[rrtd38]

Is there anybody else out there that's out of control everyday from 3:00 to dinner time? I feel like a drug addict. I don't have the guilt until its too late. How do I stop?

[40poundsago]

I have been on ww for 2 weeks now and until now I have never relized I ate constantly for 4 hours. I would come back from eating lunch and I would have a snack and another and another and you get the picture. Now I just try to keep my fingers busy after lunch. I set the food I want on my desk and just keep telling myself "do this first" or I put lotion on, who wants to eat finger food with lotion on thier hands. Or GUM I find the strongest stuff I can find then it ruins the taste of everything. I like to find success stories on line too, that reminds why I don't need to eat.

I hope these ideas help, I know it is really hard, but like the qliche (sp?) goes if I can do it anyone can.

[Margarita]

A few suggestions that might help:

Schedule something else for that time. Go for a walk, read a book, or take a nap; anything to get away from the food.

Make up a platter of fresh veggies and fruit. Give yourself permission to eat unlimited amounts of food in the afternoon, but only from that platter.

Figure out what's really bothering you (boredom? stress? fear? fatigue?), and find some constructive way to deal with it.

[ellis]

Welcome to 3FC!
It sounds like you may not be getting enough food prior to that mid-afternoon "attack". I used to be that way ALL THE TIME!! I was never really hungry until around 3 (coincidentally, when my kids came home from school. heh heh. stress.), and then I'd devour everything in sight.

On the program I'm doing (I'm allowed 1700-2000 calories per day in order to lose 1-3 pounds per week), I have breakfast (400 cal), a mid-morning snack(100-200 cal), lunch (400-500 cal), a mid-afternoon snack (100-200 cal), dinner (500 cal), and an evening snack (100-200 cal).
Having those snacks (and making sure I'm getting enough calories at breakfast and lunch) has made a huge change in how I'm feeling mid-afternoon. Firstly, I'm no longer "hungry", and secondly, I KNOW I can have that snack. And that my body needs it for fuel!

I hope this helps.

40poundsago, welcome to you, too! Looks like you're on your way with your weight loss.

[ellis]

Margarita, I love the veggie platter suggestion! You're right about the fatigue... that's a huge factor for many of us mid-afternoon.
It's really important that you get enough protein, too. A slice of peanut butter on toast...