HELP!!!! Overeating dinners:(:(:( any advice please?

I probably will sound silly but I just started my fitness journey again after long long break. This is my second day back in gym and second day on my fitness pal. I find myself really good in morning breakfast and lunches, sticking to healthy food and all that and its easy as morning breakfast its just some high protein porridge or weetabix then for lunch my home made salad fruit etc... All good and well. I finish my work at 14.00 then go to gym for an hour but as soon as I get home in afternoon and looking for dinner I seem to eat all the fridge content:(:(:(:( could anyone give me some tips how to get in to habit to have that one healthy evening meal and thats it??????? Thank you!
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Replies

  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    What is your total calorie goal? Are you eating enough for breakfast and dinner?
  • rankinsect
    rankinsect Posts: 2,238 Member
    Plan your meals in advance. I never go to the kitchen without knowing exactly what I will eat.
  • ElizabethOakes2
    ElizabethOakes2 Posts: 1,038 Member
    Cook crockpot meals and then freeze them in individual servings, maybe? That way, you pull out one meal, eat it, and that's it?
    You might have to adjust your shopping to make sure you don't have a pile of easily munchable foods in the house, too.
  • katej37
    katej37 Posts: 56 Member
    Have a bigger lunch with some protein to help fuel the exercise, plan a snack in for after the gym, choose dinner in the morning and log it. x
  • Zanda007
    Zanda007 Posts: 22 Member
    my calorie goal on fitness pal is 1200 cal. My Breakfast and lunch is around 750-900 cal in total, so I am left with 300 cal for dinner, As I do burn around 300 cal in gym at least lets say my calorie intake for dinner could be 500 but I do end up by having at least a 1000 as I start binging on everything I see:/
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    Zanda007 wrote: »
    my calorie goal on fitness pal is 1200 cal. My Breakfast and lunch is around 750-900 cal in total, so I am left with 300 cal for dinner, As I do burn around 300 cal in gym at least lets say my calorie intake for dinner could be 500 but I do end up by having at least a 1000 as I start binging on everything I see:/

    That's a really aggressive goal. Did you tell MFP you wanted to lose 2 pounds a week? That isn't suitable for everyone -- try adjusting your goal to something more reasonable and you will get more calories to eat each day.
  • dubird
    dubird Posts: 1,849 Member
    Measure out one serving to put on your plate, then put the rest away. If it's not there, you're less likely to keep adding more after you finish the first serving.

    If you find you're getting hungry more often in the evenings, look at how you've got your calories split up over the day. What I had to do was set a calorie goal for meals, and leave some extra for a late snack. That kept me from eating more than I should just because I was hungry at a specific time, but still allows me some flexibility in eating times.

    You might also have your calorie goal set to low. I have no idea what your stats are or anything, but that does seem to be a mistake a lot of people make when they first start out. Even just adding 200 calories back usually still keeps a person at a deficit, just a smaller one, but they're able to adjusting their eating to stay full for longer instead of getting so hungry they start grabbing what's there and eating extra.
  • katej37
    katej37 Posts: 56 Member
    edited March 2016
    how much have you set it to lose? How tall are you? how much do you weigh now? How much do you want to lose? I'd probably increase cals by lowering the amount set to lose. I'm on 1500 set to lose .5lb a week and lightly active at 5ft tall. 1200 is the minimum mfp lets you have.
  • Zanda007
    Zanda007 Posts: 22 Member
    thank you everyone for the good tips, the planning ahead does sound a great idea, also the freezing food, I definitely could do that:)
  • RoxieDawn
    RoxieDawn Posts: 15,488 Member
    Zanda007 wrote: »
    my calorie goal on fitness pal is 1200 cal. My Breakfast and lunch is around 750-900 cal in total, so I am left with 300 cal for dinner, As I do burn around 300 cal in gym at least lets say my calorie intake for dinner could be 500 but I do end up by having at least a 1000 as I start binging on everything I see:/

    Are you feeling pretty hangry after going to the gym after work? You should make sure 1) that your MFP goal of 1200 is not too aggressive for your height, weight (you might want to adjust if more than 2 pounds a week 2) You should consider moving some of those breakfast/lunch calories to after your workout each day.

