[HealthPillarWell] Top 10 Ways to Avoid Eating Out of Boredom

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Misty L. Trepke

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Top 10 Ways To Avoid Eating Out Of Boredom

by Bridget Kelly

 

Special for eDiets

 

If you find idle time at home the hardest to say no to those

tempting snacks, the answer is to replace TV-viewing -- which

exposes you to enticing food advertising and sets you up for

mindless snacking -- with hobbies that take your mind off munching

and keep your hands occupied. Try one of these ideas for starters:

 

1. Scrap idle time. Have lots of loose photos lying around or

stuffed into boxes? Visit your local bookstore and pick up scrap-

booking kits. The kids can help you put together keepsake albums

from special events or holidays to treasure at home or give away as

gifts.

 

2. Play games. If you have older children at home, spend time

playing board games like Scattergories, Scrabble and Outburst.

You'll stay busy... and test their brains.

 

3. Expand your mind. Have you always yearned to learn Italian or

improve your poetry skills? Want a quick course in computers?

Contact local colleges about adult education classes in your area.

 

4. Play with clay. Many towns have pottery-painting shops where you

can paint teapots, picture frames and various knick-knacks to

display at home. Meet friends for an evening of arts and crafts.

 

5. Take a stitch in time. It may sound a bit old fashioned, but

knitting, needlepoint and cross-stitching will never go out of

style. Learn these skills and enjoy your favorite TV shows while you

work (without being able to reach for a chip or cookie).

 

6. Have designs on fun. Make your own birthday cards. Consider

taking photos to scan into your computer, or design art to add to

your cards. Or, join a community women's club and volunteer to work

on the group's newsletter. You'll be too busy typing, pointing and

clicking to raid the pantry.

 

7. Pick up a page-turner. Turn off the tube and take away your urge

to splurge with a new thriller by Patricia Cornwell or the latest

Harry Potter novel.

 

8. Lead the way. Instead of taxiing the kids around to their various

activities, join them in their interests by volunteering to be a

scout leader, Sunday school teacher or assistant coach. If you don't

have young kids, give back to the community by volunteering with a

local chapter of the American Red Cross or other charity

organization.

 

9. Learn your lesson. Always wanted to be better at golf or tennis?

How about a lesson? Take up a new sport just in time for spring, so

by the time the weather warms up, you'll be ready to hit the course

or the court.

 

10. Work out a new system. Set up a treadmill or stationary bike in

the family room, where you see it every time you head for the couch

and you'll be more likely to hop on. Not only will you avoid

snacking for the time of your workout, you'll be less likely to

indulge afterwards, too. Why undo all that hard work?