Tips to not eat when you're bored?

andreamariexo
andreamariexo Posts: 41
in Health and Weight Loss
I have a big problem of eating just because I'm bored. What are some ways I can stop this. I've tried exercising instead but I eventually get tired so I go inside & start to eat again when I'm not hungry.
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Replies

  • mfpcopine
    mfpcopine Posts: 3,093 Member
    Consider developing an engrossing interest that involves working with your hands. Perhaps a craft.
  • hannz33
    hannz33 Posts: 82 Member
    i have this too! especially when i'm at work and am procrastinating doing something :p try drinking lots of water or making a hot drink like tea or something. or simply do something to cure your boredom! reading, hang out with a friend chat to friends on mfp!
  • sc1572
    sc1572 Posts: 2,309 Member
    bump!
  • Bells5001
    Bells5001 Posts: 75 Member
    Drink hot tea. Most of the times I think I'm just thirsty.
  • gpstrucker
    gpstrucker Posts: 930 Member
    If you really feel like you need to eat when bored that's a habit you have developed and need to change over time. In the meantime choose healthy, low cal things to eat like celery, carrot sticks, maybe some yogurt, a piece of fruit, etc.

    And drink plenty of water too, that helps.
  • hannz33
    hannz33 Posts: 82 Member
    Consider developing an engrossing interest that involves working with your hands. Perhaps a craft.

    yes this! or learning to play an instrument like guitar :) it's easy enough to pick up and once i got the hang of it i can spend hours playing and singing and learning new songs. definitely takes your mind of eating :)
  • abbybean11
    abbybean11 Posts: 122 Member
    i have the same problem - i chew gum or chew on carrots. i also keep a water bottle with me all the time and have water-drinking goals for every few hours, like i have to drink a full bottle in three hours. tends to keep me distracted. it's hard though.
  • RavenSimone90
    RavenSimone90 Posts: 64
    Brush your teeth. You wont want to eat since you taste all mint (or whatever toothpaste you use)
  • fypspirit
    fypspirit Posts: 109 Member
    This has been my issue today terrible. I made a protein smoothie to try and help or have eaten things that are very low calorie wise like fresh vegetables or strawberries.
  • heidikat72
    heidikat72 Posts: 42 Member
    try healthier snacking and pick up a hobby - a craft or maybe crossword puzzles or something. anything to keep your brain occupied so it doesn't wander to thinking about food.
  • Alexia_E_K
    Alexia_E_K Posts: 40 Member
    I started braiding hemp, paracord, and other various ropes to make jewelry. It is so easy and I can give them away as gifts. It keeps me busy for hours. I forget about food completely.
  • TenderBranson
    TenderBranson Posts: 114 Member
    Gum, toothpicks, willpower.
  • toysbigkid
    toysbigkid Posts: 545 Member
    call a friend on the phone to get distracted, take the trash out and keep walking down the street, enjoy the fresh air and when you come back in have a tea or water and maybe you'll forget you were bored and hungry.
  • saraann4
    saraann4 Posts: 1,296 Member
    Don't mean to sound snarky, but get up and do something! Take a walk, go to the gym, put in a workout dvd, mow the grass, go swimming, find a new hobby, something.
  • TessieAnne
    TessieAnne Posts: 11 Member
    I have the same problem, and I've found that replacing it with a hobby is one of the best ways to prevent it. I've taken up crocheting every time I feel like snacking, and my boyfriend has determined that since I get bored a lot that every pound I lose, a new amigurumi animal is going to pop up...

    ....He said that he's afraid to come home and see me having some kind of freak break down where I'm in a corner shoving food in my mouth and all of the stuffed animals are on fire in a pile in the middle of the room...

    ...my boyfriend is a little weird... :blushing:
  • warmachinejt
    warmachinejt Posts: 2,162 Member
    lots of water and a pack of gum. it works!
  • skinnylove00
    skinnylove00 Posts: 662 Member
    Consider developing an engrossing interest that involves working with your hands. Perhaps a craft.

