I do remember feeling before that I was always stuffed. I never stopped eating until I felt miserable. It was hard getting used to just having a comfortable fullness. The big thing for me was realizing that there wasn't any need to feel stuffed, that if I got hungry later that I could eat something later. My problem wasn't just junk food, I was just very much an over-eater. When I first started to feel a little hunger, it was a strange and foreign thing for me, I usually never had let myself ever get hungry. Sometimes I felt like a "bottomless pit" and could never feel full enough. This is just my experiences. I don't know how many calories you are eating and it may very well be that you need more food.

Exactly how I used to eat.

I've been tryign to limit myself to 1500 calories a day but I usually end up between 1500-2000. I'm eating healthier and am able to eat a good amount of healthly choices but I just always seems to be waiting for something more. :-( With time maybe this will pass.

When I'm not bingeing, I never feel full. I would be full all day long before I began my diet. I don't think I had felt hunger in 5 years. I don't think it's necessary to feel full with every meal, and I've gotten very used to it. But if you want to feel full, just drink a couple of glasses of water and it should fill you right up (long enough for you to forget about missing a food-filled belly). I actually hate feeling full, because I know I overate.

I agree with Harpo~ I have never enjoyed that full feeling ( border line sick feeling). I'm more of a grazer when I over eat. There are times I stop eating because I am satisfyed....It could be as little as a few bites of chicken. Or this morning, half of my protein shake...I was just done with it.

pinksnowdays:
Do you mean you WANT to feel MORE full? Or you mean you feel satisfied without the full feeling? Wasn't too sure what you meant there.

I think it's good to feel satisfied and not hungry, but not a good feeling to have that "ohh man I just feel like I'm gonna burst, I need a nap" feeling. (haha, you can tell by that I have experience there) NO I don't do that anymore! hahahahaha

My cals are staying between 1200-1400 on a higher day, and I seem quite satisfied with that. I try to look for the lowest fat/lowest cal way of getting the most food in each day. I have a few favorites now that seem to fit the bill so until i get sick of them, I'll keep eating those.

~ Angie

Not feeling full is the hardest thing for me to get used to while trying to eat several times a day. I'm still not there. It's not too bad during the day when I'm busy, but in the evening, it packs a punch. It will get better (I hope).

I waver between telling myself I have to stick to the plan, and I need more calories because I worked out. What psychological games we play with ourselves!

I feel right there with you northern having smaller meals several times never leaves me satisfied. I guess thats more my problem then full... satisfied.
Jill what a good alterative I had never really thought that way, maybe that will help.
Just another side effect of years of over eating :-/. This too shall pass!

I know it _sounds_ low to me too.. but I am quite satisfied with that amt of calories, it seems. I went lower, was hungry, and at 1200-1400 cals I seem to feel great.

I try to find the foods with the most density and least calories. I don't look at stuff with a lot of calories if it's not gonna give me anything to EAT. But, that's just my preference.

I eat in the run of a day:
Breakfast: 1 med banana, 1 small bowl of oatmeal (very nice and filling)

lunch: 2 oz. chicken breast on sandwich with mustard and lettuce, sometimes I add cucumbers too. 1 apple or 1 cup of strawberries, sometimes I add 1 oz. of baked lays, if I feel craving.
I might have snacks like a fruit or a low cal fudge bar (70 cal)

dinner: sometimes I have chicken breast and salad, sometimes I have this soup I made up with turkey, kidney beans, and tomato. That one is REALLY nice and filling so I feel full after that.

Sounds like a lot of food for one day! And it all rings in around 1200-1400.

And yes, chicken sandwich tastes really good with mustard, I actually even prefer it to mayo. Try it! You'll love it!!

2 things that really help me feel fuller and more satisfied: protein and fiber.

Psyllium husks, which are an excellent source of fiber, sprinkled on my oatmeal or grapefruit makes me feel like I've eaten a Thanksgiving feast!

Protein helps me feel fuller for longer.

If I eat just carbohydrates, even "good ones" like fruit, I am STARVING soon after! Thoughts of food prevail ! It becomes a real stuggle to not eat.

If I make sure to include a little protein and fiber I can for hours without even thinking of food.