topic Re: Mindless eating in Community Chat

Mindless eating

route 7 — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 02:00:42 GMT

I'm sitting here at my laptop and eating hot air popcorn. Not hungry; just shoveling it in and I'm sure bits and pieces are going into computer.

I'm not overweight; okay, maybe 10 lbs. or so. My question is do you only eat when hungry or just use food because it is there, bored or whatever?

Re: Mindless eating

deepwaterdotter — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 02:04:26 GMT

Before I started dropping a few pounds, I ate when I was bored. Since I cleared the kitchen of junk food, I eat a diet in the portions prescribed by my dietician.

Re: Mindless eating

GCR18 — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 02:23:33 GMT

I eat for reasons other than hunger, but not buying snacks takes care of that.

Re: Mindless eating

sylviahomeatlast — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 02:36:18 GMT

My worst time of day to snack relentlessly is night. somewhere around 10:00 and midnight. I've stopped that

Re: Mindless eating

MaRina — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 02:45:23 GMT

I blame my hormones LOL I crave salt all the time

Re: Mindless eating

NoelSeven — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 02:49:57 GMT

Has everyone heard of the Mindful Movement?

It's slowing down and taking the time to really perceive what you're doing. Walking, listening to music, etc.

Mindful eating is also big. Slow down to take the time to experience chewing and tasting. There's even a book out about it, and there are online sites explaining it.

This site seems to have a pretty good explanation:

http://amihungry.com/what-is-mindful-eating/

How does mindful eating help solve eating issues?

Many people who struggle with food react mindlessly to their unrecognized or unexamined triggers, thoughts, and feelings. In other words, they re-act-repeating past actions again and again-feeling powerless to change. Mindfulness increases your awareness of these patterns without judgment and creates space between your triggers and your actions.

For example, whenever you notice that you feel like eating and pause to ask the question, “Am I hungry?”, you are able to observe your thoughts and choose how you will respond. Instead of reacting mindlessly, mindfulness gives you response-ability. That is how mindful eating empowers you to finally break old automatic or habitual chain reactions and discover options that work better for you.

Re: Mindless eating

Junebug54 — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 02:50:05 GMT

I am in snowbound country... need I say more. Have been eating as if I will never get out again. Serenna I too crave salt. Am thinking of putting a large salt lick in my home!!

Re: Mindless eating

MaRina — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 02:53:28 GMT

Juneau, that's a great idea I've lost 52 lbs and have maintained it for over a year. But when I crave and eat salt I feel like I gained it back in minutes!

Re: Mindless eating

MaRina — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 02:55:55 GMT

Sorry I couldn't edit.. your name......Junebug!

Re: Mindless eating

Lucibee — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 07:57:28 GMT

I joined WW over 7 years ago. It is something I struggle with all the time. Getting rid of all junk food helps. I like carrots or cut up some apples. Also drink lots of water.

Re: Mindless eating

Danky — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 15:41:16 GMT

This morning I gave some of the grands a ride to school. Convinced myself that I was "a little" hungry. Instead of coming straight home (10 minutes), I went in the opposite direction to a Burger King that sells burgers for breakfast. Ordered and ate a Whopper but until I saw your thread forgot all about it......still have no recollection of what it tasted like or whether I liked it. I ate it for the sake of eating something.......pretty disturbing !

Re: Mindless eating

violann — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 15:50:40 GMT

Snowed In = Massive consumption of edible, semi-edible, and non-edible products. SO looking forward to Spring.........

Re: Mindless eating

Lacey1 — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 15:52:18 GMT

Don't keep unhealthy snacks in the house.

Homemade Kale chips, celery/carrot/broccoli in low fat(yogurt instead of tahini) humus. Fill up with a green/oatmeal smoothie. Plain yogurt and organic blueberries. One of my main things is: if it's kind of a chore to prepare a snack-it's easier to skip it. Don't drink anything except water/unsweetened tea. Don't eat anything two hours before bedtime.

