Does anyone know how to watch TV without eating?

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Replies

  • Alatariel75
    Alatariel75 Posts: 18,329 Member
    Cross stitch, its how I quit smoking. Keeps hands busy, requires a little concentration, cant eat because you'll get your material greasy or stained. I'm not sentimental or a crafty person, but I've made things for people and they love them. cross stitch and TV and you dont eat.
  • JustAnotherCalorieCounter
    JustAnotherCalorieCounter Posts: 57
    Try drinking tea.
  • louisedavies311
    louisedavies311 Posts: 110 Member
    I know its not for everyone but I knit, crotchet or sew when watching TV in the evening I don't even think of food x
  • JBnyc99
    JBnyc99 Posts: 100 Member
    That's easy, don't watch TV, problem solved. Go for a walk, or to the gym, besides, there's not much worth watching on TV anyway, except The Walking Dead.

    Rigger

    Would have been my exact reply, if only I got here sooner. :)
  • RadioactivePirate
    RadioactivePirate Posts: 212
    Learn to knit, then you can watch TV and knit.
  • mohawkRN
    mohawkRN Posts: 40 Member
    If you're having a hard time breaking the habit, try air-popped popcorn or a low-cal popcorn like Boom Chicka Pop. You could also try pretzels, a handful of roasted almonds, ants-on-alog, or a sliced up apple. Check out the recipe for Nuts and Bolts Trail Mix at cookinglight.com. I frequently eat that while watching TV.
  • mohawkRN
    mohawkRN Posts: 40 Member
    Try drinking tea.

    I like Stash Licorice Mint or Yogi Egyptian Licorice Mint. They're sweet enough on their own that they don't need sugar.
  • Schlackity
    Schlackity Posts: 268 Member
    I don't watch much TV because I feel like most of what's on is garbage. My husband watches a lot of TV though, and I find that when the TV is on, I zone out.....I usually spend some time on MFP updating my food/exercise for the day, clean up my emails and then I either read or do needlework or crosswords. If my hands and mind are busy with something, they don't have much time for food.

    The other thing that I think helps is not to watch TV while I eat dinner. We sit down at the table, as a family, and talk to each other. I realize that not everyone does this because of schedules but it has helped me a lot.

    And once some of this insane snow and ice is gone, I will be outside walking, which I am really starting to miss (I never thought I would hear myself say that!)
  • MrsSWW
    MrsSWW Posts: 1,585 Member
    Knitting or cross stitch, or paint your nails, can't dip your hands into a bag of crisps when you've got wet nail varnish.
  • KyleB65
    KyleB65 Posts: 1,196 Member
    Nope! This is why I play on the internet instead of watch tv. Keyboard & mouse keep my fingers busy and my mind is more engaged.
    15 minutes in front of the damned box and I am reaching for food!
    TV is also one of the reasons most of my training is done after work. Keeps me off the sofa and away from the clicker!
  • Spacegirlley
    Spacegirlley Posts: 80 Member
    I have two cockatiels. They render it impossible to eat while they are out, as everything is "THEIRS". I let them out to play and get pats while I watch TV and movies. Means they get snuggle time and I get to watch TV without snacking. I also do the all meals and snacks to be eaten at the table rule.

    Otherwise at the movies, I can't go without maltesers. I have learned recently to just get a large drink instead and eat either before or after. I usually go to the movies around dinner time, so incorporating a meal before or after helps to not eat during for me.
  • GummyHuman
    GummyHuman Posts: 193 Member
    I have two cockatiels. They render it impossible to eat

    Up until about there I thought you were talking about cocktails and I was thinking that it was a great idea! :drinker:
  • GummyHuman
    GummyHuman Posts: 193 Member
    I see we are in the same school of thought Gummy. I stopped smoking the same way and have solved a lot of my "unsolvable" problems by no longer accepting any form of rationalizing a momentary weakness. Accept it for what it is, your primitive brain trying to trick the conscious part into doing something for short term pleasure. After a while, that part stops trying to tempt you into "bad" behaviors !

    Well said! :drinker:
  • salevy
    salevy Posts: 208 Member
    Take up a hobby you can do while watching TV.

