Not losing weight because of what I eat after dinner

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Replies

  • smilesback
    smilesback Posts: 327 Member
    Thanks I will ask for your support again ;)
  • smilesback
    smilesback Posts: 327 Member
    I am more a morning person and do things during the day so the mindlessness comes with the package. I like your idea to shift my attention from food somehow.
  • smilesback
    smilesback Posts: 327 Member
    Plan what you're going to eat the day before. Make a 'Beautiful Me' menu. As for the post-dinner noshing, well... you're preaching to the choir on that one. What I do find helps, is eliminating junk from my house. Really. Make the things you have available actually beneficial to your diet. For example, a post dinner snack on jerky is probably okay, because the extra protein is good for your diet and jerky is truly nosh-able. Fresh berries are good to snack on with some cottage cheese for added protein or even just a smoothie.

    Being concerned about health is a 'good' concern. :)
    Thanks, I think the better foods will stay and I will junk the junk food :)
  • ecmorales
    ecmorales Posts: 33 Member
    Hi...you're in the home stretch, you can do it!.
    -- Are you snacking because you're hungry, or because you're bored? How about exercising which watching TV in the evening.
    -- Are you hungry because your meal wasn't satieting? My evening meal strategy is to eat the high fiber (veggies) items first to quell my hunger, then I really enjoy the protein item and don't long for more. Much success.
  • smilesback
    smilesback Posts: 327 Member
    I was just like that when I started! Breakfast, lunch no problem. Dinner, forget about it! The problem was I was fixing big dinners for just two people, and there was no portion control. .. I just told my husband he had to bear with me for a while until I could push through this.
    Not too long -- just right -- it is about portion control, and I have Lean Cuisines for that reason ready and waiting in the freezer...just been wishing that when I fix DH a good meal, I could keep my calories under control AND not snack afterwards. I don't wake up hungry...believe me ;)
  • smilesback
    smilesback Posts: 327 Member
    What is TDEE?

    Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE) quantifies the number of calories you burn in a day

    http://www.fitnessfrog.com/calculators/tdee-calculator.html
    I use a BodyBugg device and for the past two years, I believe it is credible. On most days without trying, I burn 1300-1500 calories. Not much room to overeat or I will gain weight. That's why the 1000 calorie diet. I am overweight, I am not weighing in the obesity range now like I did 4 years ago, but nothing in the past two years has changed in my lifestyle. I am trying harder. Thanks for your ideas,
  • smilesback
    smilesback Posts: 327 Member
    I eat dinner.... and I have an evening snack - every night -and I've lost 115lbs. I'm very conscious of what I eat all day long, and my night time snacks are carefully planned! My go-tos for evening snacks.....
    celery, broccoli, cucumbers, cauliflower and roasted red pepper hummus.... (Or just cucumbers with salsa)
    high protein sweet treat (chocolate protein powder, cocoa powder, pb2 all mixed with a little water and frozen for a while)

    Once you stop eating crap it gets a lot easier. just keep only smart choices in your house. that's what I do. There's nothing wrong with snacking at night. Just avoid starchy carbs -- no chips, popcorn, fruit, etc. have something high protein. raw veggies are great because they are crunchy, and low cal! :)
    THANK YOU! I have a plan to follow here like you said...no carbs after dinner, only protein (That will help my focus a lot, thanks!)
  • smilesback
    smilesback Posts: 327 Member
    I'm something of a night time snacker, so I get where you're coming from. My tricks to compensate:

    1. Eat low calorie snacks and pre-portion them. If I bring the whole bag in with me, I'm probably going to mindlessly eat the whole bag. I'll eat veggies with a low calorie dip or a pour myself a single serving size of what I want (cereal, popcorn, etc.) Sugar free popsicles are also a good treat. When that serving is gone, it's gone. There are no "seconds" for snacks.
    2. Do something with my hands. Cross-stitch, knit, whatever you like. You can eat and do those things and your hands are occupied and you end up with something useful.
    3. Exercise. You can do this in front of the TV or away from it. Go for a walk. If you have a treadmill or stationary bike, put it in front of the TV. I've been watching old Remington Steele episodes while riding my stationary bike. It's 42 minutes of 80s style entertainment!

