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Angel44
Member
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Posted: 1 January 2008 01:13 pm |
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Eating before bed has ALWAYS been a big problem for me for as long as I can remember. I heard and read that you should quit eating 3 hours before bed. Some nights I don't eat supper until 6:30., but I still have the need to have that snack. Not fruit , not drinking water to fill me up , but eating those yummy, salty carbs . Snacktime is usually around 8PM., which means I would have to stay up until 11:30PM or later. I've been told to read, go for a walk or exercise. BORING!!!!!!!!
Another bad habit I have is eating in the middle of the night. I get up to use the bathroom and I find myself going to the cupboard for a cookie. My willpower stinks. Afterwards I feel total rotten because of what I've done.
Getting rid of all of those bad foods are impossible because my husband takes that food to work and our 22 year old son who lives with us eats the same. Those guys can burn the calories and I can't.
Anyone out there in my shoes I'm open to any advice or suggestions anyone has.
Angel44
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Nir
Senior Administrator
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Posted: 1 January 2008 02:25 pm |
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Having a rule like that would be a problem for me too. I deal with it the easy way: by not having a 3-hour-rule. I guess the first quesion to ask is: why do you want to follow this rule?
I do however have another 'rule' which I follow as if it were law: I allocate myself a number of calories at the beginning of the day and I stick to that number [or, on a few ocassions I might adjust that number throughout the day, but never to a number that is higher than my maintenance calories]. The point is: if I know I can only have 1800 calories for the day, and I am going to be awake for a good few hours, I'm not tempted to eat them all now. I currently leave 200-300 calories for the just-before-dropping-asleep snack. Sometimes I accidentally fall asleep, so when I wake up in the middle of the night (say 2-3am) I can finish those calories then.
What else is there to say? I guess the most important thing is, once you've made a decision, is how to make yourself do it. There are a number of ways beyond 'sheer willpower'. You can make it one of your affirmations (goals you repeat to yourself from time to time), you could use hypnosis, if you are religious you might ask for help (and there is a non-religious analog 12-step programme available that can help, too). I use a combination of these and this has helped me stay on track for 10.5 months.
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Angel44
Member
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Posted: 1 January 2008 05:37 pm |
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Nir,
I was always under the assumption that going to bed on a full stomach wasn't good because of slow digestion. When I say full stomach I will eat a bag of microwave popcorn and have a diet soda. Sometimes that doesn't fill me up and an hour later I'm looking for something else to eat.
I wish I could just go to bed without the cravings I have. I truly believe I would lose more weight if I quit eating before bedtime. I guess I just have to tell myself this is what I'm going to do and try to stick by it.
Thanks for the advice
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nevd
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 1 January 2008 07:14 pm |
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I used to have this problem. Like many other problems, if you can avoid it for a while, the craving to do it disappears.
When I got peckish and didn't want to eat, I'd do 6 or 7 minutes intensive weights (using light mass and high reps), concentrating on one muscle group only. When I finished, I'd sit down with a protein drink and relax. I never got the craving again before bedtime.
As I mentioned, once I'd cracked the habit, it never came back.
Hope this works for you, too.
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Angel44
Member
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Posted: 2 January 2008 01:42 am |
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~Nevd~
I know what you are saying about the cravings eventually going away. We do have a home gym so I can do the weights over the reading, etc...when I do get that nasty craving.
I could look at it this way...when I get a craving, get on the weights, because the more muscle I gain, the more fat I will burn.
~Thanks a bunch~
Angel44
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suenos
Moderator
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Posted: 2 January 2008 06:03 am |
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Angel44 wrote: Nir,
I was always under the assumption that going to bed on a full stomach wasn't good because of slow digestion. When I say full stomach I will eat a bag of microwave popcorn and have a diet soda. Sometimes that doesn't fill me up and an hour later I'm looking for something else to eat.
I wish I could just go to bed without the cravings I have. I truly believe I would lose more weight if I quit eating before bedtime. I guess I just have to tell myself this is what I'm going to do and try to stick by it.
Thanks for the advice
Hi Angel!
IMO somethimes there's things we have to commit to doing (or not doing) because no matter how much we enjoy (or hate) them, they are simply changes we simply have to git our teeth and make for long term success. But, when you keep in mind that not only do you want to lose weight - you want to keep it off without making everyday for the rest of your life into a "food" battleground - I think we have to be super realistic about the changes we decide to make.
