I am a SAHM to a 2-year-old and a 10-week-old and also a student. I'm trying to lose the last of my baby weight, but lately I've become such an emotional eater. I nibble when I'm tired, lonely, stressed or bored. I'm aware of what I'm doing, and I still don't stop. I've been able to lose weight by cutting dinner calories after a mindless episode, but I know this is not so healthy.
Has anyone found a good way to overcome this? I always get so mad at myself after the fact.
I could do this 24/7 if I didn't make a conscious effort to not.
Finally, I had to tell myself -- NO EATING FOR 3 hours. I drink water, hot tea, brush teeth, gum. It all helps. I can watch the clock and look forward to my next meal/snack.
I am a SAHM to a 2-year-old and a 10-week-old and also a student. I'm trying to lose the last of my baby weight, but lately I've become such an emotional eater. I nibble when I'm tired, lonely, stressed or bored. I'm aware of what I'm doing, and I still don't stop. I've been able to lose weight by cutting dinner calories after a mindless episode, but I know this is not so healthy.
Has anyone found a good way to overcome this? I always get so mad at myself after the fact.
Having a toddler who is constantly snacking makes this so hard for me! A handful of goldfish here, a few bites of yogurt there, a chicken nugget, it all adds up. I just have to track every bite I put in my mouth so that I am more aware of it.
It helps me a lot to have in mind in advance what I am going to eat that day. Like if I know that I'm going to have an apple and peanut butter as a snack that afternoon, then I tend to stick to that rather than eat a bunch of other random junk.
I'm amazed that you have time to snack with a 10-week old. My 4 1/2 month old is so high maintenance that I rarely get to eat dinner before she goes to bed, especially I H isn't home. You must have a super good baby!
I have been doing this more lately, and find for me it is tied to stress, boredom, and lack of sleep. All of which come with having an infant. I try to keep healthier options around so I'll snack on carrots and peppers, but it is hard. I have to count out or measure serving sizes for things like pretzels and sweets so I don't get carried away. I'm in a plateau with my weight now, so motivation is a problem too. Thanks to running and breastfeeding, I'm not gaining weight no matter how much I seem to eat....but, I'm not losing when I cut calories either.
I'm amazed that you have time to snack with a 10-week old. My 4 1/2 month old is so high maintenance that I rarely get to eat dinner before she goes to bed, especially I H isn't home. You must have a super good baby!
It's not so much having an easy baby, as the other kids need to eat. Then when you're making them a snack you grab some for yourself too, or finishing their plate (hanging head in shame)
It's not so much having an easy baby, as the other kids need to eat. Then when you're making them a snack you grab some for yourself too, or finishing their plate (hanging head in shame)
I am so guilty of this! I love to eat their pizza crust, which is good for NOTHING, nutrition wise.....I have had a really bad week with eating, so no advice but sympathy here....
It helps me a lot to have in mind in advance what I am going to eat that day. Like if I know that I'm going to have an apple and peanut butter as a snack that afternoon, then I tend to stick to that rather than eat a bunch of other random junk.
I'm amazed that you have time to snack with a 10-week old. My 4 1/2 month old is so high maintenance that I rarely get to eat dinner before she goes to bed, especially I H isn't home. You must have a super good baby!
it's not the baby, it is the older kids - my 3.5 and 5 year old have breakfast, AM snack, lunch, PM snack, and dinner...i feel like i am always prepping or cleaning up some kind of food and it IS hard not to grab a handful (even if i don't want it or feel hungry).
fortunately, i exercise and BF so i can do it w/o gaining weight but it sure does make weight loss very very slow (for me).
My biggest mindless eating time was from 3pm-5:30pm. This is usually the time of day my girls are just chilling inside (they don't nap anymore) and I found myself watching tv and eating snacks. So I started cleaning. I would find something that was on my list of things I need to get to some day, and pick one to do. So come 3pm, I started decluttering the hall closet. The next day, clean out the fridge and wipe down all the shelves. Bascially just keeping myself on my feet or busy with my hands so I am not sitting in front of the TV eating. Also keeping a 32oz. waterbottle next to me to drink on the entire 2 1/2 hours so my belly is full. Next thing you know it is time to start making dinner. It has really helped and I am seeing my weight go down again, I had been stuck at the same weight for a long time.
Another things I started doing was going to the fresh local produce stand every week and picking up a week of veggies for myself. I cut up yellow squash, cucumbers, green/red peppers, tomato (if they look good that week), fresh feta, almonds and then pour a vinegrette dressing over them (not too much dressing) and mix it all up in a big bowl and pop in the fridge. Anytime I feel like I need to get my hands on something, I eat a bowl of this first. It really fills me up and I allow myself to eat as much fresh veggies as I want throughout the day. Sometimes I will even put this mixture on a big bowl of fresh romaine and just eat it for dinner that night.
I try to keep baby carrots in the fridge for those times when I just must eat SOMETHING, and I'm also allowed to have as much caffeine-free tea as I want. I like peppermint, rooibos lattes, and flavored white tea (low caf, close enough).
Post by hazelandblue on May 12, 2012 20:37:02 GMT -5
Try chewing gum or snacking on something healthier like edamamme or sugar snap peas. Are you breastfeeding? If you are i would cut yourself a break because you are burning calories and the hunger is justified.