HELP! I start so good in the morn.... then it turns to crap

Wow! Thanks everyone for the messages! I am not sure quite where to start in replying!

Here is a sample of what I eat

Breakfast: 1/2 a Weetbix with 2 dessert spoons of fruit yoghurt. 5-10 Feijoas (seasonal). 250ml protein shake with frozen berries.

Mid morning: Banana, apple or orange

Lunch: Either 4 pieces bread with ham or chicken and salad. Or 200gm grilled steak/chicken or 3 scrambled eggs on salad.

Afternoon: Start off with ham or peanut butter sandwich. Still hungry. So I graze.....a few crackers. 50gm chocolate. Fruit.

Dinner: More grilled steak/chicken with lots of salad and veges...............

Post dinner lets me down: Maybe 1-3 hot chocolate drinks. 2-4 chocolate cookies or sultana muffins.
---

Replies to some people’s questions:

* Yes I love strawberries. Over the summer I would eat maybe 300gm a day! We grow our own as well, so have heaps! Now its getting cold not so many are growing.

* I have been starting to drink hot drinks because of the cold weather. Yesterday I had a green tea; and whilst it is not as sweet or comforting as a milky drink, it was still good none the less! and about 0 calories! (yay)

* YES, I need to be logging everything. I Tend to fall off the wagon and not log the bad stuff, because I feel guilty when I see that I have gone over by 1000 calories or whatever! I feel good when I am at my limit or there abouts. So I should really try and stick to it! Doh. (makes me feel good, psychologically and physically!

* Its kind of funny, because I am a really organised person and I do plan ahead what I/we (the family) are having for dinner.
I do also plan what I am having at lunch and cook it the night before or go to the supermarket to buy it before lunch etc.... I think I need to look at adding more ‘healthier’ snacks into my plan. Somethings like corn/wheat thins (low fat crackers) I ate some Real foods Corn thins yesterday and they were yum, and they were much healthier than cheesy crackers. The corn thins had approx. 70% carbs, 3% fat and 0.

* My calorie goal is 1200.

* Yes I get the kids involved with cooking with me most nights. Unfortunately it is them that suggests we bake chocolate chip cookies/afghans/ chocolate cake etc.... and I agree to help them bake it. Then I aloow them to have 2 cookies a day..... but that ‘rule’ goes out the window for myself and if I have 1.... well, its all over, and I gorge myself.
I honestly find it easier saying NO to myself, than ‘limiting’ myself to one or two....
I just think I need to get hard! and dont have any!

* Someone asked the question “What else are you doing in the evening besides eating sweets? Are you escaping from chores? Are you bored? Lonely? Frustrated from a long day with the kids?”
Well ironically I sit down on the couch at about 8pm and I just watch tv and play games on my laptop (whilst watching tv!) I think of it as ‘me-time’.
Over the summer I would be out cycling until 8:30pm ish (dusk), but now it is dark by 5:30pm, so I exercise in the morning and enjoy the evening with the fire on!
I just think its a bad habit I have got into: after dinner, make hot drink, take some cookies, sit down – consume! Half hour later, go to the kitchen and get some more.... cycle repeats.

* Someone else said: “I agree with the posters suggesting you log everything! When you realize how many calories are in those little snacks, you're more likely to steer clear.”
and I completely agree. I think it is about accountability. I am accountable to myself, and I do not log the sweet food because I feel guilty for eating it. I choose not to be accountable to myself because i KNOW i have wronged myself. (its all psychological I tell ya!)

* Someone else said maybe I am not eating enough for breakfast....... Yes, maybe that is true. Maybe I need to have a bigger breakfast and it may help at the other end.?
Although, I dont tend to feel hungry till 3, 4pm... so maybe it is lunch where I need to eat more?

* Another smart person said “What I have noticed is you need to stop eating sweet things. It is hard at first but then after a week or so, you don't really crave it anymore and it is sort of a take it or leave it sort of feeling. “
Yes, that is true. For months I didnt have any sweet things and I didnt want any. But as soon as I had a ‘taste’ of sugar, I just went wild with it! and craved more.

* Another person said “What I found is if I brush my teeth before the cravings start, I don't have that intense sugar need.” and YES that is so true.!! I also find if I brush my teeth straight after dinner I dont want to get my teeth dirty again and so I dont have anything but water till breakfast time! Nice to see someone else has the same idea too! I must get back to brushing straight after dinner!!!! Thanks!


* Yes, I should open my journal so other people can check what I have been eating! and keep me accountable.
I live in New Zealand, and its sliding into winter!


Thank you all so much for your help!
Sorry I didn't post replies sooner. Ironically yesterday after I had posted this I took my older kids (11 and 12) out for a bike ride. 3 hours worth. Had to push the bikes up a 3km hill. The altitude rise was 300m, but it was a fantastic ride down the other side!! It was great getting out in the fresh (yet very cool) air. Kids loved it, once they had got to the top of the massive hill!

Cheers.