Is it obsessing?

sissy685

Hello all my MFP friends! I am thinking about trying something new and putting my eating on a schedule. Does anyone do this? I feel like it may be obsessing on food but I also think that it might prevent me from over eating and grazing. Breakfast at 8, morning snack at 10, lunch at 1230 (cant help that one cause of work), afternoon snack around 3 and dinner around 730? Any suggestions or comments are more than welcome

sm1zzle

Many people do that. I would not say its obsessing at all.

MrsPixelbark

Whilst not as strict as yours, when I'm at college I find I have strict eating times and it does help keep me a bit more in line. It's regimented by classes, but if I know I'm going to eat at X time it does mentally prepare me a bit more to spread food over a day. Now I'm currently off on holiday I either find that I have started old habits of wandering down to the kitchen with the intent to graze if I don't keep myself busy: I've tried to stick to my same college times or have a larger brunch to get myself through a day where I'm not very busy.

If you think it will help you, then I say go for it. It certainly makes things a bit easier, and if you find your obsessing then you can stop at any point.

lwagnitz

I don't have a schedule, but I know A LOT of people who do. If it works for you then go for it. I don't see how it would be obsessive.

JessyJ03

I don't do this but my hubby has had a LOT of success doing this. He's down 150 lbs. He would eat 3 meals per day (he's not a snacker) and eat every 5 hrs.

If you can stick to your time schedule then I say go for it!

Tilran

While many do this...I'd be careful about how exact you make it. Work days are completly different then weekends....so while yes, I always have my breakfast, snacks and lunch roughly around the same time M-F....Saturday and Sunday are not even close to the same schedule.


So while its a good idea to plan out your day, be careful you dont get depressed or give up if you mess up

kristen6022

During the work week I eat at planned times (7am breakfast, 10am snack, 12pm lunch, 2pm snack, 5pm dinner, 7:30 snack). I avoid getting hungry this way, because when I get HUNGRY I eat whatever. Weekends I'm more relaxed, depends on what's on my schedule for the day.

cmriverside

Your body likes being on a feeding routine, whatever works for you is a good plan.

*edit, must learn to type....

orangekeeper

^^^ Agreed, I wouldn't call that obsessing either.

If you can get yourself into a routine I would think it would make it easier to stick to your eating habits....

brevislux

Totally normal.

amber1533

I don't think it's obsessive, I eat every 2 1/2 hours until my dinner (which is my largest meal) I don't have a schedule because my days are always alittle different (SAHM and my husbands driver lol)

You have to do whats best for you and not worry if its obsessive unless you start being unhealthy with it.

lizziebeth1028

Hello all my MFP friends! I am thinking about trying something new and putting my eating on a schedule. Does anyone do this? I feel like it may be obsessing on food but I also think that it might prevent me from over eating and grazing. Breakfast at 8, morning snack at 10, lunch at 1230 (cant help that one cause of work), afternoon snack around 3 and dinner around 730? Any suggestions or comments are more than welcome

Although I generally eat at the same times everyday, it's not carved in stone. To rigid of a regime would cause me major stress :grumble:

bcattoes

If it helps keep you on track, then do it.

Deipneus

I eat on a schedule. I can't eat when I feel like eating because I always feel like eating.

dantrick

I eat every 3 Hours. This way my body can make the most out of the nutrients it is given. less waist and I'm not hungry (i am always eating).

mamasmaltz3

Nope. Do what works.

verptwerp

Can't hurt to try, right ?

I figure most people have a routine of some sort .......

I eat breakfast by 8 a.m. ......... lunch between 1 & 2 ....... dinner around 8:30 after work & gym ........ with small snacks inbetween ..... lost 45 lbs doing that ......

Best of luck to you !

MystikPixie

I don't consider it obsessing. I do it too. I even created a chart that I tack onto my fridge to make sure I follow it, and have my phone remind me when it's time to eat just in case I miss the chart.

sissy685

Thanks everyone! All of your comments have been really helpful!

KenosFeoh

No harm in trying this. I did it for awhile. The down side is that I started anticipating mealtimes an hour before. For example, lunch was at 11:00, and I'd start thinking about lunch around 10:00. The up side is that I think it was good for me to develop the self-control to wait for meal-time.

Then I totally derailed.

Now I'm trying something different.

BarackMeLikeAHurricane

I do so ething similar. I do 20/4 IF so I eat all of my food between 7pm and 11pm. It works for me. It's easier for me to pass up food if I know I'm not allowed to eat until a certain time.

Onesnap

I do this every day and I've always been a healthy weight!

sugarxmexsweet

I think its good to have a food schedul then you know when you're gonna eat, may be know what you;re going to eat and you wont over eat

xxcooneyxx

I used to do that. It's a good idea I think. How I did it though, I would eat when I was hungry, and then after I ate I would make sure not to eat again for three hours. So instead of having a set time, I would just only eat when I was hungry but not before 3 hours had passed since the last time I ate.

rmhand

A schedule works for me, especially with my work day. I do listen to my body and if I'm honestly not hungry then I wait until I am hungry.

MellyGibson

I do this as well - during the week. On weekends I'm just not as hungry, so I do it a bit differently.

9:00 - Breakfast
10:30 - Pre-workout snack
12:15 - Post workout snack
1:30 - Lunch
3:30 - Afternoon snack
6:30 or 7:30 - Dinner (I teach fitness classes from 5:30 - 6:30 3 days/week, so after showering and getting home, 7:30 is the EARLIEST I can eat on those days)
9:30 - Protein shake

I don't think it's obsessive....for me it's just the way it's worked out!

BIRDIEBL8

Being pre-diabetic I eat on schedule. It keeps my blood suger from yoyoing. Can't see why it wouldn't work for anyone else if since it's a healthy way to eat, if your lifestyle permits it.