Weight Loss Would Be Easier If I Wasn't So Dang Hungry All the Time!
Have you ever thought weight loss would be so much easier if you weren’t so dang hungry all the time? I always used to say that - constantly trying to ignore the fact that I was hungry was one of my biggest downfalls when trying to lose weight.
I was usually fine the first few days - you know when you’re still super motivated and it's new so you feel extra determined - ‘I’m gonna do it this time’...
But after a few days…maybe a couple weeks if I was really lucky… of trying to white knuckle it through the cravings it got harder and harder not to give in….
Let's be honest, the constant gnawing and rumbling in your belly can be LOUD and persistent – "FEED ME NOW!" And trying to ignore it? Well, that's a special kind of torture.
You start trying to use all the tricks we’re told to do like drink water, go for a walk, go brush your teeth - you know, basically do anything to try to ignore the fact that you’re freaking hungry!!
And here's the sneaky part: constantly trying to push past that legitimate hunger actually messes with our internal navigation system – those natural hunger and fullness cues we were born with. We stop trusting our own bodies - soon we’re no longer able to listen to or trust our own hunger and satiety cues. We become completely disconnected from our own bodies.
And we also tend to beat ourselves up when we can’t take it any longer and give into that hunger saying things like:
“I can never stick to anything…”
“Why do I always do this? Why can’t I just be stronger…”
“I just need to be more strict…”
“I just don’t have enough willpower…”
But it's not really about willpower - often the culprit is your blood sugar and insulin levels.
When your blood sugar is stable, you've got a nice, steady flow of energy. But when it's constantly spiking and crashing (hello refined sugar and carbs!), your body freaks out. You get that initial burst of energy, followed by a nosedive that leaves you feeling tired, cranky, and guess what? Super hungry, even if you just ate. Your body is desperately searching for that hit of quick and easy energy.
And then there's insulin, which is an essential hormone that helps shuttle fuel into your cells. But when insulin levels are consistently high (often due to those same blood sugar spikes), your cells can become a bit resistant to its signals. This means the energy isn't getting into those cells as efficiently, and your body keeps yelling for more fuel, even though you might have plenty stored as… well, you know, body fat.
So, how do we turn down the volume on that constant hunger? Here are a few simple shifts that can help:
Manage Your Blood Sugar: Focus on whole, unprocessed foods that release energy slowly and steadily. Think plenty of protein, good healthy fats, and fiber-rich (non-starchy) veggies. Combined, these are a powerhouse that will help keep your blood sugar stable and help keep you satisfied for longer.
Get More Protein: Protein is another secret weapon against hunger. It's super satiating and helps stabilize blood sugar. And sadly most of us women just don’t eat enough and that's a big reason why we struggle with hunger and cravings. Make sure you're including a good source of protein with all of your meals.
Fiber is Your Friend: Load up on those non-starchy veggies and leafy greens. Fiber adds bulk to your meals, helps you feel full, and also plays a role in blood sugar control.
Ditch the Ultra Processed Foods: Ultra-processed foods are often designed to be hyper-palatable and don't trigger those "I'm full" signals effectively. Plus, they can wreak havoc on your blood sugar.
Get Enough Sleep: Yes, lack of sleep can affect your hunger. When you don’t get enough sleep it wreaks havoc on your hormones - including those that impact your appetite. Have you ever noticed that after a bad night's sleep you have more hunger and cravings the next day? That's not your imagination - that's your hormones! Do your best to get at least 7-9 hours of sleep/night.
Getting your hunger under control isn't about white-knuckling your way through the day. It's about understanding what's driving that relentless need to eat and making simple shifts that help your body find its natural balance again. When you do that, weight loss doesn't feel like a constant battle and that, my friend, makes the whole journey a whole lot easier.
Ready to ditch the constant hunger and finally get unstuck on your weight loss journey? My free Weight Loss Unstuck Guide dives deeper into these strategies and provides actionable steps to help you take control of your hunger and start seeing real, sustainable results.
Click here to download your FREE Weight Loss Unstuck Guide HERE.