    Honestly, 1000 calories at your height and age is probably fine, but you're probably going to need to eat back your exercise calories if you want to lose weight.

    ETA: Whatever you decide to do, you should leave enough calories in your day to allow a small snack. I'm not usually happy unless I have one each night, it's just the way I am, so I plan for it.
    Thanks, I hear ya about staying busy, watching the extra calories and exercise. Thanks,
  • smilesback
    smilesback Posts: 327 Member
    snacking after dinner could be boredom. Find something to do with yiour hands such as knitting
    Boredom plays a part -- not sure what I want to do but not knitting. I could brush my teeth, and read I guess.
  • smilesback
    smilesback Posts: 327 Member
    I just wanted to reply to most ideas to let you know that I appreciate them. I will *digest* these food for thought ideas and hopefully change how I manage after dinner. I really do follow a good diet throughout the day, not skimping on nutrition and focused on what I am trying to accomplish. Once I am tired after dinner, I just don't seem to keep going with the program. I think I will brush my teeth after dinner cuz that will really be a deterrent of some kind. Thank you all again,
  • jasonpclement
    jasonpclement Posts: 146 Member
    Add bulk to your meals with frozen veggies. Don't be afraid to just go overboard with them. I finish an entire family sized bag of frozen veggies a day. Spaghetti squash, and sweet potatoes also are great ways to bulk up your plate without adding up the cals.
  • gottolosethisweight
    gottolosethisweight Posts: 31 Member
    I use to be a huge snacker. Before supper after supper while watching TV or playing a game. I have now curved it. Actually while writing this my husband is eating a bowl of ice cream and I am not. When I first started I would go and get a drink of water every time I thought of getting something to eat. I measure everything I eat and I do not go back for seconds. Then I started walking right after supper. I changed my whole routine in the evenings. Now, I feel like I have it under control and have been successfully losing. Good luck hope this helps some
  • HorseWithNoName27
    HorseWithNoName27 Posts: 188 Member
    Hmm, not sure if it will help you but I found something that helps me. I tend to get cravings for sugary foods once I finish dinner. I set aside 150 calories per day to have two pieces of dark chocolate (86% cocoa). It takes a bit of time to eat, and it's a little bitter so it's an easy way to get a few glasses of water in as well! I find it's sweet enough to quiet my cravings for sweets, and it's a better alternative than having a Little Debbie or something like I usually did...haha.

    Even if it didn't help you, I hope you find a solution soon :)
  • Skyoctober
    Skyoctober Posts: 71 Member
    Stop watching tv. Seriously. There's nothing but mindless drivel on anyway (unless it's Vampire Diaries of course!). Get out for a walk after dinner. Clean some part of your house you've been neglecting. Call an old friend. Find a good book and go to bed. Do an exercise DVD. Take up a hobby that keeps your hands busy (knitting, crocheting, cross-stitching, etc).

    Edit: Also, your goals are pretty hefty and you're setting yourself up to fail. With 20 lbs or less to lose, you should have your goals set to lose 1/2 a lb a week (that's only 2 lbs per month loss) and eat them all AND most of your exercise calories. If you starve yourself at this stage, your body will fight back and hang on to the weight.

