Why are we more likely to falter in the nighttime?

[kidkid]

I know that for me, I can be raw and happy and vibrant all day long, but when night comes it turns into some sort of struggle. I feel like others out there share this experience. If this describes your patterns, what do you think the reasons are? what is it about nighttime that makes us feel like we need something? Is it that we feel vulnerable and in need of comfort? Is it because we're slowing down from our day, and our feelings are getting a chance to surface and talk to us? maybe uncomfortable feelings that we don't want to listen to? Or is there some metabolic thing going on? Or ooooo, even something evolutionary? I'd like to hear some theories.

I struggle with this. Just curious about what other people thought! maybe if i can identify the real cause, I won't be dependent on that habit any longer.

[EZ rider]

Why are we more likely to falter in the nighttime?
I have found raw to be really easy to do after I first get up and start a new day because I have something like watermelon that is so refreshing and hydrating along with the energy provided by the fruit that I coast through the morning effortlessly. I have always been a note taker and when I have slipped I have taken lots of notes about the experience in an effort to learn what I can from the slip. I have found a common thread in all my slips has been that they happen late in my day after I have been awake for many hours. I think being tired as opposed to being fresh is a part of my slips and also when I switch from the simple fresh fruits that I eat for the first hours of my day I seem to wake up my taste buds to the confusion that comes from having more complicated meals to digest. This seems to be the result of how many foods are in the meal, how well they are combined, and if there are any seasonings, spices, or flavorings used in the meal.

[Revvell]

There are a few reasons ~

1) not eating enough during the day so, one is hungry in the evening
2) the monkey mind's fear of deprivation ~ unconscious or otherwise
3) habit ~ many of us tend to eat/overeat while reading, relaxing, watching vids....
4) emotions tend to run rampant in the evenings (and often on Sundays) when we're relaxing and not distracted so much and we've learned to squash them via food

Those are the ones that come up off the top of my head.

Revvell

Tap Into Your Ideal Weight (http://TapIntoYourIdealWeight.com)

[kitlynne]

I realized yesterday that I don't eat enough during the day. I was running late making dinner and ate two and a half servings of raw pad thai! I guess the point is that if you feel hungry... you waited too long to eat! Especially in the beginning! I find that when I'm hungry, that is when I start craving fatty cooked foods.

[Veganforlife]

I'm thinking:

Boredom
Hunger
Habit
Temptation
Frustration

[xPIXIEx]

I have the same problem. I know why I do it. It's because food is comforting to me. And it's something I do to relax. Craziness, I know. My husband does the same thing. We're both trying to work on this little habit we have.

Sometimes, I'll have something raw & at other times, I'm not so strong. I'm just trying to take it 1 day at a time so that eventually, I don't have any more bad eating habits.

[Thick]

For me, some foods are actually drugs. If your life is so empty or confusing that you turn to a substance to fill up your time or have something possessing to do--you need something else to do.

For example--
-finding a cause to be passionate about, research, make signs etc
-find a new hobby, maybe one that you think you can't do like flying lessons, sewing a cool dress, being in a play, writing a book,making christmas presents for people, going back to school for a class or two you are interested in, learning an instrument etc..
-make new friends that can occupy that freetime
-buy some new S#$ toys or try something new with Him at night
-join a sports team that practices at night

[kidkid]

this is all so helpful! thanks. Yeah, i definitely identify with the "food as a drug" idea.

And Thick, now that you mention it...i have always wanted to write a book...

[margoss]

I was just thinking of posting this!! I do so well during the day but once DD is in bed, it could be 'look out fridge/cabinets, you're going to be raided'. I thought about it last pm & decided to cut myself off at a certain time & if I felt the need for something, I'd do water. I think that's better at pm vs food.

[Carly]

I posted the same thing on the raw challenge the other day. I think part of it is that I'm used to having a dinner that's heavy and filling compared to the rest of my meals. I used to use the big meal to comfort myself (really numb myself) after a long day. It probably just takes time to break that habit. Also part of it might be that during the day you are busy, whereas at night you have time to think about all of your fear and doubts and cravings. The sun shining also just makes makes me enthusiastic about starting a new day of being raw.

[SunChild]

For me, some foods are actually drugs. If your life is so empty or confusing that you turn to a substance to fill up your time or have something possessing to do--you need something else to do.

For example--
-finding a cause to be passionate about, research, make signs etc
-find a new hobby, maybe one that you think you can't do like flying lessons, sewing a cool dress, being in a play, writing a book,making christmas presents for people, going back to school for a class or two you are interested in, learning an instrument etc..
-make new friends that can occupy that freetime
-buy some new S#$ toys or try something new with Him at night
-join a sports team that practices at night

Great post! I find that is true for me, I was at my best when I was working/ or doing an activity! And now that I am writing, I have something to "go to" to occupy my time.