Eating healthy and exercising are important when trying to lose weight – but your evening habits can make a big difference too.
Here are some things you can do at night to support your weight loss journey.
Keep your evenings busy
Boredom can lead to unnecessary snacking. Stay distracted with activities like walking, journaling, calling a friend, or reading a book.
Starting a new hobby like painting or knitting can also help keep your hands – and mind – away from the fridge.
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Get quality sleep
A regular sleep schedule and enough shut-eye can support your weight loss.
Sleep helps regulate appetite hormones and reduces cravings, making it easier to stick to your healthy habits.
Exercise – but not too late
Light to moderate exercise in the early evening is great.
But avoid intense workouts too close to bedtime, as they can make it harder to fall asleep and affect sleep quality.
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Don’t eat right before bed
Late-night meals and snacks tend to be high in calories and sugar, and they can mess with your sleep.
Aim to stop eating a few hours before bedtime and avoid going back to the kitchen until morning.
Pack tomorrow’s lunch
Making your lunch the night before saves you money and helps you make healthier choices.
Include lean proteins, whole grains, fruits, veggies, and low-fat dairy to stay on track.
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Stick to a meal schedule
Overeating at night often happens when you haven’t eaten enough during the day.
Eat regular meals and healthy snacks to prevent hunger from building up in the evening.
Turn off the TV during meals
Watching TV while eating makes it easy to lose track of how much you’re consuming. Eat mindfully – without screens – to better tune in to your hunger and fullness cues.
Brush and floss after dinner
Brushing and flossing after your last meal can act as a mental signal that eating time is over. You’re less likely to snack if your mouth already feels fresh and clean.
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Relax and reduce stress
Stress can contribute to weight gain. Use your evenings to unwind with calming activities like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga.
Lowering stress also improves sleep quality.
Turn off the lights
Sleeping in complete darkness helps your body rest better.
Use blackout curtains, put away screens 30 minutes before bed, and consider wearing a sleep mask to block light.
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This article is based on information from WebMD.