Breaking away from late-night over-consumption

With all the "March Madness" basketball I have been watching this month late-night eating has become an un-healthy habit for me this month. Unfortunately, these late-night hours are the worst time to be consuming excess calories because we typically are sedentary and not doing much activity. Therefore, one is likely to gain weight and certainly not lose much weight if he/she is consuming excess calories late at night.

However, there are ways in which to break the habit of late night eating:

1. PERSONAL RESOLVE AND WILLPOWER: This might be the most important step to breaking late night-eating habits. Make it a goal to stop eating late at night and write that goal down on paper. Put this written goal on your refrigerator and visualize how you want to feel and live.

2. DISTRACTION: Chances are that you may not even be hungry when the urge strikes to eat late at night. It can be out of boredom, habit, stress and/or fatigue, but whatever the reason it can be helpful to distract yourself from food. Try taking a hot-bath, taking a walk while talking with friend or family on your mobile phone, having some hot-tea, reading a book, watching a movie, or playing boggle, scrabble, or any game you like. Find what works for YOU best, and JUST DO IT. I think you will find that urge to eat will dissipate.

3. INCREASE FIBER IN YOUR DIET: Fiber makes you feel fuller, therefore eating a high-fiber diet can make you feel full longer. Try addind some high fiber foods (legumes) with your last meal of the day.

4. HAVE A FAMILY STYLE DINNER: This does not mean punching your brother or arguing with your parents, but rather sitting-down at the dinner table and slowly eating your meal. Try not eating in front of the TV or eating while reading.

5. DON'T STOCK THE FRIDGE WITH JUNK FOOD YOU SHOULD NOT BE EATING: If ice cream or cookies are in your house, chances are they are going to be eaten. So, simply DON'T BRING UN-HEALTHY FOODS IN TO YOUR SPACE.

6. EAT BREAKFAST. Studies have shown that those who eat a good breakfast are less likely to over-eat late at night.

Hope this helps.