Do you eat after 6pm?

13

Replies

  • Admiral_Derp
    Admiral_Derp Posts: 866 Member
    You have 28 lbs to lose, and you have a pretty large deficit, if your diary is accurate. You don't need that big of a deficit at this point. Try eating more food and don't worry about what time it is, as long as you're staying within your calories.

    ETA this link. Please read it. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets

    This
  • LiftAllThePizzas
    LiftAllThePizzas Posts: 17,857 Member
    The rule of thumb is to try not to eat 3 hours before you go to sleep. That way you have given your body a chance to digest your food... if you eat right before you go to bed, there is no where for that energy to be used, so it will be stored (fat)... also you won't get as good night rest when your stomache is busy trying to digest a meal.
    If I'm eating at a deficit, and there is "extra" energy from the meal before I went to bed that gets stored as fat, then clearly I must have pulled other (non-eaten) energy from my stores earlier in the day in order to keep my body running.
  • I think aiming not to eat after 7pm is a good goal. I agree with some other comments to your post saying to watch what you eat versus when. Try to add more whole/real foods versus processed foods. Processed foods really make me hold onto weight (I think due to the sodium content and the empty calories in the fake food!). Real fruits, veggies, lean meats and good carbs will really change your world.
  • CallMeCupcakeDammit
    CallMeCupcakeDammit Posts: 9,377 Member
    Here's another link that should help you, also. I noticed the fruit you did log was by size and not weight.

    http://www.fitnessfactreview.com/the-art-science-of-calorie-counting/
  • houlenberg
    houlenberg Posts: 107 Member
    Calories in vs. calories out is how you lose weight. Your body doesn't care what time it is and your metabolism doesn't come to a screeching halt at 6pm or even when you're sleeping. The only reason I would give for stopping eating several hours before bed is if you have GERD. Other than that, eat the right foods, exercise, and you'll be fine.
  • BoomstickChick
    BoomstickChick Posts: 428 Member
    I do and always have. I don't believe in that myth.
  • Rockstar_JILL
    Rockstar_JILL Posts: 514 Member
    I eat supper most nights at 8pm or later....I lost 80 lbs. this way....if you are hungry, eat!
  • Mini_Medic
    Mini_Medic Posts: 343 Member
    I'll play devils advocate here and say I have also noticed I lose weight when I eat my last meal earlier. However I think it has a lot to do with having more hours between meals since I do intermittent fasting anyway. I also weigh first thing in the morning and I think it has a lot to do with being empty and void of food in the morning and having longer to digest makes my scale go down further.

    If it works for you, do it.
  • Not only do I eat after 6, but it's never anything light or healthy! :frown:
    Enter; cookies, brownies; brookies; soda; and more sweet bread! ><
    I'm embarrassed just typing it. If anything has been holding my weight loss back,
    that is my culprit.
  • tammyclinch
    tammyclinch Posts: 103 Member
    I believe Jill
  • Dan4495
    Dan4495 Posts: 130 Member
    I don't dispute the advice many are giving you that it doesn't matter when the calories are consumed, it is simply "calories consumed vs calories burned". However, if one goes many hours without taking in any calories, blood glucose levels drop to the point that one may feel ravaged with hunger, and may binge as a result. The focus on breakfast is on the very definition of the meal "break---fast". It is an important meal for that reason that it breaks the fast of the night at sleep.

    My point is WHEN you eat may not be a factor in the calculation, but it can impact the calories you consume. As long a you can avoid binging to the point of over-eating, I agree with the posters that say it doesn't matter when you eat. But if you are like many of us, you find the temptation is greater the longer you deprive yourself o food, and thus the greater the tendency to binge.
  • Ryanmariem
    Ryanmariem Posts: 46 Member
    I find that if I eat after 7pm my body retains extra pounds for the next 2 weeks

    no

    What do you mean no???

    That is what my scale shows me.I'm trying to work out all the factors that lead to this.

    It does not matter if you eat after 6pm... the key is not to eat right before you go to sleep....you should wait 2-3hrs after you dinner before bed.

