I miss the fitness threads and the fitness Doms!

[HottieMama]

Not strictly fitness related, but one of the factors that's been compounding my weight gain over the past couple years was a seemingly insatiable appetite. Not that I couldn't fill up! But it seemed that no matter what I ate, however "Right" it was, I would feel hungry (legit empty-stomach hungry, not "feel like munching" hungry) within only a few hours. It started when I developed a nasty NSAID ulcer and I had to eat constantly to not be in pain. This wasn't a huge deal at home where I could easily nibble on veggies or other such healthier snacks all day. This is a huge problem in classes, where even if I nibble all day, it's a bit disruptive to those around me and it's a pain to have to pack that many snacks.

So what I've been doing is experimenting with the "right foods" to try to find a breakfast meal that keeps me feeling full.

My previous "winner" was greek yogurt with dried fruit, dry oatmeal, ground flax, honey, and some nuts/seeds. I'm certainly going to keep the ingredients for this around, because I like variety!!

But this new "winner" is just so much better. It's peanut butter, applesauce, dried fruit, ground flax, buckwheat groats, oat groats and a sprinkling of nuts/seeds. The ingredients are over all more filling, and chewing the groats enough that I know I'm not going to just poop them out also slows down my eating a lot (which is another problem I have )

SO anyway. While it's not really exercise related, I decided to share this in case any of y'all have similar problems regarding food

This is actually really helpful for me. My issue is NOT sitting down for meals... I nibble here...snack there...etc.. I need to plan my own meals instead of just snacking while the kids eat the healthy meals I planned for them...

 

[Daddy2mylilgirl]

Protein and fiber are what make you feel full.

Try to shoot for protein or fiber when you snack or have a meal to help fill you up. Also, eating slowly helps too. It takes your stomach about 20 minutes to tell your brain that you are full.

Protein doesn't have to mean meat either. Nuts are a good source of protein. I eat a whole grain bread that has 5g of fiber per slice. Reading the labels helps to figure out what is best for you.

 

[bhndblueyes88]

Protein and fiber are what make you feel full.

Try to shoot for protein or fiber when you snack or have a meal to help fill you up. Also, eating slowly helps too. It takes your stomach about 20 minutes to tell your brain that you are full.

Protein doesn't have to mean meat either. Nuts are a good source of protein. I eat a whole grain bread that has 5g of fiber per slice. Reading the labels helps to figure out what is best for you.

I know; that's what's made this so frustrating! I do know precisely what I should eat, and even when I eat it, it doesn't really help that much. And it's very much a "stomach feels empty" feeling. Not a "I feel like eating something". Not that I don't get some of the latter too Of course, it could just be my own freakishness. I was supposedly born with an over-sized stomach

 

[cfuhrer]

I know; that's what's made this so frustrating! I do know precisely what I should eat, and even when I eat it, it doesn't really help that much. And it's very much a "stomach feels empty" feeling. Not a "I feel like eating something". Not that I don't get some of the latter too Of course, it could just be my own freakishness. I was supposedly born with an over-sized stomach

I know how you feel. When I eat the "right" foods its not uncommon to feel hunger pangs after 90 minutes. It just doesn't make sense that junk would fill one up for longer than the good stuff.

 

[intothewoods]

I know; that's what's made this so frustrating! I do know precisely what I should eat, and even when I eat it, it doesn't really help that much. And it's very much a "stomach feels empty" feeling. Not a "I feel like eating something". Not that I don't get some of the latter too Of course, it could just be my own freakishness. I was supposedly born with an over-sized stomach

Have you seen a doctor? This sounds off to me.

 

[bhndblueyes88]

Have you seen a doctor? This sounds off to me.

meh *shrug* I'm in a stressful degree program and don't always eat right. It could easily just be hunger due to stress/sleep deprivation that became a pattern. Either way, as much as I adore my doctors, I don't feel like there's much they're going to be able to do about it. I don't feel a great desire to poke into it.

