Eating out of boredom? How do you control this?

maria_elaina

I have a SERIOUS problem controlling nibbling on stuff just because i'm bored.

It used to be sweets and chocolate but I got rid of the lot, so now its whatever I can lay my hands on, usually gum. My mouth just has to be permanently occupied or I get all antsy and feel like I'm really hungry (when I know I'm not)

How do you guys deal with this? I'm sure I'm not the only one!

Keto_Keith

It's very hard for me also, I do my best to plan activities or snacks during down times that I know would be usual problem times. I read, play some video games, watch some TV, swim, walk, whatever I can do to keep myself from just walking to the fridge.

gtlightning98

Get some sugar free gum...<5 calories a piece, what's the harm in that?

Don't store snacks around where you're getting bored. At my desk at work I'll eat whatever is there, if it's not there I don't eat it.

Zomoniac

In before the obvious.

Have you tried keeping a stock of next-to-nothing-calorie salad bits? A bunch of celery, cucumbers, that sort of thing. You could pretty much eat those all day and not see any real effect, other than being well hydrated all the time.

junipearl

super hard for me too - especially since i quit smoking around the same time I started dieting with MFP.

So far, I haven't found a solution, other than to keep myself busy. In the mean time though, I plan out my entire day ahead of time.
So i'll pack my lunch the night before, pack breakfast with it, as well as a ton of snack foods. I just make sure I portion everything out so that it FEELS like I am eating all day and not depriving myself, but in reality I am still sticking to my goals.

When snacking just for the sake of snacking, you want low cal foods - I usually go for grapes, apple chips, cucumbers, veggies and hummus, etc. and mix that in with some snacks with more substance like almonds, peanut butter, bananas, etc.

zyxst

Gum

icimani

Ummm - find something to do so you're not bored.

I rarely just sit and watch TV anymore - I'm always doing something else like a craft project (I make paper popoup cards and I'm working on a series of paper sculptures for over my fireplace), sewing (I'm in the planning stages of making a new motorcycle jacket for myself), household projects, etc.

Make some plans for the times when you find yourself the most bored. And keep some healthier snacks around so you're not going fro the calorie-dense foods.

kenazfehu

It's tough! I have a boring job and work at home, so the kitchen is only steps away, and I can't leave my work station to go do something more interesting for very long, although I do get up and walk around at least once an hour.

These days I have meals on schedule, and if it's not meal-time, I don't eat (on a good day; yes, I slip up from time to time). I have been changing up from sitting to standing and back again, and when I'm standing I can do leg lifts and squats, etc, which is a bit less boring than just sitting here. It's not easy to transcribe while standing, though; I have to work a foot pedal. Putting my weight on one leg while I operate the foot pedal with the other leg makes my legs really tired. I especially feel it in my shins, then I get charleyhorses in my calves in the middle of the night. Bummer!

jzammetti

gum - lots and lots of gum! (that is what I do anyway)

krickeyuu

I read Health and Fitness magazines or I crochet if I am anxious or bored. I also make sure I only have healthy snacks at work--fruits and vegetables, nuts, popcorn.