Losing control , Binge eating after 8pm .

[Mummypups]

Hi I have just joined , I am so bad at trying to lose weight, I want to do it, but once night time falls I cant stop binge eating , any one else out there, that gets the 8pm blues and turns to food , if so, how on earth do you control this, I lose control most nights this is really getting me down, spoke to my doctors about this issue , they put me on to you said you may be able to support me with advice/tips/ ideals . PS I also have PCOS and a under active T/glands , I feel alone with a problem that wont go away in the mean time I am just piling on the weight . Cheers for reading

[Active_43]

Hi Mummypups

Sorry to hear that you're feeling low about your binging. Do you know what might be triggering your actions?

Are you eating regularly and enough healthy food in the day? Sometimes depriving yourself of calories in the day can cause your body to crave all the bad stuff later.

Are you getting enough sleep? Sometimes tiredness can cause you to crave calories.

There are some good self help books out there for this type of behaviour if you're not offered any other support from the GP. I found that writing down my thoughts helped me understand my binging more.

Good luck

[Minniewinny 5 stone Maintainer]

Great to have you join us Mummypups

Enjoy the forum...

I'd like to invite you to join our Newbie Club, which we hope will be a good place for you to connect with members, who are also just starting out. If you just post a few words to introduce yourself and respond to others there, you'll soon break the ice. Here's the link:

healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

Cheering you on to reach your goals 🎉🎉🎉

[Mervi]

I agree with active_43 but another tip to add on to it. When you do your shopping try not to add the sweet food. Your purse will thank you and so will your body.

Write down the foods you eat in a day along with calories, fat and sugar. This will help you to motivate you to change your habits.

Since I started eating healthy I found my binge food has become fruit and veg 😂😆

I'm sure with time and practise you will overcome this obstacle and when you do, you will be so proud, happy and feel healthier.

Good luck !

[Anon-E-Mouse]

Hi Mummypups

If you've had all your calorie allowance during the day, then perhaps cleaning your teeth and keeping your hands busy with knitting, cross-stitch, etc. may take your mind off food. Alternatively try to save some calories for the evening and have chopped fruit or even raw carrots to slowly nibble on. Sometimes just a lovely cup of tea, sipped slowly, can help.

Good luck.

Mouse 🐭

[Mummypups in reply to Anon-E-Mouse]

Anon-E-Mouse I have tried every diet on the planet WW , SW ,SF,, even Fasting 5:2 they all work if I stick to them but once I reach goal it doesn't take long to creep back on

[Anon-E-Mouse in reply to Mummypups]

I can relate to that Mummypups having got to within 3lbs of goal in January, I've put on 10lbs since! Every day I remind myself that healthy eating HAS to be for life, not just to lose weight. Eventually it may become a lifelong habit, but even though I started 21 months ago, it still hasn't become a way of life for me. Will never give up - onwards and downwards

[BerlinBetty Visitor]

Hello Mummypups,

Be comforted; so many of us will understand this time-related urge. I struggle too with evening binges and for me it's triggered by TV programmes. Yes, I know that sounds daft but it stems from childhood when sitting down with the family usually involved a bowl of yummy sweets and a mug of sugary tea. Then sometimes it was a bag of crisps. We didn't binge but it was the association of goodies and much-loved programmes which now means that a lollup down on the sofa with 'Emmerdale' at the end of a long day means crisps, some dip and a glass of wine. The later, at the end of the evening, I love chocolate and a cup of tea while we watch a comedy, and I swear that goes back to Morecombe and Wise with chunks of chocky and a bowl of humbugs and fruit sherberts. I fight all these, nowadays, succumbing sometimes, but we learn these triggers early, especially if they are associated with happiness and laughter.

[Mummypups in reply to BerlinBetty]

Your so right it feels the norm don't it to eat while watching the box Lol!!!! mine goes on beyond before bed I grab what I can its not hunger I just don't know why I do this its driving me mad

[Hidden in reply to Mummypups]

Stop watching the box and you won't binge eating?

[Mummypups in reply to Hidden]

I have tried that Jimatom, its my will power that's week that's why I am a struggling member who needs support cant blame the tv really can I its all down to us , if nothing changes than nothing changes

[Hidden in reply to Mummypups]

Can you get a hobby to do in the evenings?

[Mummypups in reply to Hidden]

I would love to join a group / meeting some where but its all at a cost, and I am not working at the present .

