Question:
HELP. I nibble on Carbs at night . Only 7 pds lost in 7 months.

I am 1yr and month post op. I have lost only 85 pds. and have lost only 7 more pounds in 7 months. Last large lost was in Oct. I snack on Carbs at night, but have begun to walk alot. I am a night snacker, always. Any advise I have to loose atleast 120pds or I will feel defeated.    — siahny B. (posted on May 28, 2003)

May 28, 2003
That night snacking thing really gets us, doesn't it? It's great that you've started walking -- adding exercise into your routine should help you feel much better (I know, I know, maybe it doesn't -- yet -- but it will if you stick with it!).<P>As to the carbs, well, you're probably right that they're a problem for your weight loss. Try finding protein snacks that you like and can get yourself to eat as substitutes, at least sometimes, instead of whatever carbs you're grabbing. Turkey jerky, tuna, cheeses (all kinds!), pepperoni, protein bars 'n shakes 'n cookies -- whatever it takes to break your carb addiction.<P>Also, do you follow the pouch rule that says no eating within thirty minutes (or more) of drinking something? If so ... try drinking something. That'll slow down your ability to eat as much, since you'll have to wait at least 30 minutes before starting up again. Good luck!
   — Suzy C.

May 28, 2003
I am a night snacker too. The way I have done it is to ensure that I get enough protein and healthy eating all day long (snacks during the day are a protein bar and fruit only). I ensure that I drink water all day long into the evening and then do exercise 3-4 days a week (45 minutes or more). After dinner, I will allow myself a few hundred calories worth of snacks, like mini choc chip cookies, popcorn, hersheys kisses, SF ice cream etc. I have built the calories into my daily portion of calories. I also weigh daily to make sure that I am not gaining and if I want to lose, then the first thing to cut is the snacks. I think you know the answer to picking up the weight loss again. You just haven't made up your mind to do what it takes to get there, and you won't lose the rest of your weight until you take matters into your own hands.. I read your profile- the night snacking is getting out of control, the exercise and water have not been kept up. Can you turn this around? Yes, if you want to. First, get the junk food out of the house-may be keep one type of snack so that you are not totally depriving yourself. Have you tried the Detour protein bars?? Tastes like candy and has the added benefit of lo carb and high protein. Next, count calories!! This is still a game of calories in = calories out. Limit yourself to no more than 1200 calories a day. Get back to your daily exercise and up the water. You can do this. Try doing one thing at a time, and when you get control of that, add the next. Sometimes it is easier that way. good luck!
   — Cindy R.

May 28, 2003
I feel your pain! Been there. Here's what I've done that seems to help - it rules out spontaneity in eating, but I think it works. I plot out each day what I'm going to eat so I don't start grazing. Like you, I eat after 7 and really love an evening snack. I find sugar-free Jello & Cool Whip to be a great treat and later if I've still got the muchies I eat popcorn. Yes, the popcorn is carbs, but as I eat a lot of protein during the day, I allow myself this. Maybe the meal-planning and snack-planning will help. Good luck!
   — scottiemaam O.

May 28, 2003
I've tried two approaches to this problem, both of which are OK. 1) Don't allow myself anything to eat after dinner, period. I've been able to sustain this for long periods, but not forever, and it's definitely hard to start. Once you're used to it the routine gets easier. 2) Plan allowable snacks. For me currently it's things like dried fruit (figs are my favorite), or s.f./f.f. pudding, or popcorn. Popcorn is probably the most frequent, and I rationalize that the fiber is good for me. I use a microwave popcorn bowl, nuke 1/4 measured cup kernels for 2.5 minutes; spray on a little pam and add salt. If you eat it a kernel at a time the bowl lasts a good long time, and has a satisfying crunch to it for relatively low calories. I haven't actually found a reference for calories in unpopped corn, but for popped it's 30 calories/cup--I guess I need to go home and measure how many cups popped are in my 1/4 cup unpopped, but I'm guessing about 6-8.
   — Celia A.

May 28, 2003
I think that's typical of our disease. Not really interested in mornings, but the appetite increases as the day goes on. I'm not brave, nor do I have much will power. I drink protein drinks before meals all day (4 meals), but at night, I'm not above drinking a protein drink every hour if it keeps me away from foods that will damage me.
   — vitalady

May 28, 2003
One snack I've found is turkey jerky. It's not the dried out stuff. I cut it up in tiny bites and slowly nibble on it. I order it from http://smartmeals.com/currentmenu.cfm in Houston, TX (but they get it from http://www.mikeskabbq.com/smokehouse.html).
   — Wanda R.

May 28, 2003
You got some really good feedback about your eating, carbs/protein, exercise, water, etc. I want to add something else. One aspect to many of us that eat at night are more emotional in nature. I would ask about your sleep. Do you have insomnia? Nightmares? What hours do you go to sleep wake up? Is there some reason that you seek comfort at night. Your choice of carbs makes me wonder if comfort is the issue. Are you self medicating to sedate yourself at night. I would wonder about past abuse history? These are some of the things you may want to explore. Feel free to email me.
   — Terry C.

May 29, 2003
I was really having a tough time at night. The first week of breaking the carbs is brutal. Try baby carrots dipped in low fat dressing, pork rinds (no carbs but they give you a carb feel) and sf popsicles( i've been known to eat a box of 12 to get me through the night) and of course you can't go wrong with beef jerky. The best advice I got came from my mother believe it or not. She suggested that everytime I felt like eating I walked around the block to get myself away from the house and tv. Many nights I walked for hours not at a break neck speed but just to keep myself busy. I've broken the carbs and my snacking has much improved. Good luck Alison Nynka 14 months po -167
   — Alison N.