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The Cycle of Hunger - 3/2/2009 11:42:50 PM

aravain

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Joined: 8/26/2008
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So I'm currently trying to moderate my food intake and such to keep my weight stable (I've lost all hope with the steroids of losing), and it's really interesting how my hunger goes around in cycles.

I typically wake up and am not hungry until well into the day (4 hours or so after), around which I eat my 'big' meal for the day. About 3 hours after that I'll start to get peckish again, but not really hungry, so I'll wait another hour or so and eat my second meal of the day. Usually this will satisfy me for the entirety of the day. I'm being smart about watching my calories, and the types of calories I'm taking in, and making sure I'm being nutritious and all that jazz, I've cut out all but just a little soda in my day, and tripled my water consumption. And you know what? It's working (and before the steroids I was losing weight really well :D).

But it's on days/nights like today, when I cannot sleep, that I get a driving hunger more urgent than either of the two above... usually it comes around 1am, and by 2 it becomes almost painful! The only recipe for a cure involves either a moderately sized meal, or going to sleep if I can manage it. I know that it's mostly being caused by the simulated 'starving' to lose weight healthily (and believe me, it is healthy, I'm eating around 3700 calories a day :P), but it's quite annoying!

lather rinse repeat! This is a general pattern, of course, but it's pretty consistent.

So I was wondering how others' hunger cycles (or lack thereof) work? Does anyone pay as much attention to it as I do?

Post #: 1

RE: The Cycle of Hunger - 3/2/2009 11:55:57 PM

camille65

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From: Austin Texas
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I am paying attention right now.. its almost 2am and my stomach hurts. I can't figure out if I'm overly hungry, last food was a banana at 10:30pm. Last meal was 2 pm prior, and first meal was 10am.

My usual meal routine is 9am, 1pm, 6pm with assorted fruit throughout the insomniac night.

Hopefully a glass of water will take care of it.

I think that insomnia creates hunger, there isn't that long rest period without food and the body gets confused.

_____________________________

~Love your life! (It is the only one you'll get).

(in reply to aravain)

Post #: 2

RE: The Cycle of Hunger - 3/2/2009 11:59:48 PM

Owner59

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From: Dirty Jersey
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I`ve made a friend of that discomfort you mention.That`s how I cope and make it no big deal.

The same with the pain and discomfort of exhaustion and physical strain when I train.

If I resisted those feelings,I`d give into them and (over) eat or quit exercising.I could soooo be a couch potato and just snack.

So I make friends and that way,keep them in check.

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"As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals"

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(in reply to aravain)

Post #: 3

RE: The Cycle of Hunger - 3/3/2009 12:26:03 AM

aravain

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Wow camille65... I couldn't imagine eating that early!

Times are dependent on the day, but the first meal is usually around 1pm to 2:30pm, the second around 5-6. I don't really snack throughout the day, mostly because it has a tendency to induce more hunger. When I get insomnia I usually try to ignore it, or placate with some water and/or soda... it usually doesn't work D: I guess that makes sense. Thinking about it, I've been up since 7:50am, and yesterday went to bed at 6am >.> I suppose that would whack the cycle a little

@Owner59

I can't make friends with it D: It does some funky things with me (including causing wooziness) that makes it a pretty rough relationship. I deal with it though, it's through resisting it that I get over it. I think I'd give in if I accepted it as anything more than abnormal... because I'd lose sight of the reason to not eat.

I really only eat when I'm hungry... and then I don't really care what I'm eating as long as I can stomach it (which makes watching what I eat extremely easy). At late nights like this there simply aren't any good options, though. I don't have anything to heat food (and don't eat ramen and things like that), though I do have a fridge... even so, I'm too poor to afford buying groceries and things, and don't have the time to buy things regularly, if I wasn't! This leads to the dilemma that my mother will, occasionally pay for food to be delivered late at night (she's wonderful like that :D), but it's enabling behavior, really.

Still, when I can't sleep and otherwise couldn't eat as well, it IS nice.

