Desperately Seeking a low-Prep, Easy Self-pampering to Replace Overeating

I don't know if you want to cut out the snack entirely, but I like to have a bowl of cereal as my "dessert." Basic 4 is a good one, but sometimes if I need something really sweet, I like cinnamon toast crunch.

How about one nice glass of wine in a beautiful wine glass?

It's relaxing, it has fewer calories than ice cream, you still get a pampered feeling, it marks the end of the night and some studies say it might even be good for you.

T.
SAHM of three (8, 7 and 14 months)

All the non-food treats you've suggested for yourself are great. But if you find you crave something to ingest and fill you up, I've found that an ice-cold fruit-flavoured water satisfies me when I don't want to eat something sweet. I wouldn't have thought so and the first time I had it that wasn't my intention but I found that afterward I didn't feel like eating ice cream or cake (my usual nighttime vices). I'd suggest giving that a try.

A friend of mine has a shirt that says "I eat music every day." It's interesting because I think music can give a similar relaxation and satisfaction to your favorite treat or glass of wine. And it's no-cal! So, maybe some music or something to make you laugh. If I still wore message-Ts, mine would say something about having a good laugh at least once a day. I watch DVRed comedy shows at the end of my day.

As far as snacking, it's probably best not to try anything that will make you feel deprived, because then you'll look for comfort somewhere else... What helps me is to brush my teeth and floss, and then I don't want to eat anything else. You could floss while you're watching your favorite TV show and then think about all the money you'll be saving later in life by not having to replace all your teeth!

Good luck.

Hi M.-I totally feel your pain! I've started doing my nails because I can't get into chips and cookies if my nails need time to dry! I make a cup of tea (or glass of wine on a weekend) and paint on a base coat. The next night I pick a color,the following night, another coat of color or a top coat. By the fourth or fifth day they are all chipped from doing dishes, cleaning etc. and are ready for the process all over again. End result-my nails look good and the goodies are still in the cupboard for hubby and not on my hips (and everywhere else!).

Hi M.,
I also am a sweet eater but only eat them once in awhile. I have found Yoplait yogurts to help. They are 100 calories and 0 fat. They have some really good flavors that take care of my sweet tooth! Good luck

After my boys are in bed I like to take a nice hot relaxing bubble bath. If I end up needing a nice sweet treat I like the yoplait yogurts they have a lot of great flavors.

Perhaps try Sorbet instead of ice cream, and go to a smaller portion. I like to crochet to relax... and it keeps my hands busy so I don't feel like eating :)

I hear what you're saying. Lately I have fallen into 2 bad habits: staying up later than I should AND snacking at night. One directly causes the other, b/c if I'd go to bed earlier, I could ignore the hunger. A colleague of mine recently lost a lot of weight, and one thing she did was chew gum every night. That helped curb her cravings.

I used to make a lot of beaded jewelry, and that always kept my mind and hands busy at night. Reading also helps. TV makes food-avoidance hard b/c of all the commercials.

If you do want to treat yourself with a snack, how about some fruit with fat free cool whip? Sometimes when I crave chocolate I pour some sugar-free choc. syrup into cool whip and make a version of chocolate mousse. It won't fill you up, but it will give you a dose of sweetness.

Goodluck! Thanks for the reminder that I, too, need to replace my nighttime snacking with something a little healthier!

Hi M.,
Try the Arbonne Figure 8 chocolate protein shakes they are excellent and you'll love the taste. You can get more information at http://www.GoFigure8.com Since New Year's I have lost 15lbs and look forward to a shake everyday:)!! This month I'm running a mamasource special FREE Detox tea with a shake order. Contact me if your interested in placing an order.

Regards,
K.
###-###-####
____@____.com
www.kellymcinnis.myarbonne.com

Hi M.,

You may want to treat yourself to Sugar-free chocolate pudding (make it with skim milk) or Jell-O with a little bit of Cool Whip.

Enjoy & good luck,
R.

Hello M.: As I read your plea for help, I can enter in. Mom is the last one to be cared for. But if Mom is not feeling the best, low energy, extra weight....Mom cant be her best for her family or herself. A quiet time after the kids go to bed is needed to wind down. Do you like to read?A hobby that helps you unwind and semi(escape) really helps to refocus. Maybe hand work of some sort.
We tend to reach for comfort foods, because our body is out of balance and craving nutrition. If we don't give it the proper nutrition, it continues to crave junk.
I used to look in the mirror and looked pregnant as well, but I decided it's time to make a change FOR ME.
I started focusing on MY needs too. Time to lose weight and get back the REAL ME inside.
Would you like to know how I was able to do this successfully?

C. Hunter

Hi M., My favorite is a nice warm mug of that International coffee. They are somewhat sweet, easy to make, a variety of flavors, and I find them relaxing! Good luck! J.

hi M.,
i am 41, a mother of 1. i have struggled with weight my whole life. i have peaked out twice at 185, and now have hovered around 120-125 for a number of years. there is a hereditary factor, but more-so, it is self-discipline. if i indulge excessively today, i reap the consequences tomorrow. it is as simple as that. at 41 things have shifted, gravitational pull if you will. i do not deprive myself. i love sweets! and bread and anything with next to no nutritional value. at one time i attempted to give it all up, but that was not the answer. now i have 4 little individually wrapped chocolates for breakfast and sometimes a few more early in the afternoon. i also allow myself 4 pieces of bread per day. this is what works for me. find out what works for you. if there is a special occasion, letting loose is good, too much rigidity can be counterproductive. yes, there are many wonderful alternate ways to reward yourself instead of eating. my most fulfilling reward comes more from the pat on the back i can give myself when i look that demon in the eyes and say "no thank you". you also could start off saying, "maybe tomorrow i'll indulge, but not tonight".
the other problem i noticed as my son grew, was that he too started snacking at night. hmmmm....wonder where he picked up that habit. i try very hard not to be one of those do as i say, not as i do moms.

