Help me please

[elaine1961]

I need help. I have for the last week been continuesly feeling hungry, even after i have just eaten, this is the first time since i started that i have felt this hungry, up to now i have stayed strong and when im hungry i am drinking more water, but this is having little or no effect on my hunger pangs. I am still having around 1200 calories a day, which up till now have always seemed enough. i am wooried that if i up the calories the weight will rise and i will feel like such a failure,and im worried if i dont i will give in to my cravings and feel like a failure. I just dont know what to do.
I also started playing Cardio tennis yesterday for 65 minuetes and will be doing this 2 times a week. as well as my normal gym and swim program, If i am doing intense cardio do i need to eat more food? and what do i need more of?

[Ranaesheart]

Hi Elaine .. Yes, if you are doing more cardio, you need to up your calories.  In my experience, 1,200 calories is on the low side of losing .. so the trick is to find the balance between exercise and calories.  

Try eating a carb before you exercise .. perhaps an apple .. as it will metabolize and give you some quick energy and continue to drink water as you are thirsty.  After the exercise, try a little protein as it will stay with you longer and metabolize slowly.

Sometimes when you are truly hungry, try eating foods that you can eat more of.  For instance .. a LARGE salad with a low-fat dressing .. just put as much lettuce and veggies you want in a large bowl with a lid .. add 2 TBSP of your favorite low cal dressing and shake it up a LOT ... it coats all the leaves and you never feel shorted on the dressing.  It is filling.

Also, a complex carbohydrate like whole grain wheat toast and several eggs seem to help as well and only adds 240 calories .. but sticks with you.  

Please try this and let us know how you are doing .. we care!!!  

Hugggsssss

[elaine1961]

Hi, yes the hunger started before the tennis. I dont know if its hormonal, though i am going through the menopous, didnt know hormones could cause hunger, I amgoing to try and eat a bit more and see if that makes a differance,
This morning i had oats with pumpkin seeds for breakfast which normaly fills me till lunch time, but within half hour i was hungry again, Just hoping i can stay strong/
thanks for the reply

[TrudieC]

Hi Elaine!  It appears that the hunger started before the tennis did.  Could it be hormonal?  With the increase in exercise you can probably easily manage a bit of an increase in your calorie count.  Are you eating enough of the good fats?  They will help you feel satisfied.  Has it been hotter and perhaps you are losing too much potassium and sodium?