Suggestions for constant eating or drinking?

Lala478910

I have started to realize that I may have an oral fixation problem. If I am home watching TV, I always am either eating or drinking wine or playing a game on my phone. It is very hard for me to just sit there and relax. Does anyone have suggestions? I'm not a fan of knitting, but I'm looking for something along these lines.

TeaBea

When I watch TV, I keep a large glass of ice water handy. Then I play solitaire on a laptop or crochet. I used to cross-stich (eyes are too bad now). You could try chewing gum or drinking hot tea. Hot beverages take awhile to consume.

Steff46

I used to paint my nails...sounds funny but my nails would be wet and I couldn't eat for at least an hour. At least that is what I would tell myself. I've went through four different colors in one night. I don't really do that anymore but I have moved on to crossword puzzle books (easy and mediums) and coloring books. I also drink hot tea and sugar free hot chocolate:)

firephoenix8

I don't sit still while watching television either. I usually play games on my phone or crochet. I second the water suggestion, especially if you have trouble drinking enough water. You can always put some cut fruit or a few drops of lemon juice in it so it's not quite as plain.

A somewhat more drastic solution for an oral fixation specifically that worked for me was getting my tongue pierced when I was about 20. I'm serious. I stopped having the temptation to put my fingers and ponytail ends and pens and things in my mouth and by the time I was tired of it two years later, I had broken those habits and never really started again.

Another thing about the tv...maybe do some other things to relax? Maybe breaking up the routine would help. It's a nice time of year to take good long walks outside.

jgnatca

I relate. I fidget a lot. Lots of good ideas here. How about teaching yourself the deaf alphabet and numbers?

Packerjohn

How about going to the gym, running/walking or exercising at home instead of vegging in front of a tube?

WBB55

get a treadmill or exercise bike

DeguelloTex

Packerjohn wrote: »

How about going to the gym, running/walking or exercising at home instead of vegging in front of a tube?

Was there any mention of insufficient exercise being an issue here?

prettygirlstorm1

I chew gum when I am home or drink flavored water when I know I am not hungry. If i get bored I eat as well. What is wrong with playing games. I play games on my Ipad when I'm home because I am not a TV watcher.

absoluttalent

DeguelloTex wrote: »

Packerjohn wrote: »

How about going to the gym, running/walking or exercising at home instead of vegging in front of a tube?

Was there any mention of insufficient exercise being an issue here?

I think it's more to remove chances to eat, not implying OP wasn't getting exercise.
Are you more likely to snack constantly when you are sitting on your butt or when you are moving?

DeguelloTex

absoluttalent wrote: »

DeguelloTex wrote: »

Packerjohn wrote: »

How about going to the gym, running/walking or exercising at home instead of vegging in front of a tube?

Was there any mention of insufficient exercise being an issue here?

I think it's more to remove chances to eat, not implying OP wasn't getting exercise.
Are you more likely to snack constantly when you are sitting on your butt or when you are moving?

Yeah, I'm going to say the use of "vegging in front of a tube" is inconsistent with your interpretation. Regardless, it's not feasible for most people to be moving all the time so it's not a very helpful answer even if your interpretation is correct.

janejellyroll

absoluttalent wrote: »

DeguelloTex wrote: »

Packerjohn wrote: »

How about going to the gym, running/walking or exercising at home instead of vegging in front of a tube?

Was there any mention of insufficient exercise being an issue here?

I think it's more to remove chances to eat, not implying OP wasn't getting exercise.
Are you more likely to snack constantly when you are sitting on your butt or when you are moving?

As great as exercise is, I don't know if eliminating all sitting is a feasible suggestion for most of us. I get 17,000 + steps a day and I still love to watch a football game or a movie sometimes. Even the most active of us will probably need strategies to cope with the urge to eat while sitting (if that is an urge that we have).

MsJulesRenee

I have an oral fixation, as well, so I draw when I'm watching TV. If I want to snack I eat frozen raspberries, very low cal and the texture is enough to satisfy.

firephoenix8 wrote: »

A somewhat more drastic solution for an oral fixation specifically that worked for me was getting my tongue pierced when I was about 20. I'm serious. I stopped having the temptation to put my fingers and ponytail ends and pens and things in my mouth and by the time I was tired of it two years later, I had broken those habits and never really started again.

I never thought of getting my tongue pierced to deal with oral fixation! Would have 100% done that when I was younger if I thought of it.

Kalikel

I'd i want to mindlessly eat, like when movie-watching, I'll grab a bag of shredded lettuce and dip it in salsa. Lots of eating, but next to 0 calories.

Roasted and cooled edamame is very yummy.

Some people find that chewing minty gum helps them to refrain from eating. I chewed a lot of peppermint gum when I began my dieting. I'm not sure if it was the gum or my determination that worked, though. The gum couldn't hurt!

Doing something besides watching TV isn't a bad idea. If you watch a lot of TV, maybe find something else to do, like go for a walk or learn a new language or some kind of hobby. Lots of things out there to do and learn!

kshama2001

Lala478910 wrote: »

I have started to realize that I may have an oral fixation problem. If I am home watching TV, I always am either eating or drinking wine or playing a game on my phone. It is very hard for me to just sit there and relax. Does anyone have suggestions? I'm not a fan of knitting, but I'm looking for something along these lines.

If TV isn't engrossing you, perhaps better programs or less TV is in order? I don't watch much TV, but what I do watch captivates me. When I used to be less selective and watch more TV, I did fidget more.

Let me know if you are only watching an hour or two of high quality programming (in your opinion) and I'll have more suggestions for that case.