Craving Problems [Forum Archive]

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Craving Problems

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Posted by: Moondogg

Started my cutting diet last week. it has been going very well so far and i am pleased with the results ive seen, however my cravings for carbs get out of control after 10pm.

im eating carbs mainly twice a day, complex with breakfast and simple after training, with only a few carbs in the meals between via fruit and veg.

i was just wondering if anyone out there has any tips as to supressing these cravings or any tricks that might help dull them slightly?
Thanks

Posted by: thewicked

just give it some time...typically after a couple weeks you don't have them anymore.

now if your RECOVERY is suffering while dieting and you're sore WHILE your body is craving them for extended amounts of time, that's your body telling you to wake up and help it do what it needs to.

HOWEVER! Try muching down on something without carbs in like celery or something or just chew sugar free gum. Just the action of eating seems to help me out a little.

Posted by: tomuchgear

peanut butter a spoon full does the job for me. i started my detox bout a week or so ago. full cutting diet started this week. i find peanut butter is the solution for any cravings. that or some thing like a salad. hell the other day i ate a whole damn head of lettuce becouse i wanted some damn chips. i dont even like chips go figure.

Posted by: ArnoldsProtege

oh man, i was just gonna post the exact same thread... ive started cutting recently, and have been closely monitoring my macros, and eating my carbs smartly... later at night on a lower carb day I just CRAVE them so much... i just want to eat a whole loaf of bread, or a giant bowl of cereal.

What I do is actually pretty funny... I heard that snapping your hand with a rubber band a couple times when u have a craving associates pain with desiring food lol... so i wear a rubber band on my wrist, and whenever i get that gut craving, i snap it like, 3-4 times really hard, and drink a bunch of water lol. It may be weird, and it may not even be scientifically sound... but either way, im keeping my cravings in check

as a bonus, the rubber band reminds me that im on a cut, and that im focused on a goal. helps when im eating out with the boys! I dont know what i hate more... having a massive cheat meal at All Star wings, or ordering a house salad with a water and a lite raspberry vinagrette on the side :P

Posted by: Built

For those of you who are cutting and craving PM carbs, I'll ask a few things:

How much carb, protein and fat, how much of a deficit, and what is your LBM?

How about only eating the carbs in the meal before and the meal after you train? There's no need to eat them in the AM unless you're lifting and doing HIIT in the AM.

I find pushing breakfast to a few hours into the morning very helpful. And I only eat protein, fat and fibrous veggies for all meals except the ones around the workout. I train at night, so that's when I eat them.

Does this help at all?

Posted by: Robert D.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moondogg

Started my cutting diet last week. it has been going very well so far and i am pleased with the results ive seen, however my cravings for carbs get out of control after 10pm.

im eating carbs mainly twice a day, complex with breakfast and simple after training, with only a few carbs in the meals between via fruit and veg.

i was just wondering if anyone out there has any tips as to supressing these cravings or any tricks that might help dull them slightly?
Thanks

have you tried Hoodia? Satiety SRT - 20:1 Hoodia Gordonii Extract

Posted by: Moondogg

thanks for all the advice guys, and built im gona try switching my carbs to before and after training, see if that works better. im almost at the end of my second week now so hopefully the cravings will die down soon.

Arnoldprotege - i used to play golf at quite a high standard and we got physcology lessons as part of our training, the rubber band trick is a type of mental reinforcement. the golfer Greg Norman used to wear a rubber band during his rounds of golf, and he would use it whenever he has any negative throughts throughout the round.

Prince - would this be right for my situation, i dont really struggly with hunger cravings or a big appetite, its just carbs cravings, im not actually that hungry?!

Posted by: Moondogg

Quote:

Originally Posted by thewicked

just give it some time...typically after a couple weeks you don't have them anymore.

now if your RECOVERY is suffering while dieting and you're sore WHILE your body is craving them for extended amounts of time, that's your body telling you to wake up and help it do what it needs to.

