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Of all the situations and challenges we face in maintaining our primary boundary of eating within 0 and 5, probably the #1 on the list is “Night Time Eating.” If ever there is a time of day that we find ourselves “justifying” eating outside of physical hunger and satisfaction, it is probably 8 times out of 10, from the dinner hour on for many of us.
Here is a sound file that speaks to this. (If you are an email subscriber, you may need to visit the blog site in order to hear the file.)
[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/99361378″ iframe=”true” /]How about you? Do you struggle with night time eating outside of your boundaries of 0 and 5? What can you do to structure tonight for success? Will you? 🙂
Wow! Sounds like you know exactly what I go through in the evenings, Heidi! I am going to play your comments again right before dinner to help keep my focus. I also like the idea of chewing the gum while I’m cleaning up after dinner. Thank you so much for your encouraging words!
following along and determined to win. Reading my original thin within workbook establishing my secondary boundaries. Thank you Heidi for clear examples of what secondary boundaries look like. I too am a light sleeper and have found myself up hungry for food. Im going to focus on planning my hunger as well so that I can be satisfied not overstuffed before going to bed. Looking forward to the webinar tomorrow.
I’ve just started Workbook #1 for the first time and I’m so glad I sent for it.
I would love to hear how God uses it in your life, Sheila!
It was SO much fun to “see” you in the class, Aretha! What fun to hear your voice and connect with you in a new way. Thanks so much for coming. How is this going for you? 🙂
Night eating is not my problem time. Mine is afternoon between 2 pm and 4 pm. Until about a month ago, my husband and I snacked (that’s what we called it) sometime between 8 pm and 10 pm. For about a month, we’ve had no desire to eat at night. I don’t know why, but I like it. I actually get to sleep more quickly and for me that is a huge blessing.
Okay, big wake-up call. My problem time extends from lunch through supper; so, night eating is a problem for me. This evening, I did not ask myself the justification questions. I served myself a large portion of our favorite casserole and ate every bite, bringing me to an 8 or 9 rather than a 5. No wonder I don’t eat later in the evening. I’m too full. So now I’ve listened to the audio file and found some help there. I’ve also done some of the assignment from Barb’s justification lesson. Tomorrow, I will use a smaller plate and, with the help of the Holy Spirit, stay within my God-appointed boundaries. In this hot weather, I like the idea of eating to less than a 5 at supper and having that small scoop of ice cream when I reach 0 again. Thanks, Heidi.
Hi, SHeila. What a great realization to come to! 🙂 How has it been going since the other day? I hope much better! God is so patient with us.
You could take some time about 1pm to renew your mind about the “pit hour” (for you, it is 2-4pm) and that might help nip that in the bud!
Keeping my thin within material and journal and truth cards and Bible out and focusing on that at night helps me. My secondary boundary of only eating when sitting helps me not to eat the leftovers when cleaning up dinner.
Great points!
Thank you a millions times for sharing this! I have been struggling with this. My accountability partner and I have been challenging one another about this. I like the idea of eating a little less for dinner so I can be at a 0 at some point in the evening. I’m going to try that!
So glad it is helpful, Christina!
Heidi – did you write this post for me?? The Lord has released me from so many strongholds – esp certain times of day that were difficult to maintain boundaries. But….this is the one that still gets me! I have been trying to not eat any sweets after dinner, although I do give myself permission to eat sweets at the table. But, I also like the idea of eating less at dinner and then sweets later. I may plan this into some evenings.
Hi, Carrie. You are NOT alone! Most everyone I coach or talk to says the same thing. Evening eating is tempting and typically, they aren’t tempted to eat another dinner salad. 🙂
PRAISE GOD! We can do this lady’s. I had a wonderful day so far. I’m lol…..I was walking across my living room today and my beautiful south western skirt slipped off my waist. I keep rolling the waist up, but that did not really help. So I finally changed into my Capri’s. I love this skirt so much that, I will be putting a new waist ban in…It will save me money and I’ll get some more use out of it this summer. God is so good. What a blessing from God. I was so encouraged! = ) makes me think twice before putting that extra bite of food into my mouth when I don’t need it! : )
“What is impossible with man is possible with God” when I’m weak he is strong…” can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” Amen
Amen, Jamie. We CAN do this! What a wonderful “problem” to have where your clothes are falling off of you! 🙂 Someone once mentioned how it would be fun to have a clothing exchange as part of the ministry here. If anyone wants to head that up, I could make a spot for it and someone could administrate it. It could be fun. One person’s “too big” clothes are someone else’s “just the right fit” clothes! It would be fun. Just a thought! Anyhow, Jamie, thank so much for sharing your story with us. As always, thanks for the scriptural reminders, too!