    I do a lot of knitting and crocheting and I get a lot done while I'm watching TV. I've also done needlepoint, counted cross stitch, crewel embroidery while watching TV.
  • larrodarro
    larrodarro Posts: 2,512 Member
    I very rarely watch TV, but I turn it on when I'm working out. I have noticed that I have to use both hands when on my Gazelle. Even reaching for the remote to fast forward through an ad is a challenge. If you don't have a free hand, it is harder to snack. So just pick up an old Gazelle for $20 like I did, and do all your TV watching on it. But if it has a squeak like mine does, you might have to turn up the volume.
  • lizzyclatworthy
    lizzyclatworthy Posts: 296 Member
    You are welcome to my ironing pile!
    I tend to watch crappy cop shows law and order etc but i am reading the forums at the same time. Keeps my mind off sacking.
  • Spacegirlley
    Spacegirlley Posts: 80 Member
    I have two cockatiels. They render it impossible to eat

    Up until about there I thought you were talking about cocktails and I was thinking that it was a great idea! :drinker:

    Your right, cocktails do sound like an awesome idea! Might keep that one in mind for when the feather babies go to bed :tongue: :drinker:
  • pepperpat64
    pepperpat64 Posts: 423 Member
    Sit down, cover yourself in a blanket, place two dogs on your lap and then you won't be inclinded to get up and go to the fridge or pantry because you certainly don't want to disturb sleeping dogs who are all comfy. And you can't eat with them on your lap because they will be all up in your face or stealing your snack.

    This works pretty well with cats too! LOL
  • Rocbola
    Rocbola Posts: 1,998 Member
    I put a treadmill in front of a TV. I watch something while i walk or jog.

    Sitting down in front of the TV is a bad habit, all foods aside.
  • jagged95
    jagged95 Posts: 24 Member
    I used to do the same thing, try sitting on a balance ball and just doing ab twists or even moving in a circular movement. It will keep you a little more active and if you are doing that you won't be able to eat.

    I've also found that painting my nails is effective as well, unless you want to eat toxic "OPI Lincoln Park After Dark" cookies. They don't taste nearly as good as "I Brake For Manicures" chips.
  • eddiesmith1
    eddiesmith1 Posts: 1,550 Member
    I realize that question sounds ridiculous, but I really do have a problem watching a TV show (or going to a movie) without munching my way through it.

    Even worse, unless I'm working, I tend to want to eat whenever I even sit down!

    I know I'm not the only one. Have any of you had this problem in the past and found a solution?

    Save some calories for tv time. Find lower calorie snacks to munch on. Air popped pop corn, rice cakes, popchips, raw veggies & hummus, pretzels, fruit, etc.

    I personally like to have a nice snack when I sit down to watch tv at night. So, I save 200-300 calories for that each day.

    this works for me I just make room in my day for something

    I find going to the movies much harder since even at the indie rep cinemas they aren't big on healthy low cal snacks :sad: and the smell of the popcorn can really get to me - We now go mostly right after a meal so it's less tempting
  • Leonidas_meets_Spartacus
    Leonidas_meets_Spartacus Posts: 6,198 Member
    Eat before you watch TV. If you are full, you won't eat.
  • pepperpat64
    pepperpat64 Posts: 423 Member
    You are welcome to my ironing pile!
    I tend to watch crappy cop shows law and order etc but i am reading the forums at the same time. Keeps my mind off sacking.

    It may keep your mind off sacking, but what about pillaging?

    J/K - I'm not a spelling cop, but you gotta admit that was a pretty funny typo. LOL.
  • pepperpat64
    pepperpat64 Posts: 423 Member
    Thanks, OP, for posting this! I have the exact same problem and came to the forums to look for advice, and here was your post with all these great suggestions. :-)
  • eldamiano
    eldamiano Posts: 2,667 Member
    Out of all of the questions that I have answered 'is this a serious question?' to, this has to be one of the top ones.
  • BobOki
    BobOki Posts: 245 Member
    Yes, buy a treadmill or exercise bike, put it in front of tv, and only watch tv while you are on it. Fixed.
  • brenn24179
    brenn24179 Posts: 2,144 Member
    I would like to think if I am full I wouldn't eat. Not me. I can have just finished dinner but if hubby comes in with something good I got to have some, doesn't have anything to do with me being full. I can always eat.

    LIke Gummy, I can relate to using the same pattern she did with quit smoking. I use to be an overspender. I now know you cant have everything you want, you can buy cheaper stuff, you can have substitutes for some foods like I love strawberry Greek Yogurt about as much as cheese cake. Spend too much, get in debt, remind myself overeat and I will get fat.

    I love to eat in front of the TV, just count my calories. I tried the table (my skinny Dad has never eaten anywhere else, might be something to it. Popcorn or yogurt I can do. Cautious with the pizza! 2 pc my limit. Also playing with phone or laptop.
  • pony4us
    pony4us Posts: 165 Member
    This thread is from 2014. I'm not sure if Sudoku was even a thing in 2014.

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