More hungry when weight training?

[CountessKerouac]

Hey guys, I have a question! I've recently started to weight train. I started with 3 lb weights and now I am at 10. Whenever I weight train with the 10 lb weights, even if I JUST ate, I am starving afterward. However, according to sites like fitday, light weight training doesn't burn that many calories--at least not enough to leave me ravishing. I also don't weight train very long. Usually 20-40 minutes. What's going on? Does weight training signal the hunger pang or something? Should I trust this instinct or is it a peuso-instinct that passes as you cool down?

[toadstool]

Exercise--of any kind--always boosts my appetite, though not usually right away.

You do burn calories lifting weights... and it also increases muscle mass.

My motto: Feed the muscle!

I'd try a small, protein-rich snack to hold you over after a workout. If you feel hungry, your body is signaling to eat. But that doesn't necessarily mean you need a full meal.

Some suggestions: 1/2 whole wheat pita with a tablespoon of PB or hummus. Or a handful of nuts (almonds and walnuts are always good choices). Or 1 veggie burger (plain, no bread). A light snack like that can take the edge of the hunger, give your muscles a protein boost, and keep your energy high.

[CountessKerouac]

Oh no, I never eat a full meal when I get these hunger pangs after weight training. But, I usually weight train after dinner...so I really don't want to be eating anything after, even if it is just a Clif bar. I always think eating before bed would defeat the purpose of the pre-bed exercise. It's always a carb craving too. Like, last night, I ate dinner, weight trained, then HAD to eat 3 pieces of bread. At least it was whole grain. :)

[pseudo_vegan]

It's most definately the weight training...I know from experience :hungry:

Muscle tissue burns more calories per hour than edipose tissue (meaning fat), there for sometimes even just SITTING there you burn more if you've been lifting for a while. It's really good, and in ways it allows you to "eat more" (commonly recommended about every two hours or so), b/c it keeps your blood sugar at an even level.

Pre-work out, eat something like a banana and you'll "max out" less quickly. Afterwards, eat a banana or a piece of bread with jam to spike your glucose levels so that your body doesn't take it away from your muscles...I've typed this in so many different posts I'm surprised you haven't read it already :dizzy: HeHe. Have fun with those weights!

:nigel: Cheers!

[toadstool]

I always think eating before bed would defeat the purpose of the pre-bed exercise.

Not necessarily... you don't want to stuff yourself before bed, but you should definitely feed your muscles after a weight workout. Just stick with something light (and protein-packed). Three pieces of bread is probably not the best choice if you're trying to build muscle or slim down. ;)

I know what you mean about carb cravings, though. I tend to get those at night, too. Popcorn, pasta, bread... everything like that. I limit myself to a small portion (say, half a whole wheat english muffin or half a whole wheat pita) and include some fatty protein (peanut butter or a handful of almonds) to hold me through the night.

They say evening eating is bad, but it's really overall calorie consumption throughout the day that counts. And if I don't eat a small snack about an hour before bed, hunger pains wake me up in the middle of the night. So I don't think something small will hurt your progress much.

[Virtue23]

CK - you probably get those carb cravings because you don't eat enough carbs throughout the day. I would say start including a ww pita with hummus, or even the whole grain bread w/ a little pb in your breakfast or lunch, so you won't crave them as much after your workouts. My 2 cents. :)

[CountessKerouac]

Thanks, all! I think you may be right about the carbs, Vitrtue. I try to limit myself (unsuccessfully though since weight training) to 2-3 servings of straight-up grains throughout the day and maybe that isn't good while lifting weights.

I think this hunger is baffling me only because my body typically needs 6-8 hours to feel even the LEAST bit hungry. I usually only eat so much because I know I need the nutrients to be healthy and vital and not because I am really all that hungry. This feeling of intense hunger is odd to me.

The times I used to usually eat were:

9 AM - wake up
1-2 PM - "breakfast"
7-8 pm - "lunch" ---I only eat then because the dining hall closes at 8. My tummy would rather eat around 9 or 10 when I actually get hungry.
10-11 pm - maybe snack
12-2am - "dinner/breakfast"

I dunno...maybe I am just weird...or eat way too much fiber. I get sooo hungry now though! This is a good thing though, it means my metabolism is up! :) :nana:

[Jinga]

I'm guessing the 'carb cravings' are just your body trying to replentish its immediate energy supply (carbohydrates) that you used during the workout. Something like a piece of fruit should do the trick. :)

[CountessKerouac]

I'll try that, but it will be hard. My brain says "BREAD! NOW!". So, going for the fruit may take some willpower.

[Jinga]

Oh ... well then just have a slice of whole wheat bread w/pb! Its good for you! Virtue's whole wheat pita and hummus idea is a good one, too. I had a big pita with hummus for lunch. Mmmm. Your body's obviously telling you something. Listen to it :yes:

[Virtue23]

Yeah, exercising/weight training really does kick up your metabolism. :up: :yes:

My metabolism is insane - sometimes I'm hungry every 2 hours, lol. I have to make myself stick to eating every 3-4 hours (which is a great way to increase/maintain it, by the way).

And maybe you'd want to consider having breakfast during actual breakfast hours :D - there's so many benefits to it, as I'm sure you know.

"Skipping breakfast can be just as bad as the doughnuts-and-java start to the day. By passing up your first meal, not only are you missing an opportunity to get in more fiber and heart-healthy sources of protein, calcium and other nutrients, but you also may be increasing your odds for gaining weight. "Some studies have shown — though this isn't conclusive — that people who eat on a more frequent basis are not only at a little more healthful weight, but they have lower cholesterol levels," says Moore."
Exerpt from - http://cholesterolmatters.msn.com//article.aspx?aid=16&GT1=6250

You seem to be doing great tho. :)

[CountessKerouac]

I don't "skip" breakfast because I eat 3 meals a day. I am just not hungry in the morning unless I don't eat at midnight. I will be hungry in the morning when I get up only if I stop eating at 8 or 10 pm the night before. :) But, I knooow I am supposed to eat breakfast with the normal people. :lol:

I need to get a new schedule...maybe that will help. Like, if I eat at 9 AM, 3 pm, and 8 pm...then just have a midnight snack after lifting. :)

[Jinga]

I'm always hungry every two hours! :p I just eat something and get on with it. Since we aren't even overweight, why not eat when our body is telling us it needs food? Seems counterproductive not to.

[CountessKerouac]

Yes. I will stop fussing about it and just eat. I am just not used to hunger like this.

[Virtue23]

I'm always hungry every two hours! :p I just eat something and get on with it. Since we aren't even overweight, why not eat when our body is telling us it needs food? Seems counterproductive not to.

Yeah, there are definitely times when I just go ahead and eat something when I'm hungry. You're absolutely right. At my weight, it surely wouldn't hurt.

[Jinga]

Yes. I will stop fussing about it and just eat. I am just not used to hunger like this.

Its just your metabolism revving up. No worries.

[RawVeganMom]

Ok I must be a freak then! I started weight lifting this month & I find myself wanting to eat less! I work out HARD for an hour with heavy weights and then do 15 minutes of medium to hard cardio. I was going twice a day alot at first and now I go every day & sometimes every other day. I try to rotate so I don't work the same muscles every day.