Waking up in the middle of the night starving

[TwoProngedFork]

Hello,

I am doing a mixture of intermittent fasting and exercise in a bid to try to lose 5kg. My workout routine is very simple for now, double-handed kettlebell swings for 10 mins and 30 min intervals. I also try to get in 12K steps daily - some of which I do through rebounding. I'm going through menopause and weigh 65kg. About 1.61m tall.

I tend not to feel very hungry during the day and I'm not much of a grazer. However, I am noticing that I am waking up at about 1/2 in the morning starving. It's odd as I do have a good dinner in the evening. Could this be a food group issue? My diet is not so strict per se in terms of how much carbs - I eat mostly vegetables and salads (just a preference).

Anyone experienced this?

How much protein are you eating?

Umm. Not taken a note of that. I've been focusing on carbs to fill up. Is this what happens when you don't enough protein?

If I don't eat animal protein every day I very hungry.

It's pretty simple, surely? You are not eating enough food to satiate you during the day.

I'm not a fan of IF, in reality. However if you are doing it, try adjusting your start & finish times.

Also re exercise, it doesn't sound like you are doing loads so I doubt it's that.

Focus on sufficient protein and carb intake - veg & salad won't do it. Add chicken : grains / pulses to your salad, or have wholemeal bread with your soup. That kind of thing.

My worry with cranking up the exercise is I'd be even more hungrier if I do that. I am doing 12-8 now ....as I'm used to skipping breakfast.

Can I ask what your exercise routine's like? I'm trying to just lose weight and tire myself out sufficiently so I can get a good night's sleep. The latter is more important to me.

Is it definitely hunger? I had a period where I woke up with my stomach rumbling and it was actually indigestion.

It's definitely hunger for sure.