Hunger the Best Way to Lose Weight

Hunger is the best way to lose weight. If your a chronic dieter you are probably thinking, "Is she crazy?" By understanding that hunger is natural and that food is a fuel for your body you will be learning the best way to lose weight for your body.

Never Ignore Hunger Pains
Being hungry leads to eating, because that is what is suppose to happen. Food is a fuel for your body and when you begin to realize that it is ok to eat when you are hungry you have just made a step towards being thinner. You can break the cycle of starvation and bingeing. Think about all your thin friends...Remember all the times they were eating and you were jealous, maybe even angry because they could eat and stay thin.

That's the key! They were eating. When their bodies told them they were hungry they ate. Now think of those same friends again...I bet they also made a healthy choice and didn't eat an over indulgent portion. Their bodies have never been in starvation mode and they rarely binge.

By eating when they were hungry, choosing a healthy meal, and stopping when they were satisfied they have given themselves a healthy eating lifestyle. With this healthy eating lifestyle they have learned the best way for them to lose weight is by listening to their bodies signals. Now I am not saying that you should eat whenever you think you are hungry. Are you confused? Let me explain.

Hungry or Thirsty?
Hunger pains are not always about food. Sometimes you feel hungry when your body requires water. So why do you feel hungry? The hunger pains come because we have taught our bodies that when we eat we also drink. Many overweight individuals are not in the habit of just drinking a glass of water six to eight times a day like our bodies require.

So in between meals your body begins to send hunger pains. Your body knows you will respond with food and drink. You have to begin to interpret the signals your body is sending and begin to re-train your body and your brain. When you are hungry, but you just ate an hour ago and the hunger pains begin. Your body is not saying, "I am hungry feed me.". Your body is telling you that it needs more water to process the foods you have eaten. This is especially evident after a meal that is high in sodium. Next time give your body some ice cold refreshing water instead of food and you will almost always find that the hunger pains dissipate completely. After a few weeks you will begin to find that your body naturally knows the best way to lose weight. So start working with your body not against it.

Follow these guidelines to help curb hunger pains:
1) Eat more often - Instead of three large meals a day start eating three meals and three snacks. Never skip breakfast, in fact I find that a large healthy breakfast helps curve hunger most of the morning. Try eating a bowl of cereal, some fruit, and a small portion of oatmeal.

2) Make healthier choices - Trade beef for chicken, fruits for candy, yogurt for ice cream, etc. When you are making healthier choices you actually get to eat more food. For instance, I love Kielbasa with sauerkraut and corn. Before I changed to a healthy eating lifestyle this meal was a whopping 840 calories! With a few changes I am able to enjoy the same meal for 470 calories. Just substitute a Turkey Kielbasa, calorie free butter (for the corn), and a low calorie bun. Same amount of food for nearly half the calories.

3) Drink more water - Proper food, water, and exercise. Along with food and exercise, water keeps our bodies working properly. The best way to fit in your eight glasses of water a day is to drink at least eight ounces with each or your meals and snacks. My two extra glasses of water are drunk in the morning and evening to take all my vitamins and prescriptions.

The next time you have hunger pains try drinking at least eight ounces of water and waiting twenty minutes. More often then not you will find that your body was craving water not food. Within a few weeks you will be able to recognize the difference between hunger and thirst.

By partnering the guidelines above with a calorie balanced, but not restricted, meal plan you can and will lose weight. I recommend using the Body Bugg and it's coaching system to help you easily track calories consumed against calories burned. My Body Bugg and my coach Sara at Fit God's Way have helped me lose 32 pounds and counting!