[ADL]

Ok so I have an issue. I think a huge reason why I eat so much is because I never have any fun. I have friends who I genuinly like, but they are all kind of boring - no one is willing to do exciting things with me like try a new music venue or go camping or try doing yoga together. My husband is usually up for anything but he is studying like crazy for his GMAT exams and never leavs the apartment. Plus I dont have a lot of money to spend, so things I would LOVE to do like snowboarding or going out to a broadway show or a ballet are too expensive for me. So I eat. It's cheap, provides instant gratification and makes everything fun. Think about it, studying is boring but studying with pizza is a study PARTY and is fun. Watching a movie alone at home is boring but watching a movie with a good bottle of wine is a relaxing night in. Writing a term paper is boring but writing at starbucks with a fancy cup of coffee is fun. See what I mean? I don't know what to do, I want to lose weight but my life is so boring and I am not quite sure how to fix it. I even tried doing fun things by myself (like bike riding, going to a museum or going to the botannical gardens, some more things nobody seems to think is interesting) but I don't really enjoy being by myself. Please help, I feel very lost.

[Lovely]

Have you tried Meetup.com or other community groups online?

I know that some hobby sites have meetings or regular outings where you could meet people that actually enjoying going out like you do.

[lifehouseluver]

It sounds too me like it's a matter of having habits with certain activities, which trust me, there is nothing wrong with that! Pizza parties make studying SOO much better, and movie night, or girls night with chocolate and wine is always fun! When you think about it though, we associate those activities with food.

You need to find a new activity, and don't bring food into it! Something that has worked for me, is video games. I'm not sure if you are into video games, but if you AREN'T, that may be a good thing because it's an opportunity to try something that is new and fun. However, like I said though, DON'T bring snacks into playing video games or else you will start associating snacking with that too.

Even a change of environment might help you. I'm not sure what you live in, but let's take watching TV or a movie for example. Maybe watching TV in the living room is where you have always sat down with your favorite snack and soda and just eat for minutes on end. This is a habit that has been developed over time. Now, let's compare this to watching TV in your bedroom. I know typically when I watch TV in my bedroom it's because I am either just waking up, or about to go to bed. I normally don't eat when i'm just laying in bed. Maybe now is simply the time to start watching more TV in bed, or wherever you have a TV that you don't normally use. Make it a habit to not bring food into the equation.

Again, I don't know how many TVs you have, and I don't know your setup, but these are just two things that have helped me with my late night snacking problems.

Personally, when I get home from an exhausting day of work, I LOVE sprawling out on my couch and going to town on breyers oreo ice cream. When I started my diet, I knew that had to stop. I came home, sprawled out on my couch, and realized that I wanted my ice cream. Basically, since this wasn't an option, I just went straight to bed.

When it comes to breaking habits, and creating new ones, there's always good days and bad days. This is just one strategy that has really taking the edge off for me.

Guitar hero is my favorite because it's so involved, there really is no time for snacking! (and yes, I still play guitar hero... lol)

Sorry if this was long/redundantish, but I hope it helps you! Best of luck!

[sontaikle]

I think your problem is that you equate food with fun, which you don't need to do.

You live in Queens! There is so much to do there, and I know because I'm the next county over check online and look at all of the events going on in Queens and the surrounding boroughs. Right now it's cold so there aren't as many fitness related events, but in the warmer months there are cycling events and runs that you can go to. If you go with an open mind you might meet new friends!

I don't understand why you're so averse to doing things on your own, but I guess since I'm introverted it's a little easier for me. I love just going places on my own, especially since my friends are all in grad school right now and are busy all the time. I've met some interesting people that way

I understand the money difficulties though. It's tough when you're just starting out and can't spend much. My friends were home during the break and we've been frequenting a cafe that recently opened up. They have events each evening and it's a nice (and inexpensive) way to get out of the house. My fiance and I plan to go whenever we can too.

[KawaiiCandie]

oh man, i am just the same! especially tv/movie-watching.. i get bored after 10 minutes... but if i can much on crap, i can just watch tv all day! it's really sad. one thing that i've found that kinda cures that is that i knit while watching tv... it gives my hands something to do and then i don't get bored and start wondering what i could be eating to make it better.

i'm also a big starbucks fan, and going to starbucks just to chat with friends is a big part of my social life. now when i go i either get herbal tea, or regular coffee with one cream and one sweetner... sure, it's not as yummy as a gingerbread latte, but you're really there for the atmosphere and company anyways, so learn to make a little compromise.

it does suck, but we have to rewire our brains completely. and then you can proably allow yourself a treat every once in a while.

and also, like others have said, just find some activites to do that don't involve eating, or keep you too busy to eat. good luck!

[Razorbackbritt]

Honestly, I think your attitude is in the wrong place.

I learned the hard way a few years back about "fun" and spending time.

I lived in a new city (where the only people I knew were the people I worked with) for only 6 weeks while I did an internship.

At night, I would sit and sulk about how lonely, boring, and sad my life was. After about 4 nights of being soooo bored (I lived in a hotel room...nothing but a TV and my laptop) I decided that life could be as boring as I imagined, or as adventurous as I imagined.

I too hated to do things alone...but I did them anyway. I decided to try new things. I would go eat by myself, but sit at the bar and make friends with the bartender or those sitting around me.

I went for walks or drives. My favorite thing to do was to drive until I found a killer spot to watch the sunset...then I got out my camera and took pictures. Then I would come home and edit them. It was so fun!

A few times, I went to the grocery store and just hung around and then would help people take their things to their car. I just said, "Can I help you?" and they were all so appreciative and nice. One older lady even took me for ice cream after I helped her!

I would do puzzles. I bought some paint-by-number sets and did them in my room.

I had to be creative and force myself to have a new outlook.

I think "boring" is all in the attitude. One of me and my best friend's favorite things to do is to sit and talk...or go get pedicures. Seems pretty mundane, right? Well, when we go get pedicures, we always try a new place. It makes it more spontaneous and more of an adventure. We just drive to a new part of town until we see a nail salon and go there. Or if we just want to sit and talk, we go to a neat coffee shop or restaurant or park or somewhere instead of my living room. The change of scenery livens it up.

You don't have to always be doing new things...you can do the old things you like to do....just spice them up a bit. Watching football every Sunday can get boring....but trying out every sports bar in town to find the one with the best booths and best hot wings makes it an adventure. Change your perspective.