Help! I eat when I'm bored.

LiliWray

I realized over the weekend that I eat when I’m bored. During the week, when I am at work and school, I eat better than I do on the weekends. It makes perfect sense: during the week, I am too busy to snack between meals, and at home on the weekend, I am surrounded by food in the kitchen and it seems as though nothing I do at home can distract me away from it.

So, the point of this post: what do all you MFP-ers recommend to take my mind off of non-stop eating when I am at home? How can I overcome eating out of boredom?

LisaGod85

I have the same problem.

My only solution has been not having any type of junk in the area and available for consumption. Keep nuts on hand. Etc.

I'd be interested to know other opinions as well.

justjenn1977

I try not to get bored

LittleD311

I think EVERYONE eats when they are bored! I usually just look at a picture of someone that I wanna look like, and it totally changes my mind frame! Or just drink some water!

gpstrucker

Get outdoors in the fresh air. Walk, ride a bike, some sort of exercise. Then if you do eat at least you will have burned off some extra calories.

sarahharmintx

Drink a glass of water. Sometimes that fills me up so much that the idea of food hurts my stomach.

Tracepa98

Maybe try to find some DIY projects around the house or some cleaning etc. That should keep you occupied. Maybe do a workout, go for a walk, etc.

Like someone else mentioned, dont have any bad choice foods around. That way when you do go for the kitchen, you are forced to eat within your limits.

JenniferMini

ask your self if your truely hungry, say your goal weight out loud to yourself, remind yourself that your strong and can do this!

or snack on something healthy, frozen grapes are awesome because theyre tastey and it takes a while to eat one!

or keep busy! : paint your nails, clean your sock drawer, vaccume your car, go for a walk, play an instrument, angry birds!

msacurrie

Chew some gum or carrot sticks and try to find something to occupy your down time

emtjmac

Stay busy. Force yourself to fill your weekend with activity. Totally clean every crevice of your house, go rock climbing, buy a bike, walk around the mall for a few hours, find a hobby. If all you do is sit in front of the TV all weekend then of course you're going to want to eat constantly. You have to stay busy.

cldaugherty

I chew ALOT of gum. I try to stay engaged in something. I too tend to be a weekend food-a-holic. If I keep my hands busy, it helps.

Rachlmale

School cannot be the only thing you have going on in your life? Get out, go for a walk, earn those exercise calories! Boredom should not be an option, squeeze in some exercise!

tinad120

- Keep unhealthy snacks outside the house
- Study at the library, rather than at home, on a regular basis. This not only get you out of the house, but up to date on your classes.
-Clean!
-Just stay active. Don't fall victim to your TV.

fletchleg

I always have a bottle of water next to me...I'm more likely to reach for that then go snack. But I am terrible for eating when I'm bored. especially after dinner.

LovelyLifter

get up and move

sjmgde

I use to do that and now when i am bored i drink water. I put in crystal light or mio and drink. I bought a 24 oz tumbler and drink 2 of those. If i am still bored i will go for a wal o do housework or do whatever i need todo to getmy mind of of it. I am truly hungry thani will eat something healthy and and i quit buying junk food so i am only tempted with healthy things

OutForBrains

I always keep water with me! When I'm bored, it helps just to go through the motions of eating - so just keep your mouth busy. I find that drinking water through a straw does the trick. Drinking from a cup requires some concentration (for me, at least, haha!), but with a straw, it's as mindless as when you're continually reaching into a bag of your favorite snacks. Plus, water helps curb your appetite, and is just all around good for you. Ice water is the best, I think, and is what I drink the most of. If you're not a fan of water, gum might help.

Gramps251

Exercise can curb your hunger, stop boredom and burn calories. Work out for 30 minutes when you want to go look in the fridge.

D3vAnge1

Have any hobbies that keep your hands busy? I knit & sew, so the last thing I want to do is get grease, cheese, crumbs, spills, etc on a project in the making.
Don't have a hobby, find one. Gardening may work too...much more active than my hobbies and would make eating even less appealing (well, for me anyhow: bugs, worms, dirt...need I continue?)
Another option is to use your weekends to utilize your local parks & recreation venues...Something I've been taking advantage of more recently since it's cooling down a tad. The plus side is that the parks are usually free and the activities range from free to very moderately priced.

Eafears

I have been trying to overcome this. Some days are good and some days are not so good. I'm a mom and Goldfish crackers are my vice. lol. Anyway I have been trying the following. Water first. If that doesn't work I go do push ups or sit ups or cleaning. But the best distraction I have found is getting outside. Go for a walk around the block, pick up sticks in the yard etc.. Just deciding to do something else seems to help.
I also jump on MFP and look at the success stories that is a great motivater and keeps me away from the bad snacks. Good Luck!

MinMin97

I realized over the weekend that I eat when I’m bored. During the week, when I am at work and school, I eat better than I do on the weekends. It makes perfect sense: during the week, I am too busy to snack between meals, and at home on the weekend, I am surrounded by food in the kitchen and it seems as though nothing I do at home can distract me away from it.

So, the point of this post: what do all you MFP-ers recommend to take my mind off of non-stop eating when I am at home? How can I overcome eating out of boredom?

