On Monday, I began the final stage of my shoot preparation. My “shoot” is the week of September 19th. I can’t tell you much about it, but people always say, why can’t you just be as you are? For this reason, I’m revealing my motivation vaguely.
Eating clean on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday went well. I had minimal if any cravings for sweet treats, alcohol or starchy foods in the evening. I asked you guys if you typically felt more hungry the day after eating well on Tuesday. I expected I would but I didn’t yet… Well, my hunger finally arrived Day 4!
This is what I wanted...
I woke up for a short 35 minute interval run (sprint 4 minutes, walk 1 minute). After eating my usual protein pancake breakfast, I was not satisfied. I went ahead and had a grapefruit. I also had a 1/4 piece of a buckwheat bake that I made for a video yesterday with a small spread of peanut butter. Finally I was good.
This is what I had... I could eat my body weight in lettuce
About 2 1/2-3 hours later, I wanted something creamy and sweet. I made a greek yogurt parfait with vanilla stevia, 1/4 cup of steal cut oatmeal, and 1/4 of a cantaloupe chopped up. I had a reverse dessert consisting of dried edamame and wasabi peas. Boy was I full. For my real lunch (3 hours later) I had a small handful of almonds and a salad with chicken, tomato, romaine, onion, cucumber and balsamic vinegar.
I wish I could say that this was satisfying but it was not. I had 2 tablespoons of peanut butter with celery, a whole heart of celery. Even though I feel like I’ve been eating all day, adding up the calories this really is only about 1000-1200 calories. All I have left is dinner so as long I stay within 400 calories (which I will), today was a hungry hungry hippo success! Here is how I did it:
- Eat low calorie food that are high volume and take a long time to eat. Celery, greek yogurt, high water concentration fruit, lettuce all are low calorie in regards to their volume.
- Measure things out that are high calorie. I measured the peanut butter, counted the almonds and measure the salad dressing. This way you know how many calories you are really consuming when it comes to high calorie per volume foods.
- Chew gum and drink water. I’m addicted to gum. When I have days like today and I constantly feel hungry, I tried to have some on hand so I don’t mistake a craving for hunger. Drinking tons of water also helps you realize if you are really full after you finish eating.
- Go for a walk. I needed some inspiration and motivation so I went for a walk to grab a coffee and then kept on walking for about 30 minutes. When I got back, I was ready to work.
Do you not find that chewing gum makes you feel more hungry? I’ve heard giving your brain the chewing signal, but without ever sending any food to the stomach is a short route to feeling hungry, but maybe that’s a fallacy?
To be honest, I do not find that. I have heard people say that but usually when I chew gum it’s when I have eaten enough calories that I should be full but it’s cravings that are tricking my mind into thinking I want food. I have an oral fixation though too. Love lollipops, playing with straws, flossing, toothpicks… it’s weird and can be germy (i never get sick, knock on wood) but gum helps keep my mouth occupied.
I know I swallow a lot when I chew gum, so my saliva ends up filling me up. Maybe that’s just me though
that salad looks delicious! and i can’t wait to hear about your shoot!
to curb hunger, or at least TRY to, i drink a lot of water and eat fruit. and try to get busy doing something to distract myself. especially if i JUST ate and want more.
I do that too! I always have to get up in the middle of the night at least twice to use the bathroom! Annoying but I’d rather have to pee
You look really cute in that apron
good point on weighing the more caloric items, it’s so easy to go overboard here and not know it. i hate the days when i just can’t seem to stay full, no matter what i eat….going for a walk or chewing gum are great tips that i use too!
I need to when it comes to peanut butter! I’m terrible at portion control when I eat it! 🙂 I love pb!!
Great tips! “hunger” isn’t the only reason i find myself munchin’… stressed, tired, busy, bored can all cause me to reach for another handful of grapes or nuts; which even though they are “healthy choices” can add up and cause over eating. . . . I love the line in “how the grinch stole christmas” (w/jim carrey) where the crinch is eating an onion and says “Am I just eating because i’m bored!?!?” LOL! I ask myself that question at least once a day! ha ha!
Great TIPS!
1/2 cup cottage cheese with black pepper or 1 slice bread with peanut butter and honey
That is one interesting combo u got there with cottage cheese!
Just curious, do you count celery as “negative calories”?
No, but I don’t really count it either. It’s freebie food 🙂
I usually eat an apple. the high fiber and boric acid keeps me full and if i’m really hungry i have 8 almonds with it. On a random note, one quick question: what is your best advice for insanely busy high school seniors who really need to work out. i go to the gym right on the way home from school but i have so much homeowrk to do and college planning going on that i usually only stay for an hour. I don’t know if i should do cardio one day and strength the next or do cardio for the whole time. Help? I’m one of those who must work out to keep losing or else i’m doomed 🙁 Thanks!!!
Do strength training at least 2 days a week. Do cardio 2 or 3 as well on nonconsecutive days. If you can’t exercise, know your bmr and don’t eat more calories than you burn. DIET is WAY more important than working out!!!!! So if you can’t workout, just focus on eating better, count calories!
Sarah-
I am a terrible binge eater. I crave sweets and junk all of the time, probably because I’ve trained my body to. I think my diet is so poor, that it’s started to seriously affect me health-wise. I have no energy at all (I have to take long naps during the day) and I can’t bring myself to work out, and I’ve put on a lot of weight. How do you curb a sweet tooth? I’m a college student, so being on a meal plan, it’s hard to have access to super-healthy food without having to spend more money. I just can’t figure out how to stop putting things in my mouth that are terrible, and putting so much of it in! Do you have any advice at all?
My best advice is in this article but also check out this video -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3VWu-YHLo4 -- just TRY for 10 days. Chew gum, use self control, it’s just 10 days. You CAN do it.