I am trying to eat less because I want to drop 5lbs and it's just the first day but it is affecting my mood... what to do?

Question

So I am the heaviest I have ever been which is 114.4lbs and I'm used to being between 100-110lbs. All of these weights are healthy weights for my height which is 5'1 so what I am doing is healthy. I am still eating all my meals I am just trying to go from 4 slices of lasagna to like 2 slices. So today I have started trying to eat less and I'm just experiencing depressed and angry feelings. I am hungry and I want to eat oreos and have hot chocolate and I know I shouldn't but denying myself these things is just really pissing me off. Anyone have any tips?

Kiwedin · Accepted Answer

You're feeling this way because you're depriving your brain of the fuel it requires. Every single cell in the human body (including the ones in your brain) runs on glucose, which is most available to us in whole, plant foods or carbohydrates to be more specific. When you eat less, you're no doubt eating less calories (energy), less nutrients, and are therefore not giving your brain enough fuel which will inhibit its efficiency. As human beings, we are hardwired to look for food when we aren't getting enough energy, it's a survival mechanism. This is why you're craving so many sugary sweets; you're brain is desperate for some glucose.
That being said, being healthy is not about eating less (this is actually detrimental as I'll explain), it's about providing our bodies and our brains with enough fuel it needs to thrive. This means eating enough calories and being sure to get them from clean, healthy sources, like fruits, vegetable, nuts, seeds, and legumes.
When we restrict our calories, we disrupt our endocrine system which can throw off our hormonal balances (this could be why you're feeling angry and depressed) and causes metabolic dysfunction, which can make losing weight in the future to be much more difficult. This explains the pattern you see in women who diet and then gain all the weight back plus more once they continue eating normally again. It's a cycle that continues the more and more you put yourself into a state of starvation, which according to the World Health Organization is anything below 2000 calories for the average adult (though you are quite short). Healthy bodies do not hold on to excess adipose tissue (fat) when one is consuming a species specific diet and who's metabolism is functioning correctly. My point is, don't fall into the trap of calorie restriction, it's not sustainable. Just make some lifestyle changes, eat a whole foods plant based diet, get daily exercise, consume enough water, and weight management will be effortless.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

When you get depressed and tired from your weight loss regime, it's a sign you're not doing it healthily. Instead of eating less, try replacing your food with healthier alternatives. Boiled instead of baked, whole grains instead of white bread or rice (whole grain pasta exists), fruits and vegetables instead of any snacks and the only thing you'll drink is water. If you eat the right things it's hard to eat too much even when you're trying.

Oh and work out. Find something you love doing instead of boring cardio. I like skating and dancing for example and I don't mind taking the bike everywhere instead of the bus or car.

BeerFarts · Accepted Answer

It's normal to feel that way. Your body is going through a withdrawal so you'll be tested. I know it's hard, but just tough it out. Find substitutes for those Oreos and hot chocolate - it will get better over time.

Waffles731 · Accepted Answer

It sucks but you gotta power through it. I know exactly how that feels. Try to distract yourself. Netflix helps for me

SirenDep · Answer

you change the way you think. Instead of thinking 'I want to eat this, but I can't', think 'I can eat this, but I don't want to'. And generally try to make the healthiest choices possible in each case.

cpzpbx3 · Answer

Don't deny yourself things. Just eat what you want, but more slowly. Try to take as long as possible to eat a meal, and you'll end up eating less without even really noticing.

rgb008 · Answer

Eating less isn't gonna really get you anywhere. You will end up binging later and feeling worse, trust me, been there done that. Are you exercising too?

Southern_Shorty · Answer

Why not just add more vegetables? Instead of noodles, use zucchini for the lasagna.

Anonymous · Answer

It's better to eat healthy than to eat nothing at all. Your body needs energy (by sleeping well and eating healthy).

Mustachekitteh · Answer

Watch something that is really happy, like silly anime. :D

apple24 · Answer

Same I am so hungry for junk food I am going to walk all the way to big lots and pick up some snacks!

Polocrew · Answer

You only wanna drop 5 pounds? U could just up the cardio lol

skeptic007 · Answer

hun you are getting older that's normal

ShayanMortazavi1 · Answer

Well good luck with that

I am trying to eat less because I want to drop 5lbs and it's just the first day but it is affecting my mood... what to do?

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