    INDEED!! get a box of crayons and color if youre bored. it occupied the mind and your hands and it is very, very therapeutic. ive solved many of my biggest life problems over a coloring page or two!
  • jen9506
    jen9506 Posts: 14
    I have the same problem ... I eat good healthy meals but then after dinner, I want to go immediately to the snacks. There are lot of distraction tactics, but I think the mental component is important -- telling yourself that once you're done with dinner, "the kitchen is closed." Just don't even give yourself the option. Then, drink herbal tea or water and distract yourself with something for a few minutes ... most of the time, once 10 minutes has passed you forget about it.
  • mjf0461
    mjf0461 Posts: 470 Member
    I usually try to get busy cleaing or working out. If that doesn't work I do some hand work like crocheting on afghans or something. Evenings are usually my rough time, if I keep myself busy I am fine, but if I don't I am doomed...
  • ashburgh
    ashburgh Posts: 4 Member
    Good one! I like the brush your teeth idea.
  • RoboLikes
    RoboLikes Posts: 519 Member
    Brush your teeth, origami, pick up sticks, floss, solitaire with actual cards, bedazzle your less than favorite shirts into your new favorite shirts, go for a walk, text a pal, eat carrots, drink water, self control, make and play with a cootie catcher, cat's in a cradle, count out all your pennies...the choices are endless!
  • bisland
    bisland Posts: 245 Member
    Dr Phill in his weight loss books suggests replacing behavior. As others stated pick up a hobby, dance lessons, a craft or do something contra to eating like clean a closet or clean the bathroom. By the time you are finished you no longer crave eating.
  • donnantx
    donnantx Posts: 76
    When my kids used to tell me they were bored...they had to go clean the bathroom...so go clean the bathroom, your room, your oven, the frig, the garage....you get my drift :) and btw..I never heard that ever again after they had to do it a couple of times
  • seamonkey789
    seamonkey789 Posts: 233
    I go practice the piano or cello. Though sometimes that is frustrating
  • MeMyCatsandI
    MeMyCatsandI Posts: 704 Member
    Consider developing an engrossing interest that involves working with your hands. Perhaps a craft.
    I agree with this. I bought a "Knifty Knitter" a couple years ago and took up knitting. It will keep me busy for HOURS at a time. The only problem is that you will end up with a LOT of scarves, hats, pot holders, etc. So either start an eBay business or be prepared to give away a lot of gifts:tongue:
  • raisingbabyk
    raisingbabyk Posts: 442 Member
    Found this yesterday:

    http://www.eatwithoutguilt.com/how-to-stop-mindless-snacking
  • mfpcopine
    mfpcopine Posts: 3,093 Member
    My interest is garment construction. I've taken a lot of serious sewing and tailoring classes. I often work in rooms in which there's no room to eat or clean up well and I'm afraid of getting my materials dirty. I work on things that require a lot of time because my aim is to make beautiful, wearable clothes.

    There's the additional benefit of realizing that the more healthily trim I am the better the clothes will look.

    After the messy job I had cleaning my computer keyboard, I'm less and less inclined to eat anywhere near it. I agree that brushing one's teeth is another good idea.

    Someone else mentioned "willpower." I think that willpower is not very powerful. I try not to rely on it.
  • Candoall
    Candoall Posts: 81 Member
    When I'm board, I surf the net, hang out on MFP, etc. :)
  • BatWoman2012
    BatWoman2012 Posts: 52
    Jigsaw puzzles are really good. They keep you occupied for hours and once it's finished you can frame it. You can buy them really cheap of auction websites :)
  • srpm
    srpm Posts: 275 Member
    I chew gum or go get a glass of water or tea when I think I'm hungry but know I'm bored. If you really want to eat something try frozen grapes or blueberries, since they are frozen they take longer to eat than raw ones :)

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