Has anyone cured themselves of over-eating?

[OverEatEvenings]

I over-eat in the evenings, nearly every evening at the moment. I have always done this as a way to calm down in the evenings. I have clear memories of 'calming down' after a day of nursery, primary school, secondary school etc with food. It was always unhealthy (things like two bags of party rings, or two chocolate mini rolls). However now I am an adult I can obviously buy my own food and therefore I now eat much larger quantities of junk food in the evenings as a way to 'calm down'. I was always a slim child but I have now been gaining weight since I was around 18.

I wouldn't say it's binge eating because apparently that involves rapidly eating and being almost mindless to it. In contrast I plan and look forward to my "binges" and I eat whilst watching TV. Last night I ate: (I am really embarrassed to write this) Dominos pizza for dinner, lots of Maoam sweets, a bar of Dairy Milk and some ice-cream. Usually I would have had crisps too but I didn't last night.

I have tried so many diets. I had some success recently with the 5:2 diet for around 6 weeks until I started feeling really light-headed and dizzy on fast days. I already go for walks in the evening and have a warm shower to try and calm down but it doesn't help.

I think for me the reason I overeat is because I am bored. I live far away from friends so I have no social life, I'm single, I'm currently WFH and I'm just not really doing much with my free-time. Eating is an easy way to add something I enjoy to my day.

Has anyone else managed to stop overeating? I find eating healthily during the day easy, it is the evenings I struggle with.

Yep. Boredom does it for me. Especially when the kids were small and in bed, and that was it.. I was alone for 12 hrs...😱😱

These days I keep busy. Go out for a bike ride then home for a long bath or shower, an exercise dvd or on YouTube, I have taken to reading again, but in my room as I never take food in there. Decide on no eating after 7, doesn't always work, depends when I get home from work. I learnt to knit, so do that while watching TV.

I can go weeks and all good. Then I crack, and have to start again. Even if I don't buy junk food or chocolate, there's no one to stop me going to the shop at any time to buy it🙄

Loneliness and boredom are the worst I think.

I know it's hard but if you don't buy it then you can't eat it. I have to tell myself this too.

Secondly, can you find a hobby or another form of enjoyment on an evening. Go for a walk, watch a favourite tv programme, a craft maybe. Take your mind off the food and start a positive affiliation with something other than the snacking

It is hard but it's so important not to give up. If you do, put it aside and start afresh the next day. You've got this!

I have to constantly reign myself in. I generally stick to low carb, as it stops me having ‘just a little bite’ which invariably turns into a full-on pig out. I could absolutely eat what you’ve listed, plus the crisps!! Low carb helps, but, saying that, I still have the occasional cheat day when I have what I want. I truly envy those who can have a cup of tea a biscuit, and not finish the packet. I’m very all or nothing.

It's soooo hard but it can be done. First thing as PP have said.. don't buy in the snacks. Or at least instead try and replace them with healthier alternatives. I have battled with this before and I have to make sure there is no temptation in the house. I eat pickled baby cucumbers for that crunch and salt type craving, dark chocolate for the sweet craving and a large wine glass with fizzy water and a slice of lemon for the drink (G&T) craving. Then I try and occupy my brain with an adult colouring book

I can be very bad with binging but I’ve found intermittent fasting has helped a lot.
Like you evenings were the worst for me, but with intermittent fasting I only eat within an 8 hour window every day, normally 10 till 6ish.
Sometimes I have bad days where I’ll eat way too much within those hours, but I find I get too full, then I just tell myself kitchens closed from 6 and I’m not allowed any more food