Question:
Is anyone else at goal, or near, have a lot of HUNGER!!

I am at goal and I am so thankful for that, but lately I seem to be starving and hungry all the time. I still eat 3ozs 3 times a day and some snacks in between, but I'm still hungry. I know that doesn't seem like a lot, but I have found myself snacking more in between and I don't want to gain any weight back. Could someone give me some advice on what to eat and how much you eat now. Thank you for any advice you could give me!!    — tatterpuddin (posted on July 18, 2003)

July 18, 2003
I am only 7lbs from goal and the closer I get, the slower it comes off. I wish I could eat just 3oz. I eat 4-8oz 4x's a day and I snack alot more than I should. I feel hungry all the time now and im having a hard time controling my hunger. From what I have learned throughout this journey, this is very normal at this stage. We just have to pick and choose the correct foods for ourself b/c this surgery is just a tool and not a solution. I have been reading alot of stories about people who had lost the weight and then went back to being overweight again, that's so sad and I don't want to go back! We just have to teach ourselves control now:o) Good luck to you!
   — Sandy M.

July 18, 2003
Try eating more protein with each meal, maybe four ounces instead of three. It might help with the in-between snacking. Snacking can be worse than just eating more at each meal.
   — Madelynn M.

July 18, 2003
First, congrats on your fantastic weight loss -- 217 pounds? Down to 130 pounds? That is wonderful!!<P>As far as the eating goes, I agree with the posters who say to emphasize protein in your meals or snacks. I find that carb-based snacks (crackers, pretzels, or worse) will trigger hunger pangs in me. Also, what is your calorie intake now (and your protein and carb gram intake)? I can never tell anything from ounces consumed -- 3 oz. of chicken being so different from 3 oz. of turkey chili, or 3 oz. of crackers, etc. Believe it or not, you may need to be eating more (and that may be what your body is telling you with the hunger). I didn't believe that at first, and thought my body was trying to get me to regain. I watched what I ate like a hawk, and didn't regain (so far), but I still watch, trying to figure out what works as far as maintenance goes. It is hard, mentally, to move from losing weight to stabilizing. I still haven't figured that out (I reached goal in February but then passed it and am still struggling to stabilize). I eat 2000 calories a day, but I also exercise a lot. I find that putting protein first really does work well. I still eat 4-5 times a day, plus I have two protein shakes. And I still fight eating too much junk food late at night, on occasion. So far, I haven't gained from those episodes, but I try not to let them happen too often.
   — Suzy C.

July 18, 2003
I am almost 9 mos post op. I am finding I have really hungry days from time to time. And it's not head hunger either. I am NOT a snacker, but on these days, I will have a snack on a little protein when the hunger hits. Protein first is the rule of thumb for me. I ALWAYS do my protein first, and HOPE I have a little room for a little veggies or salad. The hunger does surprise me. I HATE being hungry. When you FEEL hungry, you can't think of ANYTHING but food and eating. Most the time, thank goodness, I don't have problems with this obsession. You sound like you are not getting enough food to eat. You are only consuming 3 oz three times a day? Wow! I remember when I first got home after WLS, I was on 3oz of clear liquid three times a day. I moved on to 3 oz of full liquid three times a day. Then to the pureed foods. I was out 8 weeks before I could consume more than 3 oz. I think now, depending on the density of what I am eating, I can consume approximately 1/2 to 1 cup of solid food. I can eat a whollllllllle lot more of the less dense foods like salad and veggies. I still am not into bread, potatoes, and pasta. A bite or two is all I can handle. I wouldn't mind if it stayed this way forever!
   — Ginger M.