Worried I might be slipping

[davef]

I have been doing really well on getting my weight, BG and A1c down. I had a great week this week with A1c down to 6.8 from 9 in January.

But ..... I'm a little worried that I may be slipping a little. My "Danger time" was always night time after everyone else was in bad.

The last couple of nights I have found myself craving something to eat as I settle down to watch some TV programs I have recorded. I have not been anywhere near like I was before, I am limiting myself to maybe 4 small plain cookies (no chocolate) which are okay in terms of carbs. I'm just worried that I'm slipping.

Okay, now it's out there, I have to get myself under control and to keep my a** on the couch and steer clear of the kitchen.

[Cyborg]

Probably not the best for weight, but for bg you can try some nuts. I like dry roasted almonds myself. Then there's celery with blue cheese (or something with less calories). If you can limit yourself, there's lunchmeat and/or cheese. And the old standby, pickles... Or even a late night salad!

[princesslinda]

Dave, don't beat yourself up over the occasional treat. You've done VERY well in a very short amount of time. Its unrealistic to think that you'll NEVER again eat anything that might not be the best food choice for you. The main thing is not to let the occasional "treat" become a nightly ritual.

I would encourage you to have some things on hand that you won't feel guilty if you eat...I crave salty foods more than sweets, and I've found if I keep a big jar of dill pickles around...it takes care of that "salt" need.

Don't make a particular food FORBIDDEN...mentally, that's setting yourself up for failure, as your focus will be on having that item. Rather, PLAN your splurges and have something to look forward to.

You're doing fine!

Also....I've found the more I "splurge" the more I want...seems to unleash all those cravings I used to get.

[davef]

The main thing is not to let the occasional "treat" become a nightly ritual. .

Thanks Linda, as ever words of wisdom and support. I think I posted to remind myself that these are treats and must not become a ritual.

[kgm0612]

I am the QUEEN of night picking so I know exactly what you're saying, Dave.

I try to snack on almonds or walnuts. I also like the sugar-free pudding cups with a little whip cream on top. Makes me feel like I'm eating something really bad, but I'm not! LOL

Karen

[Jan B]

I know how you feel Dave. You can also try to substitute the forbidden with something more innocent. I've been having breakfast these days, which I used to never do. But, the night time eating desires are coming back pretty strong. I binged on cashew and almond butter a couple times and was scared I was making that a new habit. Last night I had quite a lot of SF jello. I also drug my Health Rider out of the garage and I'll take a ride on that when I get cravings I don't need to have. Or you could fix a big salad full of "harmless" stuff!

[princesslinda]

Jan, the only way the Health Rider would stop my cravings would be if I were eating what I was craving WHILE I rode it!:D Can't you see me on the health rider, a twinkie in each hand!?! I wouldn't do it....but I can visualize it quite nicely!

Isn't it funny how we ALL want to eat at night? I blame it on TV...can't watch ANYTHING w/o being regaled with food commercials.

[davef]

Thanks all, at least I know I'm not the only one.

I could never "get" health riders, the idea of all that energy being used and staying in the same place did my head in, mind you eating while using it, now that sounds like a real plan ;)

I love nuts, but have stopped buying them as they might be low-carb but not good for my weight, at least not if you eat a 250g bag.

Linda, you are right about the TV and wanting food breaks. I tend to record 2-3 hours of sci-fi a day and the rest of the family aren't into it, apart from my 5 year old son who is hooked on star wars. So I tend to watch my programmes from about 11pm when I get the TV to myself, and that's when the munchies hit. Think I might stick my latest weight and A1c chart to the cupboard to remind me to "step away from the cookies!"

[mortis505]

Hey dave, we are all human. A little snack once in a while wont hurt. You obviously know what to watch for. Peanut Butter and Crackers is my weakness.

[Evermont]

...I love nuts, but have stopped buying them as they might be low-carb but not good for my weight, at least not if you eat a 250g bag...

I love nuts too. I buy them in bulk and my whole family muches away on them. I've been getting a bit carried away so I have to cut back a little, keep it real yo. For nutrition reasons I'm eating raw almonds, raw walnuts, and raw pumpkin seeds, with raw pine nuts thrown in just because I like 'em. Last night I measured 1/4 cup and counted 32 almonds which was more than I expected. I buy large bags at Costco (a "wholesale club") and so I need to maintain some self control, but man they're much much less expensive that way, and fresher too.