Actually, it wouldn't surprise me if I didn't have some sort of ulcer that was always very mild, but always irritating me just enough that it mimicked the sensation of hunger. Either way, don't really care enough to start looking into it. I've spent a lot of the past year in and out of doctor's offices for one thing or another and I kind of want a break

 

[leyna]

It's actually best if you eat smaller meals (what we often consider snacks) throughout the day, rather than the traditional "3-squares."
And it's so very important to respond to your body when it DOES tell you it's hungry, rather than ignoring it - which sends your body into shock and causes you to retain weight. Small healthy snacks/meals at these times will keep the motor running.
Also: water, water, water-- oh, and did I say...WATER?! 1/2 your weight in oz. over the course of your day.

 

[YourCaptor]

So, who knows about improving ones endurance when doing squats?

I think my legs opening up to increased blood flow makes me feel like marathoning.

 

[Lizzie_Borden]

I know; that's what's made this so frustrating! I do know precisely what I should eat, and even when I eat it, it doesn't really help that much. And it's very much a "stomach feels empty" feeling. Not a "I feel like eating something". Not that I don't get some of the latter too Of course, it could just be my own freakishness. I was supposedly born with an over-sized stomach

Are you getting enough fluids? After all thirsty often gives the same feelings as hungry.

 

[Keroin]

meh *shrug* I'm in a stressful degree program and don't always eat right. It could easily just be hunger due to stress/sleep deprivation that became a pattern. Either way, as much as I adore my doctors, I don't feel like there's much they're going to be able to do about it. I don't feel a great desire to poke into it.

Actually, it wouldn't surprise me if I didn't have some sort of ulcer that was always very mild, but always irritating me just enough that it mimicked the sensation of hunger. Either way, don't really care enough to start looking into it. I've spent a lot of the past year in and out of doctor's offices for one thing or another and I kind of want a break

This used to be me. Mornings were the worst, I would wake up so hungry I felt sick. And yes it was 'must eat now!!!' hunger not 'I feel peckish I think I'll snack' hunger.

Went to a naturopath for some other health issues - I was very skeptical about alternative medicine, BTW. The diet I was put on for my other problems turned out to solve my annoying hunger problem as well. Sugar, that's what it boiled down to. I was eating a very high GI diet and my blood sugar was spiking and falling to extremes. The hunger sensation happened when my blood sugar dropped...hence why mornings were so excruciating.

Find a good GI guide and try sticking to foods that are low on the chart. I think you mentioned you eat dried fruit? That's one of the worst culprits. Brown rice, beans, low GI veggies, almonds and seeds for snacks, etc.

These days, I don't wake up hungry at all, 95% of the time. I can go hours without feeling the need to eat. Oh, and I used to think I might have an ulcer, as well. It was that bad.

So, who knows about improving ones endurance when doing squats?

I think my legs opening up to increased blood flow makes me feel like marathoning.

Try dropping your weight to 30% of your ORM. Start with 3 sets of 25 reps, with no more than 30 sec rest between. Gradually increase the number of reps without adding weight, until you're up to 50 reps per set. Also, do the movement more quickly than normal - but not so fast that it's unsafe.

 

[intothewoods]

This used to be me. Mornings were the worst, I would wake up so hungry I felt sick. And yes it was 'must eat now!!!' hunger not 'I feel peckish I think I'll snack' hunger.

Went to a naturopath for some other health issues - I was very skeptical about alternative medicine, BTW. The diet I was put on for my other problems turned out to solve my annoying hunger problem as well. Sugar, that's what it boiled down to. I was eating a very high GI diet and my blood sugar was spiking and falling to extremes. The hunger sensation happened when my blood sugar dropped...hence why mornings were so excruciating.

Find a good GI guide and try sticking to foods that are low on the chart. I think you mentioned you eat dried fruit? That's one of the worst culprits. Brown rice, beans, low GI veggies, almonds and seeds for snacks, etc.

These days, I don't wake up hungry at all, 95% of the time. I can go hours without feeling the need to eat. Oh, and I used to think I might have an ulcer, as well. It was that bad.

Good point, I just started a similar diet and it has really changed my energy and hunger levels.

