Evenings are killing me!

I do really well during the day, but as soon as I sit down to watch some TV, I start snacking. weak weak weak! Help!
Ideas? Suggestions?

Replies

  • Yes, Skype with me and we can talk about or do a workout! I need a workout buddy / team mate.
    Jan
  • wildcatnyc
    wildcatnyc Posts: 2,410 Member
    Brush your teeth...Nothing tastes good after that.
  • rubyautumn4
    rubyautumn4 Posts: 818 Member
    Keep a bottle of water with you to sip on
    Paint your nails
    Cut up veggies to snack on
    Do jumping jacks during commercial breaks
  • savageman69
    savageman69 Posts: 339 Member
    stop eating...would you rather be fat and eat your snack or have the body you have wanted your whole life?

    second option...dont eat so much all day and eat at night
  • HappyandToned
    HappyandToned Posts: 49 Member
    Have a cup of herbal tea and chew some sugar-free gum. It works!
  • 126siany
    126siany Posts: 1,386 Member
    Are you hungry or are you snacking out of boredom or habit?

    If you're hungry, then look back at your diary. I find that if I don't eat breakfast, I want to snack in the evening. I also find that getting adequate protein also helps tremendously. MFP sets ridiculously low protein goals. I aim for about 120 grams per day. You could also plan your day to allow for a small snack.

    If it's habit, then change your routine. Even watching TV in a different room will help break the cycle. Or, don't watch TV--plan your next weeks meals, look for a new recipe, go for a walk, read, etc.
  • Zara11
    Zara11 Posts: 1,247 Member
    read a book instead! :)
  • Do you like tomatoes? I read somewhere that tomoatoes are supposed to help curb your appetite. I always try to keep cherry tomatoes in the house, especially the yellow ones as they are lower acidic ones to help with my snacking at night. So when I feel like I want a snack I will grab a bottle of water and a handful of cherry tomatoes and snack on those very slowly. It usually does the trick. You also need to keep yourself busy and make sure you are eating enough during your meal and snack times as well.
  • monLan
    monLan Posts: 2 Member
    I have the exact same problem. I have figured out that my problem is TV. I have always wanted to lose weight and knew that this was my problem but just yesterday I am back on the wagon full throttle. Anyways my idea is to get up and do something for about 10 min whenever I have the urge to snack while watching TV. If i fold laundry or organize the office or go online and check these posts...anything away from the TV will take away that desire. Unfortunately TV=FOOD these days, esp with all the images of burgers and what not. please let me know if this helps!
  • anemoneprose
    anemoneprose Posts: 1,805 Member
    Don't keep anything horribly snacky in the house, period! Even 'healthy' things like flatbread-crackery type things.

    You can only go so far if all you have to munch on are carrots and broccoli.

    ^^ my solution

    Also - maybe you're not eating enough throughout the day, if it's actual hunger driving it.
  • graceacruz
    graceacruz Posts: 17 Member
    Make sure you "save up" some calories for night time... and then also make sure you have something "good" (meaning something YOU like and and something you'll EAT) available. If you are hungry or wanting to snack and you've eaten all your calories already it's going to be mighty hard to resist. Likewise, if all you have is bean sprouts and celery, you might be tempted to reach for something bad!

    I'm keeping on hand:
    - Lots of fruit
    - Single serve (little bag) salt & pepper popcorn
    - 75% fat free Cabot cheese + low fat triscuit
    - high protein cinnamon "cookie" roll (warmed, delicious)
    - Skinny Cow Ice Cream sandwiches
    - etc!!

    Anyhow, you've just got to find what works for you! Good luck!!
  • graceacruz
    graceacruz Posts: 17 Member
    Love those cherry tomatoes someone else mentioned! This is another one of my "keep on hand" snacks! :)
  • Try celery and peanut butter

    CarbMaster yogurts 50 cals 4 carbs
  • Alliwan
    Alliwan Posts: 1,245 Member
    Keep a bottle of water with you to sip on
    Paint your nails
    Cut up veggies to snack on
    Do jumping jacks during commercial breaks


    or all of these at the same time!
  • I used to have the same problem! I tried alot of things... I tried not watching TV, I tried exercising during my tv time. I tried not keeping snacks in the house... but eventually I failed... why? Because I really didn't want to stop snacking badly enough.

