Early morning binge episodes! Help!

theflyingartist
theflyingartist Posts: 385 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi, good morning everyone!

In an effort to stop my binge eating episodes, I need a new habit to make. Here's the lowdown: I've been waking up on most days (looks to be about 4 days a week) around 5-6AM with hunger that rattles my spine. Literally! I'm grumbling and tumbling in my tummy and it burns. The first few times it happened I tried to go back to sleep with no success. So, I drank some water and by that time I was so awake I started watching TV and mindlessly snacking. I end up pretty tired by 2-3PM on those days, and then peak with energy again after eating something for dinner.

Anyone have tried and true methods to stop binge eating or calm hunger pangs??

It literally is so loud, my boyfriend wonders what's wrong with me. He hears it when we wake up in the morning. He wakes up at 5 to go to work, and once he started doing that this started as well.
Sometimes I sleep through him waking up, but most times I don't.

I need help and advice! My weight loss has stopped and I'm (of course) gaining! :sad:

Replies

  • nebulinda
    nebulinda Posts: 120 Member
    Maybe you could try eating something filling right before bed so that you don't wake up so hungry. Or you could do your morning snacking on something healthy and filling. Or just turn your morning snacking into a large breakfast, then you'll be set until lunch.

    Since this started when you started waking up early, you might have to re-work your whole eating and sleeping schedule to combat this sort of thing.
  • daisyverma
    daisyverma Posts: 234 Member
    Have you tried drinking water (room temp) when you get these hunger pangs?

    maybe you are stopping your eating too early in the day?
  • chammich
    chammich Posts: 104 Member
    Try eating something snackish, like an apple or hard boiled egg.
  • Meaghan685
    Meaghan685 Posts: 9 Member
    I remember you saying you're gluten free. Is that by need or by choice? Before I discovered my gluten problems, I used to feel that way, usually when I would wake up ravenous it was a after having eaten something extra gluten-y the night before, and I would be totally wiped after lunch which usually had bread stuff in it. If you're gf by need, is it possible you're getting cross contaminated somewhere? I recently read the label on something I've been eating for a while and found they had changed the ingredients, which explained a recent gluten related incident.
  • AeolianHarp
    AeolianHarp Posts: 463 Member
    Eat less meals and make your fewer meals bigger. Problem solved.
  • graelwyn
    graelwyn Posts: 1,340 Member
    Keep something healthy out and ready in the kitchen, or by your bed, preferably, so you fill up on that before you get the chance to fill up on the other stuff.
  • kbmnurse
    kbmnurse Posts: 2,484 Member
    Start to exercise that way it is over with early in the day.
  • theflyingartist
    theflyingartist Posts: 385 Member
    If you're gf by need, is it possible you're getting cross contaminated somewhere? I recently read the label on something I've been eating for a while and found they had changed the ingredients, which explained a recent gluten related incident.

    This is true. You know, I've started using Balance bars mixed into my protein shakes for a dessert a couple hours before bed, and they are processed with wheat but don't contain it.
    Maybe this is the problem?

    I've also upped my protein a lot more before this whole episode kept happening. I'll look more into the gluten thing.. could be it! Thank you!
  • theflyingartist
    theflyingartist Posts: 385 Member
    Start to exercise that way it is over with early in the day.

    I do, at 6 or 7AM every morning :S

    Somehow by the end of the day the morning binges put me over my calorie limits.. and I'm having steamed kale and broccoli for dinner no less. It's like scrapping for calories by 5PM haha!

    Suppose it's the keep it out of the house rule that will prevail in the end.
  • honestlysweet
    honestlysweet Posts: 221 Member
    Start to exercise that way it is over with early in the day.

