Calorie deficit but not hungry?

[Gregg]

I started p90x last week. I am doing the fat shredder diet. I admit, I am not actually counting portions as I think that would pretty much make me insane. Basically, I am eating a light breakfast with usually egg whites and veggies, doing recovery formula and finding meat and veggies mostly for dinner and lunch. Snacks tend to be the Pure Protein bars. I know I am running a calorie deficit. I think my basal rate was supposed to be about 1850 or so, so about 2100 without p90x. My guess is I am running about 1600 to 2000 calories a day.

I have not been religious about snacking. For a few days, I have been feeling not as hungry as I thought I would. I dont know if thats something about my body readjusting or whether my body is doing some starvation mode stuff. I only weigh myself once a week, so I wont know my weight change until Tues am, but I am guessing it will be about 2lbs in a week. It doesnt seem like I should be in starvation mode. I remember reading some people here saying, listen to your body... if you are not that hungry dont force yourself. Should I be more hungry? Should I force myself to eat?

BTW im totally addicted to the p90x recovery drink. It tastes like some type of citrus concoction from heaven.

[scourtney7]

You remember correctly. General consensus on here is that you should not force yourself to eat. Your body is likely readjusting to things and it will settle out shortly. You are very blessed that you are not ravenous due to the low carb percentages during phase 1 so that is something to smile about. Congratulations on finishing your first week of P90X. It is quite often the most challenging for folks as the workout are so very intense and strenuous and the diet changes are so drastic. I encourage you to follow the diet as closely as possible and keep pressing play. Try to eat every few hours and keep your insulin steady. Drink lots of water and drink that Shakeology daily. You will see results and eventually your metabolism will catch up to the changes you have made and you will find yourself hungry. What I love about working out is the fact that it often eliminates my cravings and my hunger! Sounds like you are well on your way!!!

Shannon

[JimNAZ]

Hey Greg,

How did today go for you? I am on a grain-carb free diet, so I only get my carbs from veggies and fruit. I also find myself having trouble making the calorie requirements every day. I was and will always be concerned/conscious of making sure my body does not draw on my muscles for fuel. With that being said, at this point it is more at the back of my mind than anything else.
Because I do not have the wealth of variety with grain carbs to add calories I rely on protein shakes and solid meals 5 times a day. I am not saying you need to go the grain-free route (although I would be happy to discuss with you if you are interested) but you need to off-set your losses with other things. I also use a lot of almond milk and almond butter (mostly for protein shakes and Shakeology) and I eat/cook with a lot of (good) fats. This is giving me the fuel my body needs to not only function, but to lean down and build muscle. I am not an expert, at the same time I am confident that this is happening because I see the results (losing BF / gaining muscle) and I feel great.
Even before I switched to grain-free I was relying on protein shakes to get me through. They worked great and I am not sure if because they digest better (quicker???) so I do not "feel" as full or if it was because they just taste so darn good and it was like I was cheating! ;)
Sorry, I don't think I made a point yet . . .
If you are not doing this yet then track what you are eating with an online calorie tracker. I use dailyburn.com but you can just Google "calorie tracker" to find others. See what you are eating and what ratios you are getting and start experimenting with foods. Try different nuts, make a trail mix, or find something that has the balance of what you need. If you are drinking a protein shake think of adding something to it. If you are not then try drinking one. (Be careful of the sugars )

Be careful with the protein bars too because they tend to have a lot of junk in them. (Read labels)
Also be careful with the recovery drink. Sounds like you are hooked but it has a lot of carbs in it.

Finally (I know long post . . .sorry) like Shannon said, try to get those 5 meals in. Even if the extra ones are just snacks. Slowly your body will get used to eating every 2-3 hours and then you will be rock'n & a roll'n!

Hope some of this made sense . . .:confused:

Jim

[Sterling]

If you're not hungry, then don't eat. A true 'starvation' mode won't kick-in unless you are extremely low-calorie over an extended period of time with no break OR you have fasted for greater than 72-hours.

[Gregg]

Thanks for the replies. Just a follow up. I have felt GREAT the last two days. I have a full week of p90x in the books now. I have lost 2.6 lbs and I feel stronger. I may be a little low on the calories, but I really want to lose another 5 to 7lbs quickly.

I havent felt the strangely not hungry feeling lately. In fact, I have been hungry the last two days.

My diet is basically:
Recovery drink after early AM workout
Breakfast like turkey bacon and egg white veggie omlette or shakeology.
Pure Protein protein bars (I like these cause they are less calories and have 20g pro and 19g carbs) for snacks
Lunch is usually some form of salad with chicken or sandwich meat, other light meat without bread.
Dinner is usually something my wife draws up or I grill. Usually grilled meats with veggies. We had lentil soup last night, which I know probably has more like 20g carbs per serving, but meh. I am mostly staying away from processed grains.

[Sterling]

Thanks for the replies. Just a follow up. I have felt GREAT the last two days. I have a full week of p90x in the books now. I have lost 2.6 lbs and I feel stronger. I may be a little low on the calories, but I really want to lose another 5 to 7lbs quickly.

I havent felt the strangely not hungry feeling lately. In fact, I have been hungry the last two days.

My diet is basically:
Recovery drink after early AM workout
Breakfast like turkey bacon and egg white veggie omlette or shakeology.
Pure Protein protein bars (I like these cause they are less calories and have 20g pro and 19g carbs) for snacks
Lunch is usually some form of salad with chicken or sandwich meat, other light meat without bread.
Dinner is usually something my wife draws up or I grill. Usually grilled meats with veggies. We had lentil soup last night, which I know probably has more like 20g carbs per serving, but meh. I am mostly staying away from processed grains.

READ THIS:

http://fitnessblackbook.com/diet-tips/martin-berkhan-scorch-through-your-fat-loss-plateau/

[erikwennerstrom]

Greg,

Thanks for asking the question, this is something I am concerned about as well. I started P90X last week and don't feel I am getting enough food but at the same time do not feel hungry either. I have been eating 5-6 times a day for a couple of years now to keep my energy levels intact as I am a runner as well.

The biggest struggle I have is with getting enough water. The day seems to always get away from me before I have had at least 64 oz. I

Good luck with P90X.

Erik