Help!! Im eating and I can't stop

[e.mccoy]

Hello,

I was just wondering if anyone has this same problem. At night I can't stop eating. After dinner i will just eat and eat and eat. This viscous cycle on until i fall asleep around 12 or 1 am. Please help me. I don't have a problem with exercise but I really doesn't work because I eat constantly. I have been dealing with this problem for years. I don't know how to get it under control. Please help!!!!!!!!

[Jen]

I know what you mean. If I had been following a good diet in addition to my exercising I would probably have lost 15 lbs since September when I started back to the gym. Yesterday I was pigging out from lunch until about 3pm when I had to go to work. Seems like I couldn't get enough food in my face. Right now I am just trying to keep myself busy and out of the kitchen. I know the behaviours which cause me to start noshing, usually sitting and watching tv is the worst one. Evening eating is not usually a problem, it is after lunch and afternoon eating that gets me. I just try to keep busy and out of the kitchen. AFter supper make sure that your kitchen is spic and span, all the dishes washed and leftover in the garbage. Yes I know that is terrible to say but unless you plan on making a meal of leftovers the next day you know that you will be eating them in the evening. After the kitchen is clean go and brush, floss and mouthwash your teeth and get busy doing something else. I usually put my little boy to bed and we brush our teeth at the same time and I hate eating after that. Just some ideas!

[Gitterdone]

Hello, I sometimes have the same problem, especially if I go out with friends and then come home at 1 or 2 in the morning. Somethings that help, take a walk right after dinner. This keeps me focused. I also have been keeping a food journal to remind me of everything I've eaten so I tell myself that I shouldn't be hungry. I also make sure to have lots of protein for my last meal to hold me over. Reading fitness magazenes and books help to, the key for me is focus!! One other hint maybe to try and get up earlier so you can fall asleep earlier. This way you don't have to be awake for the awful night munchies, and if you eat more in the morning, it's not as bad because you have all day to work it off. Anyways maybe some of these will help you like they are helping me. Good Luck!!!

[Gypsydancer]

I don't know if this will help, but it's helped me. My "danger times" were all day at work (really) and when I got home from work. So I adopted a "no snacking" rule, and after a week of easing into it (allowing myself to slip up and eat a snack when I really wanted it), I was able to commit to it. I also cut out carbs at dinner (only) to keep from triggering a binge. Some people might think it's extreme, but it's been pretty painless.

[granijani]

Right now, I'm battling insomnia. I have found myself wanting to snack the whole night away.
So, I went to the library and stocked up on great books. I never eat while reading a book from there because I'm afraid I'll ruin it.

[angelfadedblue]

My Mother's thing- shes a small lady and no weight problem really, but her thing is to sit and tell herself mentally that food is gross, food is disgusting while she is eating. She is big on portion control and this seems to make her stop eating a lot faster when she can mentally make herself belive that its is goss and she doesnt want it.
Personally--- I DO want it!!! and I cannot convince myself that that bite of oreo i just ate was gross... ;)
~My trick is to just start chewing- like they say, chew each bite like 20 times and then swallow. Let me tell you- that oreo was tasting just nasty by the time i swallowed and then thats the end of that! So when you just cant stop eating.. just start chewing all your bites until they are mush and then you'll put the food away.
Let me know if this helps anyone.

[Jen]

I'm sorry but I find that a little weird that your mom tells herself that food is gross and disgusting to stop herself from overeating.

[angelfadedblue]

Jen,
Yes i Agree that it is a little messed up if its to a point of an extreeme where it can become a eating disorder issue. I was refering to when you are mid-way through a double chocolate cake and just cant stop yourself. Its jsut one of those things.. if it works for you...
I personally like the extra chewing thing.

[Jen]

Okay I guess I can buy that and if it works for her...well not much I can say but I don't think it is something I would recommend for most people.

