Day Four: Boredom

Well I have made it to day four and have been proud of myself for each day. It's sad, but I have never been this good about what I eat and exercise for this long. I always cave on something. Then I consider the whole cause lost and quit. I'm determined that even if I do stumble this time, I will still get back up the next day. Now, onto today's point.

Boredom is my worst enemy. Once I started paying attention to when I am eating and what I want to eat, I realized that most of the time the ONLY reason I eat is that I'm bored so I think about food and think about how badly I just want to taste it. Well I have come up with a few solutions that have worked the past few days.
Water!!!!! Water curbs about 80% of my cravings. I tell myself that if I just drink half the bottle, then I can re-evaluate whether I still need (WANT) food. Most of the time, I don't.

Gum. If I have the urge to chew while I'm doing something else, homework, watching tv, whatever, I try gum first. I have a love of gum anyway, but usually that will do the trick. I chew sugarless so that I'm not putting any extra useless calories into my body.

Stay really busy. If I am still craving something after those two things, but can tell I'm not genuinely hungry, I do something that occupies my mind and my time. I do the dishes, laundry, vacuum, organize something, anything that I'm not sitting still for. I tell myself I'll re-evaluate after I finish such and such. Usually I forget about the craving.

I eat every three hours or so. I plan out my meals (well Smart Ones from Weight Watchers plans most) so that I have room left for healthy snacks throughout the day. If I crave something salty, I have crackers, if it's something sweet, I have low-fat yogurt or pudding. (Speaking of this I need to make some jell-o...) I have divided my low fat cheeze-its out into baggies so I know that I am only eating a serving, no more. (I did the same with my cereal so I don't over pour in the mornings. It was a pain, but it's been easier to keep track of now). Eating this often, I can tell myself I only have another 30 minutes or so and usually I am able to distract myself til past the time that I have marked for myself.

Late night cravings, I go to bed. I know I shouldn't eat after 8 so I've tried hard not to. The first night I did have yogurt at maybe 9, but otherwise I've been good. I finish what I need to and go to bed so I am not thinking about the food. This also gets me to bed earlier than the 3 am type hours I had been keeping. Now I have been asleep by midnight, with the exception of last night. I get up between 6:30 and 7:30 even if I don't have anything specific to do. I don't take super long naps so I am actually ready to go to bed by the time I should be.

I think I will cure a lot of my boredom once I start working this week, but these have worked so far for while I am at home. I know this will be worth it and I can already see a change in myself (not physically but in my attitude). Just because no one sees me eat it, doesn't mean it doesn't count. I am still finding inspiration and motivation with that website so here's to a great day 5 tomorrow!

"No one ever drowned in sweat."
Mandiy