[Hidden in reply to Mummypups]

There might be walking groups in your area, or reading groups. You need to look into what's available in your area. Lots of these things can be free.

[Hidden]

Evening munchies are a common problem I think! It's mostly a willpower thing. You've got to tell yourself you'll survive without it and just do your best to say no. Maybe everytime u feel the urge to eat coming on you should start a puzzle book? The puzzles might distract you. Or you could do some mindful colouring? Or write a list of reasons why you shouldn't binge. Or write down everything you've already eaten that day, even if you've written it already, as a sort of discouragement to eating more.

As I count calories I actually usually leave myself 200 for an evening snack. I try not to have this but if I feel I really need something I have those calories spare. I will have popcorn or all bran (dry) or some sweet fruit. But it's not a help if you can't control your eating.

I've got PCOS too but I never think of it when trying to lose weight because it makes me feel defeated. I've accepted that I'll find it harder than I might without PCOS, but that's not a good enough reason not to try.

Think about if you're actually hungry at 8pm - if you it's time to adjust what you're eating during the day. This doesn't mean eat more, necessarily, it might just be eating better more filling things that keep you going for longer.

If you're not actually hungry (if your tummy isn't rumbling) then maybe a distraction would work or some reflection on if you're emotionally eating is needed

I used to have sandwiches before bed (after dinner) and chocolate bars and I had no idea if I was hungry or not. And ive overcome that now so you definitely can too! You're in the right place and you're not on your own.

[Mummypups in reply to Hidden]

I find my life at the mo very stressful with one thing or another (My Husband) is a big part of my problems ,one day he can be loving nice kind, the other he has a nasty tongue talks to me dreadful makes me feel terrible we have been married for 25 years courted for five before hand , I am sure this is leading me to the kitchen cupboards plus my very week will power

[Hidden in reply to Mummypups]

That's very sad to hear! That definitely doesn't help and would lead me straight to the treats as well. Is this normal behaviour for your husband? It doesn't sound healthy. Is there a way to address this issue? While there are these stressful and unkind environments it's really hard to control emotional eating. I know it won't be straight forward and im definitely not experienced enough to give advice but is there anything you can do to improve your home life and your stress?

[sarahbailey101]

i know exactly what you mean I've been doing really well but it just takes one bad day and even though I know it's wrong I just keep eating rubbish. I always try to start again the next day but it can be really hard to stop doing. Once you do manage to resist the temptation it's easier and easier but I'm having a bad week so do sympathise. x

[Mummypups in reply to sarahbailey101]

Those bad weeks Sarahbailey101 are a bloody pain arnt they , forget about the bad week , what's done is done, focus on the good week your going to have there's nothing that cant be undone , that's what keeps me mind set , good luck I do feel for ya, I had lost over 7 stone but put 3 stone back on in what seems like a flash its so disappointing I have to keep dragging myself back to the start all over again time and time again I am my worst nightmare

[sarahbailey101 in reply to Mummypups]

Sounds like my whole life! LOL. I've lost three stone this year but just want to keep going so when I do have my wobbles it's not the end of the world! We have to keep going for ourselves and we will get there! strong women!

[Mummypups]

I have been told by some, that cutting out carbs & dairy helps us with weight loss, I am prepared to try anything to shift my lard its getting out of control, I am a 5ft 2in women, who is carrying three 3 stone to much I know that doesn't sound much to some but its very uncomfortable

[Mummypups]

I have invested in a book recommend from my GP to read more on this issue, by all accounts we need a few carbs a day to keep our insulin balanced , ( 1 cup of brown rice , or 1 slice of wheat germ bread or wholemeal bread , cutting it out all together sends our bodies in to a fiddle which can lead to weight gain Grrrrr!!!! we cant win

[Jay86]

I share your pain with the binge eating. What works for me is to have something to do that doesn't involve TV. Sometimes a video game is even enough to distract me until I'm so tired it's bed time, but better than that a walk or having something practical to do. Boredom is the enemy....

[Hidden]

Oh hon I know how you feel.

I'm fine all day and find food planning and sticking to it easy till about 9-10pm. I remember my Mum being the same and I think it's linked to getting tired and being stressed.

I'm rarely hungry just crave loads. I wish I knew how not to do this but I don't have any snack foods in the house so it has to be healthy foods as that's all there is. I at least limit my choices and limit the amounts as who wants to comfort eat healthy stuff x

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

PS frozen banana and frozen black grapes are my favs