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4/19/12 2:34 P

I never really thought of it, but I guess I do snack at times out of boredom. Those times usually come later at night when I am the only one awake and watching tv or doing something else. I like some of the ideas that I have heard going around. Thanks for sharing.

Posts: 42
4/19/12 12:20 A

I make a cup of decaffinated tea such as camomile vanilla tea or white tea and sweeten with a teaspoon of honey. It satisfies my hand to mouth action while helping me to unwind.
There is nothing wrong with snacking, either. If you plan your day accordingly you can incorportate a healthy "tv" snack. I opt for a tangelo or apple with peanut butter or for something salty I reach for low fat triscuits, salted almonds, or for a higher protein option (which tends to decrease my snacking urges) I reach for a hard-boiled egg, 4 oz serving of cottage cheese or low fat string cheese.
Habits are hard to break. It takes about 30 days to break one, 30 days to practice a new one and another 30 to make it habit... Give your new options 90 consistent days and see what happens.
One of the other sites I belong to has a running board that people check in and make the statement, THE KITCHEN IS CLOSED! It seems to help hold them accountable by making such a bold statement to their "group". One woman even made a sign she hangs at the entrance of her kitchen that she sees should she wander in for a snack. It reminds her she's done eating for the day.
Good luck in finding what works for you!

Edited by: DAWNEDONU at: 4/19/2012 (00:26)

current weight: 136.4

178.6 168.05 157.5 146.95

136.4

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4/17/12 9:07 A

When I think I am hungry, I just ask myself am I really hungry or am I bored/lonely/etc? If it is just boredom, I find that a quick walk around the block helps, or I call up a friend to talk. I also have a hard time "relaxing" without eating. The two to me go hand and hand... so I am trying to not eat in front of the tv, which is where my biggest weakness is.... I tell myself, if I want to eat this I need to sit down at the table to do it. That really helps me a lot...

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2/22/12 11:37 A

I find this has a been a big problem for me as well, and is my biggest problem to losing. If I'm bored, or tired I think I need something to lift me up, and it usually does for about 30 minutes. I finally have become aware of my behaviors and I am challenging myself to change. I seem to be fine up until 3PM, and then cravings start. So to brake these defeating habits, I have started to exercise everyday for 30-40 minutes right around 3-4 PM, it has energized me and has taken my craving away before dinner. Then after dinner I drink water and try not to eat anything to the next day, if I think I am going to slip I go to sleep or watch TV in the bedroom, it seems to be working, I figure if I do this long enough it will help break the habits. Lastly, I can't say enough about SPARK, I have become addicted so it is taking up a lot of my idle time, thus I am not thinking about anything else other than a healthier way to live and sharing in a community with a common thread. Sending positive vibes to all.

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1/26/12 11:40 A

Sometimes I eat when bored, too.

To still enjoy some relaxing time with my husband we like to watch Tv once the kids are in bed. So he hops on the couch and I hop on the elliptical. When I am done we curl up together. Sometimes we have a snack or two during those evening tv session but if I just got off the elliptical I usually just give myself a big drink of cold water and that fends off the munchies.

I don't know if this helped at all but you can do it!

Posts: 5
1/18/12 11:10 P

Eating out of boredom has always been my biggest problem. When I sit down my brain thinks I have to eat. I have found that if I keep a glass of water, with crushed ice in it next to me when I am sitting, I am fine. When I have the urge to chew I put some of the ice in my mouth. That way I am getting my chew fix and getting extra fluid.

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1/13/12 5:25 P

I will have to find that blog post - it is something I need to deal with!!!

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1/6/12 11:33 A

I like those ideas...Thank you!! Maybe since I am on here now, I will be able to add to my "down work" as you call it (I even like that name!) Thank you for the suggestions!

Posts: 55
1/6/12 11:04 A

I am not sure if this idea is "busy" enough for you ...but I do what I call sit down work. I first type on my laptop all my email, blogs, and responses here (stuff like that) then I do scrapbook cut out work, then I plan out my next day meals in my daily planner book. It keeps my hands busy so I don't want to snack and I am not bored.

I have a treadmill and my husband doesn't mind when I walk on it. He is watching TV and I am I the next room but I can see him and what he is watching so if he wants to talk (or tell me about the show/movie) we can still interact without doing the same sit dow stuff. You get the idea. Hope this helps a little.

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1/6/12 10:36 A

I read one of the daily Sparkblogs today, and part of the blog talked about not confusing boredom with hunger. I struggle big time with this. I feel like I have to keep myself moving from the time I get home from work until the time I go to bed in order to keep myself from eating. This causes issues between my boyfriend and I because he wants to relax, and he feels with me constantly moving, he can not relax because I never relax myself. Does anyone have ideas about how to get around this? I DO want to relax....but am afraid of the consequences....