Why Am I Hungry All the Time Since I Have Been Lifting Weights?

Weightlifting will make you hungry because your body needs calories to fuel the workout and subsequent muscle growth.

By lifting weights, you are stimulating muscle growth. The growth of any bodily tissue, whether it is muscle or fat, requires energy. You are also burning more calories during your workout. Your body needs more energy, so you feel hungry.

What to Eat

Protein is essential to gaining muscle mass, but you shouldn't be getting all of your calories from protein. You should also include some carbohydrates to give you the energy you need for your workout. Legumes such as peanuts and beans are an excellent source of both protein and carbohydrates.

How Much to Eat

Increase your normal diet by 300 to 500 extra calories per day. In terms of protein, you should get between 0.6 and 1.5 grams per pound of body weight per day. Don't overdo it; extra calories beyond what is needed for muscle will be converted to fat. Your metabolism may also increase with exercise. If you're hungry, you probably aren't eating enough.

When to Eat

Eat a light, balanced meal about one or two hours before a workout. This will ensure the energy you need for the workout without slowing you down. Immediately after finishing, drink a protein shake or consume a high protein meal. Protein uptake and usage both increase during the half hour to hour immediately following a workout.

References

• AskMen: Build Muscles