Re: Mindless eating

TaxyLady — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 15:59:01 GMT

I think the worse thing to do is eat in front of the TV. They say if you want to lose weight, only eat at the table and avoid any other thing like TV, radio or reading while eating. Now we can add computer.

Re: Mindless eating

TaxyLady — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 16:00:13 GMT

On 2/12/2015 lacey1 said:
Don't keep unhealthy snacks in the house.

Homemade Kale chips, celery/carrot/broccoli in low fat(yogurt instead of tahini) humus. Fill up with a green/oatmeal smoothie. Plain yogurt and organic blueberries. One of my main things is: if it's kind of a chore to prepare a snack-it's easier to skip it. Don't drink anything except water/unsweetened tea. Don't eat anything two hours before bedtime.

I'm sorry but Kale Chips are awful. I don't think the dog would eat them.

Re: Mindless eating

Lacey1 — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 16:02:55 GMT

I love Kale chips, maybe you didn't taste a good one.

Re: Mindless eating

Danky — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 16:09:40 GMT

On 2/12/2015 lacey1 said:
Don't keep unhealthy snacks in the house.

Homemade Kale chips, celery/carrot/broccoli in low fat(yogurt instead of tahini) humus. Fill up with a green/oatmeal smoothie. Plain yogurt and organic blueberries. One of my main things is: if it's kind of a chore to prepare a snack-it's easier to skip it. Don't drink anything except water/unsweetened tea. Don't eat anything two hours before bedtime.

LACEY--- the problem, for me, is that I have no where near your discipline or self control when it comes to food....I wouldn't even think of eating one of the things that you mentioned as a snack or for that matter ,other than the veggies, I wouldn't eat them at all. Because I have no weight or health issues and have a family history of people living to 100, I am not motivated to "do the right thing". False sense of security !

Re: Mindless eating

Still Raining — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 16:18:24 GMT

Never met a fast/junk/processed food item that does not call my name. I actually remember the morning my sister and I discovered glazed, raised donuts were on the menu at a diner ( I was 8 ) and the high school open lunch when my friend got her license and we could drive and get fries for lunch. Just fries, all fries in a red basket.

It is a struggle. I don't keep anything like that in the house and practice mindfulness and delay when I have the urge to indulge.

Re: Mindless eating

Lacey1 — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 16:37:18 GMT

On 2/12/2015 Danky said:
On 2/12/2015 lacey1 said:
Don't keep unhealthy snacks in the house.

Homemade Kale chips, celery/carrot/broccoli in low fat(yogurt instead of tahini) humus. Fill up with a green/oatmeal smoothie. Plain yogurt and organic blueberries. One of my main things is: if it's kind of a chore to prepare a snack-it's easier to skip it. Don't drink anything except water/unsweetened tea. Don't eat anything two hours before bedtime.

LACEY--- the problem, for me, is that I have no where near your discipline or self control when it comes to food....I wouldn't even think of eating one of the things that you mentioned as a snack or for that matter ,other than the veggies, I wouldn't eat them at all. Because I have no weight or health issues and have a family history of people living to 100, I am not motivated to "do the right thing". False sense of security !

Well, Danky-You have to take my advice with a grain of salt. I've been doing everything right, (diet, exercise, weight control, no drugs/no smoking/no drinking) and I've had cancer twice. As my son says, 'Mom, you can get cancer, if the wind blows', (I know we have a strange sense of humor). Anyway, genetics are important-if your family lives to a nice ripe age-that's so very important. Good luck to you, and I hope maybe some of my suggestions can help!

Re: Mindless eating

qualitygal — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 17:32:33 GMT

yup, that's why I'm back to WW, tracking and counting points. It's working, I'm a mindless eater. = Face stuffer, if not careful!!

But now, this time, it should be a whole lot less stressful for me, in my personal life. I feel more in control. I'll snack on fruit and eat more salads. I'm planning to list my incentives too, to reread anytime, I might feel the urge to splurge. Trying not to have any "bad-for-me" stuff in the house.