    Otherwise, you should plan in advance if at possible your dinners at night. I am the opposite, I plan everything else around the dinner I am having with my family each morning.
  • Zanda007
    Zanda007 Posts: 22 Member
    I am. 160 cm and my weight is 58kg my goal weight 50
  • KorvapuustiPossu
    KorvapuustiPossu Posts: 434 Member
    Since I'm on 1200 diet I can tell you that my breakfast and lunch are up to 500 kcal on big majority of days. (check my diary - not today though..it was a girls shopping day :D ) So to me that part seems a bit high if your biggest meal is dinner (mine is). Also I'm quite short and don't have that much to lose so I don't really struggle with 1200...if you are taller it might be that 1200 is just too aggressive approach for you. Slow loss is a good thing, it gives more time to learn how to eat better and live healthier.
  • Zanda007
    Zanda007 Posts: 22 Member
    I put 2 pounds a week for loss and lightly active lifestyle. thats why i got 1200 but I am planning to exercise 5 times a week for 40 min to 1h each day:)
  • WinoGelato
    WinoGelato Posts: 13,454 Member
    Zanda007 wrote: »
    I put 2 pounds a week for loss and lightly active lifestyle. thats why i got 1200 but I am planning to exercise 5 times a week for 40 min to 1h each day:)

    That's far too aggressive for as little as you have to lose. You should be set to lose 0.5 lb/week, AND eating back your exercise calories.

    That will give you about 500-750 cals extra before you add in exercise calories.

  • KorvapuustiPossu
    KorvapuustiPossu Posts: 434 Member
    Zanda007 wrote: »
    I put 2 pounds a week for loss and lightly active lifestyle. thats why i got 1200 but I am planning to exercise 5 times a week for 40 min to 1h each day:)

    How much do you have to lose? It seems too fast...where is the rush? You didn't put on the weight over night so you can't get rid of it like that either. I at least hope you plan to eat some of those exercise calories back. Ultimately it's about health, and too fast weight loss and starving yourself while working out like mad is not good for you in any sense of way.
  • KorvapuustiPossu
    KorvapuustiPossu Posts: 434 Member
    Also now that I know your stats 2 lbs/ week at 1200 will not happen... It is just that app doesn't ever give less then that so it will put 1200 even if you lower lbs lost per week. It is just that us, short people don't have much to wiggle room with calories... you will lose slowly, because less you have to lose, slower it goes. App doesn't put lower then 1200 for a good reason so don't ruin your health over trying to get a quick fix.
  • WinoGelato
    WinoGelato Posts: 13,454 Member
    Zanda007 wrote: »
    I put 2 pounds a week for loss and lightly active lifestyle. thats why i got 1200 but I am planning to exercise 5 times a week for 40 min to 1h each day:)

    How much do you have to lose? It seems too fast...where is the rush? You didn't put on the weight over night so you can't get rid of it like that either. I at least hope you plan to eat some of those exercise calories back. Ultimately it's about health, and too fast weight loss and starving yourself while working out like mad is not good for you in any sense of way.

    She said above she wants to lose 8kg.
  • Zanda007
    Zanda007 Posts: 22 Member
    Thank you girls, it does seem a little harsh for me when I first saw 1200 cal limit. I have 8kg to loose and now I do think I should eat exercise calories back and try and set up the limit to 1500 as that sound more realistic to me. My job is quite hard, I work in healthcare, so its quite busy and on feet all the time.
  • KorvapuustiPossu
    KorvapuustiPossu Posts: 434 Member
    WinoGelato wrote: »
    Zanda007 wrote: »
    I put 2 pounds a week for loss and lightly active lifestyle. thats why i got 1200 but I am planning to exercise 5 times a week for 40 min to 1h each day:)

    How much do you have to lose? It seems too fast...where is the rush? You didn't put on the weight over night so you can't get rid of it like that either. I at least hope you plan to eat some of those exercise calories back. Ultimately it's about health, and too fast weight loss and starving yourself while working out like mad is not good for you in any sense of way.

