I'm still hungry!

One of the advertising promises of NutriSystem is that since all the scientific work is done for you, you can re-learn how to eat right without getting hungry.

Uh, I'm starving twice during the day!

Mornings I'm not too bad until 10ish.  I eat my breakfast item, and drink my protein shake, then I'm supposed to have a PowerFuel (protein) mid-morning.  I'm sorry, but 2 tablespoons of sunflower seeds is just not cutting it.  By lunch, my stomach is rumbling so bad my high school students can hear it!

Afternoons are the same.  Even if I eat a gigantic salad (3-4 veggie count) along with my lunch item, by 3 pm my stomach is making noises that should be recorded for a horror film.  

Both time frames are the worst for me cheating.  And I have.  Those cheats contributed to me actually gaining a half pound the first week.  Grrrrr.  (I think the rest of it was not enough water each day.) 

Ideally, if I stick to the plan like glue, I'm taking in 1200 calories.  But on a normal day with the workout I do for martial arts, I'm wondering if I shouldn't take in 1500.  Then if I do any yard work, extra walking, yoga, etc, I'm not exactly sure how much more I should take in.  I know I still have to create a deficit in caloric intake, but I'm beginning to think I'm not getting enough.

I also am beginning to think I need to flip-flop the lunch and dinner item.  I usually want to eat more at lunch and hardly anything at dinner (after I work out).  That's just how my body works.  Maybe then I'll get the calories I need at the time of day my body needs them and at least stop the mid-afternoon hunger monster.

Today, I tripled my PowerFuel at mid-morning.  I had 1 string cheese, 2 Tbsp sunflower seeds, and 1 Tbsp of peanut butter.  That really helped.
 
Even with the frustrations, I'm really liking the overall approach.  The first time I poured a NutriSystem granola packet into my bowl, then added only 4 ounces of milk, I was seriously shocked.  It was so tiny!  I would have filled my bowl to overflowing on my own!  So, they are right -- I am re-learning portion control and that I don't have to eat until I'm stuffed every time.  It's going to take awhile to retrain my brain, but I'm starting to get it.