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How to stop the midnight cravings? |
Click here to read our frequently asked Diet and Nutrition questions.
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Sometimes Im not really hungry, but my tummy has that acid feeling that needs to be fed. Go for the tums and you feel like you just had icecream
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I have never had a midnight craving in my life.
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I'm a freelance writer & I'm most active AFTER midnight & I have the habit of eating rice & chicken (I'm Asian btw) , a full meal at 3 am. Not doing much good on my fitness  & my money. Tried milk, coffee (yes coffee, I'm immune to it already) yogurt, wheat bread, plain water, chocolate, oats ... not working. I'm still craving rice. Any Asian here can give me a good advice?
Edited by: JACQMIKE at: 7/13/2012 (11:24)
| current weight: 143.0 |
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Like others have said MAKE yourself go to bed. Sometimes I find myself eating when I'm sleepy and have less control over my brain.
Edited by: SMILE2HAPPINESS at: 7/13/2012 (00:49)
Sandi "A man who wants something will find a way; a man who doesn't will find an excuse"-- Stephan Dolley Jr.
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That is a great suggestion that I never thought of. Sometimes I think I am very hungry even if I just ate, if I just wait a little bit I could get distracted with something more productive and forget that I was hungry. Thanks.
- Bless God America.
| current weight: 185.0 |
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Save some calories for that late night snack if you always seem to want it. Then go ahead and enjoy your healthy, preplanned snack! Don't forget to track it - on yesterday if it was BEFORE midnite, on today if it was after. I frequently have a few strawberries, a rice cake, a cheese stick (ONLY one of the above!!!) or if it is after midnite, I have some cereal with 1/2 cup of milk - and then it is part of my breakfast. I am a 100% night person; always up late - so to deny that and not prepare for it could be a weight disaster. Don't forget - your body does not know what time you ate, it processes all the food the same way. (I'm quoting SparkPeople on that last line!)
“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7, NLT)
| current weight: 99.0 |
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I bought Cherry Coke Zero that usually clears my sugar cravings.
http://www.facebook.com/Ashley229
| Pounds lost: 8.0 |
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I always eat a snack of some form as I'm crawling into bed. As long as you allow yourself the wiggle room, then there is no reason to deny yourself.
**~**Shelly**~** start wt: 185lbs start bf: 45% current wt: 109.5lbs current bf: 10.85%* bf lbs: 11.89lbs lean lbs: 97.61lbs
| Body Fat %: 11.3 |
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Oh my gosh, this is so true.
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ok, this is about cravings or hunger? here is how to end midnight cravings (and it just means late night not necessarily 12 am people) : turn off the tv. have you ever gotten the urge to have an arbys roast beef with melted cheddar and horsey sauce at 10 pm? have you ever had the urge to go to that place that's open till 2 am (why so late do you wonder!?!?!) and get a big beefy bean burrito or a naco bell grande? the food companies spend millions nay billions to prey upon us when we are at our weakest. watch a movie or pbs or shut off the tv so there are no more commercials for pizza hut or kfc p.s. water in large quantities before bed is NOT practical so please don't suggest it. i dont particularly care for getting up 2 or 3 times a night.
today i will act like i wish i felt do not worry about the people from your past, there is a reason they did not make it to your future. “Fairy tales, are more than true. Not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be defeated.” — G.K. Chesterton
| Pounds lost: 57.7 |
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FUNICELLO
SparkPoints: (1,729)
Fitness Minutes: (1,422)
Posts:
84
7/11/12 1:50 P
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Personally I started a gluten free, low sugar (none except fruit), whole foods diet. No meat except eggs. I only eat eggs, pepperjack cheese, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds & a little oil for cooking. Some gluten free hummus & salsa for toppings. I used to stay up until about 2-3 am & would raid the kitchen. Never hungry during the day. Now I eat 3 meals a day, pre-measure everything & even though I have fairly drastically cut calories I never have cravings anymore. It took about 3 days to adjust. & now if I cheat even a little bit, I feel the cravings come on STRONG. I have even had to arrange my diet so that I eat fruit in the morning or it will sometimes cause me to crave more food.
My Stats: Height: 5 ft HW: 226 lbs (not in wheelchair) 8-6W: 237 lbs (in wheelchair) 8-13W: 231 lb FGW: 100 lbs (not in wheelchair)
| current weight: 230.0 |
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I stay up too late! Hope to remedy that come the fall but summer weather is too nice to go to bed early.
