Need suggestions to stop boredom snacking

griffith5150
griffith5150 Posts: 123
in Motivation and Support
Hi guys today is a very slow day at work.... I notice when it's slow and I am bored, I wind up finding stuff to snack on to kill time. This really doesn't help with my goals on trying to lose weight. But I need some advice on ways to stop myself from reaching for something to snack on.

Replies

  • TStevens78405
    TStevens78405 Posts: 19
    Have a glass of water instead! :)
  • EmmieBaby
    EmmieBaby Posts: 1,235 Member
    I keep some healthy snack at my desk to munch on
    but before I munch do to boredum I check MFP and see if I have room...if I don't then I wont eat it or find something that will fit.

    Also I find stuff to do like clean my desk or reorganize the files on my PC
  • TR0berts
    TR0berts Posts: 7,739 Member
    Find some way to not be bored?

    Sorry, that's about all I have.
  • griffith5150
    griffith5150 Posts: 123
    Yah done the water thing.. LOL Problem is water comes in... water has to go out! :bigsmile:

    Yah I might do that... I been going through my files seeing what I can do. Just hate really ssssssssssssssllllllllllllllllllllooooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwwww days :sad: its hard because I have ADHD with makes it worse... gotta keep busy or yah... I can get into sooo much trouble :devil:

    Yeah trying to find something not be bored lol
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    what's wrong with that?

    I purposefully drink water to get me up and moving- I try to get up every hour or so- do walking lunges whatever to keep moving.

    Don't have snacks at your desk- OR plan your caloric intake around your snacking.

    I snack all day long too- but they are all pre-portioned snacks- I know exactly how much I'm eating and what I eat for the day.

    Snacking isn't in and of itself bad- it's bad when you snack- AND eat 3-4 600 calorie meals a day.

    I do push ups- squats- planks- and find new music- and of course candy crush. :D
    design new costumes- try to find websites work doesn't block.
  • lisasumner14
    lisasumner14 Posts: 16 Member
    I always like to munch when I get in from work so I've had to try and find alternatives. I find that a big plate of cucumber and tomatoes is always good. Perhaps with some ground pepper and balsamic vinegar. Yum. Not many calories either. Like, 50-70 max
  • lilRicki
    lilRicki Posts: 4,555 Member
    I have pre-portioned snacks at my desk too...almonds, beef jerky, edamame, carrots, the odd time I'll have hard candies. I really struggle with the bored snacking. I also have yummy flavored tea, that seems to help. I also torment my FL on my personal feed on MFP by listing all the foods I want to chow down on :bigsmile:
  • griffith5150
    griffith5150 Posts: 123
    I don't work a call center per se, but I do a lot reports for our customers who call in, so I have to stay near the phones. I go through 64 oz water or more through an 8 hour ****, so after awhile I can't hold it.

    I thought of using bubble gum to distract me... might be an idea..
  • griffith5150
    griffith5150 Posts: 123
    Definitely have the veggies at the desk might be the trick, love apples too so... that might help also :)

    Yah I love teas so that might help also thanks!
  • allison0102
    allison0102 Posts: 11 Member
    I concuur with above posts. I also plan out snacks. I actually take a lunch box to work daily and inside is a treasure chest of pre portioned snacks that all fit into my daily calorie goal. Foods like carrots, cucumbers, bell pepper sticks have almost no calories so they are great if you find you're cutting it close. Anyway, it seems to be working out pretty good for me to do it this way. Also, I find that when I'm sufficiently hydrated, I tend to not crave as many boredom snacks. Do you have any cool desk toy puzzles, slinky whatevers, slime balls, etc that may help to keep your hands busy when you're bored? Could be something else to try...
  • serafin366
    serafin366 Posts: 60 Member
    I pack my bag with tons of fruits and veggies, and eat every couple hours through the day .... carrots, cherry tomatos, celery, grapes, apples, oranges, cucumbers, granola, nuts, string cheese ... keeps me busy without a ton of calories.

    Also, I keep scrap paper near by to plan meals, goals, exercises when its slow or I need a couple minute break.

    I think someone else mentioned gum.
  • mellypeters09
    mellypeters09 Posts: 35 Member
    Spend time researching stuff for weight loss or success stories for weight loss. That's what I do when I am bored. (I don't know what you are able to do at your work though). It helps keep you busy and motivates you to keep eating healthy or maybe even plan a little bit of exercise for later!
  • x_cinder_x
    x_cinder_x Posts: 118 Member
    Some ideas:

    * Low calorie hard candies and/or gum.

    *Keep a "goal" picture visible. Mine is currently a Halloween costume I want to be able to pull off this year ;)

    * Ask management for projects to work on. If they don't have anything bring some ideas to them, like an office walking challenge or find
    a local charity to raise $ for.