    Also what kind of calories you are putting in make a huge difference. You want to go for more whole fresh food, try to stay away from the processed packaged food that is loaded w/persvatives. Our food is our fuel and if we are putting in bad fuel well we won't get the same results.

    Foods in the low glycemic index and making sure to get enough protein will fill you up for longer. If you are working out in the gym it is important to eat some protien when you are done, even if it is just a glass of milk it is better than nothing.

    Mostly no to this as well.

    I refer you to the book "Blood Sugar Solution" by, Dr. Mark Hyman and "The Calcium Lie," by Dr. Robert Thompson, "Weight Training for Life", by Hesson, "Thyroid Diet" by Mary Shomom, etc... not to mention any number of nutritional information that is available online, it does not take much to verify resources and check out results.

    The type of calories consumed does matter as well as how much and when. It also differs w/each individual at what is most optimal. That is why there is no one "diet" plan that works for everyone. However given this there are some basic universal rules that always apply. Eat Healthy Whole Natural Foods, Watch Portion Sizes, Excercise, Drink Water, Get Enough Sleep.... one you through one of these off, you through the whole system off.
  • skiersteve12345
    skiersteve12345 Posts: 89 Member
    I eat 3500 calories a day and don't star eating til 7pm lol
  • MyChocolateDiet
    MyChocolateDiet Posts: 22,281 Member
    yes
  • meeper123
    meeper123 Posts: 3,347 Member
    I have to eat late work doesnt seem to change much
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    I find that if I eat after 7pm my body retains extra pounds for the next 2 weeks

    no

    What do you mean no???

    That is what my scale shows me.I'm trying to work out all the factors that lead to this.

    It does not matter if you eat after 6pm... the key is not to eat right before you go to sleep....you should wait 2-3hrs after you dinner before bed.

    Also what kind of calories you are putting in make a huge difference. You want to go for more whole fresh food, try to stay away from the processed packaged food that is loaded w/persvatives. Our food is our fuel and if we are putting in bad fuel well we won't get the same results.

    Foods in the low glycemic index and making sure to get enough protein will fill you up for longer. If you are working out in the gym it is important to eat some protien when you are done, even if it is just a glass of milk it is better than nothing.

    Mostly no to this as well.

    I refer you to the book "Blood Sugar Solution" by, Dr. Mark Hyman and "The Calcium Lie," by Dr. Robert Thompson, "Weight Training for Life", by Hesson, "Thyroid Diet" by Mary Shomom, etc... not to mention any number of nutritional information that is available online, it does not take much to verify resources and check out results.

    The type of calories consumed does matter as well as how much and when. It also differs w/each individual at what is most optimal. That is why there is no one "diet" plan that works for everyone. However given this there are some basic universal rules that always apply. Eat Healthy Whole Natural Foods, Watch Portion Sizes, Excercise, Drink Water, Get Enough Sleep.... one you through one of these off, you through the whole system off.

    As I do not have these books...what do they say is wrong with eating within 2-3 hours of going to bed?
  • I eat my last meal straight before I get to bed. It doesn't matter WHEN you eat, it's all about WHAT you eat. Carbs retain water so if you load up on those, you'll add some waterweight. It is not possible for a body to put on pounds of fat overnight. Eat clean & smart, train hard and you'll get the results you work for. As simple as that. Lots of luck.
  • Superchas
    Superchas Posts: 129 Member
    Around the clock.

    Try oatmeal as slow release food in the morning.
    I have bounce balls for 5pm wobbles - full of protein filling and 150-200 calories
    Avoid indigestible foods in the evening.

    Maybe time to up the exercise.

    There is a almost perfect correlation between eating less and exercising more and weight loss that is the basis of this site.

    Good luck
  • Rhonnie
    Rhonnie Posts: 506 Member
    The response I see on other threads of this same subject is that it isn't that you necessarily stop eating after a certain time, its that because you don't eat after a certain time you eat less calories for that day and that is why you lose weight.
  • AnvilHead
    AnvilHead Posts: 18,343 Member
    I eat dinner after 6 pm almost every night. Usually have a snack somewhere between 10 pm and midnight too. In fact, I'd say that I usually take in somewhere between 800-1200 calories every night after 6:00 pm. Hasn't affected my weight loss in the least.