The hills are alive with the sound of music! I've got a pocket full if sunshine!
| current weight: 380.0 |
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I eat a piece of fresh fruit IF I'm awake at that hour I am really hungry by then, not just munchie. I eat clean so I space small meals out through the day. I'm hungry every 3 hrs. or so.
“it's been up to me to inspire me.” ~ Eric Clapton ~ "Atheism is a non-prophet organization" ~George Carlin~ “When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.” ~Jimi Hendrix~ "A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." ~John Lennon~ 70 lbs. done!
| 111 Maintenance Weeks |
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Oatmeal! Helps you go to bed & is very filling.
"Let thy food be thy medicine" - Hippocrates, a long time ago
| current weight: 160.0 |
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don't be awake at midnight!  But seriously, are you having any kind of snack before you go to bed? I have ALWAYS been one to have a bedtime snack...a little Debbie treat and milk usually. Well, we all know that I needed to change that in order to be successful. So now, I have a Greek Yogurt with 2 tbsp Cool Whip FREE, and 1 tbsp ground flax seed. Yummy and FILLING...I have that about 9:30 and take my insulin, then to bed for the night (by 10 or 10:15), and I'm good til' morning.
Edited by: KSCRAP363 at: 7/10/2012 (11:31)
Kelly in Florida Slow & steady wins the race...if you don't believe me, just ask the tortoise!
| current weight: 230.0 |
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Coffee right before bed? really?
today i will act like i wish i felt do not worry about the people from your past, there is a reason they did not make it to your future. “Fairy tales, are more than true. Not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be defeated.” — G.K. Chesterton
| Pounds lost: 57.7 |
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Here is a cappuccino drink that would help you , I have been making this for years and its so good....I got this off a can of Pero ( fake coffee from the hfs ) But you can use real coffee or instant as well. Pero iced cappuccino 1 teaspoon Pero, or a teaspoon instant coffee or a cup of any coffee 4 tablespoons heavy cream ( I use sf coffee mate one tablespoon = 30 cal ) 1 teaspoon vanilla 4 ice cubes 3/4 cup water 2 teaspoons sugar ( i use stevia ) agave or honey or others can be used Combine all in blender til frothy , pour in tall glass ...Or save your starbucks cup and pour in there...This would be good on a late night --- I make a hot drink out of it as well and it is really good, sometimes I use sf vanilla syrup insted of the vanilla but the vanilla makes it so good... ........
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around bed time last night (11pm) i just wanted a little something. i ate a couple chewable vitamin c and it was just like a sweet tart and that's all my tongue wanted
today i will act like i wish i felt do not worry about the people from your past, there is a reason they did not make it to your future. “Fairy tales, are more than true. Not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be defeated.” — G.K. Chesterton
| Pounds lost: 57.7 |
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I have trouble with this one too. My Husband and I work opposite hours, so throughout our work week I may not see him more than in passing if I do not stay up to hang out with him. But that is always when he eats his dinner, and he snacks. I would be fine if I went to bed around 10 when I am tired, but Then I find myself messing around on the internet and then next thing I know it he is home, making food and suddenly I feel starved! I need to keep better snacks around the house so I have some options if I do decide to snack with him. So hard when he is eating nachos, and I am sitting there wishing I was eating nachos.
Just remember, when it feels like you aren't progressing "fast enough:" you are one day closer to your goal than you were yesterday!
| current weight: 219.0 |
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I usually just plow through the hunger. This is my best weight loss strategy-if I have had a good, sound, nutritional day I am usually not hungry at all, but once in awhile (usually after a fantastic effort at the gym) I am hungrier than normal. Those times are great for making strides in in my weight loss efforts! I usually go back to sleep without addressing the hunger and I wake up and have my usual large/nutritionally sound breakfast and it tastes great! (and...I may be down a pound or two!)
| May Minutes: 536 |
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I treat myself to a cup of tea with fresh lemon before bed & drink it while reading or watching t.v until I fall asleep. It's my me time after a long day of work & caring for four children.....
