What do you do to keep from eating?

angelicasmommy
angelicasmommy Posts: 303 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I find I eat when I am bored, stressed, angry, irritated...basically all the time. I was diagnosed with depression awhile back so when I get into a really bad mood I eat. I'm trying to think of things I can do to keep my mind off of eating. The times I tend to eat the most are in the afternoons when my daughter is napping, and after she is in bed, but I also tend to eat when she is awake and I am bored or in a bad mood. I love to take hot bubble baths with candles while watching movies on my laptop, which I can easily do at naptime or after she's in bed but I need an idea for when she is awake and I can't just take a bath lol. I really need ideas if I am going to kick this nasty habit I've gotten into. Thanks!
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Replies

  • EvgeniZyntx
    EvgeniZyntx Posts: 24,208 Member
    Protein. Water.
    Log everything.

    Try it.
  • ZozoMonster
    ZozoMonster Posts: 270 Member
    Get a hobby :) Learn to knit for when you're bored... Buy a punchbag for when you're angry... Take up painting, jewellery making, photography... anything to take your mind off food :)
  • djames92
    djames92 Posts: 990 Member
    drink water chew gum
  • sgv0918
    sgv0918 Posts: 851 Member
    agree w/ above and I have lots of inner dialogue. Trying to determine why I want to eat. If i'm hungry...etc
  • angelicasmommy
    angelicasmommy Posts: 303 Member
    Protein. Water.
    Log everything.

    Try it.

    Have done that, but thanks anyways...I lost 75 lbs in a year by doing that but eventually started binge eating.
  • cwashkowiak
    cwashkowiak Posts: 44 Member
    Laundry!
  • anaboneana
    anaboneana Posts: 195 Member
    ^^ what the above two said

    get plenty of protein and try kickboxing!

    http://www.fitnessforweightloss.com/ways-to-distract-yourself-from-a-craving/
    http://bingeeatingtherapy.com/2011/02/02/101-things-to-do-instead-of-binge-eating/
  • AyaKara
    AyaKara Posts: 220
    I eat 5-6 small meals a day! Fill up on protein with powder if you need to, & always drink water. Never stop logging!

    I complete something productive, such as, 'I'll finish this assignment', or, 'I'll finish my workout first'. Sometimes it's simple as, 'I'll clean the house & feed my cats!' It gets work done, & keeps me in my goals.

    Lastly, eat low-density cals such as veggies to keep below your daily goal before your final meal! :flowerforyou:
  • lewcompton
    lewcompton Posts: 881 Member
    This may sound counter intuitive... I eat to avoid eating... I plan six small meals per day and there is no time really to do extra grazing in between. It helps with satiation and having planned out the whole day I can pull a quick substitution and not be over...
  • NiSan12
    NiSan12 Posts: 374 Member
    To keep from eating I:

    Read books
    Watch TV
    Clean house
    Work on puzzles
    Get on Internet
    Talk on phone

    Anything to get my mind off of it.

    Logging meals on MFP really helps too!
  • Ready2Rock206
    Ready2Rock206 Posts: 9,487 Member
    Crafts - can't eat when your hands are covered in glue, paint, ink, glitter, whatever.... Plus you don't want to get food on your creation.
  • clarkeje1
    clarkeje1 Posts: 1,641 Member
    Brush teeth or chew minty gum, drink water, go somewhere where there is no food available (the park or something).
  • PurrfumeGIrl
    PurrfumeGIrl Posts: 31 Member
    First off make sure you're eating enough good quality food. If it is truly boredom, chances are it will pass if you distract yourself.

    I'd start off with a glass of water. If that doesn't fill you up, look for other things to take your mind off it until it passes.

    Things that work as practical distractions for me: housecleaning (everything from dusting to mopping floors), going for a long/short walk, calling a friend on the phone to chat, throw on a yoga or workout DVD, find a new healthy recipe, and find a hobby.
  • littlewhittles
    littlewhittles Posts: 402 Member
    I find it really helpful to spend more time on this site! It keeps me focused, and connected, and motivated. :)
  • RhineDHP
    RhineDHP Posts: 1,025 Member
    Play videogames. Far Cry 3 is kicking it for me right now.

