I'm really struggling

jenifur2015
jenifur2015 Posts: 6
edited November 14 in Health and Weight Loss
So here's the deal, I'm 24 and I live with my daughter. I live in the middle of nowhere and after my daughter goes to bed around 8pm I'm just sitting by myself. I'm finding it so hard not to eat out of boredom and keep feeling like I should just give up and eat over my set amount of calories. Is anyone else struggling with loosing weight and doing it alone?

Replies

  • techgal128
    techgal128 Posts: 719 Member
    Do you have any hobbies? You could always watch TV and eat some air popped popcorn.
  • ILiftHeavyAcrylics
    ILiftHeavyAcrylics Posts: 27,732 Member
    Leave yourself some calories for after 8 pm snacking. Also get a hobby that will keep your mind and your hands busy. I'm a painter and a Navy wife so I spend a lot of evenings alone-- it's best to be working on a project.
  • azulvioleta6
    azulvioleta6 Posts: 4,195 Member
    That sounds like a good time to work out.
  • TheVirgoddess
    TheVirgoddess Posts: 4,535 Member
    I would either:

    Read
    Yoga
    Netflix

    I agree with saving some calories for snacking.

    Don't give up.
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    That sounds like a good time to work out.

    This.

    Also, I love to eat in the evening. I've lost almost 30 pounds having a dessert every night. Sometimes it's even a mini second dinner. Plan for it!
  • thelittlecharacter
    thelittlecharacter Posts: 69 Member
    edited March 2015
    If you're snacking at night, make sure you've earned it through a free weight/body weight workout (hour long or so) that's a bit challenging. If you're just eating junk food out of boredom then you're basically just wasting your money....don't worry so much about your calories when you're eating good quality protein and complex carbs from veggies. Personally, I don't snack on packaged foods because it never leaves me feeling satisfied. I've been eating something high protein cooked in a little olive oil rather than butter on nights where I'm feeling that I need a refeed. Even have a banana and natural peanut butter. I take a B vitamin supplement around that time too so I'm not worried about getting my dose of some extra nutrients from a high sugar/carb foods like cereals.
  • brookekato
    brookekato Posts: 6 Member
    I totally understand. I feel that way, too. Lately, I've been binge-eating and in the last 2 weeks I've gained about 5 pounds. I can't seem to get back on the "health wagon" either.
  • honeybee_kisses
    honeybee_kisses Posts: 172 Member
    As others have mentioned, save some calories for an evening snack. I struggle so much with snacking after the kids are in bed so I always save for a bit of chocolate or a slice of toast etc.
    other than that all you can do is distract yourself. Work out, get lost in a good book, come on these forums for a chat, take a long soak in the bath. Whatever works for you and it will feel easier in time.
  • JoRumbles
    JoRumbles Posts: 262 Member
    I would do an excercise video once your wee one is in bed. There are loads on YouTube. It will have the dual benefit of stopping you snacking whilst you are doing it and giving you a few extra calories for a snack later on if you need it
  • Leave yourself some calories for after 8 pm snacking. Also get a hobby that will keep your mind and your hands busy. I'm a painter and a Navy wife so I spend a lot of evenings alone-- it's best to be working on a project.

    This is great advice. I crochet! Help to keep my mind off of wandering to "wonder if there are any good snacks here"
  • JSurita2
    JSurita2 Posts: 1,304 Member
    I agree that working out during that time would be great. Or stay busy but I would not recommend TV. Everyone is different of course but watching tv tends to make some people snack.
  • SwankyTomato
    SwankyTomato Posts: 442 Member
    JSurita2 wrote: »
    I agree that working out during that time would be great. Or stay busy but I would not recommend TV. Everyone is different of course but watching tv tends to make some people snack.

    Um, yea, lol. All the commercials for burgers, pizza, etc can really get me going.

  • JSurita2
    JSurita2 Posts: 1,304 Member
    JSurita2 wrote: »
    I agree that working out during that time would be great. Or stay busy but I would not recommend TV. Everyone is different of course but watching tv tends to make some people snack.

    Um, yea, lol. All the commercials for burgers, pizza, etc can really get me going.

    lol...exactly!
  • ncboiler89
    ncboiler89 Posts: 2,408 Member
    So here's the deal, I'm 24 and I live with my daughter. I live in the middle of nowhere and after my daughter goes to bed around 8pm I'm just sitting by myself. I'm finding it so hard not to eat out of boredom and keep feeling like I should just give up and eat over my set amount of calories. Is anyone else struggling with loosing weight and doing it alone?

    Build model airplanes.
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    That sounds like a good time to work out.

