eating while bored

danielle_jeanne

I looked for a recent thread on this, and didn't find one. I'm having trouble losing weight/maintaing the weight that I have lost because of mindless eating. I'm looking for suggestions on how to distract myself from grabbing a handful of m&ms (yes..I will go to the store for junk if it's not in the house..not a matter of not going to the store. Don't recognize I do it til I'm a half box of crackers in..). I'm not hungry when I do this.

zerok00l

I would do the exact same thing. I put all the junk food in one cabinet and put a picture of myself at my heaviest with a note that say's "Are you him or someone better". I then put a note on the fridge that says "Fruits/Veggies inside here". I keep lots of mini carets and celery and have started to much on those. I found it easier to replace that habit with healthy stuff. Hope that helps.

butterflylover527

I do the same thing! I try to keep myself busy outside of my house and I try to keep healthy snacky foods around

kateanne27

I count out servings of whatever before I start eating, then put the rest away. I don't buy chips or crackers generally, but might like some if the rest of my family is eating them.

Candy_monster

I drink diet pop until my stomach hurts, sounds silly but at least you wont feel like snacking Or sugarfree gum, you can't eat if you're chewing already

JoniRiaya

I think it helps to have fruits and veggies cut up for easy eating. A lot of times when I go for the junk food it's because I'm bored or super hungry and want something right away. By having the healthy stuff readily available it curbs my eating junk out of boredom or after I munch on that I'm no longer starving and can make healthier choices.

erin023

I work a desk job so I'm terrible for this. Usually if I have diet pop around I'll just sip on that instead of snacking. Yes, I know diet pop is bad for me. Otherwise, I keep fruit & vegetables around so at least I have something healthy to snack on. Gum & hard candies work good as well.

Wonderob

Sounds strange but I'm most bored, thus susceptable to snacking, when I'm driving. Of course I'm concentrating completely but I do a lot of motorway miles and find myslef constantly reaching for sweets, snacks, energy drinks!

I have simply swapped these for healthier choices in the car

GingerMN

Planning ahead works best for me. By planning my meals and snacks and trying to stick to set times for each, I'm less apt to eat on a whim or during my most vulerable times for giving in to cravings or boredom eating. If I'm bored I choose from a list of activities I've already identified to combat boredom. That's the plan anyway. The trick is sticking to the plan.

47Jacqueline

I have this problem and I talked to my nutritionist about it. Sometimes I keep opening and closing the refrigerator like there's going to be something I've missed in it, lol. I try to get out if I can. One thing I do is an extra exercise session, which helps me get away from the fridge and changes my outlook for a while. It it's not too hot I might go to the library and pick up a DVD. I'm job hunting and it gets really boring after a while. Exercise is the best for me. I'm not a walker because I hate aimlessly meandering around so I sometimes try to come up with an errand to do to get my mind off food - that way I have a destination and I don't mind walking there. I'm lucky to live in a city where there are places to walk to.

mielchat

Having chewing gum or water near me always helps.

Eisskween

I keep a big bottle of water, some sugar free hard candies, and fruit for these occasions. I used to eat out of boredom too. Now when I recognize it, I chug some water, eat a piece of candy or fruit, or just do some exercising and it passes

zyxst

I chew a lot of gum or, at least, I did. I can get by with 4-5 sticks/chiclets these days.

What works for my husband is having things pre-portioned. That way, he can eat the whole bag/package and not feel like a guilty monkey.

cinsuccess

I keep a 32 oz bottle of water on my desk at work. When I'm bored, I grab the bottle and sip away. This makes sure I get in enough water every day and keeps me away from snacks. I also plan out my meals and snacks as much as possible. Another trick I use is to "earn" a special treat 1-2 times per week. If I don't go over my calories or if I do an extra exercise session, then I've earned a treat. I can have something I really love even if it's bad for me. I find that I go for the junk food less often because I really want to earn myself something really yummy, like a piece of cheescake.

alpha1029

I keep my hands busy and try to do things that would be inconvenient if trying to eat. I play video games, fold laundry, paint, browse Pinterest. If that doesn't do it, I chug water or go out for a walk. I have found myself watching A LOT less TV because it is so hard-wired into my brain that TV time is snack time.

linda1243

I keep busy-work around. Saturday and Sundays are hard for me because I am home all day with easy access to food. So I have a box of filing stuff I can work on, an art project, some crossword puzzles, I try to do some cleaning every Saturday and Sunday, will go for a walk, etc. I think you just have to be busy.

MaraDiaz

I've started to buy only boring food and keep the rest out of the house, that way, I don't turn to food when I'm bored because it's not snacky, entertainment food, it's just roast and burgers, eggs, and steak.

But if you're going to go to the store for it, ouch! That's rough.

perfect10isha

I second keeping healthy snacks around, like grapes and carrot sticks, that will keep your mouth busy and you can snack away without worrying about the calories. Or try gum. I know when I get bored its like my mouth is bored too, so I keep it busy by chewing gum or sucking on a piece of hard candy (jolly rancher). Get a real sweet gum thats super juicy and it should at least tire your jaw out and keep your mouth busy enough long enough for the moment to pass.

linda1243

I keep my hands busy and try to do things that would be inconvenient if trying to eat. I play video games, fold laundry, paint, browse Pinterest. If that doesn't do it, I chug water or go out for a walk. I have found myself watching A LOT less TV because it is so hard-wired into my brain that TV time is snack time.

omg, pinterest!!! Good way to keep busy. although hours will go by before you know it.

kittybear86

I used to eat when I was bored,but ever since joining this site and reading the success stories,I now have the power to stop.It's not easy,but try to think of a favorite hobby you like to do that could take your mind off of food.I hope that helps a little.

Trojanlc75

"Unless you will eat vegetables, you are not hungry, you are just craving"

I am a bored/stress eater. I have been known to eat an entire pizza in one sitting.
I am doing HMR and one of this philosophies is... eat as much as you want, just make sure its good, filling low calorie foods.

I still eat entire things in one sitting. Now its just a head of cauliflower, not proud, just a little gassy.

DisneyAddictRW

I use gum and drink lots of water to avoid eating when bored.

sthrnchick

I am a mindless eater too...I am not sure that I will ever truly break this habit...what has worked for me is to throw away all the junk sitting in the kitchen. I keep lots of fresh veggies and fruits so when I do feel the urge to graze, I can eat something that I will not feel bad about eating later.

WendyTerry420

I literally scold myself. "STOP IT! STOP IT! STOP IT!"

I don't keep junk food in the house anymore, and I have LOTS of ready to eat healthy snacks. If none of the healthy snacks "sound good," then it's a craving. I have been smoking cigs to stop the cravings. (Not suggesting you take up smoking!) I need a new way to stop, I know. I am thinking of trying exercise, go for a walk, but I always make the excuse of the heat.

mjsunshine16

I measure out now or count :-) It is amazing how I slow down my eating when I know I only have 14 of something to eat.

Cblackburn221

Try brushing your teeth instead! Always works for me...

danielle_jeanne

Thanks guys! Definitely got some new ideas. It's hard because I developed a habit of eating while studying. Going to have to switch to veggies and maybe a new study location =]