    This. For me, exercise has been my saving grace. I get it done early, like before dawn every day at the gym, I take cardio, combat and strength classes every day. This has helped me tremendously. I eat a small protein shake before I leave, and another when I get home, and I am not hungry again until lunch. There is something about exercising that makes you not want to eat bad stuff. I hate sugary, fatty food now, and won't eat chips, etc. It comes from exercising. It will change your life by making you lose weight, feel better, and stop the cravings for junk.
  • StarvingDiva
    StarvingDiva Posts: 1,107 Member
    Larabars are the best "bars" you should get if you are gluten free, they are strictly nuts and fruit and no fillers. My favorite is the lemon.

    Also, you could try some tea, or even some warm milk, while the milk may quiet the hunger pains, the warmth will definitely help you to fall back to sleep.
  • theflyingartist
    theflyingartist Posts: 385 Member
    Larabars are the best "bars" you should get if you are gluten free, they are strictly nuts and fruit and no fillers. My favorite is the lemon.

    Also, you could try some tea, or even some warm milk, while the milk may quiet the hunger pains, the warmth will definitely help you to fall back to sleep.

    I have a case of Pecan Pie Larabars in the cupboard. They are really delicious and good, but for 200 cals a pop I'm basically eating the same binge calories anyways.. I can't have just one, usually 2. :/

    The warm milk idea is genius! Like a childhood memory.. thank you for this idea! I will try it the next time this happens, thank you so much!
  • theflyingartist
    theflyingartist Posts: 385 Member
    Start to exercise that way it is over with early in the day.

    This. For me, exercise has been my saving grace. I get it done early, like before dawn every day at the gym, I take cardio, combat and strength classes every day. This has helped me tremendously. I eat a small protein shake before I leave, and another when I get home, and I am not hungry again until lunch. There is something about exercising that makes you not want to eat bad stuff. I hate sugary, fatty food now, and won't eat chips, etc. It comes from exercising. It will change your life by making you lose weight, feel better, and stop the cravings for junk.

    I don't blame you-- I'm training for a half marathon and working out is seriously the best adrenaline/endorphin high in the world!
  • bachooka
    bachooka Posts: 719 Member
    Start to exercise that way it is over with early in the day.

    I do, at 6 or 7AM every morning :S

    Somehow by the end of the day the morning binges put me over my calorie limits.. and I'm having steamed kale and broccoli for dinner no less. It's like scrapping for calories by 5PM haha!

    Suppose it's the keep it out of the house rule that will prevail in the end.

    Next time it happens I would suggest not following this pattern. Eat as you would normally at dinner time. It sounds like you need something that will stick with you better through the night.
  • theflyingartist
    theflyingartist Posts: 385 Member
    Start to exercise that way it is over with early in the day.

    I do, at 6 or 7AM every morning :S

    Somehow by the end of the day the morning binges put me over my calorie limits.. and I'm having steamed kale and broccoli for dinner no less. It's like scrapping for calories by 5PM haha!

    Suppose it's the keep it out of the house rule that will prevail in the end.

    Next time it happens I would suggest not following this pattern. Eat as you would normally at dinner time. It sounds like you need something that will stick with you better through the night.

    Right.. last night I had chips and guacamole and EVEN potato chips an hour before bed.. woke up this morning at 7AM with the hunger pangs.. ignored it and decided not to work out and just eat breakfast because I was so ravenous. :(

    This is so weird.. I have to get to the bottom of this issue!
  • StarvingDiva
    StarvingDiva Posts: 1,107 Member
    Larabars are the best "bars" you should get if you are gluten free, they are strictly nuts and fruit and no fillers. My favorite is the lemon.

    Also, you could try some tea, or even some warm milk, while the milk may quiet the hunger pains, the warmth will definitely help you to fall back to sleep.

    I have a case of Pecan Pie Larabars in the cupboard. They are really delicious and good, but for 200 cals a pop I'm basically eating the same binge calories anyways.. I can't have just one, usually 2. :/

    The warm milk idea is genius! Like a childhood memory.. thank you for this idea! I will try it the next time this happens, thank you so much!

    You should look for the mini bars they sell them in the health food store I'm not sure if they have made it to the supermarkets yet, but they are about half the size.

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