    Meal timing is completely irrelevant, regardless of what the crackpot quacks have to say about it - they're looking for a way to sell their books/products. If you're maintaining a caloric deficit, it doesn't matter.
  • Ryanmariem
    Ryanmariem Posts: 46 Member
    Basically why you want to avoid eating within 3 hours before going to bed is because it drives up insulin before you sleep, which makes you store more belly fat. Belly fat drives cravings through inflammatory and hormonal triggers.

    In turn when you wake up you want to eat a nutritious protein breakfast: studies have shown protein breakfast help people to lose weight, reduce cravings, and burn calories. Good protiens are eggs, nuts, seeds, nut butters, or a protein shake.

    Also you want to try to avoid drinking your calories: when we drink our calories it will drive up your waist size (liquid calories are sodas, coffee w/sweetners& creamers, juice, sports drinks, alcohol, etc....)

    Get a good 7-8hrs sleep: not getting enough sleep drives sugar and carb cravings by affecting your appetite hormones.

    (From the book The Blood Sugar Solution pg. 160-161) There is more to this but this is the basics I have found in my own research and what other experts/dr's agree with. Basically if you want to maintain a Healthy Weight it is all about controlling our Blood Sugar: it is what drives our cravings & triggers belly fat to be stored. The best way is to have a well balanced diet of WHOLE Natural Foods you cook and prepare, drink water, excercise, & get plenty of sleep. Part of this is also to manage our stress which can trigger the same hormones that activate cravings.
  • Gallowmere1984
    Gallowmere1984 Posts: 6,626 Member
    Basically why you want to avoid eating within 3 hours before going to bed is because it drives up insulin before you sleep, which makes you store more belly fat. Belly fat drives cravings through inflammatory and hormonal triggers.

    In turn when you wake up you want to eat a nutritious protein breakfast: studies have shown protein breakfast help people to lose weight, reduce cravings, and burn calories. Good protiens are eggs, nuts, seeds, nut butters, or a protein shake.

    Also you want to try to avoid drinking your calories: when we drink our calories it will drive up your waist size (liquid calories are sodas, coffee w/sweetners& creamers, juice, sports drinks, alcohol, etc....)

    Get a good 7-8hrs sleep: not getting enough sleep drives sugar and carb cravings by affecting your appetite hormones.

    (From the book The Blood Sugar Solution pg. 160-161) There is more to this but this is the basics I have found in my own research and what other experts/dr's agree with. Basically if you want to maintain a Healthy Weight it is all about controlling our Blood Sugar: it is what drives our cravings & triggers belly fat to be stored. The best way is to have a well balanced diet of WHOLE Natural Foods you cook and prepare, drink water, excercise, & get plenty of sleep. Part of this is also to manage our stress which can trigger the same hormones that activate cravings.

    Yeah...you lost me at 'makes you store more belly fat'. /facedesk
  • BettyandVeronica
    BettyandVeronica Posts: 333 Member
    Calories in vs calories out.

    Meal timing/ frequency has no impact on how your body utilizes nutrients. Countless studies have been done on this and the conclusion is always the same. There has to be another factor you're not taking into account.

    I read this at least once a week on MFP that calories are what matter for weight loss. I just can't get myself to trust it. When I am done eating for the day, unless I eat something not homemade, I am always just under 1000 calories. That is not enough but my fat and protein are always close to target. What can I change? Should I just go by calories?

    I'm going to tell you the same thing, because you only have a few pounds to lose. You should be set to lose .5 lb a week. Please read this. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets

    Thank you for the advice.I will look at my settings.I actually have 55lbs to lose but putting less down makes it psychologically achievable for me.
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    Basically why you want to avoid eating within 3 hours before going to bed is because it drives up insulin before you sleep, which makes you store more belly fat. Belly fat drives cravings through inflammatory and hormonal triggers.

