I don't get it. I can stay on my eating program, carefully watching my calories and what I put into my mouth all day long, but when the evening time comes it all goes down hill. I don't understand why I can do so well and have such good self control all day until evening. Does anyone else experience this as well?

For me eating in the evening is usually because of one of three things.

1. I haven't eaten as much as I should during the course of the day and my body is telling me that I am still hungry.

2. I haven't had enough to drink and I am misinterpreting thirst as hunger.

3. I am sitting in front of the TV and just "feel like snacking"

The best thing you can do is really look at what you're eating during the course of the day and see if you are maybe falling short anywhere. Next time you get hungry try drinking 8oz of water and seeing how you feel 20 minutes or so after that.

Hang in there!
*hugs*
Hope this helps
~Sidheag

I used to have the same problem and then I just made a rule. Nothing after dinner. Yes sometimes I am hungry but I figure that is better than binging which I liked to do at night. Plus it gives me more calories to eat during the day which is always nice.

If you don't think you can do that I would evaluate what you are eating for dinner. Go the high protein, good fat, high fiber route and you should feel less hungry after dinner.

Good luck!

I also should say that I don't watch TV anymore at night and I think that helps too. I just DVR all my programs and watch them all at once - normally Sat morning.

Thanks for asking the question InnerChild. I experienced the very same thing tonight in fact.

You've got some very good advice by Sidheag and Sarah. I'm going to try to follow some of their points too...

Ingrid

i most def experience this every evening! my problem is im stressed about a homework assignment or to put off homework a few minutes ill eat something. i just will have to be more aware of what im doing but between my daughter and the fact that she cant keep her room clean for nothing and all my homework I JUST WANT TO EAT lol

Thannk you. Altho my evening eating isn't binging, it is also not done because of hunger. For years I've been a snacker and altho I can stick to meals throughout the day, snacking seems to be my forte for the evenings. Hmmmm.....perhaps I should adjust my eating plan around that knowledge.

I allow myself a very small, preplanned, premeasured treat every night after dinner. It's my only "sweet" thing of the day and it gets me through any temptation there might have been at work from patients bringing in goodies. And it keeps the psychological feeling that I'm "depriving" myself away. Just what works for me.
Jen

wow jen you just gave me an idea that might help me lol at lunchtime i always have a luna or zoe bar something that is healthy and sweet but maybe i should have it after dinner, thats a great idea ill try that! thanks )

Sounds a lot like your just *snacking* out of habit and maybe a little boredom? Do you have any hobbies you could replace the munchie habit with? Maybe scrapbooking or knitting? Counted cross stitch is a great one - you are concentrating on keeping your place as well as keeping your hands busy...

Yes, this is the same thing happening to me. And, I used to have such self-control. I'm stunned at how this has become such a problem for me.

I'm not sure if you work, but it's easy for me to eat the way I should all day at work. Then, I feel so hungry when I pick the kids up and come home from my MIL's. Still, I manage to eat OK until later on, when the cravings get the best of me and I recently started caving into these cravings! Then I go to bed without any of those necessary "hungry" vibes that translate into weight loss!

I need help!

I do the same and I keep my hands busy with my crochet in the evenings while watching a bit of TV. I know this is a problem and I am going to have to be very careful about it. I need to set rules and give myself other things to do instead of snacking out of boredom. My plan is to brush my teeth after supper, plan on some water or herbal tea (I don't use cream or sugar) and will head here to find some inspiration to get past the temptation. I also have started a blog here that I plan to go to and write when I am tempted to eat something I shouldn't.

I also think I am going to scan a copy of my favorite "skinny" (at my best shape I was 175 pounds and wore a size 11 jeans - that is my "skinny") picture of me from high school and post it on the fridge and cupboard doors to remind myself of where I want to get back to!

Oh my God! That happens to me sometimes too. I can do really well all day, I just have my tuna sandwich & my yogurt for a snack. most of the time, I go home & I'm not hungry! I'll decide to have maybe a weight watchers meal for dinner & then after I'm done eating I want to pick at everything in sight! I don't sit down & binge on ice cream or anything, but I tend to pick at a lot of stuff. I totally have to stop myself from doing that! I don't get it either. The only thing I can think of is it's easier to get food at home. At work during the day I'm distracted by other things and I can't very well eat food I don't have! I'm hoping to get over that, cause I really feel it does effect how quickly I'm losing...

I know I'm new here and honestly; don't have much to add; but I am a very late night snacker because with my business I'm up to about 2 or so in the a/m packaging my orders...

so about midnight; I usually grab popcorn..but lately instead I have been chewing gum...and one of my good friends is always up doing her packing too; so sometimes if the urge is really bad, I'll call her..

but what about sugarless gum?? is that ok to chew..?? calorie/carb wise etc?

I am binging at night too! I do good all day, but I guess its cause I'm at work. When I get home, its nonstop eatting till I go to bed. I know its stress eatting as I am getting a divorce next year and things around here are not easy. I just have to get handle on it somehow....so I hope you dont mind that I jump in on this forum

Sometimes I feel like I'm "prowling" the house at night, like some sort of jungle animal, hunting for food.