Eating till your full

[bivium6]

Is there a difference between eating till your full and eating till your not hungry anymore? What's the difference between full and stuffed, if your tummy is uncomfy? I'm learning how to listen to my body, but I don't know what it means, its like learning a new language. And how do you know when you are hungry, is having hunger pangs going to long? (not that it hurts, just kind of like your stomach goes: hey, don't forget about me)

I've been battling my body since I hit 13 so I don't remember a time when I knew this stuff. It wasn't until I started this WOL I realized you have to work with your body, not against.

I've been thinking the only way to know is to see how you feel an hour after eating. If you are already hungry again, not eating enough, if you still feel ok eating just right, if you still feel full, eating too much.

Over the holiday weekend when I was busy doing stuff I'd forget to eat, which was really fun, but doing normal stuff at work I feel like I'm hungry a lot, but I shouldn't be because I'm not hungry when I'm busy. I think my stomach tells my brain I'm hungry when I'm bored. How do you know when your stomach is lying to you? Does it, or do I just have bad habits and it will stop them at some point.

[*Emma*]

Re: Eating till your full

You dont eat until your full, you eat until your satisfied.

Huge difference! eating small meals more regularly is a good way of managing this.

When you get hunger pangs, drink some water, as it could just be thirst pangs.

I understand you on the boredom thing, whenever i'm bored my body tells me i'm hungry, i just have a small legal snack as i usually have enough calories left over for the day and then do some exercising!

[Hudson]

Re: Eating till your full

I never "feel full" any more. Without the carbs I just get satisfied. As the years go buy you will get a better understanding of how much you need. And being bored with food around allways makes me more "hungry".

[not2late]

Re: Eating till your full

Is there a difference between eating till your full and eating till your not hungry anymore? What's the difference between full and stuffed, if your tummy is uncomfy? I'm learning how to listen to my body, but I don't know what it means, its like learning a new language. And how do you know when you are hungry, is having hunger pangs going to long? (not that it hurts, just kind of like your stomach goes: hey, don't forget about me)


I've been battling my body since I hit 13 so I don't remember a time when I knew this stuff. It wasn't until I started this WOL I realized you have to work with your body, not against.

I've been thinking the only way to know is to see how you feel an hour after eating. If you are already hungry again, not eating enough, if you still feel ok eating just right, if you still feel full, eating too much.

Over the holiday weekend when I was busy doing stuff I'd forget to eat, which was really fun, but doing normal stuff at work I feel like I'm hungry a lot, but I shouldn't be because I'm not hungry when I'm busy. I think my stomach tells my brain I'm hungry when I'm bored. How do you know when your stomach is lying to you? Does it, or do I just have bad habits and it will stop them at some point.

These are VERY good questions! It took me a while to relearn my body, so I know what you are going through.

First thing is to eat slowly. I can eat a bowl of soup, a piece of chicken, a cup of broccoli, and a couple ounces of cheese in under 10 minutes. The problem with speed eating is that you don't really taste your food, so your tastebuds don't feel satisfied. The other problem is that it takes about 20-30 minutes for your stomach to tell your brain that it's full and to stop eating. So eat slowly and leizurely. Eat small bites, chew thoroughly and taste the food and enjoy the food. Put a bite into your mouth and put your fork down while you chew. Don't take up more food until you've swallowed what you have in your mouth. You might also want to take a mini break and not eat anything for a minute or two. When you slow down and actually taste the food, you'll notice how much different it is. Alot of ADBBers have noticed many foods, like broccoli and asparagus, have a natural sweetness. Or that strawberries and melons are super-sweet.

Full Vs. Stuffed

This is how I can tell stuffed from "full"/satisfied. If I stand up and I can feel a heaviness or lump of food in my stomach, then I'm stuffed. Likewise, if I can't breathe easily after eating, then I'm stuffed.

I'm satisfied when I don't feel like I want to eat anymore or when I've had enough. I think this feeling is something you have to learn. What you can do is to eat half of the food on your plate and ask yourself "Am I still hungry enough to eat the rest?" If you are, eat 1/2 of that amount and ask yourself again "Am I still hungry enough to eat the rest?" and continue eating half or a third until it's all gone or until you have had enough. Be patient when you do this and remember to eat slowly/leizurely.

If you can only eat 1/2 of what's on your plate, don't worry. Just wrap it up and put it away. If you get hungry later on, go ahead and eat the amount that satisfies your hunger. Eventually, you'll get used to listening to your body and you'll get used to noticing the little hunger cues.

[SugarFreeSheila]

Re: Eating till your full

For me, it's about the law of diminishing returns. Once I look at my plate and begin to lose interest, it's over. If I feel this about to come on, I know it's time to attack my vegetables with a vengeance before it's too late!

[sallyseachange]

Re: Eating till your full

I have to wait at least an hour (if not more), before the "satisfied" feeling sets in. The 20 mins Dr A talks about, just isn't enough for me. I train myself by eating the amout I know I "should" eat and no more... and trying to recognise "hunger/satisfied" cues... but it's hard going. The going is in the right direction though, so it's worth persevering. Hang in there.

[bivium6]

Re: Eating till your full

@ Emma, I've stayed on the eat 5-6 little meals a day cause I think your right that is safest.

@ Hudson darn, I was hoping the bored hungry thing would go away

@ not2late, I like putting the fork down between bites, I know they tell you to eat slow, but that is a good way to make sure you do.

@ SugarFreeSheila - I do find that sometimes I get distracted while eating, maybe I could use that as a good thing, read a book and when I've read more pages than taken bites to eat I know I'm done.

Thanks Sally

I think it might have something to do with hormones too, before TOM I could eat a cow, after I force myself to eat.

[SunnySmile501]

Re: Eating till your full

I have to wait at least an hour (if not more), before the "satisfied" feeling sets in. The 20 mins Dr A talks about, just isn't enough for me. I train myself by eating the amout I know I "should" eat and no more... and trying to recognise "hunger/satisfied" cues... but it's hard going. The going is in the right direction though, so it's worth persevering. Hang in there.

I have to do exactly that. I almost never feel hunger and I don't feel full, either, until it's too late. I just have to prepare what I feel is the right amount to eat, and eat that and no more. If I continue to eat, I don't feel it right away--usually at least an hour later I get the stuffed feeling. I just learned to eat my meals on a schedule.

Sunny!