inHIShands
| current weight: 121.6 |
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I had this issue for many years. Do I have cravings still? Sure. Do I indulge them? No. It's a craving. it will pass. Before you think I'm saying this is easy, it's not. It is simple but not easy. I woke up 2 hours after going to sleep almost every night for 20+ years. I DO have an understanding of this problem. I tried all sorts of things: brushing my teeth rather than eating (food tastes gross after brushing) rinsing with mouthwash (food tastes icky after it) pre-packaging "acceptable" quantities of munchies I found what helped was to say before I went to bed, out loud (I felt really silly): I am satisfied. I can eat again in the morning when I wake up. The first month, i got out of bed to eat half the number of times. The second month, half again. Third month...... After about 4 months, I would only wake up occasionally and then I'd have a glass of water and go back to bed. I'd eat ice cream, chocolate chips, licorice, cereal ("good" kind or sugar laden), if it was in my house, I ate it. Will this work for you? no idea. maybe brushing your teeth or rinsing your mouth out with mouth wash will help (a nutritionist suggested these two). Mine was psychological. i highly recommend the Beck Diet Solution by Judith Beck. It's NOT a diet. In fact, you use wahtever nutritious diet you want to. The program is a support matrix to help the reader, through a series of exercises, prepare your mind for success. Whether you're doing WW, paleo, vegan, Atkins, etc., as long as it is nutritious, you're good to go. finding ways to stop the cravings is not easy. Each of us is different. What works for me, may not work for you.
Susan AKA Sparky April 27, 2013 - Zero Prostate Health Half Marathon February 9, 2013 - Mississippi River Half Marathon December 1, 2012 - St Jude Marathon Weekend - Full Marathon
| Pounds lost: 2.5 |
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Here is something I learned here on the boards but can't give credit to the right person ( I forgot who said this ) If its something sweet your craving-- try the fiber one caramel delights..Just eat them dry ( I don't like them with milk anyway --but dry they are yummy ) eat a 1/4 cup with a hot chocolate or a tea..voila and  no more cravings...for .40 calories
Edited by: CHICKYWANNA at: 7/9/2012 (13:40)
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Frankly the only thing that works for me is sleeping early and that is why i have chosen sleep 8 hours a day as a goal - kill 2 birds with 1 stone
One day at a time...
| current weight: 160.0 |
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I keep Jelly Bellies on hand to manage late night cravings for sweets. Each one is only 4 calories, and packs a lot of flavor. I can sample 5 different dessert flavors, and still be under 20 calories!
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I like watermelon. One cup only has ~50 calories. Good luck!
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Depends on why you have them, I tend to get them when I was active at night (out dancing or whatever), I get them when dinner was too light (had soup for dinner twice this week and woke up in the middle of the night very hungry), because your bloodsugar plummets ... or is it just cravings? The first step is finding out what it is, then making it better, - food that keeps the bloodsugar more level, eating later when you go to bed late, making exceptions when you go to bed that late (I swear on raw tomatoes with salt for that - if and when I snack healthy; helps get salt and minerals back after being active), with the too light dinner I went and had an apple, a carrot or a dry small slice of whole wheat bread and went back to bed The other no hunger cravings are calmed with water with a dash of lemonjuice in it
| current weight: 132.0 |
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I agree. That is what I did to stop a very ole' very bad HABIT of midnight snacking. I just went back to sleep. After a week, it was easy. Habit broke, and even though my late night snacks were low calorie, they add up.I have noticed that the scale has had better results.
| current weight: 158.1 |
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I have terrible midnight cravings! I have noticed if I tough it out for 3 nights and just stick to a glass of water they go away completely. You have to get out of the habit of doing it.
DO NOT THROW IN THE TOWEL!
| current weight: 135.4 |
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What really helps me is to munch on some crisp cold grapes, followed by a few mixed nuts. Takes care of both the salty and sweet cravings. Plus it takes awhile to munch on them. I now crave those more than chips. And they are more satisfying to me.
Peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. It means to be in the midst of these things and still be calm in your heart.
| current weight: 155.4 |
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green tea with honey and lemon "to go" in a 16.9 oz water a detox tea from Yogi Susan
Susan "If it is to be, it starts with me!"
| Total SparkPoints: 18,643 |
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U-bet makes a sugar free chocolate syrup. Mix with seltzer and a dash of fat free half and half and you have an "egg-cream" fat free and satisfying. :-)
Be exactly who you want to be.
| Pounds lost: 6.5 |
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There's a difference between a craving and being hungry, but hunger certainly doesn't help me fight my cravings. When I was going to the gym before dinner, I would get really bad cravings at night. What really helped was a chocolate whey protein drink before bed. The mix I had was pretty cheap (I think it was from Wall-Mart or Albertsons) and made a huge serving, so I could just sit and sip it all night. The chocolate helped my sweet tooth (even though it wasn't amazingly tasty or anything) and the protein kept me from being hungry. If you can't stop yourself, eat something so you aren't hungry and make yourself walk to a store a couple of miles away (depending, of course, on your fitness). At least that way you're burning calories. Plus, I found that 4 times out of 5 I felt so good about myself after the walk that I didn't even want the sweets anymore.
| current weight: 154.5 |
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Eat a fillin meal for dinner and drink water just befor going to bed.