(in reply to camille65)

Post #: 4

RE: The Cycle of Hunger - 3/3/2009 12:53:26 AM

slaveboyforyou

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From: Arkansas, U.S.A.
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FR

I don't count calories, and I don't think about how much I eat. I eat when I'm hungry; your body let's you know when you need to eat. I don't eat huge meals; I eat small, simple meals throughout the day. I'll eat things like crackers, a few sardines, jerky, cheese, raw vegetables, fruit, nuts, trail mix.....basically things I can eat anywhere and anytime. My sit-down meals are small. I chew my food and enjoy it. I can't wolf down a meal; it makes me sick to my stomach. My friends and family always notice I'm still eating when they are finished. As far as I'm concerned; I don't eat too slow, they eat too damn fast. I eat until I'm full, then I quit. I don't try and eat everything. If there is a significant portion left, I save it for later.

Admittedly, I don't drink a lot of water. I drink 3-4 cups of coffee when I wake up. I will drink tea or juice in the daytime. Occassionally I will grab a coke in a gas station or out of a machine. I don't buy water LOL. Hell, I don't need to. Our tap water is great, and our town is in a National Park where the spring water is free. You can fill up jugs from either the hot spring taps or a couple of cold water taps downtown.

I think my way of doing things is fairly healthy. I'm not fat, and I don't feel bad. I don't worry about it too much, but I don't worry about much of anything. I'm just not a worrier; I'm a day to day person.

(in reply to Owner59)

Post #: 5

RE: The Cycle of Hunger - 3/3/2009 1:03:09 AM

RainydayNE

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Joined: 10/21/2008
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quote:

ORIGINAL: slaveboyforyou

As far as I'm concerned; I don't eat too slow, they eat too damn fast.

i think this is a really important thing to point out.
generally the faster you eat, the more you end up eating. =p because of the lag between your eating and your brain registering that your stomach is filling up =p

i really need to slow down when i eat.
ah the return of spring always makes me more health conscious...

do you also do the 5-6 small hand-sized meals a day thing?

(in reply to slaveboyforyou)

Post #: 6

RE: The Cycle of Hunger - 3/3/2009 1:04:52 AM

Vendaval

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If I feel hungry late at night then the oatmeal or some other hot cereal with a bit of milk is the cure. That calms the hunger pains without consuming large amounts of calories or fats or sugars.

_____________________________

"Beware, the woods at night, beware the lunar light.
So in this gray haze we'll be meating again, and on that
great day, I will tease you all the same."
"WOLF MOON", OCTOBER RUST, TYPE O NEGATIVE

http://KinkMeet.co.uk

(in reply to aravain)

Post #: 7

RE: The Cycle of Hunger - 3/3/2009 1:07:28 AM

aravain

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Hah, you're lucky in that regard :)

I eat slow, but I tune out when I eat (which was the major cause of over-eating for a good while). The only reason I'm watching calories (and I mean that in the most basic way) is because I have a tendency to under-eat if I pay any attention to what I eat. I get mixed signals all the time on whether or not I'm actually hungry if I'm not on a consistent schedule. Even when I don't care I have a tendency to go through cycles of over AND under eating, mostly under. Part of watching my calories has been making sure I eat *enough* (and eat enough of the good stuff, too) because I have a tendency not to. Two meals is actually a lot for me (and sometimes more than I feel like sitting down to eat).

Being on a meal plan is a blessing and a curse... I have no control over my own meals, but I can eat absolutely anything that they prepare or serve that day... I don't have to cook, but I'm not *always* 100% sure what ingredients they've used in any given item.

I'll be happy once I'm mostly making for myself, again... and I'll probably lose 20lbs in a couple months just because I'll eat less since it's more of a hassle to cook

The small meals thing is supposed to be so good for the body, but I can't do it! Probably a force of habit, I guess. Tap water's got its own strangenesses, though... I try to avoid it where I can. I don't break the bank by buying water though, I just get distillata through my mother's work at a ridiculous discount :D Even that I need to have something in, though, so I use propel flavor packs, which are really quite good for you. I'm so happy I've managed to cut most of my caffeine out (even though I HATED doing it), too... I've found it's just generally increased my quality of living.

Cheers for your healthiness :D May I someday achieve similar!