[Alora1978]

Hello chickies... I LOVE food. I live to eat and eat to live. Right now I am probably on my two hundredth attempt to lose weight. That probably sounds pretty dismal I'm sure. My problem is snacking. I can sit and eat a regular meal, regular portions and be fine. However, throughout the day I mindlessly snack on whatever random junk food I can come across. I know this is unhealthy and is probably the main reason why I haven't been successful at my weight loss attempts. I am reading Dr. Phil's book and some of what he's saying is sinking in. I don't eat because I'm depressed or trying to fill a void, I eat because food tastes good and it gives me pleasure. Lately I've been trying to do alot of visual imagination as to how I want to look when I do lose the weight. I use to weigh around 125-130 so it's not hard for me to picture myself back at that weight. I find myself asking myself if my food choices are high-response foods or low-response foods and have been trying to choose the high-response choices. I'm not looking to become "skinny" or even really thin. I think a little healthy weight especially if you have curves is far more attractive than a pencil thin rail. My goal weight right now is to be somewhere around 135-140. I am trying to shoot for May to have accomplished this goal. I think with exercise, a positive attitude, and a cut back on my fatty/sugary snacks will be enough to attain my goal. And remember, if that brownie or bowl of icecream is that darn important to you at the time, EAT IT. If you don't give in to temptation every once in a while you are setting yourself up for failure. Don't beat yourself up over it. Enjoy it and move on. Just try to eat a little healthier the next day.

Amy :)

CW: 175 GW: 135-140

[dashcat]

Hey McCoy, I have the same problem. There was only one way I have managed to stop the evening and night eating which was beyond my control. I cut out all sugar(processed and corn syrup products especially) switched from milk to vanilla soymilk with something they call evaporated cane juice for the sweetener, cut out all artificial sweeteners. I tried cutting out white rice and pasta, as I can really overeat those, but that was too hard, so when I find myself making those I try to make half what i normally throw in( I mean I was at the point where a half box of pasta was a "serving"). I also cut out all high fatty foods like chips and hard cheese. By eliminating those products, it gave me the mental space to actually reduce the eating I did at night. I keep a draw full of apples to grab...and its taken a while to get that habit. A whole box of cheese-its used to be my "snack". Its really hard, because almost anything you buy has sugar, artificial sweetener, or corn syrup in it. Or its high fat. The health food section has some "fast food" without sweeteners. I feel for you, because I know exactly what you mean...and I have struggled for years to get a handle on it, until I came across an article that suggested that certain people react to sugar and high fats in an addictive way...and over time what used to satisfy( 6 cookies) becomes the whole box to reach the same feeling. By eliminating these as much as I can, I find my eating more "normal". I can say to myself, I just ate half an apple, so I know I'm not actually hungry and stop. Before, there was no stopping no matter what I told myself. I make sure I get good fats like olive oil in limited quantities on a daily salad tho thats still hard- have to make it the day before so its right there. I eat bread, but not more than 3 slices a day, baked potato with salsa, Khashi cereal with soymilk, canned green beans, chili with beans, all the regular meats and fish, fruit- at least 2 a day, brown rice, pasta once a week...really all normal stuff. If I am going to have fast food or a donut, I make sure I eat it early in the day when I have more mental input -tho I know that night I'll have a craving boomerang..it does that to me. So I'll save my salad for that 9pm hit. Hope this helps.

[marineswife]

I totally understand where you are coming from. I have the same issue. I am not sure what to do about it but reading what you all wrote has helped.

[CoolMom75]

Dashcat's comment about the addictive eating describes me to a T. I crave fatty foods, and will eat more and more. It seems like a lumberjack sized portion to satiate me after a time, until I cut back again. I just imagine my stomach is HUGE, and I need to go through withdrawls to shrink it down again...

Man, I sound like a real nut job, after typing that out. :sssh:

[angelfadedblue]

Everyone.
I am exactly that way as well, until i get myself over the sugar withdrawls and carb cravings. I Really Really recommend doing Dr. Phil's Rapid start plan. It is in his food guide book- I do all my meal preperation the week before i start, so i have it all made and dont even have to "stop and get something" for dinner. The first few days kinda bite, you are hungry still all the time.. except for now, i eat fruit and lots of veggie and fat free dip when i am hungry instead of sugar or chips. But let me tell you! After a few days.. once the cravings are gone... you will feel so strange--- no more hunger--- no more "need to have that" feelings-- you also start eating less! its amazing. i went from a full large plate full of food and then a snack (or 2) afterwards for dinner, down to the palm-sized meat and 2 cups of veggies, no snack needed. It is a great way to start, and if you can stick with it through those first couple days, you'll do fine! *try the applesauce bran muffins in the UWL cokbook!*
hope this helps!

