Every night on my way to bed I would grab a big handful of gluten free crackers and stuff them in my face. If you read my New Year’s post on MAKING CHANGES you’ll see that I listed eliminating this practice as a 2018 goal (it was on the 2017 list too!) It seemed that no matter how hard I tried to resist this habit, nothing worked. I decided that the best way to stop was to make a plan. And I wanted a plan that would not only stop this one bad habit, but one that would also stop me from eating like an animal at night. Of everything I tried, here are the six most effective ways that helped me stop stuffing my face late in the day.
follow along with me...
Many people think I’m like a ninja warrior when it comes to keeping my nutrition on track. While this is mainly true, I am human and often times I eat the wrong things at the wrong times. And my biggest problem is eating at night. Grabbing the crackers on the way to bed was really just the tip of the iceberg.
- EAT THROUGHOUT YOUR DAY. Many women limit their food intake during the day with the hopes of losing weight. Unfortunately, this usually backfires. It’s important to develop a good eating plan that allows for a meal or snack every few hours. When you are in starvation mode you’re more likely to grab anything and just stuff your face. If you are sated throughout the day, chances are you will be less ravenous at night.
- EAT PROTEIN AT EVERY MEAL. Different foods have very different effects on the body. Protein speeds up your metabolism, helps to build muscle, and keeps you feeling fuller longer. Make sure to include some with all your meals and snacks.
- ALWAYS HAVE A MEAL PLAN. I know it’s not easy to figure out what you’re going to eat every day, but if you’re struggling with evening gluttony having a defined diet will be a great help. Many of us feel deprived when we’re trying to eat healthy, but if you see on paper that treats are built into your plan, you’ll be less likely to gorge without thinking.
- USE YOUR HANDS FOR SOMETHING OTHER THAN FOOD. Okay, I know you’re all laughing and maybe having some naughty thoughts but hands are for more than just eating 🙂 Sometimes taking up a hobby like knitting or crocheting helps. Or use that time to journal. My post 7 DAYS TO DIET AWARENESS explains the importance of keeping a journal to help with weight loss. Learn how and use the evening to jot down your notes and thoughts. Or play with your phone. Anything to keep your hands busy and away from food!
- HAVE AN EVENING ROUTINE. One thing that helped me tremendously was devising an evening ritual. After putting on my pajamas, instead of just flopping down in front of the television, I go to the bathroom and clean my face, maybe do some exfoliating or a mask, and clean my teeth. When you’ve freshened everything up you’re less likely to pig out and get all messy again!
- ALLOW YOURSELF ONE TREAT. After dinner, I always have a cup of decaffeinated Earl Grey tea with 2 small chocolates. I need to have something sweet at night so I have mine right after I’ve eaten. It’s enough to satisfy me without packing on pounds.
Breaking bad habits is not easy but it can be done. If you find yourself reaching for food late at night remind yourself how bloated you’re going to feel in the morning or how your sleep might be interrupted by a bad stomach ache. It’s up to you!
