Gaelen
04-07-2006, 07:33 AM
Here are some suggestions from the Diet Watch newsletter for ways to avoid turning to comfort foods that are off your plan when you are overstressed or prone to emotional eating. Which suggestions have you tried, and which ones work the best for you?
(excerpted from "Overstressed? No Need to Overeat!" by Lisa Drayer, MA, RD )
Immediate Solutions to Prevent Eating in Response to Stress
So what can you do when you feel the urge to binge? Well, there are lots of different things to do! Below are 20 activities you can do instead of grabbing those cookies or chips when you feel an overwhelming desire to eat. Before you try these suggestions, however, make a deal with yourself-that is, if you wish to have a specific food, you can have it, but only after you've done three things on the list below:
20 Things You Can Do Instead of Eating:
Read a book—or your favorite fitness magazine
Search for a Web site, on a topic that is of interest to you but that you haven't had time to pursue
Go for a walk
Call or email a friend
Write in a journal
Go window-shopping
Play a game with your spouse, children, or pets—whether it's Frisbee or fetch, checkers or chess
Do an exercise video, or hit the gym for aerobics, weightlifting, or yoga
Tackle some household chores: dust, vacuum, balance the checkbook, etc.
Take a long bath or shower
Start your holiday gift list—both gifts to give, and gifts to receive
Alphabetize your books, CDs, videotapes, spice rack...
Do some outside chores: work in the garden, mow the lawn, rake leaves, or shovel snow
Meditate or pray
Work on a craft project that will keep your hands busy: knitting, needlepoint, painting, woodworking, etc.
Crank up your stereo and dance around the living room
Try on old clothes—clothes that are now too big as well as clothes that are still too small
Research healthy recipes to prepare for the coming week, and make a shopping list
Brush your teeth, use a strong mouthwash, then pop in a piece of extra-minty gum
Start, or add to, a scrapbook of your weight loss journey. Include photos, motivational articles, and your own thoughts and feelings
(excerpted from "Overstressed? No Need to Overeat!" by Lisa Drayer, MA, RD )
Immediate Solutions to Prevent Eating in Response to Stress
So what can you do when you feel the urge to binge? Well, there are lots of different things to do! Below are 20 activities you can do instead of grabbing those cookies or chips when you feel an overwhelming desire to eat. Before you try these suggestions, however, make a deal with yourself-that is, if you wish to have a specific food, you can have it, but only after you've done three things on the list below:
20 Things You Can Do Instead of Eating:
Read a book—or your favorite fitness magazine
Search for a Web site, on a topic that is of interest to you but that you haven't had time to pursue
Go for a walk
Call or email a friend
Write in a journal
Go window-shopping
Play a game with your spouse, children, or pets—whether it's Frisbee or fetch, checkers or chess
Do an exercise video, or hit the gym for aerobics, weightlifting, or yoga
Tackle some household chores: dust, vacuum, balance the checkbook, etc.
Take a long bath or shower
Start your holiday gift list—both gifts to give, and gifts to receive
Alphabetize your books, CDs, videotapes, spice rack...
Do some outside chores: work in the garden, mow the lawn, rake leaves, or shovel snow
Meditate or pray
Work on a craft project that will keep your hands busy: knitting, needlepoint, painting, woodworking, etc.
Crank up your stereo and dance around the living room
Try on old clothes—clothes that are now too big as well as clothes that are still too small
Research healthy recipes to prepare for the coming week, and make a shopping list
Brush your teeth, use a strong mouthwash, then pop in a piece of extra-minty gum
Start, or add to, a scrapbook of your weight loss journey. Include photos, motivational articles, and your own thoughts and feelings