Idle Time

Over43 · Post by **Over43** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 1:31 am

This may have come up. But my need to snack increases exponentially if I have idle time, sitting in front of the tube (but interestingly, not in front of the computer), or if I don't keep busy. I'm teaching summer school so the need to snack has decreased, but when I'm done and have taht 6 weeks off, aye...

J.

sophiasapientia · Post by **sophiasapientia** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 1:38 pm

I don't watch TV during the day but a number of years ago, my DH and I had gotten in the habit of snacking at night, while watching TV. When I decided that I didn't want to do that it anymore, it helped to do something (knit, scrapbook, write a letter, surf the web, march in place, lift weights, etc) during that time. It also helped to have a drink (water or herbal tea) on hand. If I found that I still had an urge to snack, I would opt to do another activity instead of TV watching. Over time, snacking while watching TVC or snacking after dinnertime just wasn't something that I did/do.

If I'm keeping a journal, like my check-in here, I like to write/post about my day within a couple of hours of dinner if I'm home. That "seals the deal" for me, my eating for the day is done.

Good luck & hope you have a wonderful break!

mimi · Post by **mimi** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 5:18 pm

Even working with a stress ball that you rotate from hand to hand - or squeezing on Silly Putty...main thing is to keep your hands busy as sophiasapientia also mentioned. I have tried both and found them to be helpful. Since I got a laptop, I keep my hands busy that way since I'm not a big TV fan anyway.

Mimi

guadopt1997 · Post by **guadopt1997** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 6:21 pm

I'm pretty sure most of my weight loss is the result of not eating after dinner, while watching TV, or while reading.

Over43 · Post by **Over43** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 9:47 pm

My wife bought me a jigsaw puzzle. So I watch baseball in the evening, sip club soda, and do the puzzle. It keeps my mind occupied.

J.

marleah · Post by **marleah** » Sat Jun 27, 2009 5:31 pm

Me too! Eating during TV time or watching a movie was big for me. Instead, I always have a crochet project that I can work on (lots of my friends are having babies here recently, so I have been the baby blanket queen) that keeps my hands busy. There's added incentive to not eat because I can't get the yarn all foody!

MysteryLover · Post by **MysteryLover** » Sun Jun 28, 2009 12:34 am

Crocheting helps me. Just small projects like dishclothes and stuffed animals. I have a problem with wanting to munch while I read. And I LOVE to read! Been popping a piece of minty gum in my mouth now before I settle down with my books. Or make some herbal tea.