Recently my sweet tooth has gone into overdrive, especially in the evening after dinner. I’m not sure what it is, but even the times when I don’t feel hungry I still have the urge to snack on something sweet and it’s becoming a bit of a habit.
In the grand scheme of things, this isn’t a major issue as I eat pretty healthily anyway and try to stick to the 80/20 ratio of healthy and less healthy food. I know that the half a bar of Lindt dark chocolate with sea salt that I scoffed the other night isn’t going to make me overweight overnight, indeed a little perspective is needed here. I’m more concerned with how this pattern of overeating at night is going to make me feel in the long-term.
One thing for sure is that I try not to panic or feel guilty when I overeat. Instead, I try to adopt some healthy habits the following morning that help me get back on track and feeling better.
Drink lots of water
Like every morning, I find that hydrating my body is a great way to flush out any toxins and antioxidants. I normally do this with a mug of warm water and lemon first thing in the morning that I know I keeping harping on about, but I do feel better for it afterward. Staying hydrated throughout the day is important, it’s great for your body, but I also love how refreshed and energised it makes me feel too.
A small workout
Before breakfast if I’m feeling sluggish I try to squeeze in a quick workout, nothing hardcore just a bit of movement to help get those endorphins pumping. Generally I do a couple stretches, squats and jumping jacks, nothing more than 10 minutes. This isn’t a ‘proper’ workout, just something to help shake off that heavy feeling that I seem to have after an evening of over-indulgence and I always feel so much better. I might still fit in a workout later if I’ve planned to do so.
Eat a healthy breakfast
Healthy living for me is all about balance and like I mentioned above, I’m a big believer in the 80/20 rule. Whenever I overeat in the evening more often than not I still feel full the following morning. In cases like this I try and opt for a healthy breakfast that tends to be plant-based like a green smoothie. These are so easy to make and you can put whatever you like in them, I have lots of smoothie ideas over on my recipe page. There’s nothing like a healthy dose of plant power to get you back on the straight and narrow.
Adopting these healthy habits in the morning after an evening of overeating always make me feel fantastic and less bloated. They also set me up for a great day of healthy eating and restore that balance that works really well for me. I love my food and will never restrict what I eat, but there are times when I over do it and I know that I’m not alone here.
My own tricks mean that I never skip a meal to compensate for going overboard nor do I cancel out any particular food from my day. Healthy living is definitely more about the right decisions we make for our body and well-being over time rather than a random night of face-planting yourself into a massive pizza.
I was overweight and did Slimming World, I ate healthily just crept into bad habits. I had never dieted ans so when my weight went too far. I did SW as it was healthy eating lots of veg, salad pulses. I dropped the three dress sizes I had gained. Now 4 years on, I eat similar mostly healthy and treats at the weekend. So possibly 80/20 too.
Congratulations Jo! Your hard work and determination really paid off, this is very inspiring to read!
This is such an inspiring post. I also find I am fancier sweet things more than ever but perhaps its the broken sleep and tiredess?
x
I think tiredness can make us turn to sweeter foods. I hope your little man is letting you get some rest. x
I’m so much more relaxed with this now. Like you say, it’s all about the perspective. I remember when I was binge eating waking up the next day and feel horrible and just hating myself, I’d try not to eat anything for as long as possible – obviously this would send me into another downward spiral. There’s no point punishing yourself, focusing on nourishing yourself instead makes you feel so much better and in the long run, keeps things ticking over 🙂
I agree Pip, punishing yourself is the worst thing you could ever do and takes the enjoyment out of eating big time. Great to hear that you have overcome your demons and you seem to have a really great approach to this.
Haha been there! Usually after going tot he Hawksmoor (ridiculous steak resto in town) I pretty much follow your approach – and it’s the one time I’m content with a green smoothie for breakfast! I always make one and it makes me feel a million times better.
They should prescribe green smoothies on the NHS! I love how great they make me feel, sometimes I think that they are almost medicinal. 🙂
I love reading your blog esp the morning after I have eaten an entire pack of oreos (I am addicted, I can’t help it). Plant based smoothie for breakfast it is.
Hahaha! This post was perfectly timed for you then! 🙂
TOTALLY hear you on this! I went through a little phase like this recently where I just wanted something sweet left right and centre. Drinking lots of water definitely helps the next morning, and maintaining that hydration during the day. I think making sure you’re eating enough throughout the day/making sure you aren’t leaving long gaps between your meals can help too. It sounds easier said than done, but making sure you aren’t buying foods that you know you’ll end up scoffing the whole lot of. Like you, Lindt salted chocolate or the salted caramel flavour usually results in me eating the majority of the bar, if not the whole bar, in one sitting… oops. So I just learn to buy 85% dark chocolate as I know I won’t want to eat all of that.
I’m a big advocate of the 80/20 rule too. It’s just so simple and definitely works if you’re aim is to have a healthy lifestyle – treats and moments of indulgence are important to achieve balance! You can have a healthy body but a healthy mind is almost priceless. I’d go mad if I didn’t allow myself those moments of indulgence. Just remember if you’re eating reasonably well the majority of the time, these little slip ups won’t hurt too much. Don’t be too hard on yourself 🙂
She’s So Lucy
I think the 80/20 rule really allows some leeway and room to enjoy yourself to live healthily and happily without any restrictions. SO happy to hear that it works well for you too. Without a healthy mind I don’t think we can be fully healthy because health is about far more than the food we eat, it’s also about our emotional wellbeing too.
I find the evenings are the worst for me and snacking and it can become a serious habit to keep having chocolate…you just get used to having it. But a little of what you fancy is OK, just as long as it’s a little rather than a lot all the time I guess!
If I have a ‘bad’ evening of eating crap the next day I draw a line under it and try to be a bit more mindful of what I’m having. It’s not the end of the world after all.
Totally Anna, it’s really not the end of the world. I think eating your favourite foods is all part of being wholly healthy as part of a balanced lifestyle. You seem to have it covered already!
I often find that if I’ve had an evening of eating rubbish I am usually so thirsty the following morning. I guess from all the salt that is added to the rubbishy foods? I make sure to drink a lot of water just to feel more ‘normal’ again.
I have to trink lots of water the following day to and I think it is down to the salt like you say.
I recently started drinking warm water with lemon in the morning and noticed what difference it makes.
I’m so guilty of overeating in the evening but really can’t stop myself.
It really is a great habit to keep up. Glad you are feeling the benefits of drinking it! 🙂
Such a fab post, some great tips here. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks i needed this…Great tip on the water and lemon
I think once you are more in tune with yourself you do moderate you eating much more naturally- I find that if I have had a few more indulgences then the next day I find I want more water, and don’t fancy those sugary things as much. But like you say, it’s all about balance.
Great tips. I find that after a while of letting myself have indulgent foods I naturally want to cut back although definitely need to reign in my sweet tooth a bit! x
Very helpful advice! I have healthy smoothies or take longer walks