Hunger cramps at maintenance

[Mister Sandman]

Hello to all

I have finally pretty much reached my desired goals. I weigh now 178lbs with about 8% bf (or close), at 5'9" am happy with the way I look for a 50 year old. Yes I am not a 200 pounder but more lean mass for my height would make me look too stocky, so I would like to maintain my leanness and overall weight.

I am eating at just about maintenance, between 2,400 and 2,600 calories.

While I used to have a 6 day split, I decided to reduce to 3 days of intense full body and 2 days of HIIT and low intensity cardio, mainly to keep in shape for upcoming Spartan races.

My nutrition is broken into 3 meals. Breakfast about 730 calories, lunch 780, dinner 1,100 all around 40%P/20%F/40%C

So here comes the question: I am STARVING all the time! I wake up at night with hunger cramps. Can't wait for morning to get up and have my breakfast.

My weight is stable, fluctuating minimally, so calories should be correct. I am addicted to caffeine and probably drink way too many coffees, 12-14 cups a day...

I also drink between 1-1/2 and 2 gallons of water a day, of which almost 3/4 of a gallon around dinner time to fill me up or else I would just keep on eating!

What is going on? Could it be the caffeine?

 

[Tmisatix]

Ever thought about giving intermittent fasting a run? A higher protein, mod-high fat and lower carb approach may help, as well

 

[Geterdun]

What about adding a meal? Split that last 1100 cals up and add in a meal.

 

[Tmisatix]

What about adding a meal? Split that last 1100 cals up and add in a meal.

This could help too. Maybe s huge meal is dropping your blood at a similar time of going to bed.

 

[technik]

Adding a meal may help. I personally feel like smaller meals just "tease" me all day long but different strokes for different folks.

Could it be possible that 8% is just too low to maintain indefinitely? I really don't know, just thinking out loud

 

[Geterdun]

I'm not sure staying at 8% indefinitely would help the situation, but I'm not sure it would continue to stay at 8% over time either. I would think after time, body changes, might require more, or less to stay at your goal.

 

[ruckin]

You are 8% body fat. That is not healthy. Especially at your age. Any medical doctor will tell you that... You can't maintain an unhealthily (is that even a word? Lol) low bf level AND be satiated all the time. Especially at your age where your metabolism is slower than if you were younger. You need to pick one or the other.

 

[Geterdun]

I think "unhealthy" would be correct lol