(in reply to slaveboyforyou)

Post #: 8

RE: The Cycle of Hunger - 3/3/2009 1:29:20 AM

slaveboyforyou

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From: Arkansas, U.S.A.
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quote:

do you also do the 5-6 small hand-sized meals a day thing?

Not really, I just don't think about it. I just eat something when I feel hungry. I guess they're hand sized meals. I don't really eat at restaurants all that much; it's rare for me to run through a drive through and grab something. I never do that on lunch breaks. I take something with me. Of course, I'm cheap LOL. I tend to take things with me that are small and easy to manage. I don't like waiting to use a microwave or to watch the clock while eating. I keep things handy, so I can eat when I feel like it. You don't have to buy junk snack foods to do that. You can cut up some cheese, get packets of tuna or other fish (I like sardines, a lot of people hate them.), some nuts, a few pieces of fruit, etc. Stick them in a bag, and you're set.

(in reply to RainydayNE)

Post #: 9

RE: The Cycle of Hunger - 3/3/2009 1:33:31 AM

Vendaval

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Rainyday,

Another technique to practice is not eating while watching TV at the same time because then you are not noticing how much and how fast you are eating. Listening to some mellow music is good. Having too much spicey food and caffeine or alcohol at the same time can also encourage over eating.

_____________________________

"Beware, the woods at night, beware the lunar light.
So in this gray haze we'll be meating again, and on that
great day, I will tease you all the same."
"WOLF MOON", OCTOBER RUST, TYPE O NEGATIVE

http://KinkMeet.co.uk

(in reply to RainydayNE)

Post #: 10

RE: The Cycle of Hunger - 3/3/2009 1:38:50 AM

RainydayNE

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watching TV while eating is one of the worst things that has happened to people as a whole, i'd think. you know, in regards to food/weight.
i actually do believe there's some importance in sitting down to eat with your whole family, and catching up and what not. =p TV not only stops you from noticing how much you're eating (essentially an out of sight, out of mind thingie) but it also forms a little wedge between you and everyone else. that is IF everyone else eats at the same time during the same shows or whatever. =p
haha

did anyone else see that hidden camera show that was done, showing people at a restaurant eating hot wings? =p where the people who's bones were left on the table remained conscious of how much they'd had and ate less, while the people who's bones were removed from the table continued to eat a bit beyond reason. =p

(in reply to Vendaval)

Post #: 11

RE: The Cycle of Hunger - 3/3/2009 2:02:11 AM

Vendaval

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I do prefer to sit down and eat with the people in the household whether those are roommates, family, etc. We spend too much time not communicating face to face and rushing through everything in life, including our meal times.

_____________________________

"Beware, the woods at night, beware the lunar light.
So in this gray haze we'll be meating again, and on that
great day, I will tease you all the same."
"WOLF MOON", OCTOBER RUST, TYPE O NEGATIVE

http://KinkMeet.co.uk

(in reply to RainydayNE)

Post #: 12

RE: The Cycle of Hunger - 3/3/2009 2:54:03 AM

MissMorrigan

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Studies show a correlation between poor sleeping habits and obesity. I guess that's tied in with the hard-wired reaction of feasting after fasting - the fasting, in this case, is a night's sleep, so when the body keeps waking up, I presume that's the trigger to eat again and it becomes a cycle. For some it becomes so disruptive that they begin sleepwalking to the refridgerator and feasting during slumber.

My issue with weight began due to long periods of steroid use due to my asthma. The steroid use finished years ago but the issue with excess weight remained and it's something I work towards controlling especially as it becomes more of an issue when middle-age hits, as it has with me.

I can't sit down to big meals, I feel overwhelmed when faced with a mountain of food. I like to browse, ie eating when hungry, the problem is when we have tricked our bodies into thinking they are hungry all the time and it's no longer a physical issue of what the body needs.

