I have to stop

[Sammiejane]

I have to stop eating.
I am getting bigger and bigger

I am energetic and walk most days so its not that i am lazy.
We eat dinner with DD at 5.30pm, i am not hungrey after dinner, but i eat, every night
I crave sweet buscuits/lollies/chocolates.

If i am around chocolate i just cant control myself.
I have never really had this issue in the past

HOW DO I STOP - i dont have the will power as i tell myself EVERY night not to and then i just eat anyway.

My clothes no longer fit nicely and people have started asking 'whens the next one due' to which i relpy, its not, im just getting fatter!

DH is great, but will never tell me that i am fat (too many past issues) im not huge, but uncomfortable and something must be done before it gets totally out of control

All the things that i have previously done no longer work - food charts etc etc

please help

[Jellyfish]

If you can't control yourself when those foods are around then you need to make sure they aren't easily accessible.

I am the same, if there is chocolate then I won't stop until I have devoured the entire block so I just have to stop myself from buying it in the first place.

It does get easier. Once you get over the first couple of weeks you find yourself craving these things less and less but the initial part is really, really tough!!

Good luck.

[Oorki Galoorki]

i have a the same problem and i do believe that it has ALOT to do with breastfeeding..
i have found that while im feeding i cant loose weight(i can stay the same not go lower)
i know when i stopped feeding ds i droped 10k very quickly.. DD doesnt look like giving up boob anytime soon.
this isnt for just "bad" foods i can eat and eat fruit and veg.. i over eat any type of food.

sorry i cant help.

[lilima]

I am the same.
So just then I had a snack of a carrot, and an "up and go" instead of bread of chocolates.

I have banned chocolates and biscuits from the house (not such an issue as DH doesn't like them much) i have also banned soft drink (my other weakness)

I also try to do at least 30 mins of some sort of moderate to high intensity exercise.

It is about breaking the habit. If yo ucan go a couple of days without, it will get easier.

[Mak]

Doudou - thank goodness I thought it was just me! My shape changed when I stopped BF with DD1, was quite amazing (thank goodness).

I also found it easier to control what I ate when I wasn't too tired and was motivated. To avoid temptation I just don't buy stuff like chocolate etc and I have to be really honest with myself about what I do eat. I found with DD1 I was snacking when she ate and then eating my dinner too - so that was a trap.

I now stick to a smaller plate and half full of vege, 1/4 carbs and 1/4 protein. Dessert (small) every 3rd night or so - if I go too full on I go completely off the rails. Also try to walk morning and night for 30mins or so.

Good luck - it is hard work but you will feel better for it.

[SugarDust]

Sammie - I'm like you if we have dinner early I'm not hungry later on but eat because it is in the house! I'm finding it easier to not eat sweets but will eat and Vegemite sandwich when hungry followed by a big glass of milk and i repeat this until I'm feeling sick!

If you ever need some one to talk to pm me and we can be each others support!

Where in melb are you?

[prama]

sj - if you feel you really really have to have a choc, what abt really dark choc or a weight watchers bikies, maybe htat way you can stop slowly?
wish there was a 'nicabate' for choc addiction..

re - shape changing after stopping bf, is this even when they are on solids or fully bf?
i only bf ds 2x a day now, and after 17mths ive gone back to my pre preg weight. that includes gym workout. im just wondering if my shape will change when he's completely weaned.

[Emma1979]

seriously the only thing you can do is walk past the cholcolate aisle in the supermarket - DO NOT BUY ANYTHING SWEET, BISCUITS, CHOC ETC, and then you can't eat it at night, and i figure if you are willing to get dressed and drive to the shop to buy some chocolate, then you probably deserve it, but definitely don't have it in the house. its the only thing that works.

i still eat sweets and chocolate but am pregnancy so that is my excuse at the moment, but i was definitely addicted to coca cola, and the only thing that has enabled me to stop drinking it is to not allow it in the house.... when i'm out its a different story, but at home i was drinking it like water, so at least i'm not doing that anymore.

good luck... find some good foods you would be happy to eat... have you tried the VAALIA french vanilla yoghurt, i don't even like yoghurt but love this stuff, tastes just like ice cream, chuck in some chopped strawberries and its YUMMMMMMMMMMM.

