I don’t know why but it seems that even as adults, some of us just don’t want to go to bed, no matter how tired we are. Maybe it’s what bedtime represents–the end of a day that we don’t want to end.

Even on the most unproductive of days, it’s hard to say good-night and call it a day. And what better way to avoid going to bed than by eating?

Evenings can get lonely. When you’ve had a great day but have no one to share it with, food is often the substitute. Whether you are an emotional eater, a person with a food addiction, or just a regular person who doesn’t want the day to be over, night time eating can be a menace.

For one person, it could be that extra five pounds–I wish. For me, it’s that extra twenty-five pounds, and for someone else, it might be an extra fifty or more pounds. Being overweight is a problem for many people, and it doesn’t matter how much extra weight we’re carrying.

Overeating at bedtime is a big mistake. It’s a real temptation. Even when we go the entire day without binging, craving or faltering, when darkness falls, the comfort of food beckons.

Of course, the simplest thing is just to go to bed when you’re tired. Let the day be what it is, have a cup of tea, or take a nice bath, read a book. Relax for an hour and embrace sleep.

Sleep rejuvenates the body in a way that nothing else can. Make sleep a priority if you want to take the weight off and keep it off. Yes, it’s true, especially for food addicts.

A food addiction will not make you skinny like some other addictions may, but you’ll miss the problems that inevitably accompany other addictions .

Tonight, the remedy is simple. Get some sleep. When you’re sleeping, you’re not eating. And more importantly, you are re-charging your batteries. All that renewable energy will help you burn fat.

So go to bed already. No more food for the night, just sweet dreams. They have no calories.