 

[bhndblueyes88]

This used to be me. Mornings were the worst, I would wake up so hungry I felt sick. And yes it was 'must eat now!!!' hunger not 'I feel peckish I think I'll snack' hunger.

Went to a naturopath for some other health issues - I was very skeptical about alternative medicine, BTW. The diet I was put on for my other problems turned out to solve my annoying hunger problem as well. Sugar, that's what it boiled down to. I was eating a very high GI diet and my blood sugar was spiking and falling to extremes. The hunger sensation happened when my blood sugar dropped...hence why mornings were so excruciating.

Find a good GI guide and try sticking to foods that are low on the chart. I think you mentioned you eat dried fruit? That's one of the worst culprits. Brown rice, beans, low GI veggies, almonds and seeds for snacks, etc.

These days, I don't wake up hungry at all, 95% of the time. I can go hours without feeling the need to eat. Oh, and I used to think I might have an ulcer, as well. It was that bad.

Yah, that's mostly how I try to eat (minus the brown rice. I'm not big on rice). I do eat dried fruit, but it's mostly to make my wholegrain/extras mixes more palatable. The only dried fruit I go to town on is dried apricots because THEY'RE APRICOTS AND THEY'RE AMAZING AND I WILL NOT BE JUDGED!!!

I'd love to go to a naturopath, actually. I'm always skeptical when working with non-western medicine, but I can't deny the effects it has for some people. I just keep a questioning mind so I don't fall in with a snake-oil salesman instead of a skilled practitioner. I should get my mom to set me up with an appointment with hers XD

I'll have to poke around for a decent GI chart. Having something visual to look at may help! thanks!

 

[cfuhrer]

Lost four pounds from somewhere over the last month.
The hubbs issued a challenge, 50 pounds by the new year and I get a tattoo or piercing of my choice. Back to my fighting weight by next July and he'll take me to Vegas. Hopefully the dangling of rewards in front of my nose will work.

On the dried fruit thing. I Love. Love, love, love. L-O-V-E, luuuuuuuv dried fruit. Why can't it be dried without the sugar? Some botanist has got to be able to develop a "drying variety" of fruit with less sugar in it.

 

[HottieMama]

On the dried fruit thing. I Love. Love, love, love. L-O-V-E, luuuuuuuv dried fruit. Why can't it be dried without the sugar? Some botanist has got to be able to develop a "drying variety" of fruit with less sugar in it.

Am I the only one that thinks dried fruit tastes like Styrofoam covered wax???? I'm not a huge fan of fresh fruit..I much prefer veggies, but dried fruit is just a hard limit.... LOL

 

[cfuhrer]

Am I the only one that thinks dried fruit tastes like Styrofoam covered wax???? I'm not a huge fan of fresh fruit..I much prefer veggies, but dried fruit is just a hard limit.... LOL

'Tis much better to love veggies than to be denied dried fruit. As for hard limits, celery and lima beans. Lol

 

[YourCaptor]

Try dropping your weight to 30% of your ORM. Start with 3 sets of 25 reps, with no more than 30 sec rest between. Gradually increase the number of reps without adding weight, until you're up to 50 reps per set. Also, do the movement more quickly than normal - but not so fast that it's unsafe.

Sounds exhausting. I'd rather vege out in a hammock.

 

[leyna]

My biggest problem re: trying to drop weight is that i don't eat.
I'm not hungry for a few hours after I wake up and can sometimes go til 2-3pm without eating/feeling hungry.
When i do make myself eat something for breakfast, i am starving all day it seems -- apparently this is supposed to happen. But i fight it because i can't very well always have food in my hand while i'm trying to teach. Then i have to force myself to respond to the hunger with "healthy" choices - a handful of nuts usually does the trick
and water, water, water! 1/2 your body weight in ounces daily.

 

[cfuhrer]

My biggest problem re: trying to drop weight is that i don't eat.
I'm not hungry for a few hours after I wake up and can sometimes go til 2-3pm without eating/feeling hungry.
When i do make myself eat something for breakfast, i am starving all day it seems -- apparently this is supposed to happen. But i fight it because i can't very well always have food in my hand while i'm trying to teach. Then i have to force myself to respond to the hunger with "healthy" choices - a handful of nuts usually does the trick
and water, water, water! 1/2 your body weight in ounces daily.

