Night Eating Syndrome Support Group

Rachel, how did you make yourself eat the healthy treat you left out instead of going for the high fat, sugary food?

When I was seeing a therapist last year I just touched on my over-eating, but he wasn't a food expert, he just said well we need to get the root of WHY you're overeating & kind of dismissed it. I stopped seeing him when I realized I am the one who has to make the changes in my life.

The way I described it was I thought I was "self" punishing myself, kind of a sabotage to lose weight, because I always am drawn to the foods I wouldn't go near during the daytime. Unfortunately I have the cookies for my husband's lunch, but he already said he can do without, but I still keep buying them.

I know I have a lot of bad habits to break, I have a horrible relationship with food. I don't understand the concept of eating "healthy", because if I eat "normal" food, like a slice of pizza for dinner, I instantly feel guilty. I usually subsist on Zone bars and low carb ice cream bars during the day, I try to make my husband a nice dinner, but never eat it myself.

I'm even considering looking into an out-patient intensive therapy course. I don't know what my insurance offers, since we're with an HMO. I know I'm not nearly as bad as a lot of other people here, but it still dominates my life. I ate pecan sandies last night and woke up this morning so sick to my stomach. Can't break the cycle.

Unfortunetly I'm gonna stick the loaf of bread in the butter every bite. Crackers till there's an empty box. Tortilla chips till my hands are swollen from all the salt Iv'e ingested. Nope, bananas and such arnt gonna do it for me. I didnt buy bread, crackers etc this weekend. I did buy grape nuts cereal and thats what I poured and ate when I woke up and that was only once which is wonderful!! I think just talking about it with you guys is helping me. I go to bed and the information you share is on my mind when I go to sleep and when I wake up. Of course Ive only been a member for a few days but Maybe just maybe something will click. Anybody want to spend the night in "the barn with me"? INside joke ya'll although it is really true. No food out there!! Renee

Hi LJ,

It took me awhile to realized what I needed to do. Thank goodness I still live with my parents because things that aren't supposed to be in the fidge that I will eat if I see them I told them to put upstairs where I can't get it at night. Like cookies, crackers, nuts, cereal. The stuff in the fidge like cheese, peanut better (is really bad for you) humus, left overs and so on I have put in plastic shopping bags and I don't see them. Out of sight out of Mind.

If I wake up I leave a banana for myself . Best for you is greenish yellow ones. I eat pretty healthy during the day. Look up healthy snacks for you that you can leave out.

I also cut down a lot on drinking diet pepsi and when it comes 3-4 hours before bed I won't eat anything with sugar in it. I found eating a portion of mix nuts (sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, peanuts, almonds before bed helps because it kind of fills you up.)

I would defiantly try the melation pills. I learned never to get sleeping pills from the doctor they make it a lot worst for us.

Good luck

(remember what is in plastic bags are off limit out of bags go for it). I know sounds a little silly but for me it has worked.

Thanks Rachel, at this stage I'm willing to try just about anything.

Thanks for sharing Rachel,

I will take your advice and leave a bananna out tonight.

I hope it works.

At this point, I am willing to try just about anything.

I shared my dilema with my hubby and he is very supportive.

He thinks it's a habbit................and I think he's absolutely right.

And I am such a "creature of habbit".

I am learning alot and just hearing about other's personal experiences/stories is healing.

Take Care,

"Troubled"

it is much more than just a habit.

yes a lot more then just a habit

S & R, I'm with you. More than a habit. I have learned that with addictions you first make the choice to do a drug/alcohol. people are genetically different so some people will be automatically on the road to addiction (something is lit up in them) while others will become addicted after doing it over and over. i believe we are genetically somehow predisposed to this (something is lit up in us) that makes us keep going. just saying......

It is more than a habit, but at the root, it IS a habit. I posted an article I read the other day that I found really interesting. It says how when we do something over & over our brain processes it & just keeps doing it. You CAN change it. I can't quote the article, I don't remember it word for word, but your brain can be reprogrammed. It's just very difficult, especially when most of us have underlying reasons why we do need the comfort of food at night.

i read that too. you are right, it can be reprogrammed.