The Nurturing Well by: Jill Starbuck
Winter months are the nemesis for dieters worldwide. Our bodies have to fight much harder to remain active and avoid the fatigue of shorter days and cabin fever. People who gain weight in the winter gain an average of 5-7 pounds. While this amount doesn’t seem like a lot, if you’ve ever tried to lose weight you know that the pounds are much easier to put on than they are to take off. Even though we have to work a little harder in the winter to maintain a healthy weight, don’t let boredom be your excuse for piling on the pounds.
We all know that keeping up with exercise, watching what we eat, and other criteria can help us avoid weight gain in the winter months. But what do we do about boredom? Even the most disciplined exercisers and healthy eaters can have a harder time in winter months due to boredom. Harder winters make it even trickier. Try the following methods to help you avoid weight gain simply from boredom eating.
• Drink water. If you find yourself grabbing something to eat just because you have nothing else to do, try drinking a glass of water first. Most times, you are simply looking for something to do and not really hungry. This is the top fail-safe method to avoid overeating.
• Try something new. Nobody says you should stop eating, but maybe you can try a new, healthier avenue. Challenge yourself to try a new fruit or vegetable every time you go to the grocery store. Stock up on these new food items and grab those during times of boredom rather than a bag of chips. You may be surprised what you discover as delicious and nutritious at the same time.
• Chew gum. A small piece of gum will keep your mouth busy and make you feel as if you are doing something. You may be less likely to pick up food if you’ve recently unwrapped a new piece of gum. However, be mindful that most gums have artificial sweeteners.
• Phone a friend. When you find yourself bored and ready to run to the cabinet, pick up the phone and call a friend instead. Or try chatting online to keep your hands busy. Before you know it, time slips away and your mind has been taken off food.
• Write it down. When you find yourself bored and thinking about food, write down what is occurring at the time. By writing it down, you can determine if there are specific patterns of boredom that lead you to food.
The biggest key to avoid boredom eating is remaining conscious of what you are doing and why you are doing it. Before you know it, the winter months will be over and you’ll be more active. In the meantime, recognize boredom and how you associate it with food.