    I agree with the stop watching tv!!
  • smilesback
    smilesback Posts: 327 Member
    I just wanted to reply to most ideas to let you know that I appreciate them. I will *digest* these food for thought ideas and hopefully change how I manage after dinner. I really do follow a good diet throughout the day, not skimping on nutrition and focused on what I am trying to accomplish. Once I am tired after dinner, I just don't seem to keep going with the program. I think I will brush my teeth after dinner cuz that will really be a deterrent of some kind. Thank you all again,
    DARN! I brushed my teeth, took a walk after dinner, and ate a large orange and too many pistacchios ro my weight is back where I started. So frustrating!
  • smilesback
    smilesback Posts: 327 Member
    I use to be a huge snacker. Before supper after supper while watching TV or playing a game. I have now curved it. Actually while writing this my husband is eating a bowl of ice cream and I am not. When I first started I would go and get a drink of water every time I thought of getting something to eat. I measure everything I eat and I do not go back for seconds. Then I started walking right after supper. I changed my whole routine in the evenings. Now, I feel like I have it under control and have been successfully losing. Good luck hope this helps some
    Thanks - Something about your resolve is inspiring - no matter what I will focus on what I need to do to stop this trend of snacking. It is killing my program.
  • smilesback
    smilesback Posts: 327 Member
    Stop watching tv. Call an old friend. Find a good book and go to bed. Take up a hobby that keeps your hands busy (knitting, crocheting, cross-stitching, etc).
    I agree with the stop watching tv!! [/quote] OK! I will busy myself and break my mindset after dinner. THANKS!
  • smilesback
    smilesback Posts: 327 Member
    Hmm, not sure if it will help you but I found something that helps me. I tend to get cravings for sugary foods once I finish dinner. I set aside 150 calories per day to have two pieces of dark chocolate (86% cocoa). It takes a bit of time to eat, and it's a little bitter so it's an easy way to get a few glasses of water in as well! I find it's sweet enough to quiet my cravings for sweets, and it's a better alternative than having a Little Debbie or something like I usually did...haha.

    Even if it didn't help you, I hope you find a solution soon :)
    Eating chocolate is a Gun going off at the Start gate for me. I don't think I can keep that under control. I like your switch though for you!
  • smilesback
    smilesback Posts: 327 Member
    Add bulk to your meals with frozen veggies. Don't be afraid to just go overboard with them. I finish an entire family sized bag of frozen veggies a day. Spaghetti squash, and sweet potatoes also are great ways to bulk up your plate without adding up the cals.
    You should see my dinner plate -- It is salad, then i put the entree on the smaller plate or on top instead of dressing. I couldn't agree more with you. It is something about the after dinner time that is knocking my socks off! Humph - I have to do something different, anything, besides snacking on high calorie foods then. thanks for your help, :)
  • christiangandy
    christiangandy Posts: 48 Member
    firstly, do not eat so few calories.....and secondly throw the snacks in the bleeping bin......i was exactly the same, you have to be hard on urself, drink a huge mug of green tea (allowed to stew) the sesation on the pallet becomes just as gratifying as a snack, because the harshness of it when stewed is very effective, as it is simply withdrawal symptoms that you are feeling at night.......honestly try it, i was terrible, and i would snack on chocolate at night in front of the telly, then i moved to chicken thighs (a bit healthier, but still upping the calories) and then finally onto the green tea. ( a small bowl of porridge with a bit of natural peanut butter (without salt) is also a good evening snack that will keep you satiated till morning

    good luck
  • lizziebeth1028
    lizziebeth1028 Posts: 3,602 Member
    I'd be starving and rummaging in the fridge at night if I was eating less than 1000 calories a day!!! Find out what a healthy calorie goal is for your weight, age, size (use the MFP tools). DO NOT make the usual mistake of setting it to a 2lbs a week loss......slow and steady wins the race. Since you don't have a lot to lose 1/2 to 1 pound a week is fine. Eat enough, eat healthy, stay away from the over processed foods, stick with it and you will see results.
  • smilesback
    smilesback Posts: 327 Member
    firstly, do not eat so few calories.....and secondly throw the snacks in the bleeping bin......i was exactly the same, you have to be hard on urself, drink a huge mug of green tea (allowed to stew) the sesation on the pallet becomes just as gratifying as a snack, because the harshness of it when stewed is very effective, as it is simply withdrawal symptoms that you are feeling at night.......honestly try it, i was terrible, and i would snack on chocolate at night in front of the telly, then i moved to chicken thighs (a bit healthier, but still upping the calories) and then finally onto the green tea. ( a small bowl of porridge with a bit of natural peanut butter (without salt) is also a good evening snack that will keep you satiated till morning

    good luck
    Thanks, the cutting out calories after dinner is the trick.

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