HOWEVER! Try muching down on something without carbs in like celery or something or just chew sugar free gum. Just the action of eating seems to help me out a little.

what constitutes as an extended period of time? my muscles can be sore for up to four days after training, however this was not overly uncommon for me even when bulking, and i feel that it is just a product of very hard training sessions. soreness occurs for longest after training legs, and to an extent back. most other muscle groups feel fine within 2 days.

Posted by: DeadBolt

You just learn to stop wanting them...it depends how bad you want it.

here is my diet...
Work days:
M1: MRP bar (pre workout)
workout
M2: 1 1/2 scoops ON Whey, BCAAs, Glutamine, 1 natures valley granola bar
M3: 6-8oz meat veggies
M4: 6-8oz meat veggies
M5: 6-8oz meat veggies

Home:
M1:6 boiled eggs (2 whole 4 whites) fruit
M2: 6-8oz meat veggies/salad
M3: 6-8oz meat veggies/salad
M4: 6-8oz meat veggies/salad
M5: 6-8oz meat veggies/salad

One day a week refeed super low fat and free for all with carbs...brown rice, beans/lentils, whole grain bread, oats, whole grain pasta, etc etc. Thinking of doing it on sundays for 2-3 meals thenr ight back to no carbs and additional water intake.

Current water intake is 3-5 liters.

I rarely ever want carbs...I love meat/veggies so much I could do without it. My refeed days make me sick LOL....its to much work eating carbs.

But when do you crave them?

Try snaking on things that simulate the tectures and tastes of carbs...peanuts celery crunchy salty SF/FF pudding or jello if you crave sweets.

Posted by: tomuchgear

like i said peanut butter, and salad solves the problem for me. biggest problem have is two cookie crunchin little kids. they like sweets damn cup cakes and what not.

Posted by: Matt Taylor

Have you tried drinking a glass of water. Many times when you have cravings... it may mean that your body is dehydrated...

Posted by: meanne2007

Your the one who is in control of it

Posted by: jhawkin1

Quote:

Originally Posted by thewicked

I did the sugar free gum thing...the fact is that even sugar free gum does have carbohydrates in them, and I was chewing 2 packs a day! Gum is the best way to go, just do not over do it like I did!

Another way to kill a craving is to drink carbonated water- has no calories, and is a change of things, as opposed to drinking plain old water ALL DAY LONG. I know I need a switch on things every now and then, and "mineral water" is the best way to go.

Posted by: juggernaut

i've been dieting for eighteen weeks at the end. My cravings were getting out of control until I started using Walden Farms chocolate sauce (carb free/fat free), drizzled on top of 2 tbsp of peanut butter and 1 tbsp of low fat whipped cream. Trust me. It's damn rich and ridiculously tasty.

Posted by: Amber

Make sure your eating the right foods and eating enough. If your doing these two things, it's normal for your body to freak out a little, so give it time for your body to adjust sometimes a week, or it could be up to a month for a new habit of eating well to take effect and cravings to diminish. Bottom line, patience and one more thing...get your mind off of it, do something besides stay home or around the food you crave. Take a walk, go shopping, something that won't have you thinking about it as much. Good Luck!

No spam - consider yourself warned

Posted by: juggernaut

I agree with Amber. Whenever this happens to me, I go a play video game or think about how to beat a level. It takes my mind off of the obvious. Most of the time, this works.

Posted by: jhawkin1

Quote:

Originally Posted by juggernaut

I agree with Amber. Whenever this happens to me, I go a play video game or think about how to beat a level. It takes my mind off of the obvious. Most of the time, this works.

Also going for a walk helps too, takes away the cravings while burning some calories (majority fat)????

Posted by: goob

Quote:

Originally Posted by juggernaut

I agree with Amber. Whenever this happens to me, I go a play video game or think about how to beat off.

He's right though, this does work. Keeping busy takes the mind of eating.

Posted by: juggernaut

quake wars, UT3 or any multiplayer will do where there is interaction with others.

