Not eating before sleeping isn’t an iron clad rule.  It really isn’t about eating or not eating before sleeping, but rather what you eat and how much you eat.

If your primary goal is weight loss, try not to have these within 3 hours of your bedtime.

• High carbohydrate foods such as bread products, grains, rice, etc
• High sugar or  alcoholic drinks
• Unhealthy fats, fried foods, potato chips, etc
• High sugar foods like ice cream
• Too much of anything

A great way to feel fuller is to eat a balanced meal, lean proteins, high fiber carbohydrates, a bit of healthy fat, and lots of vegetables for dinner!  If you are eating mindfully and healthfully throughout the day, 3 meals and 2-3 snacks, and drinking enough water, chances are you won’t feel hungry right before bedtime.

When you sleep, your body doesn’t need food, but rather, it takes from your stored calories.  If you eat right before sleeping, your body will use and burn those calories you just consumed.  If you haven’t eaten right before sleeping, your body will look for stored fat to burn off.  So essentially, you loose loose weight as you sleep!

If you must have a snack before bedtime, try not to eat so much that you’re too full by morning and skip breakfast (which can mess with your metabolism) or that indigestion or discomfort make sleep difficult.

Here are some healthy options for late night snacking!

• Cottage Cheese:  contains casein protein, which releases slowly into the body
• Cherries or cherry juice: increase melatonin (a hormone that makes you feel tired) in the body
• Apple and Almond/Peanut Butter:  apples have lots of fiber, and the nut butter will be filling without feeling too heavy
• Nonfat Greek Yogurt:  Contains about 100 to 150 calories, as well as tryptophan from the dairy, which will help you relax
• Baby Carrots:  a low calorie snack
• Lowfat String Cheese:  Cheese has  the amino acid tryptophan, which could help make you drowsy

“If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy and inspires your hopes.” -Andrew Carnegie

In order to achieve great results in life, one must set goals for themselves.  The same goes for your health and fitness.  When you have made the decision to make healthy living  a part of your lifestyle, setting goals will encourage you to achieve them.

When my youngest son turned 1 last year, I wrote down a goal for myself.

I want to increase my fitness level and loose the baby weight by exercising at least 3 times a week and making healthier food choices.

Within a month, I had shed 15 pounds.  It was not easy getting back into shape.  Slowly but steadily, I was able to run a little longer, and I could feel my muscles resurfacing!  From when I set that goal, I not only lost 40 pounds, but was able to run a 5K while pushing my two boys in the stroller in 30 minutes!

So to everyone who has a hard time starting, set a goal, and follow through with it.  I promise you, you will be amazed at what you can accomplish.

My jogging stroller after my 5k Color Run while pushing my boys!