Are you just noticing how famished you feel on rest days?
There are physical and psychological reasons behind this phenomenon.
But the next day, your rest day?
Photo: Evgenija Lanz / EyeEm / Getty Images.
You’re suddenly ravenous.
The same goes when you’ve just started working out and you’re always hungry.
So, does working out make you hungry?
Is it all in your head, or is something else going on?
Turns out, it’s a mix of both according to sports nutritionists.
As it turns out, there are quite a few physiological factors that could be at play.
When you exercise, you create anenergy deficit.
If you’re not eating more to replace that deficit, it’s only natural to feel hungry.
But why on rest days, and not right after the workout?
And voila, rest-day cravings.
High-intensity exercise can suppress your appetite.
Eventually, this effect wears off, and you start to feel hungry again.
(So if you work out in the evening, hunger may set in the next day.)
You may not be eating enough before and after workouts.
Just started working out and always hungry?
You’re focused on strength training.
Some types of exercise can make you feel hungrier than others.
For example:
You may feel more inspired to eat well after working out.
(But you won’t “ruin” your progress if you satisfy your cravings in moderation.)
You feel like you’ve “earned it.”
Fuel your workouts properly.
And if you’re not eating enough protein or fat, you may never feel satiated.
(Need a little extra help here?
These arethe best pre- and post-workout snacks for every workout.)
Be sure you’re hydrated.
“You should also be sure to get adequate fluids (especially water) throughout the day.
(Here are afew other sneaky signs that you may be dehydrated.)
Gauge how hungry youreallyare.
Not to mention,restricting your diet basically sets you up for failure.
Distract yourself.
“Sometimes we just ‘feel hungry’ on non-training days because we are bored,” she says.
