Everyday Systems

I've read a ton of "studies" lately that support this:

The first 4 days are the hardest, so strive for that hurdle and when you get to 30 days, it's a habit!

Also, I've also been reading a lot about the fact that if you have a bad habit, that your brain is hard wired to do that and we need to erase the circuit's path. Every time you resist the urge to eat, you erase it a bit more. And that it makes it easier if you replace the bad habit with something similar, to rewire. For example... smelling a rose when you want to smoke (the hand to face action, the smelling, and breathing into the lungs). I snitch food a ton and last night I tried to substitute it with drinking tea while cooking supper and again this morning while making breakfast for the kids. It worked! I didn't even crave a snitch!!

Any more thoughts?

I have definitely heard of the concept of trading a good habit for a bad one being more effective than simply trying to STOP doing something. I hate to admit this, but I think I heard it on Dr. Phil?

At any rate, I'm a bit of a sneaky eater too . . .the tea is a great idea!

Sometimes when watching television I rub handcream into my hands and nails, in order to avoid eating.

Actually, I heard that anything you do with your hands to keep them busy is a good idea..
Except open a bag of cheetos..

Watching TV for me is a terrible trigger, so now I keep a basket of crocheting next to my chair and as I sit down I pick up what ever project I have going. No eating and I have something to show for my TV time.

I'm a guy, so the idea of crocheting during the latest episode of "24" isn't too appealing. I'm open to suggestions, though.

hey Paulrone, I learned knitting from a guy! (A techie I work with, who is quite good, gave me a lesson on a lunch hour.) So don't be too quick to dismiss the fiber arts!

Of course, any other handiwork would work as well. What hobbies do you have, or might you be interested in starting?

paulrone wrote:I'm a guy, so the idea of crocheting during the latest episode of "24" isn't too appealing. I'm open to suggestions, though.

Traditionally, sailors and fishermen used to knit.

Too solid flesh wrote:

paulrone wrote:I'm a guy, so the idea of crocheting during the latest episode of "24" isn't too appealing. I'm open to suggestions, though.

Traditionally, sailors and fishermen used to knit.

Nuh-uh!
I almost believed you

My grandfather used to knit.

Perhaps doing a tapestry or rug making - my father did both.

My hubby is into trains and paints the figures by hand sitting infront of the TV.

Rosie Grier used to do needlepoint and macrame. In fact, he wrote about it, too.

I have a guy friend who is VERY into fly fishing, so during TV time while his wife is knitting, he makes his own flies or bait or whatever they're called. Its pretty funny to know a guy who LOVES to go to the craft store, but it's all about the fly fishing in the end.

paulrone wrote:I'm a guy, so the idea of crocheting during the latest episode of "24" isn't too appealing. I'm open to suggestions, though.

How bout a Rubick's Cube
ps.. My Son loves to sew

paulrone wrote:

Too solid flesh wrote:
Traditionally, sailors and fishermen used to knit.

Nuh-uh!
I almost believed you

It's true! See:

http://www.menwhoknit.com/community/?q=node/7242

In Scotland historically it was the fishermen that knitted, they knitted nets as well as Guernsey jumpers.

Too solid flesh wrote:

paulrone wrote:

Too solid flesh wrote:
Traditionally, sailors and fishermen used to knit.

Nuh-uh!
I almost believed you

It's true! See:

http://www.menwhoknit.com/community/?q=node/7242

In Scotland historically it was the fishermen that knitted, they knitted nets as well as Guernsey jumpers.

Knitting Guilds used to be men's territory in the middle ages.

I roll paper beads to keep my hands busy. When I have enough, I'll make necklaces out of them.

I do embroidery and counted cross-stitch, and they are very effective at keeping your hands busy.

If only it wasn't possible to read and eat at the same time, I would never have gained the weight in the first place!

I have noticed that no one has mentioned playing musical instruments. It is impossible to eat and play at the same time. I enjoy playing the flute and my daughter is a cellist. When she was at home we would play duets some in the evenings. I play the piano a little bit, and I have used both flute and piano playing as a way to keep my fingers and mind busy and off of food.

I haven't felt the need to do that on NoS, however, because the snacking is just not an option. It was worse for me knowing that I could snack and save points or calories for that. Now I don't open and shut my refrigerator door and cabinet doors nearly so much looking for a "little something." The hinges are going to last a lot longer.

paulrone wrote:I'm a guy, so the idea of crocheting during the latest episode of "24" isn't too appealing. I'm open to suggestions, though.

Solitaire? Painting? or other artwork? Macrame?

My (skinny) husband keeps a notebook where he does a sketch every night -- sometimes pencil, sometimes pen-and-ink, occasionally colored pencil or pastel. He's done it for years -- that certainly keeps your hands busy!

Or you could whittle. That's manly.

I play with molten glass every evening. Making & selling beads is my part-time job & it definitely keeps me from snacking. Even if I COULD figure out how to eat around a 1800 degree flame, I might get little shards of glass in the food...NOT appetizing!

I love all these suggestions...keeping busy is a wonderful way not only to ignore food, but feel productive too...a bonus!

janie

Lately my (non snacker) husband has developed the habit of assembling IKEA furniture in our living room while watching TV. But obviously there is a finite limit to the amount of IKEA furniture one can buy!

If he's not doing that he might be assembling a toy airplane or playing with some gadget he's bought.

Being of a somewhat lazier temperament I usually have a book on hand to read and a cup hot water or herbal tea around.

I will also happily prepare food like packed lunches or salads for later use and not be tempted to eat any (provided it's after dinner time!).