> I know it doesn't make sense, so how can it hurt and feel so good at the same time?

Sometimes habits give us a high just like a drug that feels good but is bad in the long run.

I'm skeptical about starving oneself. The body needs nutrients, especially when rebuilding.

I think it's easy to gain weight when the body is stressed or when there is no intensity to boost the metabolism.

When I'm overly hungry, I like to drink water and eat good nutrients. When food is judged by a standard of nutrients preferred over simple fuel (calories) then I find my body simply works better in many ways. I stress "simple," because the criterion of "Is this nutritious rather than fuel-rich" is a simple one.