Posted by: DaMayor

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomuchgear

biggest problem have is two cookie crunchin little kids. they like sweets damn cup cakes and what not.

Bang. That's my biggest problem when I'm not neck deep in a crazy strict low carb plan. My son's Pop tarts, cookies, granola bars and my wife's "diet" crap bars, which are damn near the same thing as eating a snickers bar

.....bunch of crap all over the place calling my name at 1:00am.

However, (and my response to Moondogg's issue [already answered by Built, et al]) I have found that if I completely eliminate carbs from my diet, or maintain a very low percentage of carb intake (say 20g or less) for a consistent period, my cravings disappear completely. In most cases, if I have reached this point, you could tempt me with junky foods and I would have no interest at all.

Posted by: Built

DaMayor, I'm the same way - I get to a point where that stuff isn't actually food to me.

Why is your wife eating sugar bombs to diet with? Women are more insulin-resistant than men most of the time - when dieting, it's even more important for us to restrict carb intake and focus on protein and fat than it is for the men who do it.

???

Posted by: DaMayor

Quote:

Originally Posted by Built

Why is your wife eating sugar bombs to diet with? Women are more insulin-resistant than men most of the time - when dieting, it's even more important for us to restrict carb intake and focus on protein and fat than it is for the men who do it.
???

I HATE SpecialK bars!!!!!!

PLEASE PLEASE TELL HER THIS!!!!!

While I might not be the poster boy for perfect fitness and diet....

We have has an on-going debate about this for years. She has been attending "classes" where she works,(the name begins with a Y and ends with an A...and the village people liked it a lot), and I commend her for this, yet while the staffers there might be able to jump around to funky tunes and monitor heart rate, I am surprised at their lack of knowledge when it comes to diet.....again, I'm not Mr. Wizard myself.
What kills me is that I know she could have much better results if she tried this approach.
Long story short, her opinion of "low-carb" in general has been tainted by the many Atkins dieters who don't have a clue.

Posted by: Built

There are a LOT of Atkins dieters who are not Atkins dieters. When I did it, I read the book - and followed it. By the end I was eating more vegetables than most vegetarians. Oh, and I lost over 30 lbs.

If she wants results, I can help her - tell her that and PM me her email addy.

Posted by: jhawkin1

Quote:

Originally Posted by juggernaut

quake wars, UT3 or any multiplayer will do where there is interaction with others.

HALO will keep you in awe for hours on end...maybe NOT a good idea in that case.

Posted by: jhawkin1

I agree with Built in the fact that I am essentially on sort of an Atkins Diet- but I don't go into detail on sticking to all the essentials posted from that diet. My main focuses are: carb up before and after a workout with: pre- oats with 1 scoop of whey protein/ Post: 2 scoops whey protein w/ an apple (simple sugar/carb). Everything else throughout the day is lean proteins (eggs, turkey/chicken breast/salmon), veggies (mainly spinach salads, broccoli) and healthy fats (ALMONDS mainly, olive oil in salad), not to mention supps. (fish oil and calcium suppl. since I do not consume milk or 1000mg a day that is recommended).

Posted by: DaMayor

That sounds similar to a TKD/Carb restrictive diet.

Most people who attempt Atkins do so based on what they've heard, which means they end up trying to live on the induction phase, gorging themselves with lard and cheese for weeks on end. On the other hand, we have some friends who think that Atkins dieting means eating 8oz. of chicken salad with every meal...regardless of what the meal includes. .

Atkins, CKD, TKD....they're all somewhat similar, but the individual HAS to read up on and FOLLOW the regimen.

Posted by: jhawkin1

I have not followed any diet, but yes I do restrict carbs because my body, like yours, is very different, including metabolism, workout regime, genetics, etc. Carbs increased = me gaining weight, that is just the fact of the matter. Now, carb cycling has worked the best for me and also for others. It may sound like an Atkins-based diet, but I can assure you that cheese and lard are far from what I consume!

