True confessions: Grazing and Prowling. What are your solutions for the hardest times?

That is so many good ideas.  Thank you so much.  Like you, I have also seen how so many people have snacks allowed, and especially now that I am more active, it seems like snacks are warranted. I do think it would help me to feel I could have something planned. 

I use MFP but more as a look-back, instead of a plan-ahead thing.  That is a very good idea. 

I'm a late night snacker.  It's a tough habit to break.

I also prefer to exercise later in the evening, around 8:30 to 9:30 pm.  When I come home, my go to snack is a half a cupful of blueberries and some low fat Cool Whip.  I enjoy the tartness of the berries and the sweetness of the Cool Whip.  My surgeon actually recommended this as a "dessert" and it works for me.

Hmmm... I might like that too much!  Blueberries are one of my favorite things on earth.  I call them "God's candy."  Thanks!

I struggle with this a lot, and I am only in the pre-op diet. Planning everything I am going to eat the night before and sticking to it helps me. I like to allow a couple of choices for snacks in my plan so that I can pick the one the sounds the least unappetizing. I know what you mean about wanting something yummy. If I plan a list of three things to pick from, then I still feel in control and can avoid the ones that I really don't want. It tricks my mind by playing them against each other so that I think one of them sounds better even though I would not have picked it otherwise. Things that I like to put on the list include hard boiled egg, 1 oz turkey peperoni, 1/2 c garbanzo beans, 1 serving nuts, and 1 oz cheese. If all else fails, then I go for a sugar free popsicle or sugar free jello.

That being said, the biggest thing that keeps me on track is not allowing tempting food into the house. In the few days before my pre-op diet I went into the kitchen over and over again to find something to eat. But I just kept leaving empty handed because there was nothing left but the foods I bought for the pre-op diet! Nothing is as effective as a total lack of options, but that is not always practical unfortunately.

I really like that idea--to have a few things planned, and then I can pick the one I like in the moment--it feels free, but is still planned.

This is my number 1 struggle, and actually why I have gained some weight back. I wake up every morning committing to my bariatric eating plan, and around 3 pm every day, I reach for carbs. All I can say is try to keep yourself hydrated, I am trying to fill up on liquids about this time, and if it's sweet I need, I can make a fat free cocoa. This does curb my sweet tooth. Keep up the good fight like the rest of us - we can overcome this distressing habit.

Before my surgery, I was diagnosed with sleep apnea.  I have wondered if that might exacerbate the "afternoon energy slump."  I have tried actually lying down for a little nap instead of looking for a snack.  Sometimes it works!  Other times I get up feeling even less energy.  But I really have wondered if there is something really physiological about that afternoon craving.  Thanks for the encouragement.

It absolutely could be contributing! Do you have/are you using a CPAP? I have had mine for 4.5 years and cannot sleep without it. My body knows the difference right away.

I have been using different CPAP machines for about 5 months.  I am currently on an ASV CPAP machine, since I have a lot of central apnea.  I am still getting used to it.  I put it on every night, then discover I have pulled the mask down to my chin, or taken it off thinking it is morning when it isn't.  Sometimes I do really great, and it is the most wonderful day the next day!  So I keep on trying.

Yes, getting sleep is so wonderful! My machine broke last night and it made me so sad. First call of the day was to the repair place.

one thing that helped me in the very beginning was waiting to put on the mask and go to sleep until I was literally almost dozing off, not able to keep my eyes open. That way I was so tired I wouldn't mess with the mask and just go right to sleep. Then if I woke up/dozed later, I was so relaxed and content from having enough oxygen I was able to go right back to sleep.