Night time over eating?

Hey everyone, I need some advice.

Here's my problem. I'm a compulsive eater, but only at night...

Yesterday for example, I was perfect all day. Nailed the 150 squat challenge and was 200 under on my calories. Then at 10pm in a matter of five minutes, I ate an ice cream sandwich, a few chocolates and a plain flour torilla (who eats that?!! lol)

I try really hard to resist the urge but it's very diffidcult. I understand the mechanics of it, just don't eat them. But I keep doing it.

Any hints or tips?
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Replies

  • Yana150
    Yana150 Posts: 226
    Maybe eating something good and filling with those 200 calories during the day so that you are not hungry at night.

    Plus - can you go to bed earlier? If I get hungry (too late) at night, I go straight to bed.
  • It's not hunger that's doing it, it's habit, maybe boredom? idk... maybe I should just sleep LOL
  • LSF2012
    LSF2012 Posts: 2
    I usually save a 100-200 calories for an after dinner snack. What I do when I start to feel hungry is, drink some water, let that settle in then have a snack, followed by some more water. Then go to bed, even if I'm not ready to go to sleep, I'm out of the kitchen area and would really need to make an effort to go grab something else.
  • magerum
    magerum Posts: 12,589 Member
    I enjoy eating at night as well so I plan to do the bulk of my eating then. Solves the problem. I typically eat 2/3 or my calories within the last two hours before I go to bed.
  • carrieblue052
    carrieblue052 Posts: 41 Member
    It's defo a habit, you need to kick, get a hot drink instead, read a book - 50 shades of grey or something, keep yourself occupied, cut down on what you eat late, have something if you must that is very low in cals. Eg a big cup of tea and 1 slice of toast.
    Run a bath and have a soak, brush teeth. And then get to bed.

    There all the tips I can give x
  • Thanks everyone, those are all really awesome ideas! <3
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    maybe skip breakfast so you can have those calories at night.
  • marycmeadows
    marycmeadows Posts: 1,691 Member
    I have a high protein sweet snack every night -- it's planned and healthy -- my go to -
    chocolate protein powder (1-2 scoops depending on how many calories I have left) + pb2 powdered peanut butter + packet splenda + a little bit of water + cocoa powder --- mix all ingredients into a paste - freeze for 20-30 minutes. Enjoy!

    I usually have this around 8pm or so every night without fail. It keeps me from wanting to snack on bad stuff!

    tonight I'm also having a serving of raw almonds so I'll hit my calorie goal. :)
  • marycmeadows
    marycmeadows Posts: 1,691 Member
    maybe skip breakfast so you can have those calories at night.


    NOOOOO don't skip breakfast!
  • fatpanda96
    fatpanda96 Posts: 77
    I have the exact same problem. Yesterday I was doing awesome, and then all of a sudden after dinner I became this beast that just needed to stuff everything she could find into her mouth.
  • TAMMYCLARK62
    TAMMYCLARK62 Posts: 98 Member
    It's defo a habit, you need to kick, get a hot drink instead, read a book - 50 shades of grey or something, keep yourself occupied, cut down on what you eat late, have something if you must that is very low in cals. Eg a big cup of tea and 1 slice of toast.
    Run a bath and have a soak, brush teeth. And then get to bed.

    There all the tips I can give x
    Great tips....I will also try these....night time eating gets the better of me sometimes too
  • KC4800
    KC4800 Posts: 140 Member
    Eat a skinny cow ice cream sandwich and dont feel guilty about it, you'll still be under.
  • TAMMYCLARK62
    TAMMYCLARK62 Posts: 98 Member
    I have a high protein sweet snack every night -- it's planned and healthy -- my go to -
    chocolate protein powder (1-2 scoops depending on how many calories I have left) + pb2 powdered peanut butter + packet splenda + a little bit of water + cocoa powder --- mix all ingredients into a paste - freeze for 20-30 minutes. Enjoy!