How about a smutty book that you wouldn't even admit to your friends that you read?

OR--buy a chair massager or foot sauna?

My husband is a baker and I have a sweet tooth so I totally know where you are coming from. I started to freeze treats into single "doses" so that I wouldn't end up with a whole pan of brownies in front of me.

You do deserve a reward, I hope you can find one that fits your lifestyle.

Best of Luck, Nat

My favorite thing to do after my little man is in bed is to just sit, soak my feet and enjoy a 100 cal. kettle corn pack. It seems like you're eating so much, it's sweet, crunchy and good for you!! I'm in the same boat. I run around all day that i forget to eat, and by the end of the day i feel i "deserve" it, and pig out.

Well the best thing is to get rid of the sugar craving. I had the flu for a couple weeks, and avoided sugar, and after that it has been much easier! But until you can get to the point where you don't really crave the sugar, how about a cup of hot cocoa or a piece of whole grain toast with a little jam and almond butter. Sometimes I just really "need" a glass of chocolate milk. Once you can wean yourself from feeling you have to have the sugary fatty treat you can have a nice cup of herb tea or something like that that is very yummy and warm.

For me, I'ld rather have a peaceful bath with my book, or watch something other than Sprout and crochet than turn to food. Why not look for a you-time hobby?

There's no reason you can't treat yourself, it's just a question of what you are treating with!! Make sure you eat enough throughout the day so you are not starving by the time they all go to bed, leading to pigging out. Eat healthy meals as much as possible throughout the day - when your kids have breakfast and lunch, have something too. Try to fill up on foods that have fiber and grains and protein in them so you aren't hungry 5 minutes later. And if you do want some ice cream, just subtract the calories from something else during the day. I'm not suggesting skipping meals to eat ice cream, but try to balance your WHOLE caloric intake throughout the entire day. Look at it as one big picture. It might also help to define exactly what is a treat for you - I find that my biggest treat at 8 p.m. after the kids are in bed and things are relatively clean is just to read the paper, go on the computer, email, etc. I just need time for ME at that point, and being able to sit and relax actually is more enjoyable than sweets at that point. Think of how you will feel the next day and make a choice... you will feel guilty for possible bad food choices, or you'll feel happier having had some quiet time to yourself to recharge. It really is a choice. It's hard though, I know. Believe me. I am no expert, but this is what has helped me recently. Now, during times of PMS, that is another story!! :) Good luck and hang in there. You can do it!

Hi M.,
There isn't anything much easier than preparing a cup of tea for yourself, but if you are able to take a bath at night my mom uses Arbonne's Unwind bath salts. She is at a busy hospital on her feet all day long and into the early evening 5 days a week and I gave her a gift basket of the Unwind products and she said they are like heaven! She gets the tub ready, has her husband get her a hot mug of decaf. tea and grabs a book that has absolutely nothing to do with her work and relaxes. She is on medication so I had to be careful with my choice of products and since Arbonne is the healthiest choice (no chemical dyes or fragrances or parabens or mineral oil) I felt confident. That was three years ago and she no longer shuffles her feet through the house because her feet are so tired and painful and looks forward to her evenings that she is relaxing with her unwind in the tub. I hope this helps you and let me know if I can help you locate some unwind to try. L.

I am right with you! I have an almost 4 y.o. and my son is 81/2 months. We breastfeed and I've learned that I don't eat enough. That was hard to me, b/c I wanted to lose weight! but, I have literally not lost a pound. After the holidays I felt like I needed to take control. (This is the 3rd time, I've had a very substantial amount of weight to lose)We joined the gym and I do my best to get there or get a walk in whenever I can. Night time eating has been the hardest for me. What has helped is eating more during the day and drinking a glass of water every time I feel hungry. I gave up coffee, pretty much and replaced it with tea. A cup of tea at night has been a good thing for me. Now, this might now sound like pampering, but I stretch and do some strength training stuff for me. It makes me feel so good to end my day like this and it's helping me along with my goals. Even getting into the push up position (minus the push-up)will invigorate you if you hold it for a while. There is a lot of basic yoga poses that are great. I also just treated myself to a set of 10lb. dumbbells. (I only know a few things to do with them, but I'm going to research some exercises on line. - youtube is great for that stuff) Just so when I start to veg out at the end of the night - I don't eat out of boredom.
When all is said and done - if I still feel like eating (or need to eat) I enjoy cottage cheese with some fruit,apple w/ peanutbutter, or a small bowl of cereal.
I hope you get where you are trying to go. I hope you find some "me" time.

For me, I work a treat into my day. So I eat well during the day (no sweets during the day at all) and know I have a treat waiting for me after bedtime. Skinny Cow ice cream is a favorite of mine. I find if I know I have a treat to look forward to, it makes me behave the rest of the day!

I know well that temptation to snack after the kids are finally in bed.I make that time my exercise time.Just started using Leslie Sansone exercise dvds.I figure I spend the day taking care of everyone else,I owe myself an hour to take care of me by exercising.