    *Day dream about something romantic. Hey, who wants to eat when your doing that :laugh:
  • griffith5150
    griffith5150 Posts: 123
    Spend time researching stuff for weight loss or success stories for weight loss. That's what I do when I am bored. (I don't know what you are able to do at your work though). It helps keep you busy and motivates you to keep eating healthy or maybe even plan a little bit of exercise for later!

    Thanks! That's actually a good one because I do need to figure out what app to use to start adding a more serious strength training program in my weight loss goals
  • nmiller0813
    nmiller0813 Posts: 109
    Keep Healthy snacks at your desk, along with maybe some gum.
  • threesixten
    threesixten Posts: 134 Member
    I chew Orbit peppermint gum.. I find it stronger/longer-lasting than most gums...it prevents me from wanting to eat anything because I wouldn't be able to taste it anyway, and it keeps my mouth busy.
  • kristamarie91
    kristamarie91 Posts: 21 Member
    I do jumping jacks or go for a walk or something else when I want to eat when I'm bored! Find an exercise or a really low calorie snack if you can't resist:)
  • Tony_Brewski
    Tony_Brewski Posts: 1,376 Member
    Buwhahaha! I thought the thread header was "Need suggestions to stop BEDROOM snacking" hahahaha - teach me to leave my glasses at home!
  • rosy_08
    rosy_08 Posts: 51 Member
    I'm quite the snacker as well, and a nail biter (gross, I know) when I'm bored or have little else to do. What helps me is to have portioned out snack baggies at work. Usually mine are full of unshelled raw sunflower seeds from Sprouts. They're not salted, so that's good to keep sodium intake low, and since they're unshelled you have to work for the seeds. It takes a while to get through. I do the same thing with roasted, unsalted peanuts sometimes. Just make sure it's ok for your diet and calorie budget.

    I hope this helps! :)
  • dlionsmane
    dlionsmane Posts: 674 Member
    OP - pre-portion snacks that fit into your calories and eat those. I eat (at my desk) every two hours so I eat a lot of snack during the day. Its all healthy stuff an fits into my calories for the day. I also drink a ****ton of water so I am getting up bunches during the day but its all good. Increases my number of steps tracked by my fitbit... ;)
  • MinMin97
    MinMin97 Posts: 2,674 Member
    Okay so I USED to think I ate when bored. Actually, I am rarely bored, and that's an easy problem to solve. I eat when FRUSTRATED.
    I know of people who exercise at work....they do it wherever they can, at their desks, in the bathroom, in the stairs, etc.
    Now that I know I might overeat when frustrated, I am going to try going on a bike ride or something.
  • JenSD6
    JenSD6 Posts: 454 Member
    I don't work a call center per se, but I do a lot reports for our customers who call in, so I have to stay near the phones. I go through 64 oz water or more through an 8 hour ****, so after awhile I can't hold it.

    I thought of using bubble gum to distract me... might be an idea..

    I would really advise you not get into a gum-chewing habit if you talk to customers all day. Nothing worse than talking to someone who is chawing in your ear the whole time. Not sure your fellow cubicle dwellers want to hear it, either.
  • redsk
    redsk Posts: 27 Member
    I used to snack at work and was unhappy with my health but still eating junk food because I was bored. I found for me I just had to stop myself and rethink the process. Was this what I wanted? If you are happy being where you are then keep doing what you are doing. If you are unhappy then you need to consciously work on changing your habits.

    For me, routine works. I have breakfast at work (1.5% fat cottage cheese) and maybe a banana and coffee. Lunch at 1130. A lowfat hot chocolate if I want something sweet (high in sugar, I know, but I am still working on cutting back my sugar intake.) Sparkling water is good as it can replace the fizzy drinks more adequately than still water can.

    Having emergency snacks in case you MUST eat is good. I have walnuts, tuna packets, instant miso soup in case I have to gnaw on something to maintain my sanity.

    The biggest thing I have found is if it feels like a punishment it isn't going to work. Give yourself options that you like.

    Also, I have an overweight colleague who has been complaining about her weight for years while simultaneously eating boatloads of crap that she bakes at home and brings to work to spread the calories. I find her inability to change her intake and exercise habits as a motivator to avoid ending up like her - being unhappy but refusing to seek change. It may not be the kindest motivator but it works for me. (For the record her being overweight isn't the motivator - to each their own - it is her complaining about it while keeping the same habits.)
  • jaz050465
    jaz050465 Posts: 3,508 Member
    Yah done the water thing.. LOL Problem is water comes in... water has to go out! :bigsmile:


    Going to the loo will then give you something to do!!!!!
  • rezn8
    rezn8 Posts: 263 Member
    If you like carrots try them. Just take the time to chew thoroughly and you'd be surprised how long they last. Of course water is a huge help. If you add protein to your diet it will help curb the appetite.

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