Odd, Irregular Appetite...

[Okaishi]

One thing I learned during my journey for weight loss is that I was eating way too much for my age/size/etc. I had to force myself to count calories and learn how to eat healthier, more filling foods in order to eventually start losing weight.

I've nearly completed my goals, but there is one thing that's slowed me down considerably and continues to plague me.

Sometimes, for weeks on end, I'll have no problems controlling what I eat. I'll (vaguely) count my calories and make sure I'm getting good protein and lots of fiber and the like....but every so often, and usually lasting for a week or so, my appetite will go completely out of control. I liken the experience to a very short pregnancy. It's like all of a sudden I turn into this ravenous beast and I just can't stop eating no matter how hard I try.

For example, usually, when I'm being good and normal, I'll have a breakfast of two boiled eggs and a slice of toast with butter; at my work-time break I'll have a small snack like a large apple or some strawberries or something like that; at lunch I'll have a bowl of low-fat soup or a large salad, or something similar.

Today, currently, it is only just turning 12 noon. So far today I've had my eggs and toast, half a package of gummi bears, somewhere in the range of 8 donut holes (I lost count), a slice of bologna, and a blueberry muffin. I haven't even had lunch yet! And I'm desperately craving it because I'm STILL HUNGRY.

Does anyone else experience anything like this? I don't think it's a reaction to 'denying' myself or anything, because during my good weeks I'm pretty happy and satisfied. It's just that every now and then this ravenous behavior hits me and I feel like I'm going to starve or something if I don't keep eating!

[sourpuss]

Happens to me every month the week before my period. I indulge a little but don't go over board.
Why are you surrounded by so much junk food? If the food isn't there, you can't eat it. If it's at work, can you talk to your coworkers about having a bowl of apples and bananas out rather than donut holes and muffins?

[Hopeless Dork]

It sounds like you are doing such a good job other than the occasional binges, but as we all know - those binges nullify a lot of all the hard work you do the rest of the time. Totally agree with sourpuss. Get the junkfood out of sight out of mind, so that when you need to graze, snack, you are only having healthy choices at your fingertips, foods you have to cook, etc. When you have to chop and cook it takes thought, and grabbing a bag of chips does not, which leads to mindless eating.

Keep track of those calories ESPECIALLY on binge days so that you can see how destructive those days are to your goals. I track calories daily, have for a long time and I know the feelings of not wanting to put something down on paper that you regret, but it will lead to wiser choices in the long run. Make yourself accountable.

A lot of times we keep seeking food after eating because are bodies are seeking nutrients, ones that gummy bears wont fill, so we continue to eat in search (subconsciously) of those nutrients and choosing bad foods wont do.

Drink lots of water to keep that belly full, and clock watch on days your binging, if you know you have eaten something sensible and you still feel hungry - make yourself wait at least 3-4 hours before eating something else. A lot of times our hunger is mental, not physical and waiting it out using whatever mental tactic it takes will help you succeed.

Keep voluminous, healthy graze foods on hand: celery, lettuce with light dressing, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, snap peas etc... things you can munch on all day without worrying about calories.

[sourpuss]

Good advice HD!

[Okaishi]

Thanks for the suggestions you guys. I'll definitely start guzzling more water during these times, and keeping close track of my indiscretions. :P

For the record though, the issue with all that junk food being around? It's pretty much a non-issue because I spend my days with morons.

My fiance, whom I love to death, buys the donut holes and stuff. Most women would call that being unsupportive, but unfortunately my fiance doesn't see it that way because he genuinely believes, from the depths of his heart and mind, that limiting what you eat doesn't work. I'm not joking. He honestly believes that the only way to lose weight is to exercise and that what you eat has nothing to do with it. And since HIS body does whatever he wants it to, it only perpetuates his stubborn stupidity. I've quoted doctors and showed him websites, but he still refuses to believe it.

But the real issue (as you guessed) is at work where the guys are constantly bringing in coffee and donuts/muffins, sometimes ordering pizza and the like. The problem with these guys isn't so much that they have the attitude my fiance does, but their problem is that they think I'm anorexic. No joke. I started trying to lose weight when I hit 163, which for someone who is a staunch 5 feet tall, is a lot of weight. I started exercising and cutting back and by the time I'd hit 145 and was starting to look a lot better the boys started to torment me about how I didn't have the weight to lose and I was getting weird and obsessive. And they were serious too. My problem is that I work in industry and am literally the only woman in the building, so there's no one around who understands the way this stuff works. >.>

[/rant]