redgirl1974's Journal, 22 August 2015

Great work on the weight training! If you are still doing LCHF - you could eat a fatbomb after the gym...it would satiate the hunger and up your fat count for the day. Typically a protein shake after the gym is what most people recommend. The body can make glucose from protein to give you energy - it is a myth that we must have carbs for energy. I do my fatted coffee before the gym and have tons of energy. In the beginning I do think you see an appetite increase - so drink at least 32 ounces of water during the workout - that will help, too. 

You are learning what your body needs. Maintenance will naturally involve more carbs. You seem to be doing just fine. 

Try the shake in the evening. It sounds like your body is calling to you...feed me. Because of the weights you're probably burning more calories so you're seeing a continuing loss. But I've heard that if you don't get enough food and feel that hungry, your body will eat muscle. Try the shake, or an Atkins shake and see how it feels and how you respond. I exercise in the morning and have a snack after with some protein in it to refuel. Let us know how it works.  

HCB ,so a fat bomb and a protein shake afterwards? .. I can def do that and can whip up a batch now LOL  

I def dont want to "eat" my new found muscle...  

No idea re: low carb. I was always hungry when I was doing low carb no matter what my activity level was.  

I do a fat bomb before and after. Mine are mostly peanut butter/nuts so its a hit of protein as well. In my case upping carbs did nothing for me hunger wise nor energy. Once I'd been on LCHF for awhile the hit of fat/ protein worked wonders. When I added carbs I was hungry all the time. Everyone's different though. You will find your sweet spot. 

There's nothing dangerous about eating late at night. If you're hungry, eat! Muscles burn calories, so if you have more muscle now than before, you're going to need to eat more calories. Good for you for working so hard. 

BTW: Did you ask your trainer these questions ? ... I always need protein after a good workout, or walk, or run. Loch_Tess is right as well: more muscle burns more calories, and I'd focus more on protein than fat or carbs, plus veggies for fiber and bulk, and all the micronutrients. I use dried kelp for minerals, very good on almost anything. Personally I prefer to work out before breakfast, it's the best time to burn fat since our bodies are already in fat burning mode. (sleeping burns fat). We all need to find what works for us. and I've spent most of my life finding what works for me. :) I'm 71, lean and fit. (about 150Lb. 5'10") been weight training for 31 years, reading & practicing good nutrition and cooking. I've never been able to lose weight AND lift weights and gain muscle all at the same time. I'd focus on re arranging your body, filling out the muscle, which I can tell you are doing. Muscle weighs more than fat, but takes up less room, AND it burns fat like crazy! :) So, when lifting, no worries about your weight! Use the measuring tape instead. And when you've reached close to your genetic potential from lifting weights, drop down to maintenance weight training, then you can properly consider any more weight loss, if you still think it's needed. You might just like the way you look and feel :) 

One of the side effects of exercise is the increase in hunger. Generally the more intense the exercise the more hunger. Everybody is different so it varies. If you get really hungry try eating protein in whole foods like chicken. It will fill you up more than a shake. Eating before bed is a personal thing, it can interfere with sleep but it doesn't matter when you eat from a fat loss perspective. As far as carbs are concerned, it's a personal preference. I find I can get through a tough workout better with at least 100g of carbs per day targeted around my workouts. Great work on the weights in any case! 

I find that I personally get really, really hungry the first month or so after I start hard exercise again. My body generally adapts after a while and I find that it stays pretty level throughout the day after that. I definitely drink a protein shake or eat a protein bar within 30 minutes after working out. Good to get that protein right after work out, along with throughout the day. 

I've read in a couple of places now that it's better to eat after a workout. For one thing you will be hungry after anyway. Also bodybuilders seem to think it's a good idea to eat a protein meal after a workout to help build muscle. I'm not saying you want to look like them! But you do want to build some muscle. If you're hungry before the workout, maybe snack on something then to give you some energy, or you might end up feeling faint? But yeah, it would be a good idea to ask the trainers. 

Ive asked him.. and he thinks I should up my carbs before my work out and then do a shake after... Im just trying to get the opinion of other low carbers out there..  

And honestly,Ive just been eating when Im hungry..and if thats after the gym, so be it. I watch my carb still just not as strictly and have added in more berries, yogurt, cottage cheese and melon and tomato juice. Feels good to eat more for sure  

Well, I'm not a low-carber, but my understanding is you need protein after. If that doesn't satisfy your hunger, I guess you might want a fat bomb as well. You're losing weight just fine, and you shouldn't need to feel hungry all the time. 

If you feel hungry all the time, maybe the low carb is not a lifestyle you can follow forever and you need to re-evaluate even though you have lost weight. I had to. I lost on low carb but would gain back plus a bunch more because it was not a plan for life for me. Just my thoughts and what happened with me.  

I think part of my problem is that I mainly a veggie eater and a nibbler and I need to add more protein in and eat real meals. I feel like if I did, before and after the gym, I wouldn't be hungry after my workout. I've been low carb for 8 months and never ever felt hungry before. This just started when I started lifting. I've increased my works out but am still eating the same.. My plan is to focus on more protein thru out the day, eat fuller meals and snacks and take a shake with me to gym to drink right afterwards and continue to add in healthy carbs bc I'm no where near letting go of low carb. I'm at the verge of finding a happy balance. I have a dr's appts Wed and I'm going to get her opinion and meanwhile i will continue to tweek my meals. Thanks everyone. Great feedback.  

Before you work out try adding some healthy fat. Maybe a fat bomb or two or a bulletproof coffee. If you are hungry on LC eat. 

I'm a veggie at heart, too, which used to mean eating a lot of carbs and cheese. Tried Atkins a few years ago for a month or so, eating mainly eggs and fish along with permitted veggies. Couldn't really get on with it though, but it did teach me that I didn't need all those carbs. To try and lose weight this time I am eating what for me is a lot of animal protein. I can do it, but don't really enjoy it. But it stops me feeling hungry. Can't stomach fat in any shape or form though, so am still eating more carbs than most on here. Hoping to stick largely with this way of eating when I reach goal, but as I'll be able to have a few more calories, will have more fruit and pulses, and less meat. Good luck to you with finding a solution to your hunger problem. It's not nice to be hungry :( 

Redgirl. You don't have to add red meats unless you really want to. Add complementary proteins. Nuts and seeds + beans, nets and seeds + grains, grains + beans, Beans nuts and seeds. Or toss some dairy in with any combo. Also fish, seafood, or poultry will also add protein but you do nor necessarily need red meat. This is why my peanut butter sandwich works. It has whole grains, seeds (flax and sunflower), beans (garbanzo bean flour). The bread alone is a complete protein, add the peanut butter and it's even more so. {Updated whole grain bread in my cookbook} It's not low carb, I can't do low carb all that meat makes me sick and I can't follow through. Eat some sort of plant based protein, a nut butter, complementary proteins, add a snack with a bean dip or spread, Greek or regular yogurt with some fruit and nuts or seeds. Lots of options.