Sometimes people eat when they are bored. I was one of those people. After being "on plan" for a year almost, boredom is about the one circumstance that pulls me back into bad habits. I have not slipped yet, but my mind is going there. It doesn't help that is is cloudy outside (lack of sun makes my mood lower for some reason). If you are not eating when bored, then what are you doing instead? Sometimes it is not as easy as just reading a book, watching TV or exercising. Sometimes it is boredom while working and you still have to work, yet you have these feelings of satisfying boredom with food. Even if you could do one of these activities, sometimes you just don't want to drag your lazy butt out of your chair yet eating is not the direction that would be beneficial. What are your thoughts?

In addition to boredom, stress is the other "event" that really gets me looking in the fridge. I guess the 30+ years of bad habits and emotional eating don't disappear in 2 1/2 years of "doing the right things". It is the reality for me that I'm going to have to learn how to deal better with life changes and challenges instead of looking to food for the quick pick me up and entertainment. I thought this was supposed to be the easy way out? LOL.

Hi Paul,

Just want to give you a shout out. That's quite a loss in your ticker. Congrats on getting to goal!

Lynda

I'm not far out yet, but I'm definitely a boredom eater. I know this is going to be an issue for me at some point. I just wanted to add about the gum. Have you tried Extra's dessert flavors? Sugar free and they have Mint Chocolate Chip, Lemon Bar (my 2 favs). Root Beer Float, Strawberry Shortcake, Apple Pie - they are really good and help me when I'm craving sweets.

I'm not far out yet, but I'm definitely a boredom eater. I know this is going to be an issue for me at some point. I just wanted to add about the gum. Have you tried Extra's dessert flavors? sugar free and they have Mint chocolate Chip, Lemon Bar (my 2 favs). Root Beer Float, strawberry Shortcake, Apple Pie - they are really good and help me when I'm craving sweets.

This is a great idea. But for me, not so great in practice. I love to chew gum but if it's super flavored I will eat it like candy and keep popping new pieces in my mouth. By the end of the day, I might as well have had a 100 calorie snack! The only way I'll stick to one piece and chew it to death is if it's mint of some sort.

Ah, disordered eating. I mean, who else eats gum like it's food? When I was a kid, I'd eat toothpaste, too.

~Cheri

This is a great idea. But for me, not so great in practice. I love to chew gum but if it's super flavored I will eat it like candy and keep popping new pieces in my mouth. By the end of the day, I might as well have had a 100 calorie snack! The only way I'll stick to one piece and chew it to death is if it's mint of some sort.

Ah, disordered eating. I mean, who else eats gum like it's food? When I was a kid, I'd eat toothpaste, too.

~Cheri

I wonder how many calories are in toothpaste? Just wondering! He He!

Ah' date=' disordered eating. I mean, who else eats gum like it's food? When I was a kid, I'd eat toothpaste, too.

~Cheri[/quote']

Ha! And I used to think my mayonnaise sandwiches on white bread were weird

You got me beat!

I'm a total convert for the Extra Dessert gum flavors. They do help me postpone eating when I start to get the munchies and it's not quite meal time. I buy in bulk - you'd actually laugh if you could see my desk drawer. However, I think it has the unfortunate down side of reinforcing my bad habit of wanting to chew on something when I'm stressed or bored. I'd probably be better off using those calories for something else - it can add up.

Hi Paul,

Just want to give you a shout out. That's quite a loss in your ticker. Congrats on getting to goal!

Lynda

Hi Lynda,

Thank you. Now the real challenge begins...the rest of life. Thanks for saying HI.

Agree the dessert flavors are very yummy and a good distraction to eating something sweet. My current favorites are root beer and raspberry cupcake. Mmmmm,.....cupcake.

My go to snack is a decafe skinny vanilla latte from Starbucks. 120 calories and 12 grams of protein. I know it has a lot of carbs and sugar from the skim milk but it does keep me satisfied for a good while and I get some protein and calcium out of it.

In addition to boredom, stress is the other "event" that really gets me looking in the fridge. I guess the 30+ years of bad habits and emotional eating don't disappear in 2 1/2 years of "doing the right things". It is the reality for me that I'm going to have to learn how to deal better with life changes and challenges instead of looking to food for the quick pick me up and entertainment. I thought this was supposed to be the easy way out? LOL.

Paul!I see you just reached goal! Congratulations man, great job and long life to you! Please keep posting to the Vets section, your a big inspiration to us all!

Paul!I see you just reached goal! Congratulations man, great job and long life to you! Please keep posting to the Vets section, your a big inspiration to us all!

Thanks. The ticker is a little misleading though. Not sure quite how to best change it. I actually have been at my current weight for over a year. I got lower and decided to gain back a few lbs. (I never would have ever thought that would come out of my mouth). Thanks again for the nice comment.