    She said above she wants to lose 8kg.

    Yeah now I saw... It won't happen. I have similar stats and MFP gave me 1200 diet for 1 lbs loss/week. And i lose just about that. If I put I want to lose 2 lbs it would also show 1200...it's just that it would not happen :)
  • WinoGelato
    WinoGelato Posts: 13,454 Member
    Zanda007 wrote: »
    Thank you girls, it does seem a little harsh for me when I first saw 1200 cal limit. I have 8kg to loose and now I do think I should eat exercise calories back and try and set up the limit to 1500 as that sound more realistic to me. My job is quite hard, I work in healthcare, so its quite busy and on feet all the time.

    It can probably be even more than 1500. Put in 0.5 lb/week rate of loss and see what calorie goal MFP gives you. Still eat back a portion of those exercise calories (true exercise, not the daily activity from your job if you set yourself already as lightly active).
  • dubird
    dubird Posts: 1,849 Member
    Zanda007 wrote: »
    Thank you girls, it does seem a little harsh for me when I first saw 1200 cal limit. I have 8kg to loose and now I do think I should eat exercise calories back and try and set up the limit to 1500 as that sound more realistic to me. My job is quite hard, I work in healthcare, so its quite busy and on feet all the time.

    That sounds like a much more reasonable goal, and one that will help you keep on track. You might also consider keeping the lightly active for activity, and adding extra exercise in as you do it. That way, if it's not every day or you're sick on unable to exercise for a week or so, you're not throwing off your calories. The exercise is simply extra calories for you to eat. I take advantage of that, espically on weekends when I want to eat extra, I make myself walk more to be able to do so! XD
  • KorvapuustiPossu
    KorvapuustiPossu Posts: 434 Member
    Since you work in healthcare you know what weight loss is about... Health! Take it slow and steady. Weight that comes off slower is more likely to stay off ;) All the best and good luck!
  • Zanda007
    Zanda007 Posts: 22 Member
    WinoGelato wrote: »
    Zanda007 wrote: »
    Thank you girls, it does seem a little harsh for me when I first saw 1200 cal limit. I have 8kg to loose and now I do think I should eat exercise calories back and try and set up the limit to 1500 as that sound more realistic to me. My job is quite hard, I work in healthcare, so its quite busy and on feet all the time.

    It can probably be even more than 1500. Put in 0.5 lb/week rate of loss and see what calorie goal MFP gives you. Still eat back a portion of those exercise calories (true exercise, not the daily activity from your job if you set yourself already as lightly active).

    i will definitely try to change the settings othervise I will end up eating the fridge hehe
  • Zanda007
    Zanda007 Posts: 22 Member
    WinoGelato wrote: »
    Zanda007 wrote: »
    I put 2 pounds a week for loss and lightly active lifestyle. thats why i got 1200 but I am planning to exercise 5 times a week for 40 min to 1h each day:)

    How much do you have to lose? It seems too fast...where is the rush? You didn't put on the weight over night so you can't get rid of it like that either. I at least hope you plan to eat some of those exercise calories back. Ultimately it's about health, and too fast weight loss and starving yourself while working out like mad is not good for you in any sense of way.

    She said above she wants to lose 8kg.

