Cravings...

[Samus_Fan]

I know there are probably like a million threads about this, but I really need to vent to someone! I have been on my new, mostly clean diet and exercise routine for about 9 weeks. Only the last week or less has it been getting to me....

The last few days, I have just wanted sugar or candy or anything similar. I had been doing well until today, and there was free candy at work... and I know I shouldn't have even looked at it, but it was freakin' calling my name.... and as soon as I decided to have one, I ended up having like two handfuls.... ugh.

I'm really disappointed in myself, and also going nuts because I hate not feeling satisfied with my food anymore when I was perfectly happy with it before.....

I've had a sneaking suspicion for a while now that I might not be eating enough, but I've been ignoring it because I have been losing about a pound a week like intended and was not feeling overly hungry or anything. Only now is it bothering me.... and I just don't want to screw up my progress.

Anyway, thanks for listening, everyone.

[ayalgues]

I made a thread very similar to yours the other day " Is there any food subtituted for craving chocolate and stuff? " this is the name of the thread. The girls gave loads of tips. Another girl post something similar too and i was saying to her that when i went to a health shop yesterday to get some stuff, i was recommended Chromiun, for the blood sugar levels and apparently i read somewhere that Chromiun helps to build muscle as well. You can take biotin along with chromiun to help it work better. I bought the two of them. Do you eat every 2/3 hours? i was told as well that the carvings after meals might happend because i am missing something in my meals.

[Scarl3tbutt3rfly]

I think this kind of thing, happens to all of us at some point. The best thing to do is try not to restrict yourself so much. If you arent preparing for a contest or anything, allow yourself a small treat at least once a week. Some people need a tiny treat everyday (like a small piece of chocolate for example). Some do better with a treat once a week, some every few days. If you dont view those things as being totally out of reach, you wont feel the need to binge on them when you get the chance. There are also lots of delicious, healthy alternatives that arent cheating, but can psychologically make you feel like you ate something naughty and you can have soemthing like that everyday if you want!! I know one of my favorite meals, is my greek yogurt, scoop of protein powder with a spoon of peanut or almond butter. I eat this everyday, and for me it feels like Im having a dessert everynight :).

You mentioned your calories, and you could try and increase those by 100-200 calories or so. Or make sure your fat intake is in check. I know when my fat intake gets alot below 20% I definitely start getting killer cravings and hunger pains. So that is something to look at too. If you are maintaining a low carb diet, you may need a refeed day with increased calories and carbs to replenish low glycogen stores as well.

[Samus_Fan]

... Thanks for the replies!

I think I should say, however, that I do have a cheat meal each week, and I haven't felt deprived. I didn't want the candy because I can't have it, and I honestly didn't even think it was that good tasting..... I just seem to be craving sugar/fat really badly, if that makes sense.

As for my intake, I am eating about 1550 cals per day and I try to stay to 40-40-20, so that would be about 33 gr of fat intake. Considering I had been doing so well with it, I assumed it was working... but it's really been getting to me lately. Then again, I am also not sleeping as much and work is a lot more stressful right now..... I dunno. I am worried about feeling this way and potentially ruining my healthy eating... but I am a bit nervous to eat more.

[Mindi912]

I believe true cravings are your bodies way of telling you it needs something

listen to it and give it what it needs

honestly if it's chocolate - for the sugar then give it chocolate

Trying to give your body something else doesn't work and that's how binges can start - trying to feed the craving. You have to learn to know/listen to what your body is telling you.

I wouldn't always give into cravings but it's when that feeling doesn't go away and gets stronger the more you ignore it

don't go mad I usually find a block of good quality chocolate does it for me (if the craving is chocolate)

Always try and have the best quality

[Samus_Fan]

I basically agree in that I think true cravings are a sign from the body.... the problem is, I already ate the junk yesterday and I still feel it. lol.

... I guess I will need to get over my fear and just try to eat more. I mean, the worst that can happen is I'll gain like a pound or something and then I know I'm eating too much.... right?

[Mindi912]

I basically agree in that I think true cravings are a sign from the body.... the problem is, I already ate the junk yesterday and I still feel it. lol.

... I guess I will need to get over my fear and just try to eat more. I mean, the worst that can happen is I'll gain like a pound or something and then I know I'm eating too much.... right?

lol well I guess you don't wanna go eat junk again

how's your diet in general I find the cleaner I eat the less incline I'm to want junk

fruit does sometimes help for the sugar thing

but yes eat more and if you do gain a pound it's not a big deal just stop and don't eat that amount of cals

remember though putting on a pound could also be muscle so you should be looking at your body in mirror and getting the overall pic.

[Samus_Fan]

Thanks for the reassurance; I realize that as a newbie I still care too much about my weight/the scale.... and I would be all for gaining a pound of muscle! However, I am trying to lose fat as my primary goal, so if the scale goes up, I still worry. I know, I know- BAD.

... If I'm upping my cals, do it I distribute evenly or can I put those calories anywhere I want (as in protein, carb, or fat)? I could be wrong, but I think most people here eat more fat than I do... and I already eat over 1 gr per lb of body weight for protein.

EDIT: Oh, and I think I am craving PB, now that I think of it.... the candy was chocolate and PB (and not even that good tasting- how is that possible?!)

[Mindi912]

Thanks for the reassurance; I realize that as a newbie I still care too much about my weight/the scale.... and I would be all for gaining a pound of muscle! However, I am trying to lose fat as my primary goal, so if the scale goes up, I still worry. I know, I know- BAD.

... If I'm upping my cals, do it I distribute evenly or can I put those calories anywhere I want (as in protein, carb, or fat)? I could be wrong, but I think most people here eat more fat than I do... and I already eat over 1 gr per lb of body weight for protein.

EDIT: Oh, and I think I am craving PB, now that I think of it.... the candy was chocolate and PB (and not even that good tasting- how is that possible?!)

I LOVE AND ALWAYS CRAVE PB :D

you can put it where you want - you can eat anywhere between 1 - 2 grams of protein per lb of weight

you might want to add a little more fat to your diet - just make sure it's good fat

even though your main goal is weight loss the more you work out the more conditioned your muscles will become

keep your measurements for accuracy rather than the scale and naturally your clothes are going to the be first thing to tell you it's going in the right direction

I know giving up the scales is hard but it's not the best indicator in our game :D