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Eat a filling dinner with fiber. And good ole' willpower.
| current weight: 158.1 |
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I'm with PennyPacker & GrizzGirl - Just DON'T do it. I user to get hungry at night, nibbled all evening. For health reasons I decided no more food 3 hrs before bed and nothing after 8PM. That was 2 years ago and it's become very easy to stick with. Yes, in the beginning I was hungry. I just told myself I was unlikely to starve to death overnight :) and toughed it out. Try it (and do drink more water in the pm) for 2 months. I bet it will feel like 2nd nature long before then. Good luck!
| current weight: 106.0 |
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I am a late at night person esp in summer when I don't go to bed before 1 a.m. And if I do walking as a fitness activity it is always done in the evening when the sun goes down, so I do know what those cravings look like. And when they come, raw vegetables doesn't really help cause I'm craving something sweet, really sweet, like chocolate. Few weeks ago when I got back onto the SP dieting program I was waking in the middle of the night due to nightmares. And in my nightmares I could see ribs, pork chops, steaks, and burgers grilling and they were so close to me that I could smell them in my dream.   Since it's been a very very long habit in our home this is how I handle it now: 1. Have a banana or some watermelon. Good food for about 100 calories. 2. Have a few nuts: hazelnuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds. 3. Drink water BUT usually flavored: lemon, strawberry, orange flavor. yummy 4. Have some ice tea. 5. Have a rice cake. One rice cake is 1/3 of a serving size. A tsp of cream, butter - whatever... helps a lot. And because I am usually low on minerals in my reports sometimes I take a Magnesium supplement as a glass of drink. Refreshing and helpful.
The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. (E.Roosevelt)
| current weight: 231.0 |
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I eat a great deal of protein throughout the day. I think that protein, combined with lots of greens and healthy fat keeps me pretty satiated throughout the day. I don't get those late night hunger pangs like I tend to when I'm not eating this way (paleo/primal). I also don't find myself craving things, at any time of day or night. I had the most trouble with cravings and hunger when I was on a low fat/high carb diet. Everyone is different of course, but this is what my experience has been.
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Have a little fruit before bed - apples work well. I've also downed a protein shake before bed to take the edge off when I'm not hungry enough for a meal, but want something to keep me from my stomach waking me up. I avoid water, because being awakened by my bladder is just as bad.
Edited by: ALLRONIX at: 7/6/2012 (02:01)
| Pounds lost: 36.2 |
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Since I have a kid, that needs to be in bed by 7 or 8, we made it a habit to eat Dinner at 5 p.m. That gives everyone enough time before bedtime and encourages Family Quality Time before bedtime. My workout classes are also just starting at 7 and go sometimes until 9.30 pm. But since I usually gulp down a quart during and after my workout, hunger is not really the case. But if I REALLY get the munchies, I make sure I have a Romaine Lettuce at hand. you can munch the entire thing without serious regrets. it's crunchy, filling and even sweet, but doesn't get your day undone. For those uncontrollable, monthly chocolate cravings, I discovered that a teaspoon of bakers cocoa blended with a teaspoon of almond- or peanut butter makes for a healthy and very satisfying fix (as long as it doesn't become a daily habit). The flavor stays for a long time in your mouth, and does not necessarily need to be washed down with milk.
If you want to be in your kids' memories tomorrow, you have to be in their lives today. Happiness is not a state to arrive at, but a manner of traveling. - Margaret Lee Runbeck
| current weight: 176.0 |
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I save enough calories from my day in order to have a snack in the evening as I know me and I will snack if I have calories in the bank or not, so I make sure I set up my savings account to include those extra calories so I can have my snack.
"You're never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream..." C.S. Lewis “Don't wait until everything is just right. It will never be perfect. There will always be challenges, obstacles and less than perfect conditions. So what. Get started now. With each step you take, you will grow stronger and stronger, more and more skilled, more and more self-confident and more and more successful.” ~Mark Victor Hansen www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwE8HLLue48
| current weight: 118.0 |
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I made it a new rule.' No snacking after dinner is done and no eating at all 3 hours before bedtime.' i hate to fight the urge, but I think i broke a very, very old bad habit.