One thing I never did, but have trained myself to do and which was the hardest thing to do, that's have breakfast, a healthy breakfast that correctly kick-starts the body and the best kind of breakfast which is slow-releasing is either porridge (oatmeal) or muesli... I abhor the latter unless it's coooked otherwise I'd be masticating all morning long to get even a small bowlful down. A nutritionist once said that twenty-five minutes is more than ample time to chew and intake enough food that the brain recognises its had and the body needs to sustain it. If food remains after that time, leave it and that meal sizes should fit into two hands put together in a bowl-shape and at a 45 degree angle. The most weight I lost was on my own five meal a day plan and by cutting out most sauces/fats as it's usually not the foods themselves, but the crap we plaster all over them that cause the issue.

Breakfast would be porridge made with skimmed milk and with fruit added to it for flavour
Mid-morning was either a yoghurt, a piece of fruit or two rich tea biscuits, the light variety (reduced sugar).
Lunch: Salad bowl with lean chicken or prawns and lots of lemon juice/herbs, a banana or apple to finish
Mid-afternoon, same as mid-morning but if I had biscuits mid-morning, then I'd have the fruit or yoghurt mid-afternoon.
Evening: Fish poached or grilled or turkey, jacket potato and low-calorie dressing or butter, unlimited green vegetables and a small helping of butter beans or any other type of pulse.

A must was lots of water - I generally loathe drinking water, but forced to drink at least five glasses a day in addition to other non-carbonated/non-sweetened drinks and found that I actually did feel so much healthier, my skin began to bloom, it no longer looked sallow and 'old', but plumper and healthy.

I never denied myself anything, if I wanted a cake or chocolate I'd have it, BUT, I would set aside a day to do this, ie a Friday for instance - that was the only area I was very strict in. If I allowed myself to vary days when I had my chocolate or cake, I'd be more likely to say 'sod it' and include it on yet another day. If I didn't have it on that Friday, I didn't have it on the Saturday as I knew then that come Friday I would have had it twice in one week.

And moderate exercise, it doesn't have to come in the form of jumping up and down like a lunatic, as long as you're active regularly. I have a propensity to be sloth-like, I try to kid myself that I'm really a book-reader, or avidly interested in documentaries, in reality, while I do like those things they should not take up a large proportion of one's day and even though I'm asthmatic, I CAN exercise. It's important, even if it is to go for a walk.

Sorry for the long-winded post lol

_____________________________

The Tooth Fairy who teaches kids to sell body parts for money.

A free society is a society where it is safe to find one's self unpopular and where history has shown that exceptions are not that exceptional.

(in reply to camille65)

Post #: 13

RE: The Cycle of Hunger - 3/3/2009 3:04:44 AM

sirsholly

Posts: 42360
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quote:

watching TV while eating is one of the worst things that has happened to people as a whole, i'd think. you know, in regards to food/weight.
i actually do believe there's some importance in sitting down to eat with your whole family, and catching up and what not. =p TV not only stops you from noticing how much you're eating (essentially an out of sight, out of mind thingie) but it also forms a little wedge between you and everyone else. that is IF everyone else eats at the same time during the same shows or whatever. =p

please accept a standing ovation for this!!!!!

And actually...it is a great way to eat less. When the conversation flows and we catch up on each others day, the fork does not pass the lips as it would while mindlessly watching TV. It takes the tummy about 20 minutes to tell the brain it is full, and that 20 minutes passes quickly with the laughter and giggles that happen during a family meal.

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(in reply to RainydayNE)

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RE: The Cycle of Hunger - 3/3/2009 4:59:28 AM

OneMoreWaste

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quote:

ORIGINAL: slaveboyforyou
I eat when I'm hungry; your body let's you know when you need to eat.

Not for everyone.

I wake up around 7:30 AM, hungry. Have a peanut butter & jelly sandwich. By 10:00, I'm hungry again. I hold off until 11:30, then have lunch (usually 3 pepperoni Hot Pockets). By 2:30, I'm hungry again. Some days I scarf down some pretzel rods or a couple of string cheezes, usually I don't have any snacks around so I have to be hungry until dinner, which is around 6:30. Depending on what's for dinner, I'm generally hungry by 10pm, sometimes 9.

I'm fighting to keep my weight in the low 200s; If I ate every time I got hungry, I'm sure I'd be over 300lbs.

And I drink 2-3 gallons of water a day.

