I was starving but it got better. I found an earlier dinner helped as I could break my fast earlier.

[Beach Patrol]

Originally Posted by ennay

besides what is the bigger problem? the weight loss stall or the constant hunger?

Refeeds may or may not help break a plateau but they can do wonders for the constant hunger.

There are a lot of theories as to why the hunger can build but sometimes whatever it is a refeed of a few days can fix it.

I've been stalled w/my weight loss for SIX months now. And while that is completely aggravating and quite a discontentment, it's that hunger that I feel is "undoing me". I mean, I'm SO AFRAID I'm just going to super-binge & go off the deep end from there. I don't wanna do that!!

I've gotten some good responses here, and I have decided to continue trying the I.F. but to ease into a little more instead of attempting a gung-ho approach. I like the idea of eating two 700 calorie meals; that would be just about perfect for me; however, when I eat a lot like that, I always feel "bloaty". One thing I've seemingly accomplished since I've been CC'ing is that I do "eat less" volume wise & don't feel so bloaty anymore. Except for the past 3 weeks or so. It's like that bad habit is sneaking up on me... little by little. Dagnabit!

As far as calorie cycling, I have tried that, and I found it difficult to maintain because I tend to "eat the same things" over & over & over, until I tire of them (it can literally take months!) then I find something else to eat.

And like freelance said, I too have never seen any REPUTABLE medical journal articles or websites confirming that upping calories can lead to greater weight loss, but I'm well aware of many people touting their success by using this method, which leads me to believe that it may not have a lot of science backing it up, but for some people, it does seem to work. And yet, I just cannot believe that "eating more calories" will help me lose any weight, because I'm a FIRM believer that weight loss is achieved through a calorie deficit. But I also believe it's as JossFit said: Weight loss is a lot more than just decreasing calories and getting results that way. If it were, we'd all be exactly where we wanted to be because it would be simple math. There would be no plateaus to speak of. And yeah... here I am... STUCK on a plateau for 6 months & now recently gained 3-5 lb.

I swear, I don't know whether to scratch my watch or wind my butt!

And I think maybe JohnP has a good point about "not dieting" for a while; but that REALLY terrifies me...like on a monumental level - so fearful of completely falling off the wagon altogether. (sigh!)

At least I have lifted weights 3x this week. I do feel better about that.

[JossFit]

Have you considered hiring a nutritionist? Sometimes people get what I call "paralysis by analysis" where they just are too afraid of failure, so they do nothing.

Conversely, you also have those people who switch "diets"/"programs" so frequently that they don't really give anything a chance to work.

Oftentimes it can be a good idea just to give up that control and place your faith in someone else for a while. Trust that person to do the calculating and worrying for you, and just do what they say for a while.

[JohnP]

Read the article before you decide what to do.

Also I would reccomend reading up on Leptin because in my opinion it is a huge part of your problem.

As for being terrified of a diet break I don't know why you would be. You've proven yourself capable of dieting for six months without much if any effect. THAT takes way more will power than maintaining. Plus, you're going to have to maintain someday you might as well get a little practice.

[Steph7409]

I'll just ditto what John said - you've been at this for 2 years without regaining all the way back up the scale, so you might want to try having some faith in yourself. This is something I've been working on a lot lately, trying not to see every off-plan bite as a portent of doom. I keep telling myself that, even though I'm still 20+ pounds from goal, I'm a lot better off than I was.

I too got tired of being hungry and am trying the Fat 2 Fit method of eating just below maintenance. My weight loss is slow to nonexistent lately, but (again to echo John), I think it's good training for how I'll have to eat from now on. Like freelance said, I'm never going to eat like a normal person but that doesn't mean I should give up and go back to eating like a crazy person - as tempting as that is sometimes!

Good luck with whatever you try next. As several people have said, don't be afraid to take a chance. Believe in your own strength!