How to stop snacking: part one
I will tell you the main reason why I snack: I get bored and eating is something to do!
When you’re bored, preparing the food you want wastes a few moments… and then there is the act of eating… and then clearing it all up. You can make a few slices of toast last 10 minutes if you’re smart about it! The trick is avoiding boredom so the temptation to eat is smaller. I have started sitting upstairs in my bedroom (two flights of stairs away from the kitchen) because I am too lazy to go downstairs to get a biscuit or 8. During the day I used to take up residence on the recliner sofa – less than 5 meters from the fridge.
If you don’t have much to do, how can you stop the boredom and stop unnecessary snacking? Here are a few suggestions:
- Start playing a musical instrument. You can buy a 3/4 size guitar for just £30 at Argos or even less at a car boot sale if you get lucky. You might even be able to get a friend to lend you one. Learning to play is difficult at first as it makes your fingers hurt pressing on the strings and it takes a while for your brain to correspond your fingers with the tab but it is really worth it as you can spend hours learning and playing the guitar without even realising you’ve missed a meal. I would advise buying an electronic tuner if like me, you can’t tune by ear. Even better, try a wind instrument like a flute or a saxophone to keep your mouth focused on what you’re doing.
- Start knitting/crocheting/sewing. My father is excellent at crochet, he even taught his mum how to crochet! Dad likes his food but crocheting blankets while he is watching TV keeps his mind off snacking because both his brain and his hands are doing something and therefore less likely to shovel crisps down his neck!
- Paint your nails. You can’t put food in your mouth if your nail varnish is wet!
- Clean the bathroom, nothing puts you off eating more than sticking a be-gloved hand down the loo or pulling hair out of the drain pipe in the bath!
- Play a computer game. We are all mesmerised by something! If you are reading this then you have access to a computer so no excuses! My grandfather used to lose hours just playing basic solitaire on a Windows 95 pc! There are lots of online games that will either turn you into a drooling zombie or get you so excited you don’t know your own name! Online games aren’t necessarily expensive so don’t let money put you off. I like Bookworm Adventures and Peggle by Pop Cap which can both be bought for about a fiver. Check out www.steampowered.com
Total Chunk Tip: Try taking part in activities that engage your brain and use your hands so that you will be less inclined to snack. If music and games don’t work, try cleaning the toilet so you don’t feel clean enough to eat between meals.