Regardless, I am in single digits in terms of body fat %, and am gaining lean muscle mass each and every week, slowly but surely. What more could a body builder ask for?

Posted by: Built

DaMayor, agree 100%

jhawkn1, that's pretty much what I do and it works a charm for appetite control with all the benefits of peri-workout carbs. Best of both worlds.

PS nothing wrong with a bit of cheese or some natural lard (NOT that hydrogenated crap, but homemade lard gaaah that stuff's tasty!)

Posted by: cadnkides

try chewing suger free gum that helps me. or a slow protein like cottege cheeze .

Posted by: Built

Or increase fats slightly - even a few fish oil caps in the midst of a weak moment can help.

Posted by: jhawkin1

Quote:

Originally Posted by Built

Or increase fats slightly - even a few fish oil caps in the midst of a weak moment can help.

Though, when I do something like this, the fish oil capsules give me the feeling in my stomach that I am getting hungry (though I really am not and it's just trying to break down the capsules), but yes i'm sure nobody else has this issue , and yes fish oil is AMAZING (i try to take 6 a day)

Posted by: Built

I take 10g daily. In an emergency, where I'm away from home and hungry, and won't be near "real" food for up to an hour, I'll pop a few fish oil caps and a tab of caffeine (with ephedrine if I'm using it) and it staves-off hunger until I get home.

Posted by: jhawkin1

Very good, I will have to do that when I start at my new job in late August.

Posted by: DaMayor

Quote:

Originally Posted by Built

PS nothing wrong with a bit of cheese or some natural lard (NOT that hydrogenated crap, but homemade lard gaaah that stuff's tasty!)

My God, you are one fat loving woman!

Which should, based on your avatar and/or training pics, make a serious impression on those (women) who are so motivated by trendy marketed junk....as my other half.

I'll make a suggestion to her. She might not go for it. That being the case, I'll shoot you her e-mail any way....she used to be as big as a minute.

I can fight my own battles.

Posted by: Biggly

Carb cycling is great (heck it's fantastic) but peeps do tend to get cravings if jumping straight into it. As others have mentioned, just going very low, virtually zero, on carbs for awhile kills the cravings.

It's having "a little bit" that triggers your body to start demanding more. Go without carbs altogether aside from training time and not only will you not feel hungry or desire carbs but you'll get a splitting headache and feel sick if you DO eat any!

Even potatoes taste a bit sickly sweet if you've been zero carb for a couple of days.

As such if suffering from cravings tackle it head on, by totally cutting carbs out for 48 hours (skip workouts, heck skip work if you have to) and get your body burning pure fat.

When I'm going low carb if someone were to wave a hot poptart at me I'd be like "Why would I put THAT in my mouth?" You just don't want it, the very idea seems silly and somewhat disgusting. That much sugar, in your mouth at once? Yuk!

But you won't beat it if you keep having a little here, a little there... because your body is not actually making that switch. It's like trying to stop smoking by only having 5 a day instead of 20 - you're still a smoker and will still be craving 20 and will simply feel like shit for however long you put up with it before going back to 20. You need to STOP carbs altogether if you're getting such cravings.

Once the very idea of sugar seems a bit ikky, then gradually introduce it again in a controlled manner, ie when you need it for workouts and recovery, not as nibbles and snacks or fizzy pop.

You may need to do this a few times but it gets easier each time - and this from a guy who used to sheepishly ask for 3 sugars in his coffee and thought a large Cadburys bar was the day's main meal. Now I still have sugar in my coffee but less than half a spoon. A full spoonful makes it taste like syrup to me and the very thought of 3 spoonfuls of sugar in one cup is disgusting.

BTW, you probably know but in case you don't or for others reading, a single can of cola contains between 6 and 10, or even more, spoonfuls of sugar. Most brands have about 8 - and don't even taste that sweet because of the acid. You'll never succeed at low carb and killing cravings if you're still drinking that crap.

B.

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