Edited by: PENNYPACKER3 at: 7/5/2012 (19:56)
| current weight: 158.1 |
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Thanks for all the suggestions. I will try the water and fiber one about an hour before bedtime.
But as for me and my house we will serve the Lord. -Josh 24:15
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I struggle with the same problems, especially since I am a late-night person. Here are some things I try: 1. Go to bed earlier 2. Drink a glass of water before and after dinner. It will make you eat less at dinner, and be full for longer. 3. Do something productive when I get my cravings. Even if it's midnight, I've popped in a work out dvd, gone for a walk, played a video game, and wrote in my journal. get your mind distracted. 4. Set rules for yourself, it makes it harder to break them. I set a rule that I am not allowed to eat past 7:30 MAYBE 8 depending on if I got home late from something that night. I sometimes will even play a game, where I get serious about like what if I had a surgery the next day. The doctor says don't eat past a certain time. That's how strictly I try to enforce that rule upon myself. 5. I have a goal board. I put a picture of myself in a bikini now, and a picture from a magazine etc of someone in shape in a bikini. I put all the healthy foods I love on it, and if I am feeling discouraged I will look at it. Resisting to eat when you know it will be bad for you is really hard. But, you have lots of people here and I'm sure in your home or family that will support you! You can do this. Fight those midnight urges. Invest in the new you and say you know what, it can wait until morning where I will have a delicious and very healthy breakfast. Never give up, and keep going at it. You will see results! :) If you need anything, just holler. Much love!  Angela
"If you never try you'll never know, the seed of fear is one you sow." -Me Don't give up.
| current weight: 181.0 |
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Sometimes you just have to suffer through the hunger...understanding that you're NOT going to starve if you don't eat a late-night snack before bed! After a few nights, it'll get better...and your stomach will start shrinking, you'll have fewer hunger pangs, and it'll be easier to get out of the habit of munching. :)
It Is What It Is.... :)
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Rieuadmirer, you are blessed. It is horrible waking up in the middle of the night wanting something to eat, even when you are not really hungry. I have tried ignoring the cravings. The cravings then turn intio hungry which has to be fed. Bettie
Those who make the worst use of their time are the first to complain of its shortness. --Jean de la Bruyere
| current weight: 173.0 |
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A few almonds would be better than an ice cream...
~Jess~ There are no shortcuts. No magic bullets. No secret spells. What works is hard work, dedication, and a daily dose of chocolate.
| current weight: 146.0 |
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I have never had a midnight craving in my life.
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This has been my hardest hurdle since I started with SP. I love my late night cereal snack or my coffee wtih sweet bread. Yum, but yes ... water has been what has helped me. But, not just water when I'm feeling my craving but just getting into the habit of drinking water through out my day decreases my cravings for that late night snack. Keeping track of my calories every day has also helped me because if I have done well for my day ... I have a couple of calories I can still eat and I leave them for later at night. However, it's not those heavy snacks anymore, it's more like having one or two cookies and a cup of milk and I am good to go :) Good luck!!! It's hard but little by little it becomes habit :)
Getting going is the hardest part, but I am worth it.
| current weight: 185.0 |
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Hate the midnight cravings - I don't know what to do about them. I always try to convince myself that if I wait for six hours, I can have a healthy, huge breakfast. Something that is less sugar, more protein, but it doesn't work all the time. I like the raw vegetable idea as a second option. good luck!
Edited by: HEIDIANN-50 at: 7/5/2012 (00:26)
| current weight: 200.0 |
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Count your snack towards your daily calories taken in. Then you should be fine as long as you stay within your daily caloric allowance and still lose the fat.
``Don't break the chain." -Jerry Seinfeld ``Moments of silence are part of the music." -Anonymous
| Body Fat %: 25.0 |
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Drink a glass of water.
"Yesterday you said tomorrow."- Nike
| current weight: 136.6 |
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Eat a later dinner and something with fiber before you go to bed. Air popped popcorn, whole grain toast, or apples are good options.
| current weight: 146.0 |
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For some reason I have been waking up starving in the middle of the night. So far my snacking choices have been Skinny cow Ice cream bars. I know they aren't that bad for you but I hate the fact that I am eating them and then going back to sleep. Any ideas would be great.
But as for me and my house we will serve the Lord. -Josh 24:15
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