    Yep! :D
  • prettygirlstorm1
    prettygirlstorm1 Posts: 721 Member
    That sounds like a good time to work out.

    that is what I was thinking!!
  • TheKeithEllis
    TheKeithEllis Posts: 155 Member
    I concur that this would be a perfect time to get some movement in; home workout DVDs, or 'games' if you have an Xbox or similar... What are your interests?
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    I will sixth or seventh the suggestion to work out at that time. Especially if working out in the evening will make your morning schedule easier.
  • juleszephyr
    juleszephyr Posts: 442 Member
    This would be an ideal time to do some exercise, workout DVD's, Yoga, Pilates, stretching etc. You could then save some cals for a post exercise snack. That or take up a hobby which keeps your hand and head busy, knitting, writing, whatever you want. If all else fails give yourself a facial or a manicure or a long hot bath... learn to love your time with YOU!
  • Selah722
    Selah722 Posts: 86 Member
    I tend to get tomorrows meals ready when I'm bored and find myself in the kitchen in the evening. It gives me something to do when I'm already thinking about food and calories and gives me a jumpstart on the next day. I pack what I'm going to eat at work and log it for the next day. That way I know how many calories I can have when I get home and can mentally plan supper for my hubby a whole day ahead (which is great when it takes a whole day to thaw something out in the fridge.) Not saying that ALWAYS keeps me from munching, but its something you can do when you don't want to be active,bored, or go over your limit.
  • themedalist
    themedalist Posts: 3,218 Member
    Find active hobbies that don't involve sitting around. Prolonged sitting is terrible for your health and you don't burn many calories sitting in a chair. Standing, walking, puttering around, cleaning, reorganizing, and a whole bunch of active hobbies are so much better than sitting, snacking, and watching TV.

    This site (inspired by a group of MFP friends) has lots of simple ideas for becoming more active:

    http://quittingthesitting.com

    zhls3vv60al2.jpg

    Best Wishes!
  • brenn24179
    brenn24179 Posts: 2,144 Member
    get some celery and baby carrots out to snack on
  • AwesomeSauceTN
    AwesomeSauceTN Posts: 27 Member
    Choose your snacks wisely. Eat light foods that are low in calories that you can eat a lot of like popcorn, your favorite fruits like strawberries, or maybe a protein shake. I am an evening muncher too. Personally, I've had good luck at curbing this by eating a huge breakfast, and a large lunch, then eat a light dinner. The large breakfast keeps me satiated. Also, this is weird but it inexplicably works for me and my friend at work - we add lime to our drinking water. It seems to curb my appetite and keeps my sugar cravings at bay. I have no explanation for it, it just works. I hope this helps & good luck!
  • spookyface
    spookyface Posts: 420 Member
    Have a big mug of decaf hot tea maybe.
  • k8325
    k8325 Posts: 19 Member
    In a spirit of solidarity...I know I should probably try to at least do calisthenics during commercials but the only workouts I feel like doing after 8pm are the "intimate" kind. Lol. I agree with saving some cals for a light snack...I like berries with fat free cool whip...yum! Or finding a hobby or something other than tv(yes, those commercials are so full of temptation!)that takes your mind off of eating...I play a video game or read a good book when I have down time. Also, during the week, I usually try to be in bed between 8 and 9 to wake up early (4/5 am)for a run before work. Have you tried just going to bed yourself so you can get a jump start to the next day?
  • mcharo78
    mcharo78 Posts: 3 Member
    it's easy to say get up and work out but from experience, when you are sitting there, with every passing minute it gets harder and harder to get up and move. If in fact you are staying up, start off doing small workouts. I started using the power 90 beach body workout tapes, and the starter video is only like 30 mins long. And I really don't do the whole tape. (not because I'm lazy, even though I am, but because I am still large and the jumping jacks and hops in one section is a lot of impact on my joints right now. but I'm getting there) But if you want to start winding down for the day, do some stretches. It helps relax you and you get a better night's sleep. and it doesn't seem like doing much but stretching in between workouts helps get those lean muscles instead of bulking up.

    I am in the process of getting back on the workout wagon. Initially I was pushing 300 lbs. before I hit that mark, I started changing my eating habits and dedicated at least 4 workouts a week for a month straight. someone told me if you do something for a month straight it becomes a habit. Well a year later and I was down 75 pounds and I don't even know how many dress sizes. But I got depressed and lazy and gained most of it back about a year and a half later. but I decided recently before I hit the 70 gain mark, I would start my life style change again. it's been about a month and I've lost 20 pounds.
    it's hard to start over when you know you were so close to your goal and threw it all away, but the feeling when you start seeing that healthy person again in the mirror is so much more rewarding then any snack in the fridge.
    good luck!
    I hope you find what works for you.
  • jkal1979
    jkal1979 Posts: 1,896 Member
    Leave yourself some calories for after 8 pm snacking. Also get a hobby that will keep your mind and your hands busy. I'm a painter and a Navy wife so I spend a lot of evenings alone-- it's best to be working on a project.

    This is great advice. I crochet! Help to keep my mind off of wandering to "wonder if there are any good snacks here"

    I was just about to suggest crocheting. It's hard to think about food when you are trying to remember your stitch count.

  • onelonelysocknoble
    onelonelysocknoble Posts: 27 Member
    When I'm at the end of day slump, tired, bored and wanting to graze, I'm sad to say I have no energy for working out, but I'm ok with sticking on a pair of cordless headphones, and walking up and down whilst 'watching' evening tv
This discussion has been closed.