One Month Challenge: No Eating After 10 p.m.

February 5, 2011     Posted in Body, College, Reality

[Everyone’s got a vice, a bad habit, something they know they need to change. Unfortunately, everyone also has a million excuses why they just can’t do it. Not anymore. Every month we will be following a different CollegeCandy writer as she takes on a personal challenge. Last month Charlotte gave up coffee. This month, Melissa's going to stop her late night snacking. Can she do it!? Could you?]


By Melissa

Oh, the wonderful world of late night eating. Whether it’s 2 a.m. pizza or that leftover Chinese food during your favorite nighttime shows, late night eating goes with college like studying goes with college. Except we actually, uh, do it. So, yeah, bad analogy.

Now, I don’t mean to sound like a party pooper, but get this: according to the New York Times, a 2009 Northwestern University study found that late-night eating does lead to weight gain.

Are you really surprised? The drunken munchies, the nighttime study snacks, or the boredom eating that so often takes place on college campuses definitely contributes to college weight gain. Something that I don’t want. So, when I was presented with this challenge, I asked myself — “Hey, if those things all lead to weight gain, why not just not do them?” Seems easy enough, so I accepted the challenge. And one day in, as I sit watching my 10 p.m. TV, dying for a snack to nosh on, I ask myself another question:

“Why the heck did I agree to this?” Oy.

For the next month, I will not eat anything after 10 p.m. No snacks, no treats, no little, teeny bites. Once the clock hits 10 p.m., the fridge is closed and so is my mouth.

And it’s definitely going to be a challenge. How am I going to survive my single status on Valentine’s Day night without watching The Notebook and eating chocolate with my best friends? How am I going to fuel my late-night study sessions? And worst of all — how am I going to resist the social midnight snacks when all of my friends are eating them?

These are the questions that plague me right now. And you know what else is plaguing me? The growling in my stomach.

But I’m going to make it through this month. And when I do, I’m going to come out healthier, with a better understanding of why I choose to snack late at night. Am I bored? Am I tired? Do I genuinely need to fuel my body at late hours? I don’t really know, but I’m pretty excited to find out. At least that’s what I keep telling myself as I watch my roommate down a bag of chips…

So as I take on this challenge, I invite you to eat a bowl of ice cream for me in your pajamas. Or, if you’re up to it, PLEASE join me! I’m going to need some serious support.

Thank goodness February only has 28 days.

You gonna join Melissa on this journey? Got any advice? Insight? Ideas? Sound off! She needs you.


37 Comments on "One Month Challenge: No Eating After 10 p.m."

  1. Charlotte- University of Birmingham says:
    Sat, 5th Feb 20115:16 pm 

    This was the challenge I was considering doing instead of giving up coffee. Coffee wasn't easy but this one would definitely be my downfall!!
    Good luck- I definitely want to try to give this one a go myself!!

    Charlotte http://www.girlnextdoorfashion.net

  2. @robinlh912 says:
    Sat, 5th Feb 20118:19 pm 

    This is a challenge I would totally try!

  3. Wayne Sutton says:
    Sat, 5th Feb 201110:59 pm 

    Good idea! going to join you

  4. katie says:
    Sun, 6th Feb 201112:36 am 

    i'm joining you! no more snacks after 10 pm! we'll see how it goes…

  5. Priscilla says:
    Sun, 6th Feb 20113:17 am 

    Goodluck! It shouldn't be too hard at 10pm.
    A lot of Thai girls do this too, but at 6 pm!!!
    So, they had to finish dinner by 6 pm, yes..
    (Do you feel better after hearing this?)

  6. elegantromantic says:
    Sun, 6th Feb 20119:13 am 

    I'd love to try this too! I'm not in college, but high school, which I imagine would actually make it easier for me, but I do tend to snack when I'm doing homework. I'm gonna say 9 PM to make it more of a challenge.

  7. Kat says:
    Sun, 6th Feb 201111:52 am 

    Woo!! I'm with ya….glad I start today because I needed my late night drunk munchie last night — err, this morning. Bring it on :D

  8. intoyourblueeyes says:
    Sun, 6th Feb 201112:49 pm 

    From where this kind of things you have find out ??
    But you find out good and useful content….
    thanx for sharing…

    How To Make a Guy Fall In Love With You

  9. G M says:
    Sun, 6th Feb 20111:56 pm 

    Your reasoning is flawed. Its not late night eating that leads to weight gain, rather its the poor choices people make during the late hours that lead to weight gain. Every single example of the food you listed (i.e. pizza, ice creams) is full of fat and sugar. Eat a piece of fruit or eat some steamed vegetables if your stomach is growling.

  10. G M says:
    Sun, 6th Feb 20111:57 pm 

    Also, there are an overwhelming amount of studies which contradict the one you posted

  11. Priscilla says:
    Sun, 6th Feb 20112:34 pm 

    I just started doing this about a month ago and it really makes a difference! the first week you will be hungry at night, but your body starts to learn not to expect food after 10pm and it gets easier! I promise!

  12. D.Fuentes says:
    Sun, 6th Feb 20115:16 pm 

    I'm in, this is a huge challenge for me I love late late night snacks. But we can do it ;)

  13. beth says:
    Sun, 6th Feb 20117:45 pm 

    I'm with you!