I am susceptable to doing that as well.
Perhaps also because i have children and am preparing snacks for them...just around food handling a lot.
I find it very helpful to have the 5 small meals....so I can WAIT until the next meal time, and eat something that fits within my diet.
Rather than unplanned snacking....which really adds up, btw!
If you do end up snacking, try to log it....that can also help cure you.
Another helpful thing is to plan some light exercise, like a walk or bike ride.
That way you don't eat the calories, PLUS you actually burn some.

Let us know how things go in the near future!

vhines5

There are some great suggestions! I am a picker too!

I have read that chewing mint gum or brushing your teeth can help. Brushing sometimes helps me.

I also don't keep junk food in the house. If it's not there you can't eat it. Look into some low-cal alternatives that you like, such as fruit and veggies.

Good Luck!

fortheheart

I have done that forever. I used to eat a lot just sitting in a chair in the kitchen at the island. Decided that wasn't a good thing, so I left. I try to avoid eating when I am bored by leaving the house. Sit outside on the porch with a book, go to a movie, run errands, go for a drive, go hang out with a friend. Just distract yourself.

julieh391

You have some great ideas here. I'm a recovered bored eater, and I do all of the above. You can do it! :happy:

tinamwaits

I have this problem too. When I first started I scrubbed and stained my back deck and scrubbed and painted my front porch among a million other projects around the house lol. There have also been a lot of times when I could not stop thinking about snacking so I get out of the house and take the dogs to the park for a walk. My house has never been cleaner! It's been eight weeks now and it is getting easier because I have changed the pattern of sitting around the house snacking all day on the weekends. Good luck!

Mcmilligen

I have the same issue. Here is what I found works for me:

Pack away your baking supplies. Make it clear to yourself that these are for baking, and not snacking. (I love to snack on nuts, chocolate chips, dates etc... And by snack, I mean the equivalent of a full meal)

I have bins of cut up vegetables, washed fruit, ready to use beans etc on hand and packed up in separate containers in case I want to make a quick meal.

Most importantly, I have different prepared meals that I've made on the weekend in different containers. I find when I am starving, I'll just go straight to the fridge and don't feel like cooking anything new. That way, I can just plop a serving on a plate, microwave it, and voila.

Cut up peppers, pre washed and cut carrots and hummus are a great snack to have on hand. I'll snack on those while I'm cooking if I'm super hungry.

Another tip, put treats in the freezer. I'll make energy date bars, protein bars, healthy cookies or muffins and then throw them in a container and stick them in the freezer. That way if I want one, I'll eat JUST ONE because I have to take it out of the freezer and defrost it before I can eat it. This is also great for chocolate. Somehow frozen chocolate just lasts a million times longer

EDIT: I just realized I misread your post. I eat carrots to curb random hunger, you get full fast. Either that, or go for a refreshing walk. It always gets my mind off of food!

LiliWray

I work 40-50 hours a week, and I'm taking 16 units at the University. It is actually very safe to say that school is pretty much the only thing I do outside of work. If I'm not in class, then I'm glued to the computer doing homework.

Wow, such quick responses! Thank you, everyone, for all of your advice! I'll make a better effort this weekend and I'll let y'all know how it goes...

HypersonicFitNess

I realized over the weekend that I eat when I’m bored. During the week, when I am at work and school, I eat better than I do on the weekends. It makes perfect sense: during the week, I am too busy to snack between meals, and at home on the weekend, I am surrounded by food in the kitchen and it seems as though nothing I do at home can distract me away from it.

So, the point of this post: what do all you MFP-ers recommend to take my mind off of non-stop eating when I am at home? How can I overcome eating out of boredom?

I too have a tendency to do this...so I find things to do OUTSIDE; take a walk, go for a bike ride, go inline skating, work in the garden, sit out on the back porch and read (it's further from the kitchen), go talk to a neighbor, ....find an activity. I have found that I am less inclined to eat when I'm bored when I am doing an activity and staying busy, even if that is cleaning a closet, cleaning the kitchen, preparing my meals for the week, cleaning the bathroom, whatever it is....find a craft or hobby if you don't like any of the other suggestions.

LALOCHA34

Some things that may help:

1. Post your goals on the fridge
2. I try to stay busy and outside when possible
3. Avoid lounging on the energy sucker aka couch all weekend
4. Keep healthy snacks around and don't buy junk for the house.
5. Drink more water
6. When in doubt and I think I want those unhealthy snacks I remember how good it feels to put my clothes on in the morning and they aren't too tight! That feeling stays with me for a long time
7. When I workout first thing in the morning, I am less likely to snack on everything in sight..try that
8. When you feel the need to eat mindlessly, try on your goal pants, shorts, dress hiding in your closet
9. Go shopping! 3 WAY MIRRORS always remind me to focus on what I want, even if you don't buy anything.
10. Put socks over your hands...idk I ran out of ideas. LOL

LiliWray

School cannot be the only thing you have going on in your life? Get out, go for a walk, earn those exercise calories! Boredom should not be an option, squeeze in some exercise!

I meant to quote you for my last response

FungusTrooper

You realise it's a problem, so it should be easier to deal with now. Just ask yourself why you're eating, whenever you get up to get some food. If it's boredom, don't eat it.