    Yeah now I saw... It won't happen. I have similar stats and MFP gave me 1200 diet for 1 lbs loss/week. And i lose just about that. If I put I want to lose 2 lbs it would also show 1200...it's just that it would not happen :)
    WinoGelato wrote: »
    Zanda007 wrote: »
    I put 2 pounds a week for loss and lightly active lifestyle. thats why i got 1200 but I am planning to exercise 5 times a week for 40 min to 1h each day:)

    How much do you have to lose? It seems too fast...where is the rush? You didn't put on the weight over night so you can't get rid of it like that either. I at least hope you plan to eat some of those exercise calories back. Ultimately it's about health, and too fast weight loss and starving yourself while working out like mad is not good for you in any sense of way.

    She said above she wants to lose 8kg.

    Yeah now I saw... It won't happen. I have similar stats and MFP gave me 1200 diet for 1 lbs loss/week. And i lose just about that. If I put I want to lose 2 lbs it would also show 1200...it's just that it would not happen :)

    so it didn't give you more than 1200 cal even you put 1lb per week?


  • Hi, I cannot go for that many hours without food, either, so I would eat everything, too lol. Except, my trainer has me drinking a low calorie, low carb protein powder right after my afternoon workouts. It helps your muscles maximize your workout efforts. But more importantly, it will fuel your body enough so you are not starving when you get home. Take the powder to the gym in a shake up container (I also use a pomegranate juice bottle because they are small and have that snowman shape, so it's easy to mix the fine powder). Put water in it at the gym, and drink it within 15 minutes of working out.
    I'm doing about the 1200 calories per day, too. She also reminded me to take in most carbs early in the day, before 6pm or so. Dinner can be piles of different veggies (I like to roast Brussels sprouts and the like), and lean protein, or lean soups as side dishes. The protein shake after workouts really helps me not be so hungry later.
    Oh, and I was also taking in a lot of calories (carbs), as you are, during breakfast and lunch. I do not have as much high carb steal cut oatmeal, but do greek yogurt and boiled eggs/egg whites instead.
    She has me trying to stay at 100 carbs per day. Once I stopped worrying (as much) about the calories and fat, the weight has been dropping off like crazy.
    This is my first blog (ever! lol), so I hope it helps. I've lost 20 lbs as of today! =) I hit my major goal of getting into the 130s this morning yay! Now, I won't car what my weight is, I will keep eating like above and focus on getting strong and flexible.
    Best of luck to you, and everyone on here. I am loving this accountability on My Fitness Pal, and learning about about the value of food in terms of carbs and such. It's helping me learn more and, therefore, make much better choices. (like, dark chocolate Hershey Kisses at night...ugh... Or, light chocolate soy or almond milk. yummy! =)
  • Zanda007
    Zanda007 Posts: 22 Member
    Since you work in healthcare you know what weight loss is about... Health! Take it slow and steady. Weight that comes off slower is more likely to stay off ;) All the best and good luck!
    Since you work in healthcare you know what weight loss is about... Health! Take it slow and steady. Weight that comes off slower is more likely to stay off ;) All the best and good luck!
    Since you work in healthcare you know what weight loss is about... Health! Take it slow and steady. Weight that comes off slower is more likely to stay off ;) All the best and good luck!

    Thank you hun, I will try my best:) would you mind If I could be friends with you hehe, as we have similar goals I could have idea about your daily intake hehe

