What would work better for stress eating at night?
I've been flirting with trying WW again, and finally attended a meeting Saturday, but I'm lacking confidence in my ability to stick to it. My problem is that I'm exhausted when I get home from work, and I overeat. I feel so bad--I have a wonderful 15 month old, and I have no energy to play with him in the evenings. I just sit on the couch while he plays, and overeat and watch TV.
So my main question is (although if you'd like to give me suggestions on what to do about the above paragraph, they'd be welcome, too ) what would be a better way to allocate my points: Eat more during the day, and just have a light dinner (maybe at work before I come home), or realize I'm going to overeat at night and save the points until then. If it makes any difference, my appetite is much stronger during the day than at night. I'm eating for emotional reasons, not because of hunger.
It may sound weird, but getting some activity in during your evenings will probably help you feel more energetic. I used to do the same thing...come home tired and sit on the couch all night eating garbage food. Now, after dinner, instead of the couch, I hit the park! I feel so much more energized now, and I find I don't need all that snack food in the evening anymore.
BONUS: Not only does the activity make me feel better, but I get some extra AP's, so when I get home, I can have a guilt-free snack!
Some days it is SO hard to get my behind off the couch, and I ask myself "Do I HAVE to do this?" Then I remember my AP's, and it becomes worth it, and the walk ends up making me feel better physically and emotionally.
Some days I really really really crave a chocolate bar, and I make myself work for it. Figure out how far you have to walk or bike to earn enough points to eat a chocolate bar (I usually split the bar with my hubby who is also on WW, and a 1/2 bar is about 3 points, which takes about 45 min to one hour to earn for me), and choose a store that is that far away to go to so you can buy one.
I don't know if this will help, but it is how I am getting over the same problem. It is working for me, and I am on track, losing about 2 pounds per week. Don't despair!
I also agree with Allie, if you are active at night, though hard to start, you will have more energy. I have a 4 year old and he runs circles around me but, I definatley see an energy difference now than when I started. Plus if you are busy, you won't have time to eat. Some times, I try and plan things for us to do because it can be so boreing just playing at home. So we will go to the park, or go to a good place to eat, something where playing and keeping hm happy is involved but also, keeping me moving. Of course, not everynight some nights , I am just tired and I let him play in the yard.
anyway, back to your real question...I try and eat a little more than 1/2 of my points through out the day and then I have a little less than 1/2 to do what I please with at night. I ussually try and work in a few points for a snacks after dinner just so if I want to snack, I can. then I make sure I only snack on one serving.
It looks like you have done really well losing. What have you been doing so far? Some times when I get stuck, I look back to when I was doing well and try to remeber or point out what I was doing right and modify my behavior that way rather than what I am doing wrong now. I recently decided, I have to journal, no question about it, so that I can figure out what gets into me on those weeks that I gain. so even if I don't like what I see when I journal, I am still doing it. OK, probably more than you asked for. hehee keep up the good work and have fun with your son.
Jennie
If you just need to put something in your mouth, how about making a big pot of herbal tea when you get home and sipping on that. I find it helps when I'm sitting in the office wanting something to munch on, but not really hungry. There are some blends that might help mellow you out, too--chamomile or passionflower. Celestial Seasonings has a couple.
You might also consider throwing him in the stroller and going for a walk.
I, too, think exercise would make you feel better. Something I do for the munchies is keep WW freebie soup on hand. Although this isn't a new idea, sometimes we forget about the old standbys! Start with some ff chicken broth, and add the free veggies you like. I personally put green beans, cabbage, a few carrots, lots of tomatoes and onions in mine. And I like Italian seasoning, but you could add your own favorite seasoning. This stuff has gotten me through more rough spots than I can count!
Btw, congrats on the weight you've lost so far! You're doing great!
Hi Darlene! I was doing the same thing as you. I have a four year old daughter who never stops, but I would sit on the couch, on the floor, on the porch....whereever and just watch her. And EAT EAT EAT . So I joined WW and have been doing well. I usually try and save 4 points for my evening snack. But I have to remember...it is a SNACK! Not another meal, not an "all you can eat buffet". Joing WW should be about making healthy lifestyle CHANGES. If I feel like I am in one of those moods where I wanna eat ALL NIGHT I pop some low-cal popcorn and make it last!
I really encourage you to take sometime for yourself and atleast check out a meeting.
Thanks for the suggestions! I do exercise in the morning before I go to work, but a walk with my son on these beautiful warm evenings would be a great idea! I just hope I don't find myself walking to the ice cream place down the street! I've also been saving points for an evening snack (yesterday--lowfat popcorn, today--sushi), and that's helped a lot. I've stayed on plan for the last two days. Yay!
What would work better for stress eating at night?
) what would be a better way to allocate my points: Eat more during the day, and just have a light dinner (maybe at work before I come home), or realize I'm going to overeat at night and save the points until then. If it makes any difference, my appetite is much stronger during the day than at night. I'm eating for emotional reasons, not because of hunger.
. So I joined WW and have been doing well. I usually try and save 4 points for my evening snack. But I have to remember...it is a SNACK! Not another meal, not an "all you can eat buffet". Joing WW should be about making healthy lifestyle CHANGES. If I feel like I am in one of those moods where I wanna eat ALL NIGHT I pop some low-cal popcorn and make it last! 
