When darkness falls....

I CANT STOP EATING!  I do so well during the day, but at night it's like something snaps in my head and I HAVE to eat.  I could just eat healthy stuff at night and fit it into my calorie allowance, but I really do want to just STOP eating at night altogether, because once I even allow myself to do it, the results are never good. I'm not even really hungry when I do it, but it happens. HELP!  I wouldn't even have to count calories if it wasn't for my night time eating!

When you get the urge to eat, chug a big cold glass of water.  Or go for a quick powerwalk.  Do something to keep your mind and hands away from food.

are you eating enough during the day?

is it loneliness or anxiety?

Well, I used to be borderline anorexic, and ever since then I've never really been the same. Not as happy, very uptight, self-conscious, with a destroyed self-esteem (eating disorders will do that to you).  I know that I medicate myself with food, and honestly, food is really the only thing that makes me truly happy.  I know all this, yet I don't really know what to do. I've had professional help before, and I am alot better than I used to be, but the eating disorder really did change me.  I don't think I'll ever be the person I was supposed to be. :[

Agree with jewelsmcblah - try exercising as soon as you start to feel like munching on something. Don't go crazy with it, maybe a 30 minute workout video or a 20 minute run, or even just a brisk walk around the neighborhood. Exercise releases hormones that actually improve your mood so it might help you feel better plus avoid snacking. If you feel hungry after you finish exercising, drink 2 glasses of water and then have some protein - some nuts or a slice of turkey lunchmeat? You could also try making yourself a smoothie. It takes some time to make and some time to drink, so you'd be spacing out the calories a bit.

I do the senseless eating thing too, once I start it's SO hard to stop...

Make sure you really are eating enough calories. You need at least 1200 if you're not working out, and more than that if you do work out. Also, if your diet is high in sodium, sugar, and "bad" fats, you'll probably always be craving more of them. You may already know all of this but I figure I should cover all the bases!

One more suggestion I have is to stop buying the foods you consider to be unhealthy and affecting you negatively. If you really want some of them and can fit into your daily calories, go out and buy the smallest package, and if there are any left over, throw them away. There is a 7-11 that's a 20-minute walk away from my house and whenever I want a treat, I walk over there and get it. By the time I've walked there and back I've burned off half the treat.

Original Post by xjocelynx87:

I CANT STOP EATING!  I do so well during the day, but at night it's like something snaps in my head and I HAVE to eat.  I could just eat healthy stuff at night and fit it into my calorie allowance, but I really do want to just STOP eating at night altogether, because once I even allow myself to do it, the results are never good. I'm not even really hungry when I do it, but it happens. HELP!  I wouldn't even have to count calories if it wasn't for my night time eating!

 

 

I have the same problem, all day I am fine, and then around 9pm my evil food cravings come to hang out. I generally fight this with low-cal hot chocolate, or since its summer a big glass of ice cold water with half a lemon squeezed in it.

Out of sight, Out of mind. If its not there to eat, than you won't eat. You may go looking like I do but if its not there you won't eat. Get rid of all your snack foods and have someone put a lock on your refrigerator and you pantry until morning. I know the feeling, its like a another person inside of you, It comes out at night and it wants to eat.