  • KorvapuustiPossu
    KorvapuustiPossu Posts: 434 Member
    edited March 2016
    I'm on 1200 but my activity is quite low. Not working atm and a bit of a couch potato. :D so 1200 is enough for me to lose 1 lbs a week (my TDEE being about 1700-giving the 500 kcal dialy deficit)... Since you have active job and plan to work out you need to eat more... If you are raiding the fridge it means your body is telling you something. Try eating 1500-1600 and some of the exercise calories too. As long as you log everything correctly you will lose, I guarantee it.
  • Zanda007
    Zanda007 Posts: 22 Member
    kmcvegas wrote: »
    Hi, I cannot go for that many hours without food, either, so I would eat everything, too lol. Except, my trainer has me drinking a low calorie, low carb protein powder right after my afternoon workouts. It helps your muscles maximize your workout efforts. But more importantly, it will fuel your body enough so you are not starving when you get home. Take the powder to the gym in a shake up container (I also use a pomegranate juice bottle because they are small and have that snowman shape, so it's easy to mix the fine powder). Put water in it at the gym, and drink it within 15 minutes of working out.
    I'm doing about the 1200 calories per day, too. She also reminded me to take in most carbs early in the day, before 6pm or so. Dinner can be piles of different veggies (I like to roast Brussels sprouts and the like), and lean protein, or lean soups as side dishes. The protein shake after workouts really helps me not be so hungry later.
    Oh, and I was also taking in a lot of calories (carbs), as you are, during breakfast and lunch. I do not have as much high carb steal cut oatmeal, but do greek yogurt and boiled eggs/egg whites instead.
    She has me trying to stay at 100 carbs per day. Once I stopped worrying (as much) about the calories and fat, the weight has been dropping off like crazy.
    This is my first blog (ever! lol), so I hope it helps. I've lost 20 lbs as of today! =) I hit my major goal of getting into the 130s this morning yay! Now, I won't car what my weight is, I will keep eating like above and focus on getting strong and flexible.
    Best of luck to you, and everyone on here. I am loving this accountability on My Fitness Pal, and learning about about the value of food in terms of carbs and such. It's helping me learn more and, therefore, make much better choices. (like, dark chocolate Hershey Kisses at night...ugh... Or, light chocolate soy or almond milk. yummy! =)

    Its an awesome blog to be honest, thank you sooooooo much:):):) I will try my best to follow in your footsteps:) would you mind to share your diary with me for an idea whats is it like? Please????? thank you xx
  • Zanda007
    Zanda007 Posts: 22 Member
    I'm on 1200 but my activity is quite low. Not working atm and a bit of a couch potato. :D so 1200 is enough for me to lose 1 lbs a week (my TDEE being about 1700-giving the 500 kcal dialy deficit)... Since you have active job and plan to work out you need to eat more... If you are raiding the fridge it means your body is telling you something. Try eating 1500-1600 and some of the exercise calories too. As long as you log everything correctly you will lose, I guarantee it.
    I'm on 1200 but my activity is quite low. Not working atm and a bit of a couch potato. :D so 1200 is enough for me to lose 1 lbs a week (my TDEE being about 1700-giving the 500 kcal dialy deficit)... Since you have active job and plan to work out you need to eat more... If you are raiding the fridge it means your body is telling you something. Try eating 1500-1600 and some of the exercise calories too. As long as you log everything correctly you will lose, I guarantee it.
    I'm on 1200 but my activity is quite low. Not working atm and a bit of a couch potato. :D so 1200 is enough for me to lose 1 lbs a week (my TDEE being about 1700-giving the 500 kcal dialy deficit)... Since you have active job and plan to work out you need to eat more... If you are raiding the fridge it means your body is telling you something. Try eating 1500-1600 and some of the exercise calories too. As long as you

    My work is quite hard and physical. I will try to change it tonight and see how I go about it then, thank you for all the advice, really appreciate it!!!
  • Zanda007
    Zanda007 Posts: 22 Member
    dubird wrote: »
    Zanda007 wrote: »
    Thank you girls, it does seem a little harsh for me when I first saw 1200 cal limit. I have 8kg to loose and now I do think I should eat exercise calories back and try and set up the limit to 1500 as that sound more realistic to me. My job is quite hard, I work in healthcare, so its quite busy and on feet all the time.

    That sounds like a much more reasonable goal, and one that will help you keep on track. You might also consider keeping the lightly active for activity, and adding extra exercise in as you do it. That way, if it's not every day or you're sick on unable to exercise for a week or so, you're not throwing off your calories. The exercise is simply extra calories for you to eat. I take advantage of that, espically on weekends when I want to eat extra, I make myself walk more to be able to do so! XD

    will try to do that tonight, thank you so much:)