Needing support to stop eating past 7:30 pm

[blessed]

Hi everyone,
I am trying to stop eating at 7:30 at night. It's difficult because I am a night eater, even before going raw I ate late at night but now I'm trying to break the habit. Do any of you have that problem or had the problem in the past?
If so can you share your experience with me. I have heard that if you eat late it messes with the digestion of your food and will slow weight loss.
Thanks for you help.

Ann :)

[Gosia]

Hi Ann,

This is something that I have not dealt with yet. Occasionally, I find that I need more fruit at night, or I won't fall asleep. I discovered that this happens on days when I have not eaten enough fruit during day (I tend to have salads in the evening). But, I have not consciously dealt wiht the issue yet. Certainly worth attending, as good sleep is important. Thanks for sharing!

Gosia.

[misslinda]

okay ideas............



if you are in a relationship or married.....schedule all nite cudding,love making from 7-10 pm longer the better ;)

Have regular night talks with friends about why your thinking about eating

Write in your journal at least for 1/2 hr to discuss with yourself about how you are not going to eat past 7:30 pm

Take a sensual buble bath with candles, burning sage,relaxation music and give yourself a nice hand and foot massage

Leave you place at 7:29 pm and don't return until later---bookstore is a great place to watch people,read and think

BTW, what do you feel when you eat late at night??? Real hunger?

I've read many times that 8pm is when the digestive system is done for the day. 8 am next day is when elimination cycle begins. I think it's the 12am hour wehn assimilation happens----i'll have to go back and reread it.

[meganthevegan]

I eat when hungry, if it's at night then I eat. I often get a sweet tooth at night and will devour a bunch of dates, grapes, maybe a huge banana shake. But none of this has ever gotten in the way of weightloss or caused weightgain.

[blessed]

:D
You all have solved the problem I was having I will use all your ideas. I love you all, you're the GREATEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I won't feel deprived anymore because I don't eat past 7:30.
I love the love that comes from my friends.
Thanks so much.

Ann :D :D :D :D :D :D

[heather]

i slice an apple (or two) and eat it in bed. i also do smoothies at nite and have been wondering if that is helping or hurting me. i am interested to see the input from others on this thread. thanks for starting it!

[Angelina]

I know that when I am hungry at night it usually means that I didnt' eat enough throughout the day...and even when I've eaten quite a bit at night, I can go down a few lbs the next day... maybe try to eat a bit more during the afternoon to see how you feel at night. I think if you allow two hours after your last snack (its snacks we're talking not big meals, right?) then you should be fine..

[Alice in Rawfoodland]

I don't think eating at night is a bad thing. I always have an evening snack. I avoid dense sugary foods like dates, raisins and nuts, and fatty foods like olives and avocados. Apples are good, veggies are good. If I've had a huge dinner at the very least I'll have herb tea w/honey at bedtime. I don't like going to bed with an empty stomach. Everyone's different.

Cheers,
Alice

[blessed]

Today is the eighth day that I've tried to stop eating before 8:00pm. It's been strange because like I said I'm use to eating late at night.
But something great seems to be happening my stomach is not so bloated and it's slowly going down, I can't believe it, it's great. I will continue to not eat after &:30.
I may slip but I will continue working on it.

Ann ;)

[blessed]

:o :o
I mean I will continue working on not eating past 7:30 at night.
Ann

[Secret Heart]

I have come to the conclusion that, while it probably isn't the best to eat a night, for me it works.
My constitution really likes to have a little something in my stomach before bed...it's usually fruit. Again, I've heard that fruit isn't so great at night, but I always have an apple or two or three before bed and sleep better than if I had nothing.

[RawTruth]

It's my understanding that it's sunlight and dark (lack of sunlight) that affects our entire body. Sunlight going into our eyes trigger the pineal gland. When natural sunlight is gone, the pineal gland knows to shut down our digestive system. That's why it's best not to eat at night -- regardless of whether we're hungry or not. It's the natural rhythm of our bodies from ancient times -- sunlight would awaken us, we'd begin a day of movement and activity, then at dusk, we'd bed down for the night. The introduction of artificial light changed all that -- and we've continued to move away from what was natural to our bodies. We can use tools, the wheel, clothe ourselves, etc., but in some ways, we are animals and our bodies function beautifully as such.

If someone has more scientific details they'd like to add to my general and rather prosaic description, please do so. This is what I've synthesized from several books and lectures.

I am personally trying to not eat after dark. Water with lemon squeezed into it really helps (also in increasing alkilinity - a double bonus). Of course, turning in to bed early and rising early makes the hugest difference!

Best of luck, blessed. You seem to be on the road to success!

[sachis2112]

Ann, perhaps this will help shift the way you think about it.

True hunger does not hurt (or so Frederick P, don't ask me to spell his last name, said in his ebook) and that makes sense to me. True hunger goes away after 1/2 hour to an hour. Given this little tidbit of information, I wait to eat in the morning until I really feel the urge, not the pang (which I don't seem to get anymore). So, from about 9:00 AM until 5:30 PM I nibble all day. Maybe start with a banana, have some nuts around noon, nibble dried fruit all day. By the time I get home, I have a final formal meal (around 7:30 if that helps ;) ). Then that's it. I'm full.

I might get a sweet tooth and eat a date or a couple nuts. Eventually, I don't think I will do the night snacking thing anymore. But then, if it makes you feel any better, I think I'm the world's only sleep-eater... :cool: DH woke me up the other morning and, as he pulled back the covers, he found an almond tucked in the fold of my PJ sleeve. :eek: I can't believe I'm still doing that!

[blessed]

I drink a glass of lemon water at night if I feel hungry and that fills me up.
Also the eating plan from morning to night is helpful, I usually don't eat until around 11:00am and by evening time I'm really hungry so I will start earlier.
Thanks for the suggestion.

Ann

[spockafina]

It's my understanding that it's sunlight and dark (lack of sunlight) that affects our entire body. Sunlight going into our eyes trigger the pineal gland. When natural sunlight is gone, the pineal gland knows to shut down our digestive system. That's why it's best not to eat at night -- regardless of whether we're hungry or not. It's the natural rhythm of our bodies from ancient times -- sunlight would awaken us, we'd begin a day of movement and activity, then at dusk, we'd bed down for the night. The introduction of artificial light changed all that -- and we've continued to move away from what was natural to our bodies. We can use tools, the wheel, clothe ourselves, etc., but in some ways, we are animals and our bodies function beautifully as such.

That is quite fascinating, and makes perfect sense

I've been working on adjusting my wake/sleep schedule to no avail, but I am going to continue to try until I'm on a regular schedule.