Over-eating In The Evenings

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Permalink Reply by Brandy on June 16, 2008 at 4:50pm

TV is my evening treat to myself too! I get out my air popper and make some air-popped popcorn. If I need a little flavor, I use a few sprays of oil spray and add either a Splenda/Cinnamon mix or some seasoned salt. If you don't spray it first, the flavorings won't stick. It fills me up quickly and I can pretend like I'm in a movie theater! It's 0 pts if you eat 3 cups or less. (I usually stick to a cup.)

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Permalink Reply by Lynnee on June 17, 2008 at 1:34pm

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! :)

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Permalink Reply by Kate on June 17, 2008 at 9:11pm

Have you tried painting your nails? Obviously you probably won't be doing it everynight, but once in will keep your hands busy. Hopefully by the time the polish dries your cravings have passed.

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Permalink Reply by TheLadyCampbell on June 17, 2008 at 9:50pm

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.

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Permalink Reply by Beth on June 18, 2008 at 10:51am

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. =/

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Permalink Reply by Michele D on June 19, 2008 at 12:20pm

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!

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Permalink Reply by Beth on June 21, 2008 at 11:55am

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!

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Permalink Reply by 2Phat on June 18, 2008 at 5:56pm

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.

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Permalink Reply by LadyBOT on June 19, 2008 at 2:51pm

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.

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Permalink Reply by Kellie on June 25, 2008 at 5:13pm

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!! :)

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Permalink Reply by Michele D on June 26, 2008 at 11:12am

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!!

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Permalink Reply by Honi on June 26, 2008 at 4:18pm

ok so you like your tv thats fine.. I do too.. there are several non eating things you can do... I have PSP(playstation portable) and while I am watching tv a lot of times I will be playing a game too..keeps the hands busy.. if I want food.. I usually snack on Popcorn that I pop in my microwave popper sans oil. I use spray on butter for seasoning and sometimes a little parm. cheese.. or a few shakes of salt..
I might eat fruit..
or a 1 or 2 point weight watchers novelty bar.. they have some great icecream treats.. for 1 or 2 points that are very satisfing..
much luck..

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