I call "boredom eating" recreational eating myself.
Of course the answer to that is to find another hobby to replace the eating one...for me, that's going to the gym...the stables...getting out of the house. Or if I'm stuck IN the house, keeping the TV off, turning on some great music and doing some housecleaning (sorting through closets, drawers, that sort of thing). For me (and I KNOW I'm not alone in this!) the TV is a Pavlovian call to EAT...so I have really, really curtailed my teevee time in the last few years (Most of the time I watch TV while I'm working out at the gym - I only have two "must-watch" shows on my agenda, and neither one of them is showing new episodes right now: Entourage and [/i]Deadwood[/i] (both on HBO)).
With winter approaching - How about some hobbies that keep BOTH hands busy? Better yet, ones that require you to keep BOTH hands CLEAN and busy - like sewing - quilting by hand, embroidery, cross-stitch, knitting, etc. Or painting, pottery making (check your local park & rec to see what classes are starting up...). Write in a journal...take a LONG hot bath with a good book or magazine and give yourself a 'spa day' at home...that sort of thing.
I don't eat out of boredom anymore (too many calories lost there). Like Jill, I don't have easy junk type food in the house, so if it's not there you can't eat it. It is a very simple rule. I do keep fruit, ff jello and the likes.
I would just go for a walk, get out of the house and enjoy the outside. You could also call a diet buddy. I also like to read silly magizines.
Boredom eating sounds like it may be a habit for you, it takes 21 days to form a habit or to break one.......now that would be somethng very positive to work toward.
Along time ago, I use to get up in the middle of the night and eat. THAT was a awful habit, but broke it when I realized how bad it was.....
I'm a big boredom eater also. My big boredom eating days are Sat and Sun. I'm not at work, I can eat anything and anytime I want which is very bad. I keep cut up veggie sticks in the fridge and some high fiber cereals so at least if I'm stuffing my face it's something healthy. I try to keep track of what I'm eating calorie wise so I don't go crazy...there are a few things that throw all that out the window. I had to stop buying crackers because I could eat an entire box in one day.
I stopped watching the cooking shows which helped tremendously. Sometimes I sit in front of the tv and do some exericises-pushups, crunches, leg lifts- and weight lifting, just to keep my hands busy.
Sometimes I work on my quilting, but I don't really have the patience to do it well so I don't do it very often. I've been thinking of taking crocheting or knitting.
I also keep a quart bottle full of cold watered down crystal lite, sometimes my mouth just wants to taste something.
Hey NinaV....what part of sactown are ya from? I'm in the south area - Tahoe Park.
I'm in the city, well, technically it's a Sacramento zip code, but in the Natomas area. Do you come this way often?
By the way, I was actually wondering recently if there is a way to find out if there are people from my area who use this board, other than looking at their profiles. I didn't even notice you have Sacramento listed as your place of residence until you asked me.
Give yourself this treat for your poor tired feet....(it makes it impossible to graze through the fridge and cupboards, because youcan't move to get there)....a foot-soak, scrub off the tootsies with some apricot scrub, the acne stuff works best, trim the nails, soak your feet in nice warm water for 30 mins. If you have one of those pedicure tubs that vibrate, so much the better. It relaxes you, then use a good cream up to your knees and polish if you like. I always feel better about myself if my feet are pampered. This takes me over 30-45 mins and most urges pass by then.
The weekends are where I have my boredom eating problems as well. If i stay busy, i am alright, but eventually I am home and bored. My goal over this weekend is to have no more than 1700 calories each day and to get at least 45 minutes of cardio each day. If i can stick to that I won't lose anything, but i won't gain anything either.
Not keeping junk food around doesn't work for me, because i will eat whatever is there. For example, i tried not having any chocolate in the house, and then i ate three cheese sandwiches. Last weekend I actually did very well and did not go crazy with food. Wish me luck over this weekend!
I keep mirrors around my house....and I just look at myself...if that is not enough to keep me for eating out of bordom....nothing is....I am far from happy at the reflection looking back at me
OH another thing I just thought of--if you're eating only because you're bored and not actually hungry, try brushing your teeth! I have done it before--sometimes, we just want a taste, and not actual food. Besides, I don't know about you guys, but as for me and my taste buds, a lot of foods taste really gross if my mouth already tastes like toothpaste, ya know?
I am a boredom eater, too, my whereas all of you find ways to fight the urge, I usually give in to it. I do make sure that it is good food - usually tomato soup or yogurt - and I do log it in FitDay. I don't see any harm in doing this as long as you have enough room in your plan that day, and I always make sure I do since I know the kitchen will be calling me around 8 pm!
