So there you are sitting at your desk with nothing to do but tap your pencil in a rhythmic motion to the annoyance of your co-worker in the next cubicle. While you were just getting the hang of tapping out the American anthem, you decide that vending machine is calling your name. Hmmm…what sounds good in this moment of sheer boredom? You can choose from a candy bar, chips, soda, or Little Debbies. Well, this is already working as the choosing process is already giving you something to do for the moment. As you slip your quarters in the machine you make a last minute decision to press D3, a huge 30 grams of fat covered in chocolate. It’s funny how your mood can affect your decision making, isn’t it? You spend the next several minutes in chocolate bliss and forget all about your boredom. That is until you throw the wrapper away, and now you are not only bored again but feel like you instantly gained five pounds. This leads to frustration, a sense of going off the diet wagon, and right back over to the vending machine for a non-diet soda. Can you escape this cycle of diet defeat?
Eating out of boredom is more common than the common cold. It devastates your diet and your mindset toward your goal of better health and well being. You begin your diet on Monday morning but by that afternoon you blow it and say, “My diet starts on next Monday.” This attitude is counterproductive and obviously not helpful in attaining your fitness goals. So, what’s a dieter to do during those weak moments of boredom?
Here is a list of ways to alleviate this glitch in your diet plan.
-Drink water. If that is too boring, drink sparkling water with lemon or lime.
-Be sure to snack on regular controlled intervals so your mind will not wonder to food in moments of boredom.
-Read a book.
-Paint your nails.
-Call a friend.
-Write an email.
-Play an online game to pass the time.
-Go for a walk.
-Go for a run.
-Take five minutes to clean out your junk drawer.
There are plenty of ways to keep your idle hands busy and off the cupcakes. Do something productive to keep you busy, so in the end you get a small task done while not increasing your calorie consumption for the day. If you just cannot resist the urge make yourself wait fifteen minutes before reaching for something to eat. This often will get you back to your senses. If you feel you must eat then be sure to provide yourself with a snack that will not devastate your diet like rice cakes, grapes, watermelon, etc.
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