Is mucho sucko

_____________________________

-and the few still remember passion over rage-

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Post #: 15

RE: The Cycle of Hunger - 3/3/2009 5:26:59 AM

TNstepsout

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I have to agree with MissMorrigan. Breakfast is really important. I would also recommend several smaller meals throughout the day rather than two large ones. When you wake up in the morning and aren't hungry that's because your blood glucose levels have dropped sharply during the night. It can make you feel a little sick and not want to be around food at all. Eating small meals, especially with foods that take time to digest and release sugars slowly, will even out your glucose levels and keep you feeling fuller throughout the day.

Try protien in the moring instead of carbs. It works for me and you might find that protien keeps you going better then carbs. I can eat one egg and be satisfied til lunch but if I eat a bowl of oatmeal I'm hungry an hour later. I don't know why. But either way I think you do need to force yourself to eat something in the morning.

(in reply to OneMoreWaste)

Post #: 16

RE: The Cycle of Hunger - 3/3/2009 2:11:00 PM

aravain

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You misunderstood, I don't eat in the morning because I'm not hungry, I don't eat because I can't actually stomach food. I don't feel an aversion to the food until after it's eaten and about an hour or so later

I'll throw up (no, really, I actually do) if I eat too soon after waking up (usually around 2-3 hours is 'too soon'). Glucose or not, I can't 'force' something down... it will come up... and then I generally don't eat at all for the rest of the day (too disgusted).

I'm eating mostly proteins and complex carbs now, in general, though. That plus water makes me feel SO damned good, I can't believe it :) It's like I'm a different person.

Since I'm not hungry then anyways, I just don't worry about it. It would only be a problem if I were (which has happened before). Even if I were, though, I don't have the time/ability to eat breakfast a majority of the time (the dining hall opens around 8:30 and that's when my first class IS on MWF, and doesn't open till around noon on weekends).

(in reply to TNstepsout)

Post #: 17

RE: The Cycle of Hunger - 3/3/2009 2:22:29 PM

LaTigresse

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All I can say is that if I had 3700 calories a day I would weigh 400#!!!

I nibble through the day and always eat something healthy for breakfast.

_____________________________

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Just because you are well educated, articulate, and can use big, fancy words, properly........does not mean you are right!

(in reply to aravain)

Post #: 18

RE: The Cycle of Hunger - 3/3/2009 3:33:01 PM

Vendaval

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No doubt you know this already, but Hot Pockets are not considered good for you. How about trying something nutritional and delicious? Check around your super-market if you need to take lunch to work with you and find a better option.

_____________________________

"Beware, the woods at night, beware the lunar light.
So in this gray haze we'll be meating again, and on that
great day, I will tease you all the same."
"WOLF MOON", OCTOBER RUST, TYPE O NEGATIVE

http://KinkMeet.co.uk

(in reply to OneMoreWaste)

Post #: 19

RE: The Cycle of Hunger - 3/3/2009 5:02:38 PM

DesFIP

Posts: 25191
Joined: 11/25/2007
From: Apple County NY
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quote:

ORIGINAL: OneMoreWaste

quote:

ORIGINAL: slaveboyforyou
I eat when I'm hungry; your body let's you know when you need to eat.

Not for everyone.

I wake up around 7:30 AM, hungry. Have a peanut butter & jelly sandwich. By 10:00, I'm hungry again. I hold off until 11:30, then have lunch (usually 3 pepperoni Hot Pockets). By 2:30, I'm hungry again. Some days I scarf down some pretzel rods or a couple of string cheezes, usually I don't have any snacks around so I have to be hungry until dinner, which is around 6:30. Depending on what's for dinner, I'm generally hungry by 10pm, sometimes 9.

I'm fighting to keep my weight in the low 200s; If I ate every time I got hungry, I'm sure I'd be over 300lbs.

And I drink 2-3 gallons of water a day.

Is mucho sucko

It's what you eat when you're hungry that matters. Eat fruit and vegetables. Keep apples and oranges, carrots and celery sticks around. You can eat them all day and they don't need refrigerating during the work day.

_____________________________

Slave to laundry

Cynical and proud of it!

(in reply to OneMoreWaste)

Post #: 20

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