    I usually have this around 8pm or so every night without fail. It keeps me from wanting to snack on bad stuff!

    tonight I'm also having a serving of raw almonds so I'll hit my calorie goal. :)
    This sounds awesome!!!
  • Sopsongbird
    Sopsongbird Posts: 48 Member
    maybe skip breakfast so you can have those calories at night.

    Skipping breakfast is not a good idea. Your body NEEDS fuel early in the morning to jumpstart your metabolism and give you the energy it needs to get going. I am a late night snacker also. I try to not have temptations in my freezer/fridge so that when I go looking for something to snack on, I either change my mind because there is "nothing to eat," OR I grab something healthy like raw carrots, celery, an apple, or something like that.
  • SocWkrBee
    SocWkrBee Posts: 374
    I can't see your diary, but what is your daily calorie goal? I just realized that since I have been eating a good amount of cals daily, about 1500 I do not binge later in the day. I also don't have the desire to binge. I am full and satisfied.

    This is from a person (me) who can eat cake, chips, pizza and pie all at once! Maybe try filling up on protein and carbs from vegetables and other whole sources?
  • MicaelaFW
    MicaelaFW Posts: 63
    I have blood sugar issues and at night I tend to want to stay up later (enjoying the peace of children sleeping) the longer I am awake the hungrier I get. Being I stop eating around 7 or 8 pm, within 4 hours, I am ready for another meal. I have been trying hard to just make myself go to bed and chug water... so far, it is helping! The mind is powerful, tell it to do something and it usually behaves.
  • I have found that a cup of green tea will sometimes override the night time urge to eat. Probably make it decaf that late at night.

    During the school year my family was eating dinner a little later so bedtime and last meal of the day were timed closer together. Lately our dinner has been earlier with more time between that meal and bedtime making it tougher to avoid the late night eating, so maybe shifting your eating schedule might also help.
  • nc90
    nc90 Posts: 83 Member
    maybe skip breakfast so you can have those calories at night.

    I sense a troll in the room :noway:

    I have the same problem! Rather than sweets try using the 200 cals for something healthy like apple slices and peanut butter or celery and peanut butter. Otherwise maybe find some low cal treats to satisfy your craving for sweets.
  • BRANDYGR8MOVES
    BRANDYGR8MOVES Posts: 87 Member
    hi i have the same problem what you can do is alot like 400 cals just for that my sis suggested a protien shake they are filling and only 150 cals what ii do it alot cals and after ive eatten that i put myself to bed cause most likly you dont need its just habit good luck in you lifestyle change:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:
  • magerum
    magerum Posts: 12,589 Member
    maybe skip breakfast so you can have those calories at night.

    Skipping breakfast is not a good idea. Your body NEEDS fuel early in the morning to jumpstart your metabolism and give you the energy it needs to get going. I am a late night snacker also. I try to not have temptations in my freezer/fridge so that when I go looking for something to snack on, I either change my mind because there is "nothing to eat," OR I grab something healthy like raw carrots, celery, an apple, or something like that.

    That's a myth, no science to back that up.. Look into IF (intermittent fasting).

    http://www.leangains.com/

    http://www.leangains.com/2010/10/top-ten-fasting-myths-debunked.html

    http://www.leangains.com/2011/03/intermittent-fasting-for-weight-loss.html

    http://www.leangains.com/2010/03/intermittent-fasting-set-point-and.html
  • magerum
    magerum Posts: 12,589 Member
    maybe skip breakfast so you can have those calories at night.


    NOOOOO don't skip breakfast!

    Why not?
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    maybe skip breakfast so you can have those calories at night.

    Skipping breakfast is not a good idea. Your body NEEDS fuel early in the morning to jumpstart your metabolism and give you the energy it needs to get going.

    yeah, no.
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    maybe skip breakfast so you can have those calories at night.

    I sense a troll in the room :noway:

    Not a troll. I simply chose not to subscribe to weight loss myths or handicaps.
  • katzuki
    katzuki Posts: 1
    I have that problem too!

