Night Eating...Help!

[2beskinny 4]

Need some help with behaviour modification. I do really well all day with my food choices. It's easy to choose well and I am enjoying the healthy choices I am making. Then night comes...I swear it's like I'm a different person and my mind throws a switch. No matter how much I try and prepare myself for it during the day, I can rationalize anything at this time of the day. It seems to happen between 9-11 pm. I have tried making myself go to bed, but I HATE to go to bed that early. I think it all stems from when my children were little (I had 3 boys in 2 years and they were all little at once!). I enjoyed the end of my day (after they were in bed) soooo much. It was my time. Now my boys are all in high school and I still want "the end of the day" for me. I have battled this problem of eating during this time before and won. I have just somehow slipped back into it and can't seem to get a grip. I know it is keeping me from losing faster. I still can't eat as much as I used to at night because of SOME restriction, however, this is just stupid behavior...plain and simple. Part of me is venting now :tt2: Last night I ate dry Cereal from a box...yuck! It didn't even taste good!:eek: Help! Tough love appreciated :) Would love to hear some ideas from some of you who battle with this problem!

[Loving everyday 0]

I battled night eating for a while. Try coming up with some activities you enjoy and do this during that time. Here are some of mine

Situps

Pushups

crunches

snuggle with my dog

read a book

bug my boyfriend

call a friend

go for a late night walk

write in a journal about your day

You just need to fill that time slot so you won't be tempted to munch. I wish you the best of luck!!

[jingleboob 5]

ME TOO. I'm TERRIBLE at night. Like you, I'm PERFECT until about 9pm, then I can't stand it. It doesn't help having dh wanting sandwiches or pizza or Snacks that late either. But I find myself rooting around looking for anything to eat. I can go from eating lunch at 11am until 6:30 for dinner and be fine, but once 9pm hits it's like I'm a starved beast. It's been the hardest for me.

[Raych 0]

I am also trying to conquer night eating. One thing I do is drink sugar free hot cocoa. It's soothing, sadly just like the food is to me. I've realized I can eat 1000 calories during the day and still eat 900 at night or eat 300 calories during the day and eat 900 at night, it's habit and comfort. I now plan for night time snacking and work it into my day if I feel like I'll really need it. With the band I truly am not as hungry during the day and realize the night snacking is also in my brain so I'll limit more what I eat during the day in order to snack at night. Lastly, I've changed what I snack like the cocoa or lower calorie Snacks. It's definitely been the hardest thing to get control of since being banded.

Hope this helps; good luck!

[MaggieB 6]

You are not alone...night snacking is the worst for me. I can control it during the day - I work for the school district and have to pack my own lunch/snacks - really don't have an opportunity to snack on other things unless I have brought them with me.

I try to make good choices for Snacks but it is very difficult. Sometimes I just have brush my teeth and go to bed early.

[JMinDallas 1]

I was going to write almost the exact same thread!! I can eat very little during the day (Protein shake for Breakfast and Protein Bar for lunch) and then all u know you what breaks loose at dinner time into the later evening.

I've always had this problem too. I'll eat dinner (more than I should) and then I still want something else to snack on.

The hot cocoa sounds like a great idea, especially now that's it's getting colder.

[123crod 170]

I too have this problem, but I eat sugar free popsicles. I know I am really not hungry but I just want to eat. I do not sleep at night despite medication I take. I usually can't sleep until around 3:00 am or later. My husband is out at 10:00 pm Sometimes I have to get up and do a workout. I spend a lot of time working out on my Total gym sometimes 1 or 2 am. I sometime take another warm bath when I want to eat.

[vlp1968 83]

I think a warm bath is a great idea- keep you busy and relaxed. It's normal for the band to be tighter in the morning, then loosen up. I eat nuts before bed- very filling. I suggest you eat your designated amount for the day, then brush your teeth. Drinking lots of Water will help too. I think you just have to tell yourself it's not an option to eat anymore. Think of how good it feels to see that scale move and your clothes get looser. You don't want to ruin what has been a good day. Hope this helps. Good luck!

[kellyodoran 12]

Tobeskinny, I know this might sound dumb, but celery actually takes more calories to chew it than are in it.......and then dill pickles are very, very low calorie. When I really feel like snacking or grazing I have to eat those first, and I usually find they do fill me up. Maybe clean and cut the celery and keep it in salted Water in the fridge, radishes are really good that way too!

[futurelookinghealthy 0]

I also had that problem, so I went to the grocery and made sure I had plenty of low cal low carb food and I have a special drawer in my fridge that my family knows is just for me. So when I get those munchies I go to that drawer only and start pulling out sf Jello, yogurt, pepperoni stix, string cheese, celery, etc. and I'm usually okay. Good Luck

[2beskinny 4]

Thanks for all the replies LBT friends :frown: I am happy to report that I stuck to my diet ALL DAY LONG - even @ night! I also ran fives miles yesterday Today I woke up feeling proud of myself instead of guilty. One day @ a time...it's all we can do. I also purchased some sf Jello to help with the night snacking - never have liked sf popcicles, so I thought I'd go for the jello. I also bought some sf coop whip - yum. Last night was feeling pretty motivated so did not eat it yet...maybe tonight if I can't stand it!

[pixistix 1]

One idea is to have a Protein shake or some other healthy snack at 8:30pm. Maybe a Skinny Cow ice cream (if you crave sweet), or a dozen almonds (if you crave salty). Battle it with nutrition!

My danger time is the lunch hour, so I make sure to have a good snack around 10:30. That way hunger/cravings can't impair my judgment as much.

Also, though I see you're doing absolutely great so far, it sounds like you don't have proper restriction yet. For pity sakes, don't be too tough on yourself! Keep getting those fills -- it can really make all the difference in the world.