Always hungry!

Ok so I am 21 months out and reached goal many months ago and have been a steady weight now since Feb but lately (the last month or so) I seem to be HUNGRY every 3 hours on the dot! It doesnt take much to fill me up but I dont want just a snack, I want a MEAL...its driving me crazy! Is this because my matabolism is in high gear or have a stretched my pouch too much now??
When I keep track of how much I eat it really isnt that much, it just seems like its constant...I eat breakfast then 1-2 hours later I have a little snack then 2 hours later or so I'm eating lunch then another snack...dinner and usually a snack again before bed. I honestly wouldnt mind putting a few pounds back on because I feel like I dropped too low and my doc actually had me increase my protein to try to stop losing, but I dont want to fall back in to bad over eating habits and gain too much.
Anyone else going through this or been through this? Any advice??

I will get hungry in the middle of the night...broken sleep pattern.  I will fill up with chicken salad.  Almost like what we would do when we were dieting.  I sometimes will try and fill up (the pouch) with boring vegetables.  It gives me that full feeling.  I usually am never hungry...just looking for that full feeling that creates that comfort zone we look for.  I get in all my protein and eat a ballanced diet (cheat sometimes).  But the veggies aid in that feeling.  Brian  PS  Sometimes extra water will help...other times it won't.  Also salt or potassium rich foods may help.

Honey...I think of food all the time...LOL

I eat about 300 cal every 3 hours but keep in mind that I exercise a whole lot and do drink lots of water.  There's no way I can have 3 small meals a day.  I would recommend you eat small meals throughout the day and incorporate exercise.  Have a discussion with your surgeon and see what he thinks?

Good luck!

Gus,

I was told three meals no snacking, but I struggle a lot with this. I do have a lot of head hunger, but sometimes it's physical hunger, especially when I am exercising a lot.  I definitely  can't allow myself to do mindless munching, but around 3 pm, I am jonsin' for a snack and around bed time, I want to eat something, but I am so afraid of screwing up my opportunity to lose weight. 

I think I'll shoot my nutritionist an email.  Did your nutritionist or doctor sign off on you eating every few hours?

MsBlues

My surgery center advises to only eat 3 meals per day....That's a joke.

I read whole lot of Men's Health magazines and I do workout a whole lot and include heavy weights.  There's no way I can survive with the amount of exercise I do if I eat 3 small meals.....  Therefore, I eat about 250-300 calories every 3 hours.  To keep my metabolism working, my last little meal at night is half a piece of wheat bread with 1/2 tbl spoon of peanut butter.  That'll provide my metabolism to keep moving for the next 7-8 hours while I sleep and keep burning calories.

Since you just had surgery, take advantage of the first year because the honeymoon will be over!  Good luck

Some great advise from two handsome gentleman!  Take heed on what they are saying, I bet it helps.

Good luck, Diane

Thanks for the advice guys! I have gone back to the gym but have been told to do very little cardio because for a while I kept dropping pounds and we were trying to get that to stop, but I think with my increased appetite maybe it will even out now.

Does anyone else have a hard time with raw veggies? Even at almost 2 years out and no matter how well I chew, my tummy just doesnt like to digest them. I dont want to much just on crackers, anyone have good desk/work munching tips and ideas? 

Thanks again everyone and I must say I'm glad to feel like I can come back to the board and post my questions and get feedback...it wasnt feeling very welcoming for a while!

I still haven't hit my goal but not bothered by this fact because I feel good and look healthy. And I am older (I am sure) than you but I eat 4-5 meals a day sometimes 6 if I feel like I am starving. You and I have the same Dr and I know Diane and the nut would say it is OK to eat 4-5 small meals a day. But I would ask .Meals of protein and complexed carbs totaling about 300+ if you are at goal it could even be higher to maintain your goal weight. This is not only easy to do but a healthier way to live than 3 meals a day. My favorite protein/carb snack is peanut butter and apple or apple and cheese my second it cottage cheese and whatever fruit I have on hand or with salsa if I am craving spicy.
Good Luck Hon.

HUGS
JOY

Forgot...Wanted to add one other thing that helps with my hunger pains.  Healthy Choice Lemon Pepper Fish dinner.  With the broccoli and the rice pilaf, it helps to give me that full feeling...also alot of good protein (plus fish is healthy for the heart).  You don't have to eal alot of the rice...but it expands in the pouch for that full feeling.  Brian  PS they can be expensive...but I have found them a cheap as $2.50.  My wife and I will stock up when they are own sale.  I will take a day or two to finish one.