New Momma Beckers

30 Things to Do Instead of Eating Mindlessly

By Rebecca August 7, 2012 health 33 Comments
image by newmommabeckers - mahatma gandhi quote

If you are an emotional eater like I am, it can be tough to break the bad habit of eating when you aren’t hungry.

The feelings that lead most often to emotional eating are stress, boredom, exhaustion, and sadness.  I’ve felt all of these feelings many times since becoming a mom – and there’s nothing wrong with that.  But if we want to successfully lose weight, it’s imperative that we find healthy ways to cope with these feelings besides overeating.

I’ve found that projects that occupy my hands, my mind, and my heart are the most effective at helping me overcome emotional eating.  Here are some things I’ve tried that work for me:

When feeling bored:

1. Browse Pinterest.
2. Complete a craft project.
3. Drive somewhere you’ve wanted to go for a while.
4. Read a good book.
5. Clean something you’ve been ignoring.
6. Write a blog post.
7. Start a novel.
8. Catch up on blogs you’ve subscribed to and fallen behind on.
9. Train for a 5K walk!
10. Write a love letter.

When feeling tired or stressed out:

1. Play a video game.
2. Read celebrity gossip online.
3. Organize your photos.
4. Write a journal entry.
5. Crochet.
6. Knit.
7. Sort your friends on Twitter into lists.
8. Do some yoga.
9. Stretch.
10. Complete deep breathing exercises.

When feeling blue:

1. Call a friend you haven’t spoken with in a while.
2. Dance in your living room!
3. Browse Indiegogo and find someone you would like to help like this couple.**
4. Go for a walk around your neighborhood.
5. Workout with a video game, like the Wii Fit.
6. Browse Kickstarter and find a project you want to help fund like this one.**
7. Write a poem.
8. Take care of a pet you get at a shelter like Noah’s Bark Pet Rescue.
9. Make a scrapbook.
10. Browse Kiva and find someone in a third world country whose business you can help like her.**

**One note – emotional eaters can also be emotional spenders.  Helping others through online funding is a wonderful thing to do, but if you choose to do it, set yourself a reasonable limit before you start.

Have any of these strategies worked for you in the past?  Are there any I’ve left out that have been successful for you?

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33 thoughts on “30 Things to Do Instead of Eating Mindlessly”

  4. MrsAmberSavage

    This is a toughie. It’s really bad since I eat lots of refined sugars when I eat to fill emotional gaps. As I type this, I’m heading to Boiling Point to pick up a matcha green tea slushie :)

    Reply ↓
  5. Carole

    Very nice blog. I am following you now. Please drop by to Carole’s Chatter and check it out. You might like my Food on Friday series which focuses on a different ingredient. This week it was Berries and Currants. If you like my blog it would be great if you followed me back. Have a good week.

    Reply ↓
  9. Irish Carter

    These are all great ideas. I am an emotional eater too. I need to make a list for myself to make myself just “THINK” and be aware of what I am doing so I don’t go eat over my emotions. Great post.

    Irish

    Reply ↓
  14. misssrobin

    Great list. I fight chronic depression and have been a self-injurer in the past. I have had to work up a list of healthy coping strategies for my difficult times. When things get dark it’s easy for me to sink and get lost. I can’t see all the options. So a written list that I can look at and choose from is really helpful.

    The three that work best for me are: change location, connect with friends, and get outside. I also love to color with good crayons in a good coloring book.

    Thanks for sharing your ideas. I may have to add a few of these to my list.

    Reply ↓
  16. Sheila Skillingstead

    I’ve never seen a list sorted like this one. Definitely a great resource. Thank you for taking the time to sort the help by emotion. I think Pinterest is a great way to save money. You can see and click and click doesn’t lead to buy. Have a great SITS Day.

    Reply ↓
  21. Tanya @ Mom's Small Victories

    Great list! I enjoy food way too much and I am an emotional eater too as my way to sometimes cope with a chronic illness (autoimmune arthritis). Of course, if I gain weight my joints feel worse so it is a vicious cycle. There are also certain foods that trigger inflammations and cause more pain. I admire you for losing 50 pounds, keep up the positive attitude and the good work. I’m sure you feel better and have more fun playing with your son. I have three sons, healthy diet and exercise are important for me to be able to keep up with them! Visiting from SITS! Happy holidays!

    Reply ↓

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