Always hungry!! (How many calories do you eat?)

[Kirsten]

Well, as I mentioned before, during my time at the clinic this summer I decided to lose some weight, so I started to reduce fat in my meals, and reduced the calories as well. I think in the past, I sometimes ate more than 3,000 calories a day, but now I'm on 1,400 - 1,500 a day. Worked fine during the summer, I wasn't even too hungry, and during the last 4 months, I lost 46.5 lbs. I'm down from formerly 214 lbs to currently 167.5 lbs, and my BMI went down from 32 to now 24.5. Still want to lose about 15 more lbs.

But now it's getting colder here, I'm feeling cold, and I'm getting hungry now all the time!! Looks like 1.500 calories are not enough to keep my body functions going in the cold time of the year! LOL How frustrating!

What do you think about it? Do the temperatures make really such a difference?
(Sorry if this is a dumb question, but I'm new to this whole diet stuff... )

Kirsten

[pomtzu]

Will warm drinks take the chill (and maybe the hunger) away? If it's just your body feeling cold, then maybe warming up with liquids might help. Hot chocolate or coffee - low calorie of course!!

[Kirsten]

Yes, I'm already drinking a lot of hot coffee here. Didn't try hot chocolate so far because that has a lot of calories. Unfortunately, my stomach doesn't tolerate hot tea very well...

Another thing that takes away the worst hunger are rice wafers. They're filling, and each of them has only 30 calories. But the colder it is getting here, the more I have visions of chocolate in all forms...

I think one reason why I'm feeling cold is that there's now less fat tissue to keep me warm! Also, my blood pressure is going down.

Kirsten

[Taz_Zoee]

I have no idea about counting calories. Which is obvious if you were to see me. LOL
But how about a low calorie, or light, soup? Soup is always yummy when it's cold out. And it can be filling.

Oh and btw - congrats on losing weight!!

[Kirsten]

Thanks!

Yes, soup is a good idea! I can try that!

Kirsten

[MoonandBean]

You should ask your doctor about having your thyroid checked. A simple blood test can tell you if it is working correctly. Feeling cold and hungry can definitely be signs of an underactive thyroid (or it might just be that it's getting cold and you're eating less than you used to... but it can't hurt to check the thyroid as well)

[pomtzu]

Hmmm - so it's a chocolate fix you're craving!!! Have you tried the sugar free candy like is made especially for diabetics? How about picking up a diabetic cook book too - I've been told that there are a lot of great recipies to be found in them. I don't have a weight problem (other than needing to put some on), but that has it's definite pitfalls too!!

[jennielynn1970]

I have no idea about counting calories. Which is obvious if you were to see me. LOL
But how about a low calorie, or light, soup? Soup is always yummy when it's cold out. And it can be filling.

Oh and btw - congrats on losing weight!!

You are going to get your butt kicked if you keep picking on yourself, Cindy!! You are not chubby! I've seen pics, and it's quite obvious.

I was going to mention boullion, like broth. I make that at school when I'm cold and hungry and since I buy the chicken and garlic cubes, it seems to satisfy that hungry feeling.

I also like Chai, and make that during the winter. Right now I have Pacific Chai, as they are my favorite for the pre-made chai. If I'm buying bags of it, I buy Stash or go to the Indian store. That will have more spices and herbs and not be so sweet and milky as the Pacific Chai.

Animal crackers for snacking? Graham crackers? I like crunchy stuff. I'm not a chip or pretzel person though. The animal crackers I buy are low fat, and you can eat 16 of them in a serving, more than enough to feel full and content.

I've always battled my weight. I had been at a good weight about 10 years ago, and then when I started working full time, and not exercising as much, I put on a lot. And I mean, a lot. I'm at least 85-100 lbs heavier now than I was 10-12 years ago. I hate it, and hate the way my body feels and looks. With all the food allergies I have, you'd think I'd be skinny from not eating chocolate, or icecreams or whatever, but NOOOOO, lol. I'm still fat, just from other things. I know my depression meds and such don't help with the weight loss either. I'm glad you've had such luck losing weight, good job!! I'm seeing a new family doctor, and we did a full battery of blood tests last week, and I go for a recheck this week, so hopefully we'll have some answers for my different areas of concern.

[Kirsten]

Well, I'm also having problems with most herbal teas, or fruit teas. I guess it's not the caffein that I don't tolerate, but some fruit acids, or essences, like in mint. One tea that I tolerate a bit better is this African rooibos tea, but it's better when I'm drinking it as an ice tea in the summer. Hot or warm teas give me nausea, it's really strange.

I tried veggie boullion last night, and that one helped. Think it's a good option, and it has only 8 calories per mug!

Also, my doctor advised me to reduce the dosage of my betablockers. My blood pressure is a bit low lately, which may be a reason for my cold hands and feet. (Still have to be on betablockers because of my tachycardia, it's all this crap coming from my thyroid condition).

I know my depression meds and such don't help with the weight loss either.

Yes, that makes it more difficult, but don't give up! A co-worker of mine thought she's never going to lose weight because she's on betablockers AND insulin. But now she has lost some pounds, too.

Kirsten