julieshimko's Journal, 25 April 2022

Where are you in your cycle? I’m often hungrier in my Luteal phase. 

Chow down on fresh strawberries with nonfat Greek yogurt...or dip veggies in hummus...I would say go ahead and eat some nutritious food! 

#the good, the bad & the delicious!! LOVED THIS!!😂🤣 

@EmmaLeanAgain YES!!! Hunger totally ebbs and flows around my cycle. What do I do to work through this? I actually UP my calories 5-7 days before my cycle. Nothing crazy, about 150-200 calories, usually in the form of carbs and protein. Sure, this creates a smaller decifict, but the deficit you can stick to is the deficit that works. After my period starts, I usually lose my appetite, so the week before my cycle and the week after my cycle actually balance each other out. Just my two cents. CrystalJo74's snack suggestions are excellent. 

Also, how are you sleeping?? When I don't sleep well, I am inclined to eat like a horse.  

The good, the bad and the delicious! LOL! I feel your pain.  

Ive been sleeping well. Im 62 yrs old and past having monthlys Thank goodness i ate yogurt & blueberries for breakfast, i dont like Hummus, sorry, im usually a Stress Over eater but Im not stressed Maybe if I drank some hot tea this urge to blow it will pass…..ive lost 72 pounds so far and want to keep going, I know I can do it. Thanks to folks here, I can talk to that understands bless you all 

I go to bed early 

First, stop putting moral value on food. Food does not have the capacity to be good or bad. Second, don't deprive yourself. Allow yourself to have a treat. If you constantly deprive yourself, eventually you will give in and eat way more than you intended.  

Sugar free gelatin cups are my go to when I can't seem to stop feeling hungry. It takes a lot of those suckers to add up to something. 

WORDS OF WISDOM -" the deficit you can stick to is the deficit that works" - that is some serious words there --- you can say that again. If I was constantly feeling like eating something in particular - I would eat it - this is not a "diet" - it is a food plan for eating for life ---- like --- if you want to be a 135 pound woman then you have to eat healthy food and eat portions just like a 135 pound woman ----- If you are suffering from feeling of hunger --- then up your protein and it takes a few days to stablize but do keep an eye on your protein levels. YOU HAVE DONE VERY WELL AND LEARNED LOTS OF THINGS ALONG THE WAY - You have it figured out - so eat something if you feel hungry - sometimes when you eat higher than your constant lowered caloric input - then suddenly you have that weight loss that you were seeking ...that does happen. If you are hungry - Eat food - you are here for the long term. 

I've found that just like weight fluctuations, & hunger fluctuations are normal, & sometimes occur without a reason I can pinpoint. IMHO, I say EAT. Maybe your body needs it, maybe your mind does or maybe you had an emotional day. Eat what you want. It won't last, & you can get back to your lowered calories soon enough. You've lost a lot of weight already & I'm surprised this hasn't happened to you before now. Like Jergens said, this isn't a diet! It's a lifestyle change for eating better. But, if you restrict yourself & you (or your body) feels like you're always sacrificing, you won't be able to maintain your weight loss. Don't panic, you got this! 

I can't go to sleep at night if I am hungry. My go to is 2 Tablespoons of Skippy crunchy peanut butter, if absolutely necessary for a snack. 

AMEN Jergens and Hazel! You guys said it All! You have to listen to your body, sometimes it just needs a little more. Welcome to your new lifestyle. You are Doing It!  

Thank you everyone for your comments and helpful advice i appreciate all the input i can get sometimes. Today is a new day and I didn’t let The Hard Day Win!