What is your favorite distraction from cravings?

rawrxamberx
rawrxamberx Posts: 646 Member
edited November 17 in Health and Weight Loss
Lately I've been struggling with cravings and the biggest reasons why I'm not losing weight. I don't even have to be hungry and have the urge to just eat. What do you guys do instead when you get that urge ? I definitely think I need to come up with healthy alternatives so I don't keep overeating.

Replies

  • chrislee1628
    chrislee1628 Posts: 305 Member
    Have a glass of water when you have that urge or before you eat

    Overcoming that urge is something us dieters have to deal with everyday :(

    Thankfully I no longer have the urge for sweets or fizzy drinks, just all those tasty but unhealthy and fatty foods ;( but having some once in a while is ok, just portion control
  • lucypstacy
    lucypstacy Posts: 178 Member
    Water! I like to put a bit of the no sugar flavoring in. It tastes like I'm drinking lemonade, and it stops my craving.
  • comeonnow142857
    comeonnow142857 Posts: 310 Member
    edited April 2017
    at home: that lb of spinach and 1/2 lbs of cod with gherkins and a little relish will stuff those cravings up pretty quick with minimal calories for maximum nutrition and bulk and I get on with other things.

    at work: yes I love food I will have that cookie. let me buy us all cookies. (discreetly counts 500 calories of cookies and accepts your gracious offer of cashew nuts and a chocolate latte. Turns out nobody wants to buy you 1,000 calories of chocolate a day so it's pretty doable to not have to say no every time and still maintain a low calorie, nutritious diet.)

    it averages out to great moderation in the end - getting the social indulgences and still being plenty full every day
  • MelanieCN77
    MelanieCN77 Posts: 4,047 Member
    Drinking water, herb tea, La Croix, gum, but mostly going and finding something to do like yard work or some craft or other, where both brain and hands are busy.
  • dpwellman
    dpwellman Posts: 3,271 Member
    Running or cycling. But have to be careful that I'm not under-fueled.
  • TheCupcakeCounter
    TheCupcakeCounter Posts: 606 Member
    gum (especially strong minty flavor), lots of water with Stur water enhancer in it, Podcasts or music to distract my mind
  • EmbeeKay
    EmbeeKay Posts: 249 Member
    Water with a straw! And find something else to stay busy. So many of my cravings are triggers from old habits that die hard.
  • lthames0810
    lthames0810 Posts: 722 Member
    Some self talk. I remember why I am doing this. I look back on the months of success I've had. All I have to do is say no. It's consistently making the right choices that creates success. I try on the clothes that are too big for me now.
  • dwntwn5
    dwntwn5 Posts: 69 Member
    I put a sheet mask on my face. I'm nowhere near the kitchen and not able to eat. Technically, I've figured out numerous ways I COULD eat with the mask on my face, most involving milkshakes or wine and a straw, but it seems like too much work at the time. ;)
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    edited April 2017
    This content has been removed.
  • someguybb
    someguybb Posts: 4 Member
    Dipping Tabacco and Yorkshire Gold Tea. Also water. I'll have a cheese stick here and there.
  • wellthenwhat
    wellthenwhat Posts: 526 Member
    Mint gum
  • freshmama06
    freshmama06 Posts: 36 Member
    Water, gum and chocolate almond milk when I'm craving an iced sugary coffee.
  • Lillymoo01
    Lillymoo01 Posts: 2,865 Member
    Going for a walk. Often it stops the craving and if it doesn't you have burnt some calories to enjoy a small treat.
  • cmtigger
    cmtigger Posts: 1,450 Member
    MelanieCN77 wrote: »
    Drinking water, herb tea, La Croix, gum, but mostly going and finding something to do like yard work or some craft or other, where both brain and hands are busy.

    This. If my body is up to it I do yardwork. Or housework. If it's not up to the physical stuff like that I go make something, and that can be adapted to how much I can do that day. Sometimes just taking a good book outside, away from food helps too.
  • jrowden0711
    jrowden0711 Posts: 136 Member
    Water or a 70ish cal latte does the trick for me.
  • emmam1212
    emmam1212 Posts: 67 Member
    I like to do my nails when I'm sitting in front of the tv and I get a craving. Keeps my hands and mind busy and I can't eat with wet nails!
  • SeptemberFeyre
    SeptemberFeyre Posts: 178 Member
    edited April 2017
    Hard candy, altoid mints, gum, planning your weekly menu(only works for some people), exercise, sweet flavored carbonated water like ice drinks, getting on here and reading. What you're experiencing is a habit and the brain likes habits. I feel your pain because my worst time is in the evening , but breaking the habit can be done. Edited to add if all else fails eat a big plate of seasoned cooked vegetables.
  • eggdev
    eggdev Posts: 28 Member
    There's nothing that works. At least for me, and I've tried everything.
    The only thing that does it is a few days of toughing it out and making sure I'm nourished. Even if that means maintenance calories and I'm not losing.
    Figure out what your maintenance calories are and eat every one of them in healthy foods. Don't do the IIFYM thing cause it's never enough. The only thing that satisfies me is high-fat and medium to low carb.
    Eventually, the cravings get weaker. And when you start seeing some progress - motivation takes over.
    Stay strong.
  • dekuja
    dekuja Posts: 3 Member
    I've been on a water kick. I usually add ice, too because I'll suck on them. Of course, not everyone likes ice in their mouths. Other than that, mints and mint gums usually do the trick for me.
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,641 Member
    rawrxamberx wrote: »
    Lately I've been struggling with cravings and the biggest reasons why I'm not losing weight. I don't even have to be hungry and have the urge to just eat. What do you guys do instead when you get that urge ? I definitely think I need to come up with healthy alternatives so I don't keep overeating.

    Go for a walk, bicycle ride, hike, ski, canoe ...

    Take a class ... and do homework ...

    Volunteer ... something to get you out of the house ...

    Develop a hobby ... take a class to learn painting, knitting, scrapbooking, welding, or whatever grabs your fancy, then do it! If you make stuff, you might even be able to pursue the idea of selling it at markets and putting the money away for something nice.

    Me personally, I exercise (mainly cycling and walking) and attend university (and do lots of homework) and whenever I get a minute, I do photography. I can go out prowling around the neighbourhood with my camera for an hour or two and not even think about food.
  • BonnieDundee78
    BonnieDundee78 Posts: 158 Member
    BubbleWitch3 on my phone. 10 minutes of that and my brain gets distracted from "the munchies". :)
  • jenilla1
    jenilla1 Posts: 11,118 Member
    Napping, getting out of the house or engaging in an activity, drinking tea.
  • kristikitter
    kristikitter Posts: 602 Member
    BabyBel Lights... 2 of those and I'm satisfied.

    OR a tablespoonful of peanut butter (especially crunchy butters, for added bite).
  • jennifer_417
    jennifer_417 Posts: 12,344 Member
    Typically a hot tea will work when I'm craving sweets.
  • yayamom3
    yayamom3 Posts: 939 Member
    Sometimes, I make myself look in the mirror at my naked body to remind me about my goals. That gives me an instant return to reality and really strengthens my resolve. Just did it yesterday.
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