For instance, eating a cookie or two in the middle of night every night, just cause you're up and they're there - probably a bad habit worth working hard to change. But, if you've always enjoyed having a "sweet-salty" evening snack, I personally think it's a better option to just figure out a way to make it a healthy lower calorie one and just continue to enjoy it. What time you eat has nothing to do with weight loss/gain....it's how much you eat over the course of the 24 hours.
For instance, Instead of the diet coke you could try a smoothy or "shake" made with crushed ice, fat free, sugar free yogurt (or skim milk & fat free/sugar free pudding) & frozen or fresh berries and replace the microwave popcorn with a small bowl of air-popped corn spritzed with something like "I can't believe it's not butter" and a sprinkle of sea salt or Ms. Dash. The whole thing is 200-300 calories depending on your choices.
Like Nir says, just keep in mind during the day that you probably are going to eat that bedtime snack so leave caloric room for it, make smart choices and then just relax and enjoy it.
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Angel44
Member
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Posted: 4 January 2008 01:31 am |
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~Suenos~
Just to let you know this is my second night without that snack before bed.
Wed. I got on the weights for 1.25 hours and tonight I biked 10 miles on my umcumbent bike burning just over 600 calories. I also got a new book in the mail today that is keeping my mind off the snacking. Like Nevd said, Once I crack the habit I'll be on my way. I'm also going to bed earlier now which helps too.
This weekend I'm going to buy that Hot Air Popcorn Popper. I'll be happy anyway I can have my popcorn, even if that's an early snack during the day on the weekends.
Thanks, Angel
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fysh
New Member
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Posted: 4 January 2008 01:42 pm |
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Angel44, I have the same problem. It is an eating disorder called "Night Eating Syndrome" which was first written about way back in 1955 by Dr. Albert J Stunkard who is a professor at the University of Pennsylvania Department of Psychiatry Center for Weight and Eating Disorders.
Google it.
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Victor version 4.0
Senior Member
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Posted: 4 January 2008 04:30 pm |
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<SHRUG>
I dunno, I always eat my biggest meal at dinnertime and have a snack right before bed...
I supose it goes to prove that we are all different, and our bodies react differently.
Victor
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Angel44
Member
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Posted: 4 January 2008 08:08 pm |
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~Hi Fysh~
That's interesting. Here I thought it was just me. I will have to check it out. Thanks for the info. What ever it is, I want to control it. I believe that is where a big part of my weight problem comes in along with lack of exercise which I'm getting a handle on and turning that around.
Thanks again,
Angel
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Peter
Founder, caloriesperhour.com
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Posted: 6 January 2008 12:31 am |
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Be sure to read the newsletter Curbing Nighttime Eating.
Peter
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Angel44
Member
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Posted: 6 January 2008 01:45 am |
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Thanks Peter. I printed it off to put with all my other diet info.
Angel
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Lucky Me
Senior Member
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Posted: 9 January 2008 03:28 am |
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Hi Angel,
The very best thing I've ever found to avoid eating at night is to have whatever snack I've planned and THEN brush my teeth very thoroughly, floss my teeth, and use some type of good, plaque-preventing (that means expensive) mouthwash. Later on, if I want a cookie, it's pretty easy to convince myself that I an NOT going to go through all that dental hygiene all over again for one lousy cookie, not to mention wasting the expensive mouthwash!
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DaniMae1
Senior Member
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Posted: 17 January 2008 12:34 pm |
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| I don't eat right before bed, but I do like a snack in the evening. I go for a "light" fruit cup with or without jell-o in it, a "light" pudding cup (about 60 calories) Maybe a 100 calorie pack of cookies or crackers if I've done good for the day. They have 100 calorie popcorn packs now too. Oh and I have it with some hot tea and it usually satifies me just fine! I guess you don't have to totally deny the craving. Just make a better choice.
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Angel44
Member
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Posted: 17 January 2008 08:42 pm |
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What I really hate is that I have a snack after I workout. It's like I just defeated the purpose of exercising. The cravings are always there. When I first started this challenge, I got it on my head not to snack at all before going to bed. I was doing well for about a week.
What doesn't help is when my family has their snack right in front of me. I just got home from school and I went for the Cheetos when I have yogurt and fresh fruit. I have to have those nasty carbs. It's frustrating. I'm tired of it.
Angel44
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Peter
Founder, caloriesperhour.com
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Posted: 17 January 2008 11:53 pm |
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I always have a snack after a workout, but it's planned and healthy.
