For those who are dieting, or have lost weight successfully....?

Question

Late at night is such a difficult time for me. How did you deal with your post 7pm cravings? What did you do to subdue them and retrain yourself?

Answer 1

Truthfully I drank water then brushed my teeth, and if that didn't work I would read to get my mind off of it.
It's all about habits, and changing your eating habit with another positive habit.
But drinking water allowed my stomach to fill full, then brushing my teeth, fooled my mind to thinking I can't eat now anyway...lol..Reading helped clear my mind of food and focus on my education...
blessings~

Answer 2

I find that not eating after 7pm really helps me control my weight. I think you're right to try to control this. It's not easy though. I can do just fine throughout the day and the blow it all at dinner! What helps me are a few things. I struggle with drinking enough water, so in the morning, I fill up a 2 liter bottle with water and either a little lemon juice, or pure cranberry juice. I drink this throughout the day, and generally I have quite a bit left at night. So I find that after drinking the water, my urge to eat is dampened. What works the best for me is having a post 7pm project, like knitting, reading a magazine. I do not allow myself to eat in front of the TV (that would be disaster for me) so watching a good show on TV (in a room other than the kitchen) helps take my mind off eating. What I also try to do, and it's hard also, is only eat when I'm physically hungry. It sounds easier than it is.......Most of the times I eat or want to eat, I'm not really physically hungry. It's because the food looks good, or I'm stressed, bored, etc. But if I wait and eat when I'm really hungry, I don't feel guilty about it.
Hope this helps!

Answer 3

I just love that bedtime snack! Unfortunately, it shows up on my scale the next morning.
Currently the way I deal with it is eat my supper about 7 pm instead of 5:30 like I used to, and allow myself to have a fruit and yogurt smoothie about an hour later. I recently found out I could put dry uncooked oatmeal in a smoothie and it doesn't taste bad at all. I make this in the blender using about 1/4 cup of dry oatmeal, an ice cube, frozen fruit of my choice, milk, half teaspoon of vanilla, teaspoon of Splenda, container of lo-fat yogurt. This is very filling. Be sure to mix it well in the blender. Chop up the oatmeal in the blender first to get it really fine and powdery.
Anyway, I have that after 7 which might be bad, but it's better than the huge bedtime snack I used to have at 10 pm.
The other thing I do sometimes is eat a couple of fat-free pretzels and a can of tomato juice about 20 minutes before a meal. It seems to make me feel fuller and eat less. I also stopped drinking soda pop.
Mainly, I am now focusing more on getting fit and less on losing weight. I have some favorite exercise videos and I am working out for at least 20 minutes a day. I may ramp this up later on, but for now I am easing gradually into a healthier lifestyle.
Benefits so far: I feel better and have lost a few pounds.

Answer 4

It's the hardest time especially if you're watching tv and they start showing stupid ads for Mickey D's and such!

- Always have a glass of water next to you (helps to fill you up).
- Try to mute the stupid food commercials on tv.
- If (when) the food cravings get to be too much, try to compromise by eating half the amount that you would normally have. Keep cutting back the amount on future nights to try to train yourself off of those munchies.

Hope this helps - it's worked pretty good for me.

Answer 5

You have got to keep your eye on your weight loss goal. I've found that if I am serious about getting to my goal, there is nothing that will deter me.

Keep track of your calories. If you have an extra 100 at the end of the day, a good snack is having a mini bag of that 94% fat free popcorn. It is only 100 calories, and the popcorn fills you up.

Also, I get bottles of flavored water. There are some varieties with no calories, no caffeine and come in lots of different flavors.

Good luck on your path to a new you.

Answer 6

I keep a close track of my calorie intake and calories burned through excercise, and if I have some calories left over and I want something then I eat it. I love no sugar added (not sugar free) fudge sicles 45 calories, or a cup of hot tea with honey 1 tbs honey 60 calories. I have lost 40 lbs and kept it off for a year, although I still have a long way to go, slow and steady is my rule. If I constantly deprive myself then sooner or later, I will break down and eat a whole bag of chocolate, so its better to have moderation and compassion for your self.
Good luck,
Dawn

Answer 7

Allow yourself a serving size of a healthy snack and a glass of water, preferably not fruit because of the sugar. I have found that a serving of crackers and cheese or p-nut butter are filling or a bowl of healthy cereal and low fat milk.(like multi-grain cheerios or special K) And remember to allow yourself favorite foods in moderation from time to time. Don't beat yourself up over slip ups and an occasional weak moment. Pull yourself up by the bootstraps and get back on track! Good luck and stick with it!

Answer 8

eat something healthy, fruit etc. and if you MUST have something sweet, very small portion and do an extra 15 minutes of cardio the next day, but don't make the sweets a habit

Answer 9

I tell myself there's always tomorrow, and that I will feel very proud of myself and thin tomorrow when I wake up if I don't eat anytime else

Answer 10

I snack on veggies. They are good for you and won't cause you to gain weight that late at night.