Midnight Munchies.

shaunap3

For months now I haven't been able to lose any weight. If I have a good day, it's almost always followed by a midnight munch-fest. I'm a waitress that typically works the late shift so I usually get home anywhere from 10pm-2am. I just can't avoid late snacks, and have yet to figure out the correct times and the amount of food that's going to keep my body satisfied.
I guess I'm open to suggestions. I just kind of wanted to vent, since this is one of those many binge days. My calories are over by 966 today...that's almost double what I SHOULD be eating. Part of it is because I went to a wedding anniversary brunch full of pasta and booze, part of it is because I'm running on 6 hours of sleep and have zero energy for a workout, part of it is just me giving up tonight, saying the old "I'll start over tomorrow" bull****.

I suppose I'll just end my rant here.
Who else is with me?

pixiestick

The midnight munchies are the bane of my existence (or at least my healthy lifestyle efforts). I've found a few tricks that have helped me:

1) Plan ahead. That might mean having healthful snacks in the fridge or a portioned out meal waiting for you when you get home. For me, it's an apple and a cup of tea (but I am not pulling the late shift like you).

2) Start strong. Not all calories are equal. I've found that getting my day off to a strong start with a really good breakfast (high in fiber and protein) gets my whole day in balance and I'm much more successful when the munchies move in on me in the evening.

3) Find a no-calorie or low-calorie "distraction" for the munchies... make them think you're giving in. I do this with a very large cup of herbal tea (2 cals) and an apple (71 cals). If the munchies are still being a pest, I might have a piece of toast or 11 animal crackers (100 cals).

4) Chew gum. For 5 cals, it's an easy way to trick the brain into thinking that you're having a delicious snack (my favorite is watermelon).

5) Brush your teeth. I know it seems simple, but just brushing your teeth sends a message to your brain that food time is over (and usually sends the munchies retreating).

Chin up. You're definitely not alone. :flowerforyou:

little_silver_bell

You just read my status earlier but I try prelogging meals it worked good for me and drinking lots of water

pandorakick

If late night snacking is when you consume most (or just a lot) of your calories, why not save an amount specifically for that purpose? I know for me dinner is the largest meal of the day and an evening snack is very much appreciated. So I have a light lunch to make that possible.

littlemeowmaid

If I can't resist a middle of the night craving & I've used all my calories I take it off my calories the next day.
But I try and plan ahead for a few days of the week atleast.
If i'm working bar tending/waitressing and I'm going to be late I try to save enough calories for after and sometimes will just count that as my dinner instead

JustJennie13

Working nights can make it so hard to eat "normal". So I set up my diary to accomodate me. Instead of breakfast, lunch, and dinner I have meal 1, 2, and 3. When I get off of work that would be a "normal" breakfast time for the rest of the world... for me it is eating a snack right before I go to bed. I have planned my meals and snacks so that I can have my last snack 4 hours before I go to sleep (typically) around 8:00am which means I am eating at 4:00am but it stops me from grabbing a snack when I get home from work. My "breakfast" is around 3:30pm. I have to make my schedule work for me....

shaunap3

Thank you. Yea, I think I just needed to vent and regroup. If I have the right foods around and I plan out my meals I do a LOT better with the eating before, during, and after work. I need to go grocery shopping again soon so I can get some quick and EASY snacks that don't make me beat myself up.