What helps distract you from the desire to eat?
Hello
I'm on holiday for a week and staying at home as much as possible, yesterday I was craving bad foods (hormonal reasons) and nearly caved, however I instead kept my mind occupied for 9 hours with an engaging puzzle. Was more interested in my task than food. Its made me wonder what works for everyone else? I'm sad I don't have another puzzle for today haha.
Hi I often have a drink. Come on the forum and read what’s what to see if there is any thing new. Phone someone or message someone and have a face to face chat.
I like watching Tennis on TV or my foot ball team. They give me something to do.
A good walk as I have a dog. So I take her out 3/4 times a day.
Hope this helps you. Take care.
I do rather like tennis. Sadly I don't have a dog or I'd be out walking constantly, my cat wouldn't appreciate the walk methinks 🤣
No I don’t think the cat would enjoy being taken on a lead. 🤣 It was just a few ideas you will find something so take care 😊
Thank you for your ideas, very helpful 😊
I don't have snacks in the house and I am commited in my head to not snacking. I always have a posh glass of water to sip on throughout the day.
For activities - I sort out and declutter another bit of my house, I read, I browse this forum and get involved in posts, I find another crime drama on tv - Agatha Christie, Midsommer Murder, Death in Paradise, Vera, Lewis are ones I'm quite happy to rewatch, I dance in the kitchen
I love those detective shows!!!!! Midsummer Murders is the best. Thanks 😊
I enjoy watching Vera. 😊 I like looking at house renovation also. Not that I can do any myself. 🤣😊
Vera is awesome!!
Yes Vera is awesome- I’ve been reading the books and they are slightly different to the TV show, so even more Vera to be getting on with while waiting for the next series.
Ohhh in what way are the books and tv series different?
The plots deviate a bit, in perhaps a different running order, especially the first book which is much longer than a 2 hour episode. Plus there are some more details to the characters, which can’t be gone in to in a TV show, and more characters- plus DC Joe Ashworth stays in it all the way through 😉 All in all a good complement to watching the TV shows plus repeats 😁
I think I'll have to get reading and rewatching 😀
I love all those ideas!!! Tina Turner dancing is the best!
I dont have snacky food in the house (i live alone so not a problem) so i cant just go to the cupboard and get something. So far i havent felt hungry so the need to snack only arises with my emotions. Last week i put off going shopping one day as i knew the wrong things would go in my trolley so took the dogs for an extra long walk and shopped a day later. If i'm at home and have that urge to eat between meals i tend to take the dogs into the garden and let them distract me, this can last anything from 10 minutes to an hour. The dogs are always happy to oblige 😁.
I have to confess that before starting this journey my head always told me i was hungry so i would make another meal, have a bag of crisps, a bar of chocolate, a packet of biscuits etc. This journey has taught me that was just my mind/body playing tricks on me.
Determination to succeed also stops me reaching for extra food xx
All sound advice, thank you. Wish I had a dog. As much as I love my cat I think a dog would really aid my weight loss.
Hey springersrule I wish I had your determation as I can eat crisps, chocolate and biscuits straight after a large meal so it is not through hunger. Can I ask, how did you start your journey, what did you eat instead of the snacking?