I feel your (hunger) pain
It continually stymies me how a body fed in the morning can be hungry all day, but a body made to wait can wait ad infinitum.

 

[FurryFury]

This is one of many issues I've been working on this week.

FF

My biggest problem re: trying to drop weight is that i don't eat.
I'm not hungry for a few hours after I wake up and can sometimes go til 2-3pm without eating/feeling hungry.
When i do make myself eat something for breakfast, i am starving all day it seems -- apparently this is supposed to happen. But i fight it because i can't very well always have food in my hand while i'm trying to teach. Then i have to force myself to respond to the hunger with "healthy" choices - a handful of nuts usually does the trick
and water, water, water! 1/2 your body weight in ounces daily.

 

[intothewoods]

My husband used to eat one terrible meal a day. He never ate! Once he started eating regularly, it completely changed his entire metabolism.

As for me, I just have to say, wow, although if I skip a mini-meal, I do feel quite light-headed, I can't eat very much at one sitting anymore. I have cut out sugar, white flour, processed foods, and I feel amazing. It's not as anti-carb as, say, South Beach, which I like. I have oatmeal, brown rice, whole wheat couscous -- but the emphasis is on veggies, good fruits, beans, nuts, lean meats and dairy.

 

[Bandit58]

I'll have to start going to the pump class on Friday mornings - my favourite trainer takes this class

His name is Paul, he's a lovely gay guy and is always encouraging and helpful especially in adapting the exercises to my dicky right shoulder and wrist. I now do my chest presses on the floor instead of a bench so my elbows don't drop too low and put strain on the shoulder. He also suggested I do overhead tricep exercises with a weight plate rather than dips which aggravate my wrist (it's a bit stiff).

I came out of yesterday's class a LOT better than I have been!

 

[Chiara_searches]

I'm struggling lately because the man in my life is an amazing cook (and that's actually an under statement). He enjoys his food when it's freshly prepared. Sometimes it's hard to limit myself to one serving because it's so awesomely good and because he smiles when I enjoy it. He also refuses to eat leftovers, so he sends home packages with me probably four days out of the week. That's super nice right now, since I'm still looking for permanent employment and it helps to have an inadvertent assist on the food budget.

Last night we ate way too much chicken. Today I made myself walk down a huge hill, run for 52 minutes (approximately 3.75 miles) and then walk back up that huge hill. And I made myself sprint numerous times during the run, so I feel like I really worked it, baby.

Now, at 11pm, I'm sitting here starved. UGH. When will I learn ~ balance is the key.

 

[Lizzie_Borden]

I went back to the gym today, after near 2 months off.

I'd booked a refresher with a trainer, as a kick in the pants to get me going again, boost the confidence etc.

I told her it'd been 7 weeks since I'd done anything and she simply said 'that's not so bad, and anyway, you're here now, welcome back.'

And my anxiety vanished in a poof. The last gym I went to, they hassled me so much about an extended break, I ended up quitting entirely.

I only need to lose 15 more kilos to get to my goal. I can totally do this.

 

[Chiara_searches]

I went back to the gym today, after near 2 months off.

I'd booked a refresher with a trainer, as a kick in the pants to get me going again, boost the confidence etc.

I told her it'd been 7 weeks since I'd done anything and she simply said 'that's not so bad, and anyway, you're here now, welcome back.'

And my anxiety vanished in a poof. The last gym I went to, they hassled me so much about an extended break, I ended up quitting entirely.

I only need to lose 15 more kilos to get to my goal. I can totally do this.

Yes, you can totally do this. I saw it in writing, so it's official.

 

[Bandit58]

I realise I have dropped two waist sizes. I automatically look for a size 12 waist now instead of a 14-16.

Conversely I now have to buy bigger size tops, because my broad shoulders have developed more muscle from doing weights......