How do I deal with the hunger and cravings?

Well - there's several ways to answer this.

Sometimes when you THINK you're hungry - reach for water. Most likely your body is dehydrated and you're not really hungry. I've done it myself - and it does work. So that's my first recommendation. Make sure you're getting your recommended amount of water a day: 3 liters (13 cups) for men; 2.2 liters (9 cups) for women.

However. Sometimes it doesn't work. You reach for water and you are STILL hungry. I have food with me 24/7. Almost. Snacks are an important part of your day. They tied you over until your next meal and they help you to not overeat. Stick with the safe snacks, of course: fruits, vegetables, AND snacks that are packed with protein. I've gotten into the habit of checking labels for the amount of protein in them.

Never starve yourself. Ever. That's your body sending you a message. If you do decide to starve yourself - the next time you sit down to eat - there's a good chance you'll overeat like mad.

And finally - if you're hungry around bed time - it's better that you just go to sleep instead of scrounging for something to eat. Or have a quick glass of milk and/or a smart snack. When I sometimes find myself searching the cabinets for something to eat at night...I stop and ask myself: "am I really hungry?" the answer is usually a big fat no.

Hope I've helped.

After spine surgery I gained 60 plus lbs. From family being nice and giving me all the things I wanted. From the surgery I could not exercise and walking was a chore. So with spine damage and no chance at exercise I remembered what my high school coach told me.

“It calorie in and calorie burned” The way to burn weight is burn more than you take in. If you do this you will loose weight. So I counted calories and I nearly starved.

I started reading the diets out there. Atkins and south beach. Tried Atkins and lost weight. After loosing several lbs I shared the diet with friends and it worked for them as well. One fellow went from size 48 to 38 pants, stopped taking BP medication and stopped taking diabetes medication. Ate eggs and bacon for breakfast and life was good. I just had trouble holding to the diet. In time I gained the weight back. After the yo-yo dieting and radical eating soups and such, I started to do the common sense diet.

I found something that works and I plan to write a book on it. In the mean time I am will to share this much. The more your bowels work the better you will feel. Turn your diet into a high fiber diet and the more you eat the more you will loose. I find that “Total” raisin Bran will speed your digestion. So eat two or three bowel per day. Salads of fresh veggies will help as well. Yes, use dressing of some type and you need fats. Whole milk, (have documentation to prove it). And Metamucil in the mornin and after noon will help clean your bowels and keep you going. In time you will be able ot eat most any thing you like (as long as it makes you poop) and eat all you like. Things like steak with fat and good cuts of meat. Stay away from burgers and processed foods. Chicken meat and good cuts of pork are OK.

If you snack at night eat the Raisin bran and it will move you in the morning. No white bread, high grain breads are OK.

You need to eat 5 or 6 times per day. From early morning on. Eat small meals and in the am add fresh fruits.

I promise you will loose weight and in time start feeling much better. I have given this info to many people and all have lost weight,. None have had medical problems from it.

I wish you the best.

Simple. Reward yourself, I don't know a lot of people who workout 2 times a week let alone 5. So when your hungry...eat. It doesn't have to be a steak dinner but try like a little nutritious bar things. I forgot what they are called but they are supposedly good for you.

Try eating a peice of fruit? Or read a book, listen to some music and take it easy!!!!

I take 5htp for insomnia and I have noticed it works well as an appetite suppressant. just make sure you don't deprive yourself though! Maybe you should be eating more proteins

drink water every time u feel hungry or craving anything. until ur full!