Night time eaters?

Floricienta · December 2010

Hey everyone, Here's my problem:
I usually have a very light breakfast when I wake up, for example a cup of milk and maybe a piece of whole wheat bread, sometimes just milk. Followed by a bigger lunch, i.e rice or potatoes or pasta, with something like tuna or meat and a salad. When I'm at work it's usually a turkey sandwich or cheese sandwich, plus some kind of fruit and a cereal bar or some 100ish cal snack.

Then I go to the gym and come back home around 6 in the afternoon... and that's when the issue starts, I log in my food intake and exercise for the day and usually have a couple hundred calories left (which do not allow me to eat as much as I would like) and I always, always go over them!!! :explode: I know I could just eat a really light lunch and save most of my calories for dinner but then I would be starving at work and I don't want to make excuses like "I'm hungry and I need to go home to eat" and end up skipping the gym...

Could it be that 1200 cal are too little for me? or I really need to cut down on my beloved carbs? :sad:

lulabellewoowoo · December 2010

This is such a common problem for so many that we started our own support group. It's been going on for several months and helps out ALOT, even for the times when we mess up. We'd love to have you (and anyone else that would like to join!)

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/138369-december-no-late-night-junk-health-snacking

jkestens63 · December 2010

Don't forget that you get "exercise" calories and if you're hungry you should be eating them. 1200 calories plus exercise and nothing to make up for it is probably too low. For a balanced healthy diet you may want to cut down on some of the carbs and go with other things like fruits & veggies that you can eat more of (to fill you up) for less calories (more bang for the buck, I guess).

Personally, I don't worry about the time I eat - I'm a nighttime eater too, most of my calories are consumed between 8:00 & 11:00 pm. I know others will shriek in horror at the thought of eating after 7:00 pm but I've lost 250 lbs over 3 years so I don't put much stock in the theory that late night eating will lead to weight gain/no loss. It basically comes down to burning more calories than you take in.

Holton · December 2010

Try increasing your calories by 100-200; and definitely decrease carbs and add more protein. I think you will see and feel a difference.

Panda86 · December 2010

It may be too little for you. If you are just starting out, you shouldn't just jump to the lowest possible calorie goal. You need to work toward that.

carl1738 · December 2010

Eat back some of your exercise calories and try to get more protein in your diet. It will help keep you feeling full longer. Your body burns calories 24 hours a day so I wouldn't worry about eating at night. It's more about what you're eating at night, as that's when most people snack on unhealthy foods like chips and such. I personally eat a small bowl of nuts every night, along with a casein protein shake to make sure my muscles have a steady supply of protein while I sleep, and it hasn't affected my weight loss at all.

missyhse · December 2010

Definitely eat back most of your exercise calories, every body is different and maybe your body needs more calories later in the day. I'm the opposite, more than half of my daily calories is from breakfast

@Carl1738-good tip on the nuts, I do the same thing, makes a big difference.

Floricienta · December 2010

Thank you so much everyone! I will cut down on some carbs and add protein, if I still feel hungry then I will aim for 1400ish cal :-)

Night time eaters?

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