Day 8: Why Are We SO Hungry?

Hello wonderful readers!

Before I begin on today's reflection of my Weight Watchers meeting, I'd like to first share some very exciting news with you. I have successfully lost a total of 6.6 pounds on my first week to becoming fab! I am BEYOND tickled pink, to say the least :)

Now, back to the other good stuff!

Let's face it, we all have questions. Questions seem to constantly plague the human mind 24/7/365. Some of these questions are scientific, some mathematical. Some practical, some foolish. Some simple and some hard. We all ask questions. When altering your lifestyle based on the decisions to eat healthier, exercise more and improve your overall quality of life, many important questions may plague your mind. How do I get started? What's the best plan for me? What exercises burn the most calories? How much water do I need to drink daily? The questions are never-ending. In tonight's Weight Watchers meeting, our leader for the week, Karen, started off the 45 minute session with a simple question that seems to be asked by a lot of weight loss participants, but remains unanswered: why are we so hungry?

Because we're bored? Too attached to the past and a bad way of eating? Tempted too often and eat out of habit? Any other answers? Not that easy huh? My same thoughts exactly. But, once Karen began explaining the question and possible solutions, it all became clear to me. And here is what I've come up with based on the information given to me at tonight's meeting.

It's 7 a.m. and you're running late for work. Instead of sitting down at the kitchen table to enjoy a hearty bowl of oatmeal, a slice of whole wheat toast with fat-free jam and fresh fruits, you are left with the choice to drive-thru McDonalds for a quick breakfast meal. At this point, you're thinking what the heck do I order? Prior to starting your new diet, the answer would have been simple: sausage, egg and cheese McGriddle with a hashbrown and large Coca-Cola to drink. But, since calories count and obviously points do too on Weight Watchers, that decision seems to be a bit tougher to make. You could go the unhealthy route, but that's too many pounds. Instead, a better choice would be a fruit parfait or egg McMuffin. Maybe even both if you're that hungry. Not only less calories and less fat, but a more filling food, which causes you to be less hungry. That, ladies and gentlemen, is our solution.

Still confused? Let me put it this way, we're eating the WRONG foods. We're sticking to foods that tie us over for a little bit, but in the long run, make us more hungry. By choosing the sausage, egg and cheese McGriddle meal over the egg McMuffin, you're choosing to be full for the moment but hungry in a couple of hours. On Weight Watchers, an sausage, egg and cheese McGriddle meal is 15 points, excluding the hash brown, 4 points, and large Coca-Cola, which is another 4. However, if you choose the healthier alternative, you can not only eat the egg McMuffin, 8 points, but add a fruit and yogurt parfait, 4, and apple dippers, 0, and would still have points to spare. Getting the picture now?

Basically, the idea is to choose a larger amount of healthier choice foods rather than settling for a smaller serving of a more fattening food. You'll not only feel satisfied, but won't end up hungry sooner rather than later. So the next time you are hungry, think about what to eat before you actually eat.

If you have any questions, concerns or comments, please feel free to leave them below :)

~DJH