Peter
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luv2teach
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 13 February 2008 10:28 pm |
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ANgel44,
I am having the same problem as you right now! I usually eat dinner around 7pm and by 9pm I am ready for a snack or something sweet. I have only gone one day without my sweets at night so I am not a PRO...but my biggest problem is watching television at night and eating. So, last night I turned off the tv and went to my room and read a book. The thought of eating totally went away. IT really seems like I "trained" myself to wanting to eat when I am watching television etc. ..so my goal is to "untrain" myself.
I like the ideas of eating healthier snacks too--like the popcorn (light) and jello--maybe I will go buy some of that. So, are you still snacking at night or did you cut food out completely at night before bed?
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Angel44
Member
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Posted: 15 February 2008 10:09 am |
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luv2teach,
I went 1 week without eating before bed. Now I'm right back to where I was. Not sure what happened.
Today I'm seeing a dietician at the clinic to see if she can help me out. I know I'm an overeating and a compulsive eater. I've been thinking about checking out Overeaters Anonymous but I'm not sure if I'm reading for that. I will see what the dietician has to say.
Angel44
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artistjohn
Senior Member
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Posted: 20 February 2008 02:38 pm |
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I'm in the healthy snack before bedtime club!! Helps me sleep as well. As long as it's part of allocated cals for that day.
Good luck
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tuberide
New Member
| Joined: | 10 March 2008 |
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| Posts: | 1 |
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Posted: 11 March 2008 06:42 am |
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I love eating at night. I stay up til 1:30am most nights and will have a snack at around 12:30. I don't care if it's not recommended to do so. There is a benefit to eating late at night and that is forcing your body to do some work while you sleep, and that's to digest that food you just gave it. Of course some people don't sleep well after eating but that's not the case with me. That said, try having something like beef jerky or salted popcorn or even tortilla chips instead of potato chips and cheetos. If you want cheetos, have a bite or two of beef jerky, wait 10 minutes and THEN ask yourself if you still want Cheetos.
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JustJess
New Member
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Posted: 13 March 2008 07:11 pm |
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Yep, I am also a night time eater. Well more all-evening eater, as soon as I get in, the first thing on my mind is food. And unless I am occupied, it stays on my mind all night, and more or less everytime I go into the kitchen, I end up snacking on something or another...
I've tried occupying myself, but that only works for so long. I can't clear our the cupboards, for it is not me who buys the junk in them, and I can't really exercise as I don't have much I can do, it is dark here by 6pm, and my house is not too spacious. I have no idea what to do, I try drinking water, chewing gum, eat healthy snacks, but I always seem to still want something sweet after =|
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DaniMae1
Senior Member
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Posted: 20 March 2008 05:59 pm |
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| How about cereal? An actual serving of healthy cereal with a 1/2 cup of 1% milk....Just a thought...
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kukalachka
New Member
| Joined: | 20 February 2008 |
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| Posts: | 15 |
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Posted: 29 March 2008 02:22 am |
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Some nights I have work, I cant eat dinner and end up having an apple or a 1/2 cup of soup only while im working. by the time i get back home, its usually 9 or 10 and im pretty hungry...i eat about 1700 or 1800 cals a day, so when i get home i usually have about 400 or 500 cals left...
tonight for instance, i only had about 1200 cals before i got home, so when i came home i made a salad with some veggies, about 100 cals, nonfat yogurt with grapes, altogether abotu 120 cals, and 1 serving of healthy cereal with nonfat milk...sounds like a lot of food, i know, but my cals are only at about 1600...i try not to eat grains at night and havent all week, but after being on my feet waitressing all night my brain was telling me, "eat eat eat!" so i did :X
i think all together i ate about 1700 today...but reallllllllly, people...
is it bad to eat at night? i really want to believe that "it doesnt matter as long as you stay within your caloric limit..."
help? help! help?
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Melissa
Member
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Posted: 29 March 2008 03:12 pm |
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I thought one of the reasons people said it was bad to eat at night mainly because you're eating right before you go to bed and a full stomache or some food can make it difficult to get a good night's sleep. Whether there is truth in that, I dont know. I suppose the other part of the wisdom was that when you eat at night and retire shortly thereafter, you really arent burning any of it off.
But general wisdom sometimes needs to make way for practicality--if you are coming home from work and you are hungry, its like your dinnertime, you have to eat, even if its at night.
But, I admit, I dont always know what i am talking about! 
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mollymoo24
Senior Member
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Posted: 1 April 2008 11:06 pm |
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Melissa wrote: I thought one of the reasons people said it was bad to eat at night mainly because you're eating right before you go to bed and a full stomache or some food can make it difficult to get a good night's sleep.
[Raises hand in the air] Count me in. Eat late = can't get to sleep. Guaranteed.
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