Not eating after 6.00 etc to lose weight

[Sammy76]

I have started to a very strict diet this week. I need to lose 6 kilos.

The one thing that I struggle with tho is not eating late. I am used to eating dinner when my son goes to bed which is around 7.30 or 8, and I am hearing that part of the key to losing weight is eating earlier. BUT how??? Because I get hungry when I go to bed and can't sleep so I usually have to get up and eat half or a full banana to 'fill the hole'.

If I apply eating earlier, how will I be able to get to sleep then cause I will be REALLY hungry??

[Ana Gram]

I don't eat a big meal at night. I don't follow a strict "no food after 6" thing though. I have swapped my meals around. I eat dinner for breakfast and breakfast for dinner. It has helped in weight loss but took a little while to get used to.

[Lastcenturymum]

You actually need to eat regularly to keep your metabolism ticking over. Starve it and it will go into 'famine mode' and store fat. Having said that, digestion slows down by 8pm, so maybe a light snack - such as fruit that is low calorie or a few nuts will keep you going.

How quickly are you trying to lose the weight? It will take time, make sure you eat a balanced diet, with adequate protein. I like the 5 small meals rather than only 3 and don't eat between them.

[delirium]

I would just stay away from carbs and stick to fruit or another low cal option.

My personal trainer told me it's not so much about having the strict no food after a certain time rule it's about what you have.

Exercise and cardio training is the secret to weight loss. The problem with placing strict dietary rules on yourself is they are easy to break. Then you get the feelings of failure.

[Sammy76]

Thanks everyone for replying.

Lastcenturymum - I am hoping the sooner the better, but I am more realistic knowing that it will take some weeks.

I am actually on Tony Ferguson Diet, have done it before and it does work.

I have been comfort eating - having been in a lonely and lost place lately, and I am trying to shake myself out of it. But I need to lose a few kilos and I know I will be more motivated to get fitter and eat better.

I taken out carbs as I know it is what puts on the kilos.

I just struggle when going to bed because even when I wasn't dieting, I was hungry.

[Ana Gram]

Are you drinking enough water?

[Alvin06]

Thank you for the informative post.

Measuring fat loss is more difficult to do but it is a far better indicator of your progress. Body fat analysis is best done by a professional and can be done at most local gyms or health clubs. There are also a wide range of devices freely available which can give you a fairly accurate measurement.

[Shawn Marsh]

Any weight loss diet plan will advise you to go green. Fruits and vegetables abound in minerals and vitamins and are low on calories too. Gorging on them will make you healthy, without making your calorie intake spiral out of control.