  14. Jay says:
    Sun, 6th Feb 20118:39 pm 

    I'll join you! I used to pretty good about this, but late-night study sessions have knocked me off the wagon. It's about time I get back on. Hopefully, both of us will make a lifelong habit of this long after the goal is met. Good luck to you!

  15. Renee says:
    Mon, 7th Feb 201112:43 am 

    I'm with you there! It'll be a big challenge but hey, I'm down to commit :)

    ……but this doesn't include alcohol right?

  16. Anna says:
    Mon, 7th Feb 20112:50 pm 

    for my 2010 new years resolution last year, I didn't eat after 7 pm. At first it was hard, but once I got into the habit of it, it wasn't that bad at all. I lasted all year with no late-night snacking and felt so much better because of it. Unfortunately, I stopped doing that because of scheduling conflicts with dinnertime, but I'm excited to hear how this resolution goes for you.

  17. Sara says:
    Mon, 7th Feb 20113:38 pm 

    I like this idea. Im in. Im out of college with a regular 9-5 job, and Im actually a sleep alot of the time by 10PM…. so Im going to say… after 8 pm. Game on!

  18. Tricia Hein says:
    Mon, 7th Feb 20113:47 pm 

    I'll offer you a little advice that hopefully helps: Try going to bed a little earlier, eat breakfast everyday, and drink plenty of water when you get late night cravings. If you are watching tv, try keeping your hands busy. I know I tend to eat while watching tv just to have something to do with my hands. :)

    But yeah, cutting late night eating is a pretty effective, simple way to prevent weight gain. Usually its recommended that you don't eat after 8, but in college, when we're busy during the day and often don't eat supper until 8, I think 10 is a reasonable cutoff.
    http://studentswhostillhavesouls.blogspot.com

  19. Greyer says:
    Mon, 7th Feb 20117:55 pm 

    This is such a good way to loose weight. I don't eat anything after 6 PM on a regular basis and I sleep better and feel healthier. My advice: instead of food, drink. Tea is the best bet, with a little honey or sugar if you need it. If you have chocolate cravings, a little chocolate syrup (note: little) with milk will do the trick. If you just want sweet, fruit juice is good. But tea is hands down amazing!

    Good luck!

  20. Candice says:
    Tue, 8th Feb 20116:55 am 

    I stop eating at 8pm every night-TRY IT! It took a while to get used to but I feel so much better about myself!!!!!!!!

  21. Samantha says:
    Tue, 8th Feb 201112:29 pm 

    What a lovely idea! I think I will join you, and maybe make it at 9 pm. I usually go to bed around 10 anyway. I'm thinking this will only be hard on weekends, because I'm out drinking then. Drunk munchies will be hard to overcome! Also, does this include no drinking alcoholic beverages after your target time?

  22. gabby says:
    Tue, 8th Feb 20114:18 pm 

    I'm starting today!

  23. LizzyGregory-x says:
    Wed, 9th Feb 20116:29 am 

    I'm in high school at the moment, but I will join you too! I definately need to stop snacking late at night!!! Good luck with yours !!! xxx

  24. Buttercup says:
    Wed, 9th Feb 201112:12 pm 

    I've always wanted to do this myself, so I'm joining the fun and starting today! To make it more interesting, I think I'm gonna try resisting the urge of eating after 8 pm. Good luck to you all ! We're going to need it..

  25. Ashley says:
    Thu, 10th Feb 201112:12 am 

    I actually never eat after 9 pm at the latest and it’s never been too tough for me. Yes sometimes I’m hungry by 11 but I usually go to bed within the next hour so it’s not a huge deal. I feel better eating earlier and it’s great to know that it’s healthy, too. I’ve never been the late night junk food girl, so I guess that’s why it’s so easy.

  26. Diary Young Asshole says:
    Thu, 10th Feb 20114:14 pm 

    Report back in a month and see how many people actually do this..lol…smh

    Ladies Here’s One LITTLE Thing to Consider Before You Stop Dating Black Men http://t.co/BGWkfvW

  27. Alabama says:
    Sat, 12th Feb 20118:49 am 

    HUGE TIP: DRINK WATER!
    I've got a friend in medicine school and he told all of us (girls) that human body often confuses 'hunger' with 'thirst'. So, sometimes when we eat lots of cookies or ice cream or chips, thinking we are hungry, we just actually needed a glass of water! It will end right away the anxiety and the unaccomplished need of satiety.

  28. chr says:
    Sat, 12th Feb 20111:27 pm 

    i read somewhere that the hormone (leptin) for sleep/hunger is the same, so when you stay up you get hungry i guess! makes sense.

  29. Jeanie says:
    Sun, 13th Feb 20116:07 am 

    i would join you, but since i'm only a high school senior i suppose i still have some time left. i'm really bad though, one night i woke up at two to get some water and wanted some chocolate. so what did i do? ate some. yum.

  30. thinkfreelife says:
    Mon, 14th Feb 20115:37 am 

    Great idea. I usually try to avoid eating late, but since I'm a night owl as well, I tend to be more active at night, and thus, more active at eating then. I do believe it might make a difference if I cut it off.

  31. Harley says:
    Mon, 21st Feb 20119:18 pm 

    I am joining you, though I'm going to shoot for 9PM being the cut off. I definitely need to get off the midnight snack bandwagon.

Tell us what you're thinking...