I’m starving

(kilfli) #1

Today is day 9 for me. For the last 3-4 I’ve been trying really hard to not count calories. And generally I’ve been eating about 2300 calories, which about 500 more than I would eat on a normal day pre keto. I keep hearing my body will get less hungry, and I won’t need to consume so many calories, but I feel really hungry today. I just ate 1/2 pound burger, with an ounce of cheddar on it, with 4 pieces of bacon, and my stomach is rumbling. But…I’m 1 gram away from 20 g of carbs, I’ve eaten all my protein. And I’ve eaten a ton of fat today, including 2 tbsp of MCT and 2 tbsp of ghee in my coffee.

I am just looking for reassurance that once my body is used to this I won’t be hungry all day, and I won’t need to consume so many calories in order to not feel hungry. The worst part for me is knowing I’ve eaten so many calories today and just want to eat something to make this feeling go away, but can’t. How can you lose weight and consume this many calories? I don’t want to give up this early in the game, I told myself I’d give it atleast a month, but I can’t fathom feeling this way for much longer.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

(Liz ) #2

Yes it will change, hang in there.

(Liz ) #3

Also want to add, for a lot of folks we come to this way of eating from calorie restricted diets. As well as never really being able to access the energy in the food we eat, due to high insulin taking “half our lunch” as Butter Bob describes it, & shoving it into fat cells where we could never get to use it.

So we’ve effectively been starving & now you are giving your body fuel it can actually use! It’s going to build up your lean muscle mass & repair things it’s been holding off on as it’s had to budget energy.

The Keto experience changes week to week at the beginning. Sounds like you are doing great. I wasn’t fully fat adapted for six weeks but once I was, my appetite turned off like a switch. Until then I ate 20g carb, moderate protein, and lots of fats to teach my body what the new fuel would be.

(kilfli) #4

Thank you. That is really reassuring to hear.

(Candy Lind) #5

I have a friend who started this in January, and she ate BIG at first - like 4 or 5 eggs & 6-8 pieces of bacon for breakfast type big. She is now amazed at how LITTLE she eats before getting full. It gets better! Make a bunch of fat bombs, and eat fat when you’re hungry.

#6

I’m only 4 weeks in & was like you to start with, it has eased, not eating quite so much, & snacking is getting easier… I do plan meals & work out the carbs so I’m not left with no grams left… I eat a lot of cheese, carbs do very depending on the type but I’ve found a couple of different sorts (UK) with 0.1g carb in 100g, even I can’t eat 100g in one go! It’s been just over a week I think since my appetite eased, but I’m still a long way from being able to eat OMAD like many say they’re fine with! Other than the first week, where I lost a lot, it’s been a steady 1lb, but I’m not far off goal weight, & I’ve noticed waist has definitely gone down, measuring tape out today! Stick with it, you’ve done the hardest part, it’ll get easier, from a fellow newbie!

#7

I could have written this post, myself. I’m only now starting to see hunger fade. But by fade, I mean I’m not eating ghee off a spoon because my carbs and protein are all used up. That seriously started to gross me out (still does) but I was SO. HUNGRY. For months, mind you!
For me, upping the protein a touch and lowering the fat helped a lot. I’m still over what is advised for protein on this diet, but I remain in ketosis so it works for now.
I, like you, can not even imagine eating OMAD, much less fasting for days on end! Nowhere near that and quite frankly, it’s not my goal. Might be nice but I’d just love to be fine between meals at this point.

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #8

This has certainly been my experience. Just Keep Calm and Keto On.

(Brandy Fischbach) #9

Liz,
I just finished my 9 weeks and felt that hunger switch turn off yesterday. It was like I hit a wall and was so full I couldn’t stand myself. Today, I have had bulletproof coffee at around 8-9 am and then 4 little chicken tenders with cheese and bacon and I feel like I’m going to explode. Did you back off your fat macros when you hit this?

(Hoteski) #10

Are you drinking plenty of water as well ?

(CharleyD) #11

I ate big too, mostly to avoid keto flu, and also to listen to my hunger signalling.

The hormones will level out and it won’t be long (matter of days I’d wager) before you arrive at your new normal as your metabolism and adipose tissue gets used to pulling the stored Krispy Kremes out!

(Liz ) #12

Yay! I don’t eat fat to macros, but to satiety, whatever that number happens to be day to day, it varies. No need to eat if you aren’t hungry.

#13

Be patient… I have always been a massive eater, with hunger all the time. Now I marvel at how little I eat (is this really me?). And how long I can go without needing to eat. I still get hunger cues, but usually not strong ones. If they are strong, if I can’t easily distract myself from them, that means I am actually hungry. So I eat.

I very recently have been able to eat only two meals per day without suffering. I never, ever would have believed that. Let things settle into place with time and persistence. Trust yourself and trust your body.

(Joe) #14

Yes your body is cravings carbs and you are giving it fat. The whole satiety thing kicks in once you push through the sugar addiction. If you havnt started fasting a bit give 16/8 a try and maybe some exercise. It can deplete your glycogen faster and accelerate the process. Just be sure so.ensure you are getting plenty of fluids and magnesium. I had some killer leg cramps in the middle of the might during this period.

Treat yourself for your ten day anniversary!

Hang in there!

(Raj Seth) #15

You need to forget about the CICO or Calories In Calories Out mode of thinking. There are way more moving parts than can be caught by CICO.
How are you doing? Are you losing weight? Losing inches? Feeling better? More alert? if any or all of these - then KCKO - Keep Calm and Keto On! If not, then KCKO anyway, because all of the above will happen :+1:

#16

you are right, once you, individual you, get through the initiation period that you need, the hunger and the cravings will go. You will feel better, you will be glad you stuck to it. Your body needs time to adapt, that’s all. It’s good really, you’re doing OK and you’re not doing anything wrong. Hang in there. It took me something like 23 days but at this point, I don’t remember! Good wishes, take care of yourself.

(Dan Dan) #17

To be blunt you are addicted and are suffering from withdrawal symptoms and are in denial :thinking:

You can go cold turkey or take a slower approach and gradually remove carbs in either case you can adapt in as little as 6 to 8 weeks :smiley:

The first step is to understand and admit to you are addicted to carbs :persevere::open_mouth:

We are here for you and are happy to help :smiley:

“May the Force (fat adaption) be with you”

IF/EF Keto WOE is Self-Discovery :wink:

Good luck and much success in your journey in IF/EF Keto WOE :grin:

#18

:rofl::rofl::rofl:

#19

About how long did that take? I’m much like you - could never imagine having 2 meals a day. It’s happened maybe 3 times in my 50 years of life - I always seem to eat more than others my size…just wondering how long it took you to get there, even though I know it doesn’t mean it’ll be the same for me

#20

When I successfully did Keto. I didn’t care about Calories. I Ate like a pig and my wife was astounded because I lost 25lbs while eating lots of food.

At the beginning I wouldn’t count calories. Just concentrate on keeping the carbs below 20gms. You will lose weight.

If you don’t then think about adding the carb counting.