Thank you Heidi…..yes that’s a great idea with the clothes exchange! = ) God bless you.
haha, nope–she clearly posted this for ME! 😉 Hi everyone—oh, this is such a timely post. I just picked up some cards yesterday to write my truth cards, and one truth for me is that sometimes ( like evenings relaxing with my husband) honoring my boundaries is hard. What I love about Heidi’s words is that there IS freedom to have a little something sweet in the evenings and still stay with my boundaries. I just started coaching with Heidi, and one thing I’ve observed this week is that when I have enough protein during the day (I’m a vegetarian and I can get lax about protein), I’m less desirous of sweets in the evening. I have been able to enjoy just a small portion within my boundaries.
Hey, my friend. I am so glad you decided to chime in!
I am up in the middle of the night and struggling not to eat; thought I might check your blog to see if there was anything here to encourage myself with.. God is SO good, looking at the topic.. have no doubt God lead me here! 😀
Oh, also, haven’t listened to the video yet, but did read the comments and have to say, “I might buy gum once or twice a year”, AND the other night I bought some and it was sitting here next to me.. Mary Anne Endeman THANK YOU for posting about the gum.. I’m chewing it for all I’m worth.. and it’s working.. TY both Heidi and Mary for being used of God! The Lord Bless you guys! 🙂
Hi, Peacelily. One of the best things that I have found when I don’t want to think about food is similar to redirect myself just like you did! I also like to spend time adding to my God List and having a praise fest…focusing on God takes my thoughts right on up to heaven. God List is described here http://www.heidibylsma.com/step-6/ and Praise Fest is described here http://www.heidibylsma.com/step-7/ I hope that you experienced VICTORY the other night!
Heidi, I made it through the night until 6 am when my husband got home from work; he brought cookies into the house; plus, he cooked and I ate and then went to bed full. Woke up around noon thinking “I would try the 0 to 5 for the day”. But it didn’t work for me.. I was ready to binge again when the first empty feeling came and after realizing just enough wasn’t going to be enough, I prayed and asked God what I should do and I felt like He told me to start fresh with a clean slate and I’ve been doing excellent ever since. (I think I told you I track on Sparkpeople.. I deleted the binge and didn’t try to count it towards that day’s but started all over and I’m doing good. I know God is teaching me to ponder WHY I’M eating.. some times I am able to put the food aside based on the 0 to 5 but I still eat it later when I’m hungry. I don’t let myself get too hungry least it causes another binge, and I make sure I eat at least 1200 a day, but really, it’s about getting proper sleep for me and not to energize myself when I should be sleeping. Which growing up is how I kept myself going after my dad died, it was my way of being there for my Mom when she couldn’t sleep. Somehow I associate being tired [exhaustion] with the need to power up.. to eat. My husband works nights so I go back and forth from day’s to nights and I’ve got to really watch when I’m eating what time it is.. and what shift am I trying to be on. It’s a prayer issue.. 😉 I will look up the links you gave me.. I like reading your blog though I do things a little differently.. it’s still very encouraging! 🙂
We all have our own journey, Peacelily. If you have ever read my testimony, you know that I knew and wrote for the Hallidays and the Thin Within ministry long before I really bought into the whole thing. You may not ever feel like this is something that works for you. If God is calling you to it, I am confident that you will know it. So glad that you find something here that can encourage you! 🙂 That does my heart good to know that!
I always turn to your website Heidi when I need encouragement or a God fix in my attitude.. for three day’s I lost my focus after that morning splurge and instead of looking to God I focused elsewhere.. reading for pleasure [ugh] ..entertainment, tried to get my mind off my struggle.. another wrong choice. Frankly, God had to bring my focus back to what’s good and show me that I was out of balance, I read night & day [neglecting my responsibilities] for three days. Got my focus back yesterday.. GOD IS SO GOOD!
Also, I wanted to share that when I looked at Psalms 16:1 you missed the word “Preserve” 😀 .. “God preserves us”. We are preserved in Christ Jesus.. Jude 1:1 .. it all fit and was HIS perfect timing for me to see this today. Sorry, I forgot to read it the other day and yet the timing was more needed for me today. 🙂 I know He is keeping me! Thank you for taking the time to write me.. 🙂
Heidi, this is sorta how I do my Bible reading, only I add the verse to my journal or study notes, I never thought about writing it out in a more personal way, or putting it on a notepad [index card type] to keep it handier.. Also, I do it for all scripture, I never thought about focusing it on God or maybe I did but just not worded the way you said it. I’m going to have to go back into my Bible notes [scriptures] and see if it fits. I generally copy and paste the verse and then write my thoughts on it.. which is NEVER as good as writing it out on paper by hand [journaling].. I retain a lot more when I do it the old fashion way, but sometimes now that we live in the age of electronics I take a lot of shortcuts, don’t think I get as much out of it; but.., it’s better than NOT doing it. :/ I’m going to try the praise feast too, as I’ve not done that either.. at least not looking at the notes, it’s all from memory for me.
Oh my gosh, I am so sorry, I did not know this was going to the blog, I thought it was private.. if you want to delete the post above DO.. I would NEVER try to post anything contrary to your way… :/ I am sorry.
Hi, Peacelily. Don’t you worry whatsoever about it! I am not offended at all. 🙂