Why I appreciate gentle hunger

earl7z · Post by **earl7z** » Thu Sep 26, 2013 10:33 am

I appreciate gentle hunger because:

- it lets me know I'm probably not overeating.
- it makes the next meal taste so much better.
- it reminds me that the "any hunger is bad, so snack snack snack" thinking is silly.
- it reminds me that I used to be afraid of hunger, but now I welcome it, and that's progress.
- I feel more energetic, much more so than when I'm stuffed to the gills.
- (jw)I feel a little thinner when I am not full of food -- that gently hollow feeling is subtly flattering!

Any one else feel like this?

jw · Post by jw » Thu Sep 26, 2013 11:22 am

Yes! What a good list! Add that I feel a little thinner when I am not full of food -- that gently hollow feeling is subtly flattering!

Imogen Morley · Post by **Imogen Morley** » Thu Sep 26, 2013 12:04 pm

I second everything you wrote. Sadly, after each over-the-top S-day I need to get used to feeling hungry again and relearn it's actually not an emergency.
#1 is my absolute favourite. I'm convinced that if you get moderately hungry 1-2 hours before your meals, you're eating just enough.

Sinnie · Post by **Sinnie** » Thu Sep 26, 2013 12:17 pm

LOVE IT. What a fantastic list. I wish everyone on a diet could learn the no snack approach.

GraceW · Post by **GraceW** » Thu Sep 26, 2013 3:10 pm

Wonderful list!

Zoid · Post by **Zoid** » Fri Sep 27, 2013 2:01 pm

Two thumbs up!!

I definitely feel more like exercising when I'm not stuffed to the gills, so another plus!

oolala53 · Post by **oolala53** » Fri Sep 27, 2013 4:01 pm

I've often said that "feeling fat" is more likely just the feeling of having overeaten. Haven't we all had that feeling, now and when we might have been dieting, that we were actually thinner because we felt hungry? The mirror might belie that, but so what? I say skip the mirror and keep going for the feeling. One-two hours is my goal for each meal, too, but that's a ball park.

guille · Post by **guille** » Fri Sep 27, 2013 4:38 pm

i appreciate gentle hunger... when it hits me near the meal time, say 20 mins before, makes a meal much much much more enjoyable than with out it...but to be hones if gentle hunger comes right in the middle or even worst after the meal...well i dont appreciate it much...

oolala53 · Post by **oolala53** » Fri Sep 27, 2013 11:00 pm

The "hunger" I might feel during or after a meal is different from the hunger I experience 4-6 hours after eating. It is actually more annoying, but it was the devil I had to defeat. It's extremely mild or even non-existent now. Worth the wait!