Does exercise increase appetite? ?

Question

I am trying to loose weight. This week, I been committed to pushing myself hard in the gym. I been jogging/walking for a minimum of 30 minutes every day. On average, the calorie counter would say 400 calories burned. Also, I would throw in some weight training. Prior to this, I would attend the gym 1 - 4 times a month.

Today, I could not stop eating. This was not a psychological need to eat. I typically eat a yogurt for a snack and maybe something else, but I had to eat two more times than normal due to hunger. I felt deprived of energy even though typically I do not. This hunger was especially intense before lunch. I had to eat 3 times before lunch.

Is this typical. Does exercising increase your need to eat?

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

It certainly does increase appetite and its normal soundsas if you are really working out.

Thats to be expected you probably would find you drink plenty of water too.It should if you are losing a lot of fluid through the skin, the food should be even tastier if you eat straight after exercise.

I am not sure if you have heard of the American Swimmer Micheal Phelps he eats for about 6 people becuase he needs that energey throughout his day if he was no doing this i would start to worry.

Same with you and soon you will feel the difference and so will all those around you will too.

Answer 2

As you exercise more, you train your body to use more calories.  Also, as you exercise more, you put more muscle on you, which also burns calories much better.

So, as you exercise more, you will need to upgrade your eating depending upon how much your body needs.

I've always eaten tons of junk in my 50+ years on this earth.  My whole life has been almost nothing but Pepsi and choc donuts, and I'm not kidding by much.  But now, I'm eating much better and hardly eat any sweets.  

But the weird thing is, if I go out and eat a very good steak dinner, I'd expect all that protein to last me a long time, but my body craves the good food and nutrition, and I actually get hungry sooner than expected.  I actually have to have something before my reg meal.

So as you eat better foods, your body will want to use that good food, too.  And since you're exercising, that's probably what your body is telling you, that you're not giving it enough nutrition of what it needs to keep up with your increased exercise.

My mothers father was an old farmer in the early 1900's, and ate a huge breakfast of pancakes, bacon, sausage, etc, stuff that nowadays would probably kill us.  And coming in for lunch, he ate much of the same huge meals.  But that's because he was working so much his body used all that energy!!  He was a 6 ft tall stocky Swede, and lived to be 91 yrs old!!!  So it's how much you do with what you eat that makes the difference.

You might consider adding some protein to your snacks.  I really enjoy using yogurt for snacks myself, but sometimes add a peanut butter sandwich to give the snack some "strength".

Good luck on your exercise.  Hope you find what you need to keep going.

Answer 3

Indirectly... eat small dinners, you'll burn off lunch & breakfast.

Answer 4

It could be that your body is trying to figure things out.  Seeing as you have recently changed your exercise habits, give your body a few weeks to sort it out.

BUT! Don't give in to eating anymore than every 2-3 hours or you will risk putting those calories back into fat storage.  Resist!

Whole grain products fill you up best and add some protein, that will help a great deal as well.  

Al

http://phoenixbodystyling.blogspot.com/

Answer 5

Exercise definitely increases your appetite.  It's a good thing, because it means your metabolic rate is increasing.  

Choose your foods wisely - eat balanced meals containing protein, carbs and fat, and avoid simple sugars and refined carbs, which will leave you feeling hungrier.  

Alissa

http://buzz.prevention.com/community/cat...