My Anti-Snack

Well, I just wrote a journal entry about this, but I was thinking... maybe I should spread the joy. And also! see if anyone else has any other good suggestions as to how to get the brain off of all those sumptuous snacks! So, anyway, these are some things I've recently found help distract me when I feel like mindlessly snacking when I'm not hungry or have the urge to seriously binge. Any others??

1. WATER! Sweet, wonderful (okay, the Raritan water, where my tap water comes from, is a little skanky but I got a Brita which is helping), life-giving waaaater.

2. Le gym! Working out (I mostly do cardio) seems to act like an appetite suppressant for me, I'm never hungry after the gym. If I am, its the kind of hunger that a small banana (god, I love bananas) more than cures. I mean, I do eventually get hungry again since I usually go before dinner or in the morning, but it definitely both postpones my hunger aaand leaves me less time in the day for idle snacking :)

3. Playing with my hair/ clothes/ makeup. I confess, this one makes me feel a little vain but its so true! I saw it on someone's post and now whenever I feel like grabbing one of my roomie's keebler double-stuffed cookies (and MAN, does that happen often) or frozen pizzas, I put on my new party dress I got to wear on my birthday... and I don't want to snack anymore! Usually, I want to go back to the gym, haha...

4. Cleaning. If nothing else works, I do the dishes... living with two other college students, there are always dirty ones around. Or I'll straighten up my room, throw a load of laundry in the washer (down in the scary basement! eep!). Sometimes it distracts me just long enough to make me realize I do NOT want to go to Skinny Vinnie's Pizza (Just around the corner! On the same block as me! SO. HARD. TO. RESIST.) and get a few of those baked ziti slices. No sir, I surely do not!

5. CC. Seriously, a couple of times while I was binging I tried to come on here and surf the forums while eating disgustingly bad junky food and it feels very counter-intuitive or warped. This place gives me so much strength, I wish I could carry it around in my pocket so when I feel tempted I could just look at posts and be like, "No! If they can do it, so can I!"

6. Planning my tattoo. I'm giving myself the birthday present next week of a quarter sleeve that's going to depict the northern lights, the treeline from near my house in canada, and a celtic band going around my bicep. I'm excited, I think it's going to be beautiful... and when I think about it, I want my arms looking slim, toned, and lovely... and snacking's not going to get me that!

I love this post!

I was anorexic for almost a year, and have recently been battling chronic binging, which has gotten progressively and exponentially worse. 4000 cals today, a new high. How gross is that? I'm not overweight. My BMI is on the low end of the healthy range, since I have a naturally small build. But I'm really scared because it's not going to stay in this range for long if I keep going.

I love your list. We actually share quite a few similar interests, like hair/make-up (I'm vain too, haha) and random urge to clean (are we OCD?). I think it just helps to add some degr ee of order and organization around you, and  remind yourself that your life isn't chaotic,  but binging is chaotic, and therefore doesn' t belong in your life. I'm probably not makin g any sense, btw (running on almost no sleep). Sorry! I just love the idea of looking at myself in the mirror and realizing that that cheeseburger is just not worth it. I think about how it'd make me break out and add flab to my thighs, etc.

In addition to your (wonderful) list, I'd also like to add:
[b]SLEEP![/b]
I live a high-stress life (rigorous college in preparation for a top-ranked law school) where I actually try to cut down on the sleep I get because I feel like it's a waste of time (I usually get around 5-6 hours/night at most). But I've come to the realization that when I start to binge, it often doesn't stop for several hours, during which I can't accomplish anything. Then there's the mental anguish in the aftermath, and the extra time at the gym. So in the end, I'd get MORE done if I just took a 90-minute nap. Along the same logic, taking a jog around the block might help too.

I love this!!! So many good ideas! Especially the make up/being girly one. That is definitely a motivator to not eat

love your positive outlook.

I do all these things as well. got to say the gym is the best appetite suppressant ever. I go at 7pm or ocassionally 7am. It doesnt stop you feeling the need for food, but you certainly dont want so much of it and i natually choose healthier food. Guess the endorphins knock out the need to snack out of bordem.

Vanity is also a great motivator, trying on my favorite jeans that are a little to tight and feeling them get losser, is fun and theres no way im putting fattening crap into me while im posing in front of a mirror trying to suck my tummy in make myself look slimmer and prettier.

Needlework!  You can't eat when you're knitting, crocheting or sewing.  Same goes for crafts.  Keep your hands and mind busy.

Original Post by clairelaine:

Needlework!  You can't eat when you're knitting, crocheting or sewing.  Same goes for crafts.  Keep your hands and mind busy.

I agree!  I don't eat when I'm doing needlework b/c I don't want my project to get dirty.  It really helps my mindless eating in front of tv.  I also keep a sock in progress in my handbag so that I will have something to occupy my hands when I go somewhere and have urges to eat more -- restaurants, parties, etc. 

clarelaine-Ooh, needlework! I used to do that, maybe I should pick it up again. Or! I just remembered, I crochet. Maybe this holiday season I will make scarves for eeeveryone to avoid excessive snacking, since I wouldn't want to give out dirty scarves... :)

rosegirl-Very true about the tv! That used to be a big problem for me, although being in poor college student mode right now I don't have cable and thus must go to the gym to watch tv. It's actually a big helper!

chelseagirl- I totally agree about those jeans. I have a pair of those. I keep 'em around unwashed a lot (maybe ew? but they're just a tad too small and they stretch when I wear them) and then when I'm feeling a bit lax- in the washer they go!

momofyafah- Thanks you! Glad I could help :)

loveabletenshi- Uggggh I hear you about the sleep! I'm in the exact same boat (although finals time means more like 3-4 hours sleep a night, eek!). I actually used a nap the other day to put off a snack (I told myself if I was still hungry when I woke up, I would make myself something). And I can't believe I forgot about naps! That is officially my new anti-binge :D

Naps! Huzzah to that!

P.S. Just thought of another one... *blush*, *grin*... sex! Nothing like knowing you're meeting up with that certain someone later on to make you spurn that box of cereal calling you from the pantry!

I love this post.  Just another one to add to the list that helps me resist those cravings is hot tea. Whenever I am wanting to snack I make some hot tea (practically no cals) and it fills my stomach just enough so that I don't need to eat for a couple more hours.

emily got to agree with you. Absoultely no need to snack when heading to the boyfriends, that time can be better used for leg shaving, nail painting etc.

emily got to agree with you. Absoultely no need to snack when heading to the boyfriends, that time can be better used for leg shaving, nail painting etc.

this list is really great!

it's so true that vanity can help you snap out of a moment of weakness. for me, i use my imagination - i picture myself on the beach in Puerto Rico (a trip that's planned for November) at my goal weight, feeling sexy & comfortable in a fabulous little bikini. it may not be completely realistic but it certainly helps!

i also am planning a new tattoo! i want it on my hip, and the tummy needs to be flat & firm before that can happen!

what are everyone else's thin fantasies?? haha