Snacking

[BB85]

Ok, let me start by saying I fully accept any flaming that might come as a result of what I'm about to ask.

I have a serious issue with snacking in the evenings. I could eat boiled chicken and steamed broccoli all day, every day, but as soon as the baby is in bed and I sit down for an hour of TV time with the wife, I crave salty snacks. Potato chips are my weakness. I realize (and notice in the mirror every morning) that it's obviously affecting my physique (and overall health) negatively, especially because, with an 8 month old at home I'm only at the gym 2-3times/week as opposed to the 4-5 I used to do pre-baby.

I know the obvious answer is "suck it up", and thats likely what I'll have to do. Just wondering if anyone has any tips/tricks they use to curb a craving like this? or if anyone knows of some magical nutrition plan that allows one to eat potato chips when they want....

EDIT -- I should add that I'm not terribly overweight, just not happy with the beginnings of the spare tire from snacking and working an office job. I don't think I need any drastic changes, and I really don't have the desire to compete. I'd just like to make sure I don't turn into a typical "pot belly dad" or "used-to-lift" chubby guy.

[Lankymofo]

Don't even buy them. :-)

[greensoup]

if theyre in the house youre fucked is my experience. dont b uy them or feed them to your kid first

[dakoose]

When I'm craving something salty, I'll usually go for the jar of peanuts I keep in my cupboard. A protein shake with some nuts is something I've always been able to get away with late at night without getting negative results.

And when I want something sweet, I'll mix up some peanut butter with Walden Farm's chocolate sauce. It's not half bad.

[BB85]

Don't even buy them. :-)

if theyre in the house youre fucked is my experience. dont b uy them or feed them to your kid first

Ya, tried this. I live about a 3 minute walk away from a conveniece store....when that craving hits it takes almost 0 effort to go grab something.

When I'm craving something salty, I'll usually go for the jar of peanuts I keep in my cupboard. A protein shake with some nuts is something I've always been able to get away with late at night without getting negative results.

And when I want something sweet, I'll mix up some peanut butter with Walden Farm's chocolate sauce. It's not half bad.

This is something I've thought of/used to do, except with almonds/pistachios. I didn't think either of thsoe were particularly good for your waistline either? I suppose almsot anything is better than a bag of Doritos though...

[theroymccoy]

Make your healthy portions bigger and soy sauce/hot sauce/season the shit out of 'em.

BOOM.

I expect the check in a few days.

Just ask yourself, "What Would Shelby Starnes Do? WWSSD?"

No but on the real, his post-win video (I posted it here a while back) is pretty inspiring. I've actually transcribed it and look at it from time to time...

"Bodybuilding is like my wife. It's a relationship that is not always easy. But you gotta work through it. There are times where you're gonna be miserable and you're gonna hate it. and there's gonna be very tough days. But, you know...if you want to win, if you want to be a champion, you're gonna have bad days. But you know what, a bad day doesn't faze a champion. 10 bad days in a row doesn't faze a champion. You get through that. And you don't complain about it. I've got signs that say 'WWTOWD?' so instead of 'What Would Jesus Do?' it says 'What Would The Overall Winner Do?' and when I'm struggling I say, "What would the overall winner of this contest do?" Someone at this contest is going to be the overall winner. And that could be me. When I'm struggling, what's the choice that overall winner would make? And then its clear. It's an easy choice. Make the choice the overall winner would make." - Shelby Starnes, new IFBB pro

[Knickerbocker24]

Ok, let me start by saying I fully accept any flaming that might come as a result of what I'm about to ask.

I have a serious issue with snacking in the evenings. I could eat boiled chicken and steamed broccoli all day, every day, but as soon as the baby is in bed and I sit down for an hour of TV time with the wife, I crave salty snacks. Potato chips are my weakness. I realize (and notice in the mirror every morning) that it's obviously affecting my physique (and overall health) negatively, especially because, with an 8 month old at home I'm only at the gym 2-3times/week as opposed to the 4-5 I used to do pre-baby.

I know the obvious answer is "suck it up", and thats likely what I'll have to do. Just wondering if anyone has any tips/tricks they use to curb a craving like this? or if anyone knows of some magical nutrition plan that allows one to eat potato chips when they want....

EDIT -- I should add that I'm not terribly overweight, just not happy with the beginnings of the spare tire from snacking and working an office job. I don't think I need any drastic changes, and I really don't have the desire to compete. I'd just like to make sure I don't turn into a typical "pot belly dad" or "used-to-lift" chubby guy.

Sometimes instead of fighting an uphill battle you need to consider adapting your program to fit your natural preferences. If your body is telling you snack come 8pm every night, then try adjusting your program in a way that will allow you do this. Programs like Carb Backloading do just this. The price you pay is morning and afternoon fasting as well as strength training in a fasted state, but it does allow you to load up on carbs and sweets in the evenings. So, if you can be rigid and avoid food, particularly carbs in the day and afternoon (you can probably eat a pro/fat meal at lunch), you can load up on the evening. Give it a look and see if it may fit better for you.

[RageBlanket]

Switch to carb backloading.

[RageBlanket]

Sometimes instead of fighting an uphill battle you need to consider adapting your program to fit your natural preferences. If your body is telling you snack come 8pm every night, then try adjusting your program in a way that will allow you do this. Programs like Carb Backloading do just this. The price you pay is morning and afternoon fasting as well as strength training in a fasted state, but it does allow you to load up on carbs and sweets in the evenings. So, if you can be rigid and avoid food, particularly carbs in the day and afternoon (you can probably eat a pro/fat meal at lunch), you can load up on the evening. Give it a look and see if it may fit better for you.

Damn it!! Beaten!

[O.G. Pimpin]

Damn it!! Beaten!

I agree. Carb backloading was the first thing that came to mind for me as well...

[Ken Skip Hill]

I was going to comment on the wife comment but I edited it because I dont want to sound like I am being disrespectful. I respect what Shelby has accomplished in the sport. I do hope it wasnt at the expense of a relationship or that he chose bodybuilding over a marriage, though.

Skip

sent from Skip's Galaxy Note

[dakoose]

This is something I've thought of/used to do, except with almonds/pistachios. I didn't think either of thsoe were particularly good for your waistline either? I suppose almsot anything is better than a bag of Doritos though...

Everyone is different, but as long as I stay away from high GI carbs (except for Skiploads) and mixing my carbs/fats, I won't put on fat. At the same time, I eat very, very clean though-out the day and for my snack I'm not exactly throwing down tons of nuts or eating cups of PB, I make sure to keep it reasonable. The macros for the snack/meal averages out to roughly 30g protein (1 scoop protein + 5g Leucine) and ~25 grams of fat from the nuts or PB.

[MaxNat]

Switch to carb backloading.

^^ This. Try IF and carb backloading, I was skeptical at first, but am having great results with this, and my "diet" is so easy and fulfilling now.

[RageBlanket]

^^ This. Try IF and carb backloading, I was skeptical at first, but am having great results with this, and my "diet" is so easy and fulfilling now.

ISN'T IT?? Man...it's so easy for me to just hammer the ULC portion of the day, then when I get those night cravings it's on.

[Kag94]

Carb back loading is the way to go. A whole box of cereal with some chocolate protein milk every night!!! Ahhhh nothing is better. Especially from all the "wtf I thought you couldn't eat that" looks you get from others haha