So, now that I'm exercising more...

C

Calee

Cathlete
I'm so much more hungry!! I'm trying to lose weight but I'm sabotaging myself because I'm always eating something. I do try to choose healthier foods, but even though I eat pretty cleanly, I'm not losing weight because I eat way too much.
Does anyone else have this problem? I'm really trying to have more willpower not to have that last snack at midnight, but I sure could use some suggestions on this.
It's so frustrating because I feel like I'm getting stronger and my cardio capacity has increased, but I still roll over the edges of my jeans!
Any advice on this would be wonderful...
Thanks,
Calee
 
Your body is actually built to have caloric intake every 2-3 hrs. You are not supposed to have actual "meals" every 2-3 hrs, just snacks (100-200 cal). I have actually gradually changed my eating habtis from 3 large meals to 6 small ones over the last month or so. I will take several weeks for your body to "let go" of the extra weight as well, as long as you are giving it the calories it needs to survive and not starving itself.
 
This is absolutely true, 6 small meals a day. My friend at work who is a personal trainer and looks just like Cathe (*sigh* if only I could!):) has told me repeatedly to do the 6 small meals because I hit a plateau but find it difficult to do the small meals. She told me if I do the 6 small it will completely chnage my metabolism. The key though, like Amy said above, is it is supposed to be between 100-200 calories...you can't eat every 2-3 hours and have 400 caloie snacks becuase you will continue so be in the same position....
 
Calee - Just be sure that you are indeed getting enough calories for the increase in exercise. If you're eating clean, you can eat more than you might think. Do you keep track of your calories on something like Fitday.com or sparkpeople.com? If you don't, consider doing that and making sure you are eating as clean as you think and the calories you think. When I started doing P90X as well as training for a Half Marathon, I had to increase my calorie intake a lot actually, to make up for the activity. I found that if I ate the right foods in a timely manner (again, 5-6 times a day - how you break up the calories of those meals/snacks is up to you - I am hungrier in the afternoon, so I save a lot of calories for then) I was able to keep my hunger under control and not eat the stuff I wanted to avoid.
 
Yes, I have heard that eating every 2-3 hrs. is very good for the metabolism. My next question is, how do you fit that into your busy days? My job is one that I go non-stop from 8am to 6pm. I can't stop and have little snack breaks every couple of hours, nor do I have time to run back to the fridge and grab anything perishable. Any suggestions on this one??
Sometimes I feel like there are too many obstacles on the road to weight loss, you know?
Calee
 
I work 12 hr shifts in a very busy ICU and I am still able to stop every couple of hours to "sneak" in a snack. An apple here, string cheese, a small Thomas WW bagel with PB there, whatever. My DH found lunchbags that I am able to store in the freezer (most you can't because of the lining) and pack. It keeps my food cool all shift and I don't have to take up the whole fridge with my buffet! I just stash it under the desk at work and dig into when I need to.
I also keep a stash of clean snack bars in my bag just in case I can't break into my lunchbag.
 
Another idea is to mix up various versions of nut mix/trail mix. I use almonds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, walnuts, peanuts, not all at once, just different things. Then I throw in some raisins or dried cherries, apricots, figs, dates, something to give you little instant sugar. I keep these in a little ziploc or used yogurt container with lid. Very handy at work, and on long bike rides.
 
Amy,
Do you have any idea where DH found your freezer lunch bag?? That would be perfect to keep a string cheese or yogurt or something in where you can stash close and grab on your way.
Thanks for the suggestion!
Calee
 
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