Night time demise!

I am a nurse, I work 12 hour shifts, 7AM to 7PM, I try and eat every 2 hours at work, I consume about 1200 cals and never feel hungry, then I get home and raid the fridge!  I am so bad for this!

Can I ask your age, weight, height, and activity level? You're probably not eating enough! 1200 is the minimum, BARE minimum, for someone who's over 21, female and sedentary, and that's only if you're very short and small! And I can tell from your profile pic you're not short and small (you look very pretty there, I might add. :D)

I agree with lala, however if this is your preferred way of eating, maybe eat a little less at work and save say 500 calories to "binge" on when you get home.  Then, make sure you have prepared healthy meals in your fridge, portion them out in 500 calorie servings, and grab one and enjoy, since it's what you're "supposed' to be eating

1200 kcals is not enough (isnt that good news?)

up your kcals and definitely save some for when you get home!!!   I know what hospital work is like and believe me, you're not likely sedentary at work.

I, too, find it easy to not eat at work because it's sooo busy, but I have a nice dinner to make it up, especially since I don't feel like I've eaten unless I eat at home.

V.

Check the amount of calories that you need, first of all and consider your activity level.

What if you ate every 3 hours at work? You would have a little left for when you get home. Or, change up the food that you're eating so your snacks are fewer calories and drink lots of water or tea to fill up your tummy.

Other than that, I don't have any ideas. I was in the same situation as yourself and I got home from work and just had to have something. Eventually, I got used to having an apple and a big glass of water but now I'm unemployed so I've got other problems...heh.

As a fellow nurse, I know that you are burning a lot of calories at work.  Even on the night shift you are on your feet. Depending on what floor you are on, you might be lifting patients, ambulating patients, etc.  Get yourself a pedometer and track how far you walk on your shifts.  Mine tells me how many minutes I was walking, so then you could enter that in the activity level of CC.  Whatever the case, you are definitely not eating enough. 

hmm... 1200 cals doesnt sound like enough, esp if your walking around the hospital the whole time.

i'd suggest packing a snack to eat before you get home, and not allow yourself ANYTHING when you get home.

that's how i avoid binges, if i feel one coming on, i drink water and wait until i've gained more self-control.

Original Post by dovelette:

I agree with lala, however if this is your preferred way of eating, maybe eat a little less at work and save say 500 calories to "binge" on when you get home.  Then, make sure you have prepared healthy meals in your fridge, portion them out in 500 calorie servings, and grab one and enjoy, since it's what you're "supposed' to be eating

 I am 5'5 156lbs and walk all day at work, lifting patients and going all over the floor, I eat every 2 hours, I lost 100lbs this way (I gained 20 back over last year that I am trying to lose).  I average about 1200 cals before I get home, then instead of eating something healthy, I binge!

Original Post by nursemeow:

Original Post by dovelette:

I agree with lala, however if this is your preferred way of eating, maybe eat a little less at work and save say 500 calories to "binge" on when you get home.  Then, make sure you have prepared healthy meals in your fridge, portion them out in 500 calorie servings, and grab one and enjoy, since it's what you're "supposed' to be eating

 I am 5'5 156lbs and walk all day at work, lifting patients and going all over the floor, I eat every 2 hours, I lost 100lbs this way (I gained 20 back over last year that I am trying to lose).  I average about 1200 cals before I get home, then instead of eating something healthy, I binge!

 SHEESH!  Holy cow and CONGRATS on your 100lb loss AND your 80 maintence!!!  That's amazing that you kept 80lbs off!

So what does "binging" look like to you?  What do you eat?  How much?  Would it be possible to make food ahead in small containers of 400-500 calories and "binge" on one of those?  What sorts of food do you need to eat when you get home?  Are there similar options that are a bit healthier so you don't go over your calories?

Most importnat, after you binge, are you even going over your calories??  Are you staying within a healthy calorie range for you?  And is the binging slowing your weight loss or are you still losing?

I have the same challenge with eating in the evening and have come to the conclusion that it's not about saving calories or being hungry.  All the posts so far seem to focus on "what" you are eating - another thing to consider is "why".

My challenge is eating for reasons other than physical hunger. Perhaps there is some stress release needed and this is a way to do it (although it makes no logical sense to me when I'm doing it!). For me, it's a programmed response to stress (etc) that I really haven't found a solution for directly. I'm optimistic but fearful about the "why." (navel-gazing isn't my strong-suit)