Do you eat when you're bored???

Hi there folks! So, I'm a stay at home Mom and I have to admit that I have times during the day that I get bored or just flustered. I have two kids and between the two of them they keep me pretty busy. But they do have "quiet time" during the afternoon so that gives me anywhere between 1-2 hours of time for me. My problem is that during this time I tend to feel that gnawing feeling that I should eat something. Not because I'm hungry, but because I finally have a moments peace and I used to always "reward" myself during that time with food. Today I organized a closet which kept me pretty busy. But I'm running out of ideas of things to keep me occupied during that time and not so tempted by food. I've read books but that gets boring after awhile. I've done scrapbooking, crafts, etc. I guess I'm just bored and lonely feeling. I go to the gym either in the morning or evening so I don't really need to exercise during that "quiet time." Any other ideas on what I could do to keep my mind busy and off of FOOD??? Deanna

Well I know this isn't what you might want to hear but here it goes anyway. Just say NO!!! Or eat something and then do some exercise to burn up what you ate. When I want something to eat I eat it I just make sure I exercise a little more the next time I go so it dosent end up on my hips or somewhere else I don't want it. I do know what your feeling and for now I just would change the type of snacks have an apple or something with a little more protien or even a protien drink or a cup of coffee. Well I hope this helped a little. Lorraine

Ah yes, I wish I could say NO easier! Ha, ha! At least I'm more mindful of it than I was in the past. I just hate having that "gotta have something to eat" feeling! Ugh! Deanna

Yup I've noticed this old habit of mine creeping back. My weak time is the evenings after my 6 year old has gone to bed and I can put my feet up. If I'm aware of it, I make myself drink to fill the imagined void in my stomach. That way I'm too full to eat anything anyway. This always works if I think of it, as if I eat more after that I dump. Sadly, this is one of the things WLS doesn't cure - we have to heal ourselves. You have done so well Deanna in changing your lifestyle and habits. I know you will beat this one and find an alternative lifestyle habit. Sometimes quiet time for us is just as good as quiet time is for children. As adults there is a pressure to 'never stop'. But stopping is good. Maybe you could use this time to journal and think about your weight loss journey. Make yourself your favorite drink, sit yourself down and give yourself one or two questions to think about each day - things like, re-evaluate where you have come from, where you are going, type thing. Once you get into it, you can move onto other areas of your life. Treat it as a mini retreat from the day. Once you get into it, you'll find the time flies by

Ruth, you always have such great words of wisdom! I like the journaling idea. Which also got me to thinking I should look for a daily devotional/reflection type of book. I'm sure it would be good for some emotional healing too! Thanks for the ideas and being able to relate! Deanna

I stay at home as well, and have a teen ... so I have allot of bored time. I make jewelry, do crochet, knit, work out, swim, have two dogs, two guinny pigs,1 husband and 3 fish tanks and birds, but still get bored. I also have a very hard time with snacking. Soooooo, I let myself have pork rinds (from Susan Maria's ) and make dip with unflavored yogurt with just a tiny bit of sour cream mixed in to help the flavor and soy chips and veggies.... I know I will snack so making it healthy keeps me on track. The pork rinds are very high in protein (only the ones you get from Susan Maria's. and keeps my protein levels up sorry I'm not more help, but I do understand

mmmm an hour or two during the day just for you, i'm so jealous! I'd take a bath, i'd read a book, i'd write in my journal, i'd crochet, i'd do some belly crunches or think about making dinner! What about going to the library and renting some movies just for you or maybe a foreign language tape (i've always wanted to learn sign language) what about polishing your toe nails or waxing your girly bits or something you need to do alone with out an audience! Hugs,ANDI

OMG! I could have written this! Only my quiet time is on nights when my hubby's at work after I get the kids to bed. I think it's crazy too because all day long I'm fine, I eat when I'm supposed to and snacking isn't even a issue... Then when the kids are in bed and it's just me sitting there, the thought pops into my head that I need something to eat! It's been driving me crazy for a month or 2 now. Last week when it hit I chewed a piece of sf gum and it seemed to help! I know gum isn't the safest because what if I swallow it (eeek), but it's keeping me from grazing and I just don't know what else to do! As long as I'm chewing something I'm not thinking about eating... Heaven help us!!! Hugs, Bobbie

Hi Bobbie! It is SOOO nice to have someone that can relate! I've been going mad just thinking of food during these times! Ugh! I hadn't even thought about chewing gum ... haven't even tried it yet. But I would much rather chew away on some gum than food! Maybe I ought to give that a try. Thank YOU!!! Deanna