[Starfish]

I know how you feel. I used to be the same. It is sooo frustrating. It was so horrible buying say, a chocolate bar to last all week and then finishing it one evening...

I found that for me, it was emotional eating, hence food charts, diets, etc didn't work because it wasn't about the food, it was about (please excuse the cliche) - "filling the void". When I thought about it, I realised that I was unhappy with my relationship, I hated my job and was generally unsatisfied with my life, and rather than dealing with that would look for something pleasant to do, e.g. eat chocolate.

Sweets and junk food stimulate the same parts of the brain as alcohol, cigarettes and other drugs, which is why heaps of people overindulge in them. So I recommend that you look at why you eat when you're not hungry. I'm not sure of what your personal situation is, but is there something about it that is bugging you? E.g. are you working? If so, are you happy with your job? If you're not, do you want to? Do you want to pursue a hobby but don't because you fear failure or ridicule? How are things with your family and friends? I think that if you realise what it is that you are not facing by eating instead, then you can stop overeating for good.

HTH. Good luck.

[Peach*]

Hi Sammiejane,
I hear you! Im a shocker after dinner... I would say when shopping dont even go down the sweets isle so you dont have anything in the house. Maybe put things in your fridge that are sweet for the craving like strawberries or grapes, stuff you can pick and munch on and not feel bad if you eat the whole punnet or bag. I know once Ive got the taste of chocolate in my mouth Im not satisfied untill Ive made myself ill, so if your like me there is no point getting a smaller serving like a fun size or milky way....
Maybe a hot chocolate too? It takes longer to drink but not as bad for you as a block of chocolate, or maybe a sweet herbal tea or chai??
Its hard sometimes though when you get the craving. Honestly if I had chocolate in my house Id eat it every single day. And dont get me started on baked treats.

[sas85]

Hi SJ,

I have the same post-dinner urge to eat. And it has nothing to do with hunger, but once it becomes a habit it is VERY hard to break and I hear you on the eating toast or something even if nothing really naughty in the house. What I have to do is have a game plan, I bought a stack of low cal yummy hot drink sachets/powders, herbal teas & diet soft drinks, when I feel the urge to snack I first make myself a BIG mug or glass of one of those. Try cutting up in advance a big plastic container of crudettes (carrot, celery, capscium sticks) They have basically no calories in them, but can fulfill that need to crunch something mindlessly. I also lectured my DH sternly about the consequences of enabling me. Don't know if you can use any of that, HTH

[chocolatecatty]

*SIGH*

Your post describes me perfectly! Being a SAHM doesn't help...I think being stuck at home while bubs sleeps etc. makes us more vunerable to eating from boredom! I eat even when I'm not hungry.

Chocolate desires chocolate so if you're eating it every day then your body will keep craving it. I think a choc detox is the only answer, so not buying it should work wonders. Or try the dark stuff...Lindt 70% is awesome (lol, and good for you I hear?).

I try to drink lots of water when I'm bored or craving something unhealthy..certainly fills me up and makes me feel better about myself too. Sas85's idea about having pre-chopped fruit and veg is a great one...if something's so easily accessable then you're sure to eat it more.

[shellbell3]

I could've written that post about me! I know I'm not big but I am uncomfortable and have spread majorly around hips/ bum/ thighs area to the point my pants don't fit.
I snack all evening, stopped buying junk by doing coles online but Df brings crap home and if he has it then I just can't stop myself. I've been trying to do my wii fit, does a good workout but prolly not burning off the calories I take in.
If I'm hungry I can't be bothered making anything healthy and end up eating crap. I eat a good dinner but most the day spent snacking.
I hope you work something out and let me know!

[Nettie]

I wish there was a secret I could tell you...

What works for me is imaging I'm my own personal trainer. I know - a bit 'personality disorder-ish', but it works for me. If I go to do something I know is 'bad' for me - I imagine what I would tell someone else I was trying to help. For instance: I felt like the chocolate in the cupboard and was convincing myself I would only have a 'row'.. My 'trainer' pops in and says "you know you'll end up eating the whole block! Don't start - you won't be able to stop. Now come with me and do some sit ups! Yay!".

I might be strange - but this actually works for me! But only when I 'feel' it. I've got to actually shift into the 'trainer' person so that I'm feeling that energy and motivation.. This is REALLY hard to explain!

