Night Eating

Night Eating is one of my biggest down falls.  I'm sitting here afraid to get off the computer, because as long as my fingers are going I don't eat.  When I stop and star****ching TV, I normally totally blow a good day.  I'm determined not to do it tonight.  I'll have another protein drink and that will do it.

But who knows about tomorrow?  Please don't tell me to give up TV, that just not going to happen.  Does any one have any tricks that work for them?

Michele

Michele,
I know the feeling... this is the time of night that everything is quiet and relaxed and when my cravings are more likely to get the best of me... What I have found is that if I give in a little (planned in advance) and have 1/2 cup of dry cereal (that i can eat peice by peice it helps to curb the craving and the need to be doing something with my hands... and its a bit of a carb boost that my body needs to be able to sleep (its weird i know...) as well as this is the time that i exercise (while i watch tv...something i am never giving up either...) ... also maybe try blogging or journaling about your daily thoughts during the time that you are most vonerable to caving into cravings...



Stef

I'm in the same boat!!  I even get up in the middle of the night and eat something.  I'm at a loss as to how to change this behavior - any suggestions are appreciated!!

What is it about night time that makes us want to eat?  I don't have any problem with food control any other time of day, but as soon as the sun goes down, anything is fair game.  Sometimes I exercise control, sometimes I give in a little, and sometimes I let the munchie monster take over. 
There are a few things that seem to help me take my mind off of the head hunger, if I have the willpower to do them:

1)  Grab a piece of bubble-gum.  (I know that some people can't/don't chew gum)

2)  Drink lots of water, Sobe Lean, hot tea, SF hot-chocolate or whatever I have on hand

3)  Look for support on OH

4)  Call a friend to distract myself

5)  Allow myself a very small portion of whatever it is I think I have to have (not always the best idea depending on what it is)

6)  Take a long bath or shower and focus on relaxing rather than eating

7)  Try to convince myself that a HEALTHY treat will satisfy me

There is no magic answer.  I know that when I want to eat at night, it's usually head-hunger and not real.  It doesn't have anything to do with whether or not I love myself or not (sorry Oprah), or emotional eating, and I don't think it's a physical thing.  It might be habit, it might be boredom - I'm not sure. 

I'm always open to new tricks or ideas to try too!

The dreaded night time munchies!  The best thing that I can do for myself is acknowledge the craving.  If I'm truly needing some food, I try to minimize the damage by finding something (not totatally void of nutrition) that will satisfy the craving.  Sometimes, I acknowledge the craving as just a craving because of boredom/etc. and tell myself to leave the kitchen.  If it doesn't work, it is because I consciously made the choice.

My therapist told me to set up a spot in my kitchen for healthy snacks.  That is the only place I can go when craving****  (I have yet to do this, but it sounds like a good idea.)  Basically, be prepared with healthy options.

I am right there with you all. I get off work at 11:00 at night and I am hungry when I get home. It is easy for me to eat the wrong things when I get home. Luckily I can eat when I am still at work, so I plan a snack at abotu 9:00-9:30. THen it is not so hard when I get home. I settle for a diet drink of some sort when I get home. I find that when I am craving something sweet SF hot chocolate does the trick. I have to keep my hands busy and something in them at all times to be successful.

Dottie

Hi Michele and everyone on this thread,

I'm a huge night time eater.  It has always been a challenging time for me.  One of the things that helps me is what I'm doing right now......posting on the message boards and especially with all of you on BOTT.  It helps me to remember my commitment to myself to BOTT. 

I think night time eating is similar to having a drink when you get home or after dinner to "wind down."  I'm with all of you about the t.v.  It is one of the ways that I relax but I have to be very cautious because if there isn't anything that interests me, boredom sets in and I really struggle with the night time eating.

I plan for a snack later in the day which helps.  I make sure that I find shows that interest me and I'm not sitting there with the t.v. for noise.  Probably the best things I've done is to consider the kitchen "CLOSED" after a certain time.  Restaurants close the kitchen so I do too. 

I take a shower/bath or I also brush my teeth.  Brushing my teeth helps a lot.

I also hang out on OH and now our BOTT for added inspiration and motivation.  For me, it helps tons to be able to have BOTT.  

I hope this helps.

Cathy