How do I eat less?

Question

I'm basically starting to always eat. I eat when I'm bored, I eat when I'm sad, and sometimes, whenever I'm full, I still hunt for food. I've never weighed so much in my life and, I'm scared that I might be overweight.

Answer 1

Do something! Whenever you feel like eating ask yourself, am I really hungry? and wait ten minutes. Try an activity whenever you are tempted. You could go for a walk, read a book, do homework, or even start a new hobby. If you still can't resist, then consider your portions. I love the new 100 calorie packs, they have a ton different kinds now. That way I don't sit there with a bag a chips and munch down more then I even know. If all else fails, chew gum.

Answer 2

Instead of trying to starve yourself between meals and failing at it, PLAN 6 small meals a day, basically three meals and three snacks. There are calculators online that can help you determine the appropriate calorie consumption for your height & weight and whether you want to lose or maintain your weight. If you plan healthy things to eat during the day, you're less likely to scrounge for whatever you can find when you're bored. If you try to limit yourself to 3 meals a day you will get hungry inbetween and overeat on unhealthy snacks. Also try to eat healthy things that are more filling, like protein, and don't drink your calories. Soda and juice aren't very filling...they will just add calories without making you feel like you've had anything to eat so you'll still be hungry. It's better to eat fruit or veggies than drink juice because the fiber will help make you feel full.

Also, don't deny yourself something you're craving, plan for it. If you really want a twix bar, have a twix bar (or whatever) but eat it INSTEAD of something else, not in addition to. The easiest way to fall off the wagon is to deny yourself all of the good stuff. Any diet that doesn't let you eat things that taste good or have a treat every once in a while is just that, a diet, instead of a permanent solution. You want to develop good habits that are sustainable, because if you're not letting yourself have a treat every once in a while you'll just eventually cave in and then feel guilty about it. That's why I like counting calories: You can eat whatever the hell you want and no specific thing is off limits as long as you keep track of how much you are consuming in total, but because healthier & more hunger-satisfying foods also tend to have fewer calories, you'll automatically make better choices.

Answer 3

I know how you feel. I work in an office, and basically graze all day. You should start by drinking water. Drink 20oz, and if you are still hungry have some fruit or yogurt. I find that the nonfat Yoplait yogurt tastes just as good as the original kind, and 1 thing of it fills me up pretty good for a couple of hours. Also, find something to play with ... a ribbon, paperclip, whatever ... to keep your hands busy. Also, keep a little something stashed at your desk, and have 1 handful instead of 20. It'll be weird at first, but you'll get the hang of it. I keep a huge bag of wintergreen lifesavers at my desk. I'll graze on them all day, but it's much better than the pop & cheetos I've been eating all day, every day for 3 years.

Start exercising a little bit each day. Go on a walk, go to the gym, park far away from the door, every little bit helps. Don't feel bad about 'grazing' ... a lot of people do it. Just slowly step away from the cheetos (or your 'drug' of choice) and go towards water.

Good luck!

Edited to add: I forgot to add that since you eat like I do, your best off having 6 smalls meals than 3 square ones. It's better for your metabolism anyways. Just make sure that you aren't gorging at any one particular meal. Keep it simple. You just want to eat enough that you are full and make it to the next 'meal'.

Answer 4

Well when your bored get up and take a walk or go for a short run ! When your sad go out and do something that cheers you up! When your full -Tell yourself No!! And get busy with a project that will keep your mind OFF of eating!! And drink alot of water- it makes you feel full-but if your stomach is growling for you to eat , drink a large glass of water and if it still growls then that means your really needing to eat so make a salad or eat some fruit!!Depending on how tall you are is how you can find out if your over weight! Ask your doctor what someone your age and heigth should weigh and base your weight on that!!

Answer 5

Have a hot drink like soup, tea or coffee before you eat. Eat only at mealtime and use a smaller plate so you will eat less food. Find another way to handle being bored: read a book, play a video game, call a friend. Stop buying snacks and junk food and stock the refrigerator with celery and carrot sticks, grapes, and cut up melon instead. You have to change your behavior and be serious about it.

Answer 6

Eat nourishing food with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables being part of it. Chew each morsel at least 32 times. This will activate signal to the brain as soon as u have had enough. Besides this change in eating style, take regular light exercises and brisk walks every day. U will be able to gain/shed all extra weight gracefully and in a reasonable time span. No food or drink in between the food and not more than three meals a day, unless u r diabetic.

Answer 7

Drink at least 2 big glasses of water before eating. Also read about apple cider vinegar and weight loss. Many reports about ACV on the web. ACV has over 93 vitamins and minerals. Makes hair and nails grow as well.

Answer 8

If you are eating to much, trying finding foods that are good for you and you like so you can eat those. But you shouldn't eat when you're bored, so if that's the case try entertain your self by exercising, or other activities.

Answer 9

Hang a sheet of paper on your refrigerator door, and keep a pencil nearby.
Make 3 columns.
One the object: say instant oatmeal. Comes flavored with maple what all,
Write 160 calories. Write 1. fat grm Write what the food was. Keep a list of everything you eat that way, Fat grams and calories.
Lets say you are having about 1,200 to 1,800 calories. Let's say you are taking in about 14 fat grams a day.
You don't have to write everything out. Abbreviate, scribble. No one is going to read it but you. Have a top number of calories and of fat grams and make it a habit to stay under it. If you eat too much one day, eat less the next day.
Weigh yourself every morning before your morning shower and write it on your calendar.

Answer 10

Yes, you might be overweight. When you get the urge to eat just go and do something else. Only eat when you are truly hungry.