Weird behaviour, need suggestions on breaking this habit.

I get up to eat at night. I go to sleep, then I wake up and always go downstairs and eat, which always leads to me overeating, not excessively, I've been able to get away from that, but it ruins my calorie goal, which is not too low at 1800-1900 for maintenance. (I'm less active in winter)

I'm am to trying for around 1500-1600 so I can lose about 2-3 lbs a month, because thats all I have to lose to get back to my ideal weight. (which I slipped away from over the holidays, bah!) But theres no way I can do it with this weird habit screwing me over every night.

I just get this horrible urge to eat now! and I go do it, nine times out of ten, I'm haf awake when it happens, so I seem to lose the ability to tell myself no, like during the day. Worst part is, Im not even truly hungry, because I eat before I go to sleep in the effort to keep myself saited, hoping it will keep me asleep!

 Plus its usually a craving for sweet/carb rich foods. 've been comsuming anywhere from 2100-2500 cals a day, at least 100 to 500 more than I need! I'll only keep gaining at this rate! 

 Does anyone know of some tricks I can do that might help me stop this cycle?

 

Try preparing ahead of time different veggies cut up and easy to grab when having this urge. I used to do this exact thing when I first started eating healthier. I cut up celery carrots and put them in small bags, I kept frozen grapes in small bags so everything was in quick access. I kept many jars of pickles I know they are high in sodium but a couple of them and I was ready to go back to bed with hardly no cals in my system.

Now if i have that urge i drink a huge bottle of ice cold water always in my fridge and that normally does the trick. Just remember if you dont have all that junk ready available then you wont be tempted to eat any of it=)

ok then heres another problem,

I have roomates and a boyfriend who buy sugary food and fatty food and keep it everywhere. We talking sweet granola, cookies, chocolate, flavoured soy milk, trail mix, cereals, candies.. all kinds of stuff, and I end up eating that.

That is why you need to have your healthy snacks ready avail all the time. Always keep replenishing your small bags of good snacks for you. You need to learn to keep their food out of your thoughts. I live with my husband and 2 children I have junkfood in my house as we speak I have learned to keep it under control. You must do the same, I still eat junkfood but in moderation and I still keep my healthy snacks always around when im feeling like going on a food binge I whip out my fruits and veggies and my water.

So, is it ok that I get up after going to sleep to eat every night?

Until your body adjusts to all of the new changes you are incorporating into it. I think its fine for now just to graze on your veggies during these odd times at night. You got to think slow with this process you are not going to break a habit overnight it takes time. That is why I told you to try drinking the ice cold water when you get up. This sometimes suffices the need to eat and the hunger pains. Its a one step at a time to a new lifestyle if you keep consistent and keep on trying new things to get to your goal you will find it easier after a while your body will respond and it will make its own healthy habits. Its not a quick fix but give the ice water a whirl and also keep the healthy grazing food quickly on hand.

If you need to talk just email me, I know its rough I went through this very same thing almost a yr ago when I first started out=)

Thanks, that sounds like a plan. I will give it a whirl tonight. You're a great help!

It's not unusual for me to crave the salty and sweet late at night. I've started curbing it with a cup of warm milk (malted) with a touch of sugar, or hot chocolate with a dash of decaf (mommy's instant late night latte) and it seems to help. I also have started drinking Propel... the water is beside my bed, I take a sip and am back to bed. A cold glass of milk is a lifesaver when I'm up getting the baby her milk too.

The grazing on Healthy snacks is also a good suggestion.

As for your room-mates and boyfriend... you may ask for their support and give them their own cupboard in the kitchen for their stuff, and politely ask them to NOT leave it out. It takes time to change habits, good for the bad, and one day (or night) at a time...

You'll do it.

 

S.

I used to do the same thing... craving sweets late at night. I bought a bag of sugar-free hard candies from the local grocery store and tucked one in my cheek whenever the urge hit. It worked like a charm and I haven't had any tooth decay because of it.

Another option would be to plan the calories ahead of time and keep a snack with that number right next to your bed or in the refrigerator.  If you don't wake up, then just have them in the morning.