    The only 2 things that i have found that helped are:

    having fruit cut up/washed waiting for when i feel the need to snack this way i'm not eating SO terribly - but of course the problem there is having the time to get the fruit ready.

    the other thing that helps is to have my water bottle with me at all times - i have one of those that has a straw and a bite-piece so drinking that down kind of takes away my urge to snack for some reason.

    but yeah - night eating is a challenge for me too
  • Sopsongbird
    Sopsongbird Posts: 48 Member
    maybe skip breakfast so you can have those calories at night.

    Skipping breakfast is not a good idea. Your body NEEDS fuel early in the morning to jumpstart your metabolism and give you the energy it needs to get going. I am a late night snacker also. I try to not have temptations in my freezer/fridge so that when I go looking for something to snack on, I either change my mind because there is "nothing to eat," OR I grab something healthy like raw carrots, celery, an apple, or something like that.

    That's a myth, no science to back that up.. Look into IF (intermittent fasting).

    http://www.leangains.com/

    http://www.leangains.com/2010/10/top-ten-fasting-myths-debunked.html

    http://www.leangains.com/2011/03/intermittent-fasting-for-weight-loss.html

    http://www.leangains.com/2010/03/intermittent-fasting-set-point-and.html

    Your website proved what we have been saying about eating breakfast...and I quote, "This analysis provides evidence that skipping breakfast is not an effective way to manage weight."

    Point taken.
  • ShannonBas
    ShannonBas Posts: 101 Member
    I tend to do the same late in the evening. :grumble:

    I'm liking a lot of the ideas mentioned here! (they may help me as well... teeheehee)
    :heart: :heart: :heart:
  • GenesisandEden
    GenesisandEden Posts: 338 Member
    I fasted off all sweets for 30 days. It was hard but so worth it. That got me off the horrible night carvings. I mean they were horrible. Now I really don't crave but if so, I have 1 tbsp Laura Scudders PB or a cheese stck helps.
  • Maybe you should eat breakfast---maybe it would help to skip---but eating breakfast will not increase or decrease your metabolism---is not physiological to say so.

    I try a diet coke for breakfast and an egg---gets me up and fills me for a few hours---allows for BIGGER lunches and dinner---which help me from giving in to cravings.

    But skipping a meal or having a meal wont change your metabolism.
  • magerum
    magerum Posts: 12,589 Member
    maybe skip breakfast so you can have those calories at night.

    Skipping breakfast is not a good idea. Your body NEEDS fuel early in the morning to jumpstart your metabolism and give you the energy it needs to get going. I am a late night snacker also. I try to not have temptations in my freezer/fridge so that when I go looking for something to snack on, I either change my mind because there is "nothing to eat," OR I grab something healthy like raw carrots, celery, an apple, or something like that.

    That's a myth, no science to back that up.. Look into IF (intermittent fasting).

    http://www.leangains.com/

    http://www.leangains.com/2010/10/top-ten-fasting-myths-debunked.html

    http://www.leangains.com/2011/03/intermittent-fasting-for-weight-loss.html

    http://www.leangains.com/2010/03/intermittent-fasting-set-point-and.html

    Your website proved what we have been saying about eating breakfast...and I quote, "This analysis provides evidence that skipping breakfast is not an effective way to manage weight."

    Point taken.

    ... You seriously mis-interpreted that, but hey that's for you. I can only offer suggestions, good luck. :flowerforyou:
  • GerryD61
    GerryD61 Posts: 1 Member
    I think that the point is being missed here... you ARE eating out of boredom. The kids are finally asleep or the daily chores are finally done and you have time to yourself. What are you doing with it? Sitting down in front of the TV, taking a bath, or going to bed all are just ways of doing nothing and getting bored. Then you start to think about food and start to eat what you have managed to avoid all day. You don't have to do that, just find something to do. Get a hobby. Something, anythng that will occupy your thoughts will get you away from the boredom and the bad habit of eating the junk.