[journeygirl]

Maybe you should try eating a big breakfast and a big lunch, I find if I really fill up during the day then my night time munchies die down. I used to have a bowl of All Bran mixed with Special K and half a banana, but If I eat a boiled egg and a piece of toast with that, and follow up with a big lunch, if you normally have a snadwich and veggies add abowl of hearty healthy soup, I feel so fill I'm better off at the end of the day.

[Amberoo]

I wanted to say, I have been dealing with the same problem for years. I totally understand. I'm horrible at night. And it doesn't help that I'm a night person. I have such a huge appetite and my cravings are out of hand. After dinner time it's like an endless all night all you can eat buffet. It's insane. I must stop!!

I found all the replies helpful. I have been trying to get myself to eat more in the A.M., less in the mid day, then in the evening even less... the biggest meals should be eaten early in the day, at least that is the most popular tip I've come across.

I hope we can get this under control, Miss Mcoy. We sure need to beat this cycle.

Good luck.

[Jen]

I find the best thing to do is to set a time like 7:30pm and say that is it...no more eating after that even if you are a bit hungry at bedtime it won't kill you. Clean up the kitchen, do the dishes and turn the lights off and stay out of there until the next morning. I've never been a bit night time eater, I'm more likely to graze during the afternoon and it helps just to stay away from the kitchen altogether.

[garnetrose32]

My sister in law and I was talking about this the other day. I told her I can go all day and not touch food but I know that it not the way to do it so I try to space my meals and have well balanced ones and cut back on the snacks but it seems like I am hungry from 6 o'clock on. She says the battle begins at the grocery store. Instead of buying the chocolates I love and the chips that I love, buy fruits and veggies cause if you don't have the stuff you love at the house, you won't be eating it unless you go to the store and buy it and that is a no-no.

[garnetrose32]

I find the best thing to do is to set a time like 7:30pm and say that is it...no more eating after that even if you are a bit hungry at bedtime it won't kill you. Clean up the kitchen, do the dishes and turn the lights off and stay out of there until the next morning. I've never been a bit night time eater, I'm more likely to graze during the afternoon and it helps just to stay away from the kitchen altogether.


okay but I am a person who just cannot sit and watch t.v. or do whatever with the family without my fingers traveling to their chip dishes and candy snacks so I am just not getting them. I am buying more apples, and such. If I have snacks they are more of the healthy kind.

[Nikki_20216]

Same happens to me. I am so trying to break that habit! Somebody said to try and chew gum, or carrot.

[Autumn Night]

I do not overeat uncontrollably all the time. My overeating is usually set off by a trigger food. For example, last week I made some pasta salad to use over the next few days. I decided to taste a little while it was fresh, since I like it best before it gets dry. One bite, and it was like something came over me. I ate and ate. I finally put what was left in the refrigerator, and then started on the peanut butter and crackers. I don't really know what made me stop, because I certainly could have eaten more. I didn't even feel full. People who say the first bite of something tastes best, just don't understand what goes on in some people's brains. Every bite I ate tasted the best.

My solution to this problem isn't a very appealing one: don't eat foods that you really love, even in small quantities. I also plan my menus at least a day in advance, and then stick to it. If I had waited until the next day to eat one cup of pasta salad as planned, I woudn't have overeaten it because it would have been sort of dried up and unappealing. The previous time I couldn't stop eating involved homemade lemon bars. After eating over half the pan, I finally took the rest over to the trash can and dumped it in. It was the only way to stop. I ate a very small piece of frosted brownie at a reception at work last week, and it was torture. I could not stay in the same room with the treats, and had to leave.

Now when I look in the refrigerator or cabinets I don't see anything that calls out to me, "Yummy, yummy, eat me!" So my advice is, if you know you love it, just leave it (in the store).

[e.mccoy]

I would like to thank everyone for responding and leaving such great suggestions. I am still battling to overcome my nighttime obsession with food, but It's coming along. All of your suggestion were great and thanks again.