    I'm not assuming that this is what's hindering you, but if it is, I hope this helps!

    Make the decision to stop your bad habits and then realize that every time you say no, it's something to really celebrate. Why stop at a little pat on the back when you can jump and scream and be excited about sticking to your conviction?

    Also, go find healthy food you LOVE to eat! Be excited about what you can eat!
  • junodog1
    junodog1 Posts: 4,792 Member
    Become religious about logging. It doesn't go in your mouth until it goes on MFP diary. Then you have to think about what you are eating and make an informed decision.
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    Save calories and plan healthy snacks for yourself.
  • transvenouspacer
    transvenouspacer Posts: 182 Member
    I have always had the same problem! It's getting easier though. You've gotten a lot of good suggestions so far! I know that I tend to want to eat more at night so I try to save up calories for the end of the day. As others have said, just try to have only healthy snacks around.

    Keep your trigger foods out of the house! My trigger foods are taco bell, chips and salsa, cheetohs, baby ruth candy bars...I can just sit down and polish those off! It's hard to get out of the habit of sitting and eating but just keep trying and you'll change the habit.

    Recently I even tried posting on MFP that I was going to binge on something and just doing that helped cuz my friends told me not to do it :-) MFP friends are awesome!!

    Even now I still have a huge fight with myself at times just trying to keep myself from going and pigging out on junk. Honestly sometimes I lose the fight! Just keep on truckin, you can do it!
  • pixish
    pixish Posts: 79 Member
    Hot cups of tea :) Keep a few flavours :) It's something that's helped me, since it kind of feels dessert-y
  • I've gotten into the habit of being on the computer gaming or talking to people instead of watching a show of an evening; if I need my hands free to type, I don't snack.

    I really support turning off TV in general, but definitely here because the last thing you need when dieting is to be watching food porn.
  • Thank You all! Great input. Several I am going to do (from 1 of my hero's “Do or do not... there is no try.”).
  • OdeToEmma
    OdeToEmma Posts: 31 Member
    Become religious about logging. It doesn't go in your mouth until it goes on MFP diary. Then you have to think about what you are eating and make an informed decision.

    Love! I'm going to start logging BEFORE I eat. Thanks for the tip!
  • Gramps251
    Gramps251 Posts: 738 Member
    We had the same problem and found that 30 minutes of cardio in the evening killed our appatites until we went to bed. It is working great for us.
  • GeekGirl23
    GeekGirl23 Posts: 517 Member
    You are like a billion of us and associate tv/movie time with snacking. I've pretty much have my entire days worth of meals planned out the day prior and I don't allow myself to snack unless I'm really craving something I'll have it the next day when I've "Worked" it into my day.

    I also cut down my TV time by half by taking night classes (Jazzercise), when I get home all I want is a protein shake and bed.
  • lizziebeth1028
    lizziebeth1028 Posts: 3,602 Member
    Save calories and plan healthy snacks for yourself.


    ^^^This! Every night I have a skinny cow caramel truffle ice cream bar - 100 calories. Or something similar I just make sure it fits into my calorie goal for the day.
  • Akimajuktuq
    Akimajuktuq Posts: 3,037 Member
    I wasn't able to stop my cravings, binging, and night eating until I eliminated trigger foods such as grain, legumes, sugar. Not everyone has to avoid certain foods but if nothing else is working, perhaps there is something that you are eating (or not eating) that is leading you to overeat at night. For me it wasn't about not being busy or not having willpower, I'm just not healthy or happy on a SAD diet (standard american diet).
  • Try celery and Salsa.