Over-eating In The Evenings

[Michele Dochat]

I really tend to over-eat in the evenings when I do it. Not sure if it's boredom or what it is, but that is always my bad time. Sitting in front of the TV and munching. I've been trying to choose healthier snack to keep at home because I know this about me, but I find I'm having a tough time.

Do any of you have suggestions to get through that time of day?

I know some people have told me to get up and do something other than watch TV, but it's my guilty pleasure. I work all day, I work out MOST days, I come home and make dinner for everyone, I shower and then I get the jammies on and relax, often not until around 9pm. If I have cleaning to do I skip the gym and get my AP that way. I am not willing to give up TV...so I need help figuring out what to eat that WON'T send me over my points, or at least not as FAR over them!

[Lynnee]

I didn't read thru all the posts...so forgive me if I'm suggesting something that someone else already has. And let me say - I have the EXACT same problem!

Brushing your teeth may help - and also, find something to keep your hands busy. Cross stitch, crocheting, scrapbooking...heck, even balancing your checkbook! No fun but if it keeps the food away, who can complain! :)

[JoyfulGirl]

These have all been really great suggestions everyone. Like most of us have expressed, I too battle with this. There is just nothing like not being occupied to make your mind wander to snacking, then once it gets there you convince yourself you need junkfood. One thing I do to remove my temptations when watching TV is to change the channel everytime a food commercial comes on, yes every single time. I have found that after a while my mind semi-associates junkfood with a gross feeling and makes me not crave it while lounging. Another great idea as a better snack choice is popsicles/frozen fruit pops. Take your favorite calorie free(0 point) beverage like a crystal light lemonade or fruit punch and freeze it in an ice cube tray or popsicle mold.

[Beth]

This is the reason I learned to knit. It becomes engrossing. Even the process of learning to knit was engrossing. On nights when I knit in front of the TV, I magically do not eat in front of the TV. It's like one habit replaces another.

So, do you knit or crochet?

Now the only problem for me are those nights where I don't pick up the knitting. =/

[Michele Dochat]

I do crochet, and plan to start a new felting project this week if I find the time...busy tonight and tomorrow night so may not need to worry so much about snacking, but it will help when I do. I made a felted bag for my daughter last spring, and I have some pretty green and pale bule wool yarn to do one for me but haven't picked it up since I finished hers and a set of felted placemats for my dining room table! Great idea, I hate to get any food or drink on my hands when crocheting...very anal about it in fact!! Thanks! Wish I knew how to knit but never learned...self taught crocheter, so maybe it's in my future!

[Beth]

Michele, I would love to learn how to crochet! There's so many things that can be done in crochet I can't duplicate with knitting and vice versa, I'm sure.

I too am anal about nothing being on my hands when I knit. I used to quit knitting when the weather became warm, but I found it really does keep those snacking monsters away. Good luck and don't forget to update!

[2Phat]

OMG this is the bane of my life! DH works retail... which means he doesn't get home until 9:30 or 10pm. He eats dinner after he has been home for a while (and I'm getting ready to turn in for the night).. sometimes I'll cook for him. Seriously it KILLS ME to watch someone else eat in front of me and not want to nibble on something too. Last night he made pizza.. the smell alone was my downfall. I'm going to put some of these tips into practice - else I'm going to have to send him out to eat every night for my own sanity... I have no will power. Ever see the TV commercial for nicotine patches where the cartoon crazies are bouncing around the brain... yeah.. that would be how I feel on the urge to eat. It's overpowering.

[LadyBOT]

I do this as well. I am going to try brushing my teeth and see if it helps, but here is what I do about this issue:

I actually don't avoid the situation, I work with it. Like you, I work all day and at night I just want to veg out in front of a movie or show. Since I have an office job where I am sitting in front of a computer (and a clock) all day, I make the most (or least) out of my day-time points. Since it is so easy to pack my lunches and watch the time, I can limit my points for the first half of the day and still don't feel hungry. For example, I eat every 2-3 hours and I make sure it is a 1-2 point snack each time. If you eat things like nuts, yogurt, cheese, the protein will hold you over between snacks.

Example:
7:30 Coffee w/ Creamer -1pt
10:00 "Breakfast" - Low Fat Cottage Cheese - 2 pts
12:00 "Lunch" - Deli Meat and 5 whole wheat crackers - 2 pts
2:00 Snack - Low Fat String Cheese -1pt
After work (430) I have another 1-2 point snack to hold me over til dinner.

This way, during the day I've only used around 6 points. When you eat that often, and include fiber and protein, you don't feel starving and you won't need a giant point stealing lunch. I save the majority of my points for the evening, so I can ENJOY my nights.
I'll have a hardy 10 point dinner and STILL have points left for my TV snacking time (lots of fruit, grapes and berries are great for TV time). I'd be happy to share more 1-2 point snack ideas if anyone wants to know.

[Kellie]

I would love to hear more 1-2 point snack ideas. I'm a total snacker! Which as many know can be the death of a good weight loss program!! :)

[Michele Dochat]

If you like them, try veggies...many are NO points (depending on how much you have of course), and they are great for you too! I usually will salt them very lightly, steam in a steamer bag in the microwave, and spray with some I Can't Believe It's Not Butter spray...yummy stuff! Brussels Sprouts are my favorite, find yours! - oh, and they fill you up!!

[HungryHippos]

I save my fruit for night. I normally eat 2 cups of grapes about an hour before bed. Last night I was so stuffed from them I could barely cram the last few in my mouth.

Games on pogo.com keep my hands busy. They're addictive, and I normally don't even want to stop playing to eat.

I also save the majority of my points for late in the evening. I can go all day without eating a thing, but for some reason, about an hour after dinner, I'll eat anything and everything. I think it's all about knowing your body and planning.

[Leslie]

I have the same problem. I love love love to snack at night in front of the TV. I've discovered 2 tricks and maybe they will work for you. The first is to watch TV in bed because we have a no food in the bedroom rule in our house so as long as I remain in the bed, I know I'm not sticking my head in the refridgerator. The second is that I usually have a craving to snack during commericials so I have an activity planned for commercial breaks, such as reading, looking at a magazine, journaling, whatever. I find that these tricks have gotten me through some nights when I know I would have snacked in front of the TV if I didn't have them.

[HungryHippos]

Those are really good ideas! I've found if the food is far away or out of sight, I'm less likely to eat.

I got in a bad habit of keeping snacks on my night stand! Bad idea!