SJ - what do you LOVE doing? Are you a games or puzzle person? Can you set yourself challenges to do each night to stop you being bored? Like to read books? Have a think about what excites you and spend the money you normally would on chocolate/sweets - on that. Then you can say - I can't have chocolate, I've got to do ....

I hope this in some strange, remote way - helps! Good luck!

[paradise lost]

I knit. It really helps. I am watching tv, but my hands are busy and at the end of it i have something useful to use/give. Can you knit or crochet? I also have a big pint of water beside me and make a deal "when i've knitted 10 more rows and finished that water i can have a biccie" - i never get to it. By the time i've finished the water and knitted so long i'm fuller and distracted so i don't bother.

For me i KNOW i will eat when bored, so i have to prevent boredom first and foremost. Sitting at a sewing machine, or with needles, or even drawing/painting something really mkes a difference. So, what is there you could begin to do with your hands that is interesting enough to stop you snacking?
Crossstitching?
Embroidery?
Knitting?
Crocheting?
Clay modelling?
Writing/typing that novel you should really start?
Painting and drawing?
Sewing by hand or machine?
Shelling peas?
Ironing?

Ok, not all very thrilling or exciting, but all needing "cleanish" process, so you can't be dipping in and out of the chocs while you do them, and all worthwhile in their own way.

Bx

ETA - somethin my sisters WW instructor of long ago told her - to have 2 sets of snacks made up in the fridge one for "hungry" snacking and one for "bored" snacking. "Hungry" had things like rice cakes, low fat cheese pre-cut into single servings, houmous, pine nuts and raisins, that sort of thing. "Bored" had celery, carrot, tomoatoes, spinach leaves, lettuce hearts and apples. It really helped as the higher fibre in the "bored" box stuff fills you up so fast AND is good for you, so it makes your bored snacking pretty harmless to your weight gain/loss.

[Nadine216]

Firstly I did not read all the responses ... but I just wanted to add .... YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

I boredom eat too ... especially at night when DH is not home. And it does not have to be sweet, I'll just make myself some 2 min noodles, toast, cheese off the block

I'm going to talk to my GP about prescribing me something to curb my hunger/lust for food and me and DH is starting Muay Thai next month (so excited) So I hopefull will get down the 12kg's I actually need before my birthday in Des.

Goodluck with everything

PS.

evening that is constructive to entertain myself.

Make cloth diapers ... it's my new addiction ... it's fun and keeps those hands busy and food free (can't sew with peanutbutter and honey fingers )

[Mr Squidipa]

ok some tips here

1st i am big myself and i need to lose about 45kg so i hear ya loud and clear
the tips that i have found usefull in losing weight are

drink water 8-10 glasses of water everyday yes you will go to the loo alot at 1st but your body will get used to it

do not eat after dinner as anything that you eat after dinner the body will store as fat

exercise at least 30 mins daily with one day a week to rest that gives your body a chance to have a break oh and build e 30 mins up to about 45mins or more if you want to

walking is the best weight loss tool much better than running

watch what you eat you will need to adjust what you eat cut down your high fatty sugar foods and replace them with more fruits and veges

everything in modertion excersie included

well i hope that helps someone

[Sammiejane]

Thanks so much for all your replies.
I have taken many of your points on board.

I have been having a hot choc every noght which i think is contributing to the problem... I mug of skim milk plus ovaltine is a big wack of kj... i will have a look at something else to replace this as i think this really is where the weight is coming from (and the snacking that goes with it)
I have not bought any biscuits or lollies for a while now - DH keeps coming home iwth them though, its hard for him though as he has an extremly physical job and an incredoibly fast metabolism, so needs to continually eat to keep weight on wish that was my problem!!!

I also made a massive fruit salad yesterday, so will have a bowl of that if temptation arises.
Have tried to keep busier in the evenings too.

I also have noted that the days that the temptation ios the strongest is also the ones that i am exceptionally tired - maybe i want to snack to stay awake (sugar kick for energy) when really i should just head off to bed early. Will also try this me thinks

Good points about the hungry vs bored snacks - i am totally NOT creative and everything i try just turns to poo - knitting is a disaster and yeah, would love to try MCN's but dont want to waste more money on material that will never really get used as i will give up after it wont work (thats sounds really really negative, but i am one of those types that is just not good at creative stuff)

Thanks again everyone, it so nice to know that i am not alone!