kickthefat's Journal, 14 April 2022

I get mid day cravings when I am out and about, keep going forward 

Hang in there!! Maybe go back to bed instead? 

I can't go to sleep when I'm hungry. I often drink 1/2 cup whole milk at bedtime. 

What type of snacks? Maybe we can find you some alternatives. I started drinking water before bed to help keep myself full through the night. Woke up a few days to use the rr but then after that my body got use to it and I sleep through now.  

I eat dinner pretty late at night (9 or 10), so I don't go to bed hungry. But if that's not possible for you, a snack of berries while watching TV or reading is less calorically damaging than junk food. 

I have experienced what DJ says, it will go away, hopefully.  

if youre in a calorie deficit you will be hungry. you don't get used to it. you just gotta find ways to work around it. plan your last meal laster in the day. or save some calories to account for a snack. I would always have my last meal right before bed, that's what always worked for me. 

To get rid of "cravings" - most FS members will tell you to "up your protein levels" to negate arousing the "hunger hormone" that leads to cravings. There is not one person who will tell you that it is "easy" - you have to be strong and dedicated. We have all been there - standing in our kitchens in our pjs - checking out all of the cupboards. It is all a part of it. 

May I ask how many calories your'e eating? Your current macro breakdown? Are you physically waking up in the middle of the night, or is it just late-night snacking? How is your stress? Your sleep? How much caffeine do you consume? I know I'm in a reasonable deficit when I experience what I call "manageable hunger" right before I go to bed. Nothing crazy, just a little hunger. You don't have to STARVE to lose weight. A few things to consider: You may need more protein and more fat (why I asked your macro break-down), or, you may (GASP!) need more calories. Nothing drastic, maybe 100 calories in the form of a piece of fruit, or a low-calorie protein shake. Long-term adherence is the name of the game, and if your calories are too low, or your macros aren't dialed in, binging will become commonplace and stall your progress. Late night cravings (depending on WHAT you are craving - salt/sugar/carbs) may also indicate you are experiencing nutritional deficiencies, mainly electrolytes/mineral salts (Magnesium, Calcium, Potassium, even plain old salt). If you're burning the candle at both ends, drinking too much caffeine and not getting enough sleep, this will amp up cortisol and other stress hormones and in turn drive hunger. There's so much more to the puzzle than will power. But alas, there's also the cold hard truth of it, which @All_Pain_No_Gainz and @Jergens123 alluded to: at times, you will experience hunger. One thing that helped me was to reframe my emotional response to hunger - I don't freak out, I don't get upset or angry, I just acknowledge it, drink a glass of water, and sit with it for a few minutes. And if that doesn't work, @JustBananas is right - raspberries are an awesome, filling snack. Watermelon, too. You can eat 15 ounces of watermelon for 100 calories, and I promise you, you will be stuffed. If you need help with macros, please hit me up!! You got this! And we are all here for you!