Insomnia and bingeing

[Clare987]

It is 1am, and i am suffering badly from insomnia, annoyingly so. But this time, instead of bingeing, i am writing on here instead, reading, researching and following. The last hour has not been easy but I have made myself a fruit tea (hate it, but hate waste more, and at least it has no caffeine in it), and have not and will not eat. Because no, stuffing my face in the middle of the night is not the normal behaviour I am chasing down. Ha, pat on the back to anyone suffering with me - this is horrible! Back to bed now.

[Tiggerr]

Sorry to hear about the insomnia Clare. Spent decades of dealing with poor sleep, though this year has been pretty good for me (you might not notice today as I reply at 2:30 a.m. ).

Sleeping in a different bed tonight (was) but as I've woken up I thought (like you) that I'd do something worthwhile and hey presto I'm here.

You're doing really well by making that tea and by concentrating on something positive (that's very wise). Each time you do as well as this you will make it easier for the next time.

[Clare987 in reply to Tiggerr]

Thank you for your support. I have never used social media before but have decided thishas to be part of the big plan - talking to people who really understand and care enough to support. (I do have a supportive partner, but as he does a 10hr/day physical job, he eats anything he wants and I don't want to rope my kids in at all as I grew up with an anorexic sister and do not want my kids to have any of the eatibg foibles I have).

So thanks for your support.

[Tiggerr in reply to Clare987]

Definitely understand not involving the kids.

This here is definitely the embodiment of a caring family. Good thing, is that there are no strings attached, just people who want you to do well.

[Hidden]

Nice control!

[JiminyCricket 7lbs]

Well done! You should be proud of yourself-- that's a hard habit to break. Hope you got back to sleep ok x

[Clare987 in reply to JiminyCricket]

Thank you for your kind words. You know, I have this feeling that all of this is linked and that somehow I have got out of balance, but if I could only get 1 part right again, then the rest would follow. The part I am aiming for is to stop junk food for emotional reasons and thereby stop the guilt associated with this constant food battle. This should reestablish my relationship with food. In many ways I am lucky: for the amount of rubbish I eat, I have never put on a lot of weight. It really is the mental side I wish to change.

Thanks again.

[Hidden]

Have you been tested for overactive thyroid I had insomnia and used to eat constantly with mine x

[Clare987 in reply to Hidden]

Oooh, no, I hadn't thought of that. Actually have only heard of under active thyroid. Over active? Wonder if that equates to little weight gain whilst consuming large numbers of calories. Might delve deeper into this.

Thanks.

[Hidden in reply to Clare987]

I could eat anything and not gain weight I lost a lot of weight with mine I had bad insomnia, a racing pulse constantly I couldn't keep still always had way too much energy even when I was so tired my body would keep me awake an overactive thyroid is exactly the same as under active but it does the opposite it works too much instead of too little I ended up having mine removed when I was 18 and unfortunately on medication for the rest of my life but I feel so much better although I struggle to loose weight all it takes is a blood test to confirm it xxx

[DartmoorDumpling Restart Feb 2024]

Well done you - eating in the night has been my downfall of late. I have always found a huge jam sandwich sends me straight back to sleep - but ruins my day's calorie count. I also find it very hard to resist temptation at night, especially if there are goodies left in the fridge from our visitors' meals.

Coming on to this forum is an excellent idea as it reminds you of why you are not following those old urges. Insomnia is a strange thing and very random in my case....

Have you tried the new Tetley Chocolate Mint tea that tastes like an After Eight Mint? I find that is a good night time drink, for only 10 cals as I like to add a drop of skimmed milk, and caffeine free.

[Clare987 in reply to DartmoorDumpling]

Thank you, I will look up that choc mint tea! Yes,mthemnight time eating is rubbish and for me a complete 100% I am simply sabotaging myself, no other reason. I think I might eat unusually in that I fill up completely on healthy food but then scoff junk food on top of that - so cutting out junk will not leave me hungry - and so night eating is emotional/mental, and nothing else. This is what I need to tackle, this mental change, the rest will follow.

Thanks again for your support and good luck with your endeavours.

[IndigoBlue61 in reply to Clare987]

Just a thought Clare987 but eating low fat always left me feeling vaguely unsatisfied, I now eat a moderate amount full fat foods, and feel much better for it. Have a look at the Daily Diary for more detailed meal planning help 😊

[Clare987 in reply to IndigoBlue61]

Yes, thanks, i will do. I am trying a novel approach to this in that i do not intend to count calories, not at the moment anyway. So cheese, avocados, nuts are all in. I do enjoy healthy foods - it really is this mental block of eating everything in site rather than acknowledging sad, cross, tired, bored, what next??? So feeling feelings but not responding by eating. At the moment i am trying to replace with doing chores - who knows, i might actually end up with a clean house!!!

[IndigoBlue61 in reply to Clare987]

I don’t count calories either, but I do plan, and write down everything I eat, and find it invaluable. I like seeing exactly what I’ve eaten. I have Calorie Amnesia whereby I forget wha5 I’ve eaten and could easily eat the same again!! Lol 😂

Plus you get loads of recipe ideas

[Tiggerr]

I followed that link Hidden but I'm not sure how it links to your statement. I hold my hands up that I'm slow but could you explain what the issues are here Cheers!

[IndigoBlue61]

Presuming you mean the jam sandwich and not the Mint Tea Hidden ?

tetley.co.uk/our-teas/indul...

Zero sugar 😊. Looks like an excellent choice to me

[IndigoBlue61]

I can’t tell about caffeine, but presuming you drink it black

[Tiggerr]

Not great news for me but good to understand. Thanks!