    In turn when you wake up you want to eat a nutritious protein breakfast: studies have shown protein breakfast help people to lose weight, reduce cravings, and burn calories. Good protiens are eggs, nuts, seeds, nut butters, or a protein shake.

    Also you want to try to avoid drinking your calories: when we drink our calories it will drive up your waist size (liquid calories are sodas, coffee w/sweetners& creamers, juice, sports drinks, alcohol, etc....)

    Get a good 7-8hrs sleep: not getting enough sleep drives sugar and carb cravings by affecting your appetite hormones.

    (From the book The Blood Sugar Solution pg. 160-161) There is more to this but this is the basics I have found in my own research and what other experts/dr's agree with. Basically if you want to maintain a Healthy Weight it is all about controlling our Blood Sugar: it is what drives our cravings & triggers belly fat to be stored. The best way is to have a well balanced diet of WHOLE Natural Foods you cook and prepare, drink water, excercise, & get plenty of sleep. Part of this is also to manage our stress which can trigger the same hormones that activate cravings.

    The logic re insulin is flawed - this is a good read: http://weightology.net/weightologyweekly/?page_id=319

    There is no need to eat as soon as you get up - it's a personal preference. - these studies show correlation not causation (unless you can point me to one that does), which is not relevant when tracking calories.

    Excess calories make you gain weight, not any one type of food or drink.

    I agree with trying to get enough sleep.

    Edited for typo
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    Calories in vs calories out.

    Meal timing/ frequency has no impact on how your body utilizes nutrients. Countless studies have been done on this and the conclusion is always the same. There has to be another factor you're not taking into account.

    I read this at least once a week on MFP that calories are what matter for weight loss. I just can't get myself to trust it. When I am done eating for the day, unless I eat something not homemade, I am always just under 1000 calories. That is not enough but my fat and protein are always close to target. What can I change? Should I just go by calories?

    I'm going to tell you the same thing, because you only have a few pounds to lose. You should be set to lose .5 lb a week. Please read this. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets

    Thank you for the advice.I will look at my settings.I actually have 55lbs to lose but putting less down makes it psychologically achievable for me.

    A 1 - 1 1/2 lb a week goal is a good one.
  • BettyandVeronica
    BettyandVeronica Posts: 333 Member
    I actually checked out your diary. The logging is either inaccurate (not consistent) or you have a serious problem hitting your daily goal. I went back to Feb 20 and on several occasions you were 600 - 1000 calories under your goal. A couple of times 800 - 900 for the entire day. That might be the root of your problem. Try meeting you daily goal for a weeks in a row and you may have better luck.

    Yes this is likely one of my downfalls.I never really thought about it.Will try to be more consistent,but more importantly what I eat. There has been a lot of good advice given on here.I will use it because I am tired of this yo-yoing.
  • goron59
    goron59 Posts: 890 Member
    However on the weeks that I do not eat after 6pm, >>>> coupled with exercise for 60 mins everyday <<<<,I find a steady weight loss of 2lbs.

    The >>>> bit <<<< is probably key.
  • nomesw84
    nomesw84 Posts: 101 Member
    I quite often eat at about 9pm as I work long hours at the moment and that's when I get home. I then go to bed only about an hour later and am still losing weight. I've found that personally it doesn't matter too much as long as I stay within my set goals, though I might find that changes as the weight comes off and I find it harder to lose!
  • Pookylou
    Pookylou Posts: 988 Member
    I work shifts at a pub at the weekend and can end up eating at 8pm/2am and while it is a bit of a pain, it doesn't affect my weight loss. I think the don't eat after 6pm thing is more to stop you grazing that purely if you eat then you gain.
  • strikerjb007
    strikerjb007 Posts: 443 Member
    Are you sure that eating after 6 pm is causing the problem(I personally don't think that is a problem at all)? I bet that if you log consistently, you will realize that it's not the fact that you eat after 6 p.m. It's what you are eating after 6 p.m. that's causing your weight gain. I think you binge.