Truthfully, day one meant eat all the snacky stuff so its gone then dont snack. Thats sounds very simple and easy but to begin with it wasnt. The first couple of weeks i did occassionally check the junk cupboard just in case i'd left something in there. On 2 occassions i microwaved a dish of mushrooms and ate them at about 9 in the evening. I then sat and watched loads of videos on utube for different diet and healthy eating ideas. From those i decided to reduce my carbs and have a big salad for my tea. After joining here and also seeing so much success with low carb i decided no more potato (unless its in soup), pasta, rice, pastry or bread. My one concession is a wharburtons Thin toasted for breakfast. The other thing is i make sure i make time to sit down and eat and not to rush eating. It can take me 25minutes to eat my salad tea by which i time i do feel stuffed so dont feel the urge to snack. My dietician and doctors are happy for me to do this as across the day by meals are well balanced and i'm getting everything i need. Xx
Hi, thanks for the advice although it would take a few days to rid the snacks! I keep saying to myself, buy no more but then I do as it's like a fear the thought of running low on them. And even though there is always fruit or yogurts to grab first - but I don't!! x
Oh i know what you mean. I would always have good intentions, I'll just get this 1 bar of chocolate/big bag of Wotsits/bag of pork pies and make it last all week or have it there just in case. You can guarantee i'd eaten it before the next mealtime. I did get yoghurts in the early days of changing my eating habits but found myself just having a 2nd one, its just a yoghurt... so i stopped that too. The only way i can do it is to not have them available and shopping with a list - i dont go down an aisle unless it something off my list on it. It has got easier as each week has passed and while i still reminisce about stuff its no longer a craving. Xx
It's my total lack of willpower that angers me although obviously not enough for me to have taken the leap yet but I really want to and soon. In the beginning what healthy snacking would you have eaten then to help you get over the cravings? (Sorry for hounding you) x
Lol you're not hounding me at all 😊 Sugar free Jelly, cooked mushrooms and muller low fat yoghurts The jelly quickly stopped cos you have to wait for it to set 😂, i only stopped buying yoghurts about 4 weeks ago but i always have mushrooms in the fridge though i havent gone for them for about 7 or 8 weeks. xx
Ooh I love mushrooms, always said I could have these for breakfast, lunch and dinner but didn't realised it could actually come to that one day! lol. Thanks again x
Lol i have mushrooms for every breakfast and in 99% of my teas. I try not to have them for lunch too but cant always resist making mushroom soup 😂😂😂 xx
It is funny as, as much as I love mushrooms, I don't really like mushroom soup which is a shame (maybe i'll just have to make myself enjoy it!) lol. What way do you usually cook your mushrooms and what would you eat them with? x
Oh where do i start with mushrooms.... 😍😍 I mainly 'cook' them in the microwave lol. I put them on toast with cheese. I put them in omelettes, usually with cheese. I roast them if i'm doing roasted veg and i put them hot or cold in my salads. In soup on their own or with chicken. On ryvita with tomato puree, cheese and chicken, like a pizza, and of course raw straight out of the fridge. I'll pretty much put them on or with anything 😂😂😂 xx
Thank you springersrule for all those lovely ideas, I especially want to try the ryvita one out, I've never had ryvita heated in the oven before! lol x
The tomato puree sort of soaks into the ryvita a bit and really brings it to life. Hope you enjoy it 😊 xx
At the moment my dogs walks mean i sit in a rollator and the dogs run around sniffing and playing. It does get me out into the fresh air though even when its raining 😊 xx
Sounds refreshing 😀
I have a painting by number app on my phone, its addictive and very therapeutic. I also have scrabble which I play. But I mostly come onto the forum and have a scroll through!
You obviously have excellent taste in music!!! Can't beat a bit of Tina Turner!!
You truly cannot
What about chewing gum
Never thought of that. I'll have to add some to my shopping list. Thanks
No comment, I am all over the place. I need to try harder, Perhaps a walk at lunch time, instead of watching Classic Emmerdale, it very addictive. x
Aww bless you. There were some amazing suggestions in these replies, I hope you find something that helps you 😊
I agree with you - jig-saw puzzles are a great distraction. I get a bit compulsive with them and don't want to stop. Sewing is good, can't have sticky fingers while you're sewing. Anything like that that absorbs the brain and occupies the fingers! That's why a good book or film doesn't work for me. Nothing compliments these activities like a cup of coffee and an unhealthy little something!
I love sewing but need to be "in the mood". I have one I've been working on for 8 years lol
Making healthychoices 
Any helpful tips about Osteoathritis will be most welcome
Triggers led to overeating.
Help! How to unwind without food?
Reading a good book may help? Have a look at the monthly ReadAllAbout it pinned post for some recommendations. Trying to add link in a minute.
healthunlocked.com/weight-l...
Excellent idea. Thanks for the link 😀