Please HELP!

LilChickPea

Hi everyone! I need some help. I have been counting calories and exercising for a couple of weeks now. I have lost 10lbs so far, but just joined myfitnesspal. Here is my problem: I do great during the day. A picture perfect diet. I count out everything and never overeat. However, in the evenings, late at night, I binge. I don't have any junk food in the house, so its usually healthier things, but generally carbs. My mom and I think its psychological. It's almost like I'm having an out of body experience when I'm binge eating. Anyone else do this? If you have and were able to stop, could you give me some ideas of how to quit myself?

Thanks,
Amanda

froglegjack

Hi Amanda,
I like to eat in the evening too. I usually try to have enough calories left to do so. I like Popcorn it is a great healthy snack. But I like other ones too. I recently tried Blue Bunny fudgecicles, no sugar added and for 35 calories it solves the I must have chocolate thing. It may be psychological...maybe we feel denied something by eating right. Do enough exercise so that you can have those healthy snacks...Good luck on your weightloss goals

crysmiss86

Yeah, I used to do that all the time. For me, the shame of knowing I ate all that eventually made me stop. Another thing I tried to do was set aside calories for the end of the day. And then stick to them (will power, something I didn't have) I also think about how hard I would have to work to work those calories off. For me, it was just realizing how much I was eating and how I felt after it. It could be psychological. But, if anything I have learned through this process, is that you learn from your mistakes. Good luck.

hotmaybride

I know exactly what you are talking about. But mine is weekends. I have all my meals planned and counted during workweek and exercise like clockwork. But then friday night, saturday and sunday and just don't care and overeat and ruin entire week.

hotmaybride

I know exactly what you are talking about. But mine is weekends. I have all my meals planned and counted during workweek and exercise like clockwork. But then friday night, saturday and sunday and just don't care and overeat and ruin entire week.

sue26

Yeah I agree with saving calories. If you know you can have the snacks in the evening it makes them less desirable cos they arent off limits.

KoolkatLOL

I use to have the same problem. It actually got to the point where my own Mom blocked the kitchen when I was going in there, even if it was for a drink of water. What I did was I kept myself busy so my mind was off the food. I text friends, watch an interesting movie, read a book, and always have a glass of water beside me. For you though, try to find something to tell yourself before you go into the kitchen. This could be as simple as 'What am I doing?'. Anything to overpower your thoughts of binge eating. I know it is hard to stop, but sometimes, your mind can overpower your body and you can pull away from that fridge door. If you can't and the binge eating continues, I say you should talk to someone, a doctor or health specialist, so they can help you find healthier solutions for the midnight munchies.

lnosgood

I have the same problem. Only way i found to keep me from eating at night is to keep busy doing something. Playing on the computer or working in the yard or reading a book. Something to keep my mind occupied so i'm not eating.

linnachel

Happens to me ALL the time. Try a protein-laden snack after dinner like yogurt or cottage cheese and big glass of water. Often times thirst mimicks hunger. Another thing I've been doing lately is drinking decaf green tea at night with splenda. When I feel the hunger pangs, boredom or sweet tooth, I make a cup of tea. If green tea isn't your thing, try a fruity decaf tea with splenda. The sweetener takes care of my sugar craving and the fluid usually calms the growling belly. LOL. Strawberries and sugar free cool whip are a nice low-cal treat too!

mammado11

I try to save my calories/carbs for evening snacking too! Like some else said, popcorn is a great snack, with little calories and carbs. Or how about sugarfree jell-o or popsicles, I haven't looked up the count yet but Im sure the calorie intake is pretty low!

LilChickPea

Thank you all so much for the ideas. I'm going to give it a try and see if I can stop this late night eating. :noway:

guppygirl322

Oh it's awful isn't it???? I have the SAME problem. I've tried saving my calories for the end of the day, I've tried drinking water or tea. NOTHING seems to work for me, other than just keeping my mouth SHUT. I find it much easier to not eat, if I just don't start at all. That isn't to say I don't blow it, because I do, sometimes as many as 3 times a week. It's especially hard for me now, because I've just hit a plateau and keep gaining and losing the same two pounds. It's sooooo frustrating. This is a great topic though, I'd love to hear what other people think as well. Sometimes I find if I can keep my hands busy (knitting, sewing, etc) that it can help. Honestly, it's a compulsion. Certainly not because I'm hungry. It's a horrible habit that I just have to break. I'm sure it will get easier as time goes on. At least I'm hoping it will!

lileungwai

Try to eat more varieties of good snacks, like fruit (berries, grapes, kiwi, cherry tomato etc), dried mixed fruit, low fat yoghurt, skimmed milk, dark chocolate, tea and plain coffee etc. Don't forget to take plenty of water before snacks. Check the nutrition information and eat the right portion. Enjoy your eating with better choice.

megabux

After I put my kids to bed (around 7:30-8pm) was my prime pig out time, now after they are all settled in, I do a workout DVD, hit my treadmill or do some weight training, sweating leads to a shower, after the shower I have one snack (if I need it, usually I don't want one by then) then immediately brush my teeth so I won't be tempted to eat anything else, that way, when the body is ready for sleep, my mind goes right along with it!

LilChickPea

Oh it's awful isn't it???? I have the SAME problem. I've tried saving my calories for the end of the day, I've tried drinking water or tea. NOTHING seems to work for me, other than just keeping my mouth SHUT. I find it much easier to not eat, if I just don't start at all. That isn't to say I don't blow it, because I do, sometimes as many as 3 times a week. It's especially hard for me now, because I've just hit a plateau and keep gaining and losing the same two pounds. It's sooooo frustrating. This is a great topic though, I'd love to hear what other people think as well. Sometimes I find if I can keep my hands busy (knitting, sewing, etc) that it can help. Honestly, it's a compulsion. Certainly not because I'm hungry. It's a horrible habit that I just have to break. I'm sure it will get easier as time goes on. At least I'm hoping it will!

Great idea! Maybe I'll start Crocheting again I wasn't hungry last night, but I knew I needed to eat more calories. Of course once i started eating it didn't stop. I should have never opened my mouth. Good Idea!

granitchip

Yeeessss. I try and eat dinner later and just go to bed before I can eat anything else.

Mtsidad

We all have different ways to make it through the night - so to speak. What works for me is saving some calories for the end of the day, and then being busy, and drinking water, and finding other ways to "reward" myself other than eating. I'm *not* saying I have a perfect solution, but it works pretty good for me.

Plus I obsessively check MFP to keep myself motivated.