    Basically, doing any task that fully absorbs your attention would help keep your mind off food, I tihnk!
  • angelicasmommy
    angelicasmommy Posts: 303 Member
    Thanks for the ideas guys...gonna try some of these!
  • Gidzmo
    Gidzmo Posts: 906 Member
    Drink some water (if you think you're hungry, you might really be thirsty).
    Find a hobby or some errand around the house. You can't eat and work at the same time (especially if the hobby involves work with the hands, like gardening).
  • Duck_Puddle
    Duck_Puddle Posts: 3,237 Member
    Seems from your first post that a lot of your binges are due to bad moods, stress, irritation-or exacerbated by these? You mentioned you were diagnosed with depression-have you or are you being treated for that? You've got your hands full with a little one running around, if you aren't getting good treatment for the depression, the stress, bad moods, irritation will likely be more frequent (and more intense). I don't know your history and many of us are boredom-bingers, but if you're not getting good treatment for the depression, it might be something to think about.
  • spatrick62
    spatrick62 Posts: 1
    get a notebook and write about what you want to eat or why you feel like eating before you put anything in your mouth. will help you connect why you are binging and help to break the habit of turning to food.
  • sandobr1
    sandobr1 Posts: 319 Member
    Hobbies, scrapbooking, cross stitching, crochet, knit, quilting, I have loads of craft projects, of course I sell handmade for a living so it is part of my life. My latest crafting addiction is kanzashi flower making. If you can thread a needle you can do lots of things with your hands. And if you have a small child inpsiration for making cute crafty things is unlimited. Of course I do all this and still found a way to gain loads of weight, but if you need to fill a void creativity is a great outlet.
  • angelicasmommy
    angelicasmommy Posts: 303 Member
    I am taking Lamotrigine for the depression. I also babysit another 2 year old 3 days a week (my daughter is also 2, they are 3 months apart) so it can get pretty stressful. I work out of the home the rest of the week, so I can't eat while I am at work except on break and I can't binge then. So really, the hardest time is when I am babysitting because I am at home all day with two toddlers. In the summer, I used to take them to the park every day but now the weather is getting colder, and we have all been sick for the last few months so going outside is not an option most days. The plus side, after the new year I will be going back to my out of the home job full time so being home less will definitely help.
    I also used to go to the gym 3-4 days a week before I moved in October. I lived 5 minutes from the gym. Now since I've moved, I live too far and havn't been able to go, which used to help a little. I have Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred which I used to love, but it always makes y legs and knees hurt a lot and am waiting to see a physiotherapist. I'd love to find a workout DVD to do at home to relieve stress, but it's hard to find one I can do without causing more pain.
  • jw17695
    jw17695 Posts: 438 Member
    Brush my teeth. I hate eating when I have "that clean feeling" you get from brushing your teeth.
  • NeverTooLateForChange
    NeverTooLateForChange Posts: 131 Member
    I work out when I get hungry and bored. 10 situps, 10 squats, 10 push ups repeat until the greed goes away. It works and my body benefits. Also drink water or hot tea (sugar fress) or you can always come on MFP and find others who are bored. You can friend me. Im a stay at home mom too.
  • PamelaKuz
    PamelaKuz Posts: 191 Member
    You should learn to knit. It keeps my hands and brain busy at night when I'm watching tv and want to snack. It's pretty hot right now, you should check out ravelery.com, so many free awesome patterns! If you would like, PM me and I'll mail you a little learn to knit package with some needles, yarn, and instructions. I have a huge stash of supplies and you would be doing me a favour in getting rid of some. Michaels ans Joanne's sell the basics too.
  • angelicasmommy
    angelicasmommy Posts: 303 Member
    I'll do that. I know why I like to binge though...I feel like bingeing or eating makes me happy. If I am in a bad mood, I can put myself in a good mood, even temporarily by eating. When I am in the mood to binge, and it's impossible to do so because I don't have anything to binge on, I get in a REALLY bad mood. I sometimes feel like a child having a temper tantrum lol. It's horrible. This is why I am trying to find something else that makes me happy. I have an ereader so I've been buying myself some new books to read. I kind of want to try knitting or crocheting too.
  • mtabh
    mtabh Posts: 128 Member
    When I get hungry it's typically between lunch and dinner, around 4pm. I drink four eight ounce glasses of water and then "treat" myself to a cup of green tea. For some reason hot tea feels like "eating" to me because it's hot. Maybe try that, it tricks my mind so maybe it will trick yours.

    You aren't hungry for food, you are craving food. It's a brain thing. Keep training yourself and it will end eventually. It's habit for most to eat out of boredom or while in a bad mood.
  • Akimajuktuq
    Akimajuktuq Posts: 3,037 Member
    I cured my craving, binge eating, depression, and a whole bunch of other health problems by changing what I eat. Honestly, I never struggle with hunger or binging at all anymore and staying under my calorie goal is easy. When I was eating a "normal, healthy" diet, based on grains, I was NOT able to feel full and satisfied. My current diet is based on fat (I try for 60-70%) and protein (20-30%) and I try to eat mostly unprocessed foods. Some people are able to control their appetite while eating anything. Since I could not do that, I got rid of the foods that cause me to over-eat and be sick. It's not for everyone.
  • fatfrost
    fatfrost Posts: 367 Member
    crunches, push-ups, and jumping jacks.
  • jennaworksout
    jennaworksout Posts: 1,739 Member
    chew gum and drink lots of water
  • emtjmac
    emtjmac Posts: 1,320 Member
    I find I eat when I am bored, stressed, angry, irritated...basically all the time. I was diagnosed with depression awhile back so when I get into a really bad mood I eat. I'm trying to think of things I can do to keep my mind off of eating. The times I tend to eat the most are in the afternoons when my daughter is napping, and after she is in bed, but I also tend to eat when she is awake and I am bored or in a bad mood. I love to take hot bubble baths with candles while watching movies on my laptop, which I can easily do at naptime or after she's in bed but I need an idea for when she is awake and I can't just take a bath lol. I really need ideas if I am going to kick this nasty habit I've gotten into. Thanks!

    Well, Im most hungry when I'm at work and basically I just suffer in silence and try to be nice to my coworker who more than likely is eating a large pizza.

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