My approach to guilt about overindulging is to not stress over it, but do some extra exercise to compensate. If you're willing to work hard, you can eat more and tolerate it better. So don't ask yourself: "Should I be bad and have a treat?" rather ask "Shall I have a treat and more exercise to cover it?" as if it is a package deal - because it is.

[tanyatype1]

Hi there Dave! I love to snack at night too. (darn it!) I love to munch away on sunflower seeds. (salted and in the shell) I don't take any insulin for them because they're so high in fiber. How about some sliced up meat, cheese and pickles with three high fiber crackers? Or some thinly sliced veggies and some yummy fat free dip? I also drink tea at night to help curb the snacking urge.

[Lulika]

Dave,

I understand cravings, I have won medals for them :)

I know I have only been a diabetic for a week but I am already realising the hardships. For me, it has to be something sweet and so I have been making up that no sugar jello and eating it whenever I crave a sweet. I also pour a drop of no sugar, low fat yogurt on top too and it goes a little way to satisfying my sweet tooth.

Hang on in there...you have been one of the people who have been so encouraging to me, you are my mentor!! :)
We all have rough days I suppose... chin up!!

[davef]

Thanks guys, I think posting and hearing from you all has helped a great deal. Last night the cravings hit and I was so tempted to open the cookie jar, but I had eaten a nice meal (made with my own fair hands) just two hours earlier so I tested, I was at 109, which was a nice place to be after first bite.

So I had a mug of tea, a small slice of cheddar cheese and gave myself a small pat on the back for good numbers instead of the cookie.

Thanks all,

[Jan B]

Thanks guys, I think posting and hearing from you all has helped a great deal. Last night the cravings hit and I was so tempted to open the cookie jar, but I had eaten a nice meal (made with my own fair hands) just two hours earlier so I tested, I was at 109, which was a nice place to be after first bite.

So I had a mug of tea, a small slice of cheddar cheese and gave myself a small pat on the back for good numbers instead of the cookie.

Thanks all,

Yahoo for YOU! Dessert tea (chocolate raspberry truffle) has also been my friend!

[mg_2204]

They say a craving doesn't last longer than 2-3 minutes. The trick is to hold on that long perhaps?

When I sit in font of the tv that's when I have cravings. Many evenings I don't even watch tv and... no cravings. I'm weird!

Drink water when you crave!

Are you getting enough food during the day though? I used to have uncontrollable hunger after work... because I just didn't have time to eat. Many times I'd eat breakfast around 6h30 am and not eat until 7 pm. No wonder I was so hungry!

The very best to you!

[davef]

Marie,

We must both be weird, the TV definitely brings on the cravings! I have been drinking the water or tea when craving hits, I also found that if I test when the craving hits that it grounds me to see a good number on the meter. The other side is, I would often get the cravings two hours after dinner so when I test my BG is just reach it's postprandial high (generally have been keeping it below 120-130 these days), so when I test and see 120 I know that it would be made to eat again at that point.

The thing about it is, that it's not hunger, it's a throw back to habits I had pre-diagnosis. But with the help of everyone here I'm getting it under control again.

[Jan B]

I know I got laughed at last time I mentioned the health rider ;) but it really does work wonders when watching TV and starting to get bored . . . the brain starts thinking about the refrigerator, etc., but -- hop on the health rider and burn some calories instead while watching a show. Then if you still want that little snack - have it because you just finished burning some calories and sped up your metabolism.

[Lulika]

Thats a good idea Jan...I will have to cycle about 50 miles then to have that ice cream! :)

[Kim_in_TN]

Dave, it is great that you were able to avoid that cookie jar! Thankfully it is just me and hubby here most of the time so he can "sneak his sweets" before he comes home! ;) I keep mostly healthy stuff in the house now! The few things that aren't so healthy are his breakfast bars and pop-tarts which really aren't a temptation for me!

When I am watching TV and get the munchies, I get a tablespoon of peanut butter and some apple slices. It's yummy, satisfies that sweet and crunchy craving and it is healthy too!

For many, many years I have been a nightowl and having a hubby who worked night shift just gave me more excuses to stay up really late and eat junk food all night! Thank God, my hubby is finally on dayshift now and has to be in bed around 10 p.m. so I go as well and avoid the night time snacking!