Good morning, everyone!
Yes, the day has come. We are cleared to go back to school. Our county has a 2-hour delayed start, but we’re expected to be at work today. And, after a 5-day weekend, I suppose it’s time to saddle up and face reality.
The snow days were a fun excuse to stay in my PJs and park it on the couch, but it does feel nice to put some work clothes on and have a place to be. I find that I am more productive with my time when I have a lot going on. Less time to dilly-dally.
Anyway, before I head off to work, I figured I’d pop in here for some Wednesday confessional time. As always, play along in the comments or link up your own Confessions post below! I love reading your behind-the-scenes too. (Makes me feel less guilty about all the crazy things I do!)
__
If you follow me on Facebook, you probably noticed that I struggled with the whole keeping-my-hands-off-food thing. It’s literally impossible for me to not want to munch on something when I’m sitting at home and bored out of my mind.
Some people offered me advice like, “If you bite it, write it,” or, “Throw yourself into your work so you’re so occupied that you don’t even think about food.” (<-—Unlikely for me. Considering 1) I have no work when there’s a snow day. And 2) I NEVER seem to not think about food).
My best friend sent me a virtual post-it note. (Her roommate in college used to stick post-it notes on all her bins of candy and junk food so she wouldn’t be tempted to reach in and indulge. That’s some self-control for a college freshman, am I right?! The rest of us were eating cheese fries with a side of curly fries for dinner).
I tried sticking gum in my mouth, sippin’ on coffee, lying in my bed, Facetiming my family. Yet, somehow, I always ended up in the kitchen an hour or so later – with the fridge open and my eyes scanning for something to snack on.
The problem is not that I’m a snacker. It’s that I was doing it out of boredom. And I was grazing on things without tracking it onto my Weight Watchers app. Which defeats the purpose of Weight Watchers. But I was using the excuse of “Snow Day.”
Anyway, my solution.
I asked Ankur to refuse to crack my back before bed unless I tracked all my points for the day.
He’s the best back-cracker in the world.
The minute we shook on it, I have become much more motivated to keep my snacking in check. I’ve finally found the incentive that works for me. Not that my clothes will fit better or I’m making gains toward reaching my January goals. But that, at night, I will continue to get my back cracked before I go to bed.
I’m officially crazy.
But I have a husband who signed onto this agreement. So we can all agree that he’s a little crazy too, right?
Questions of the Day:
- Are you a grazer or do you stick to your main meals in a day?
- Do you keep a food journal?
- Do you crack your back or prefer someone else do it for you? Or are you a normal human being who does yoga/stretches and doesn’t need their back cracked?
Link Up Your Confessions Posts:
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I eat when I’m bored all the time. If I think to chew gum, that usually helps me from putting food in my mouth.
I am 1000% a grazer! When I am working on my computer I have to have good to snack on. It’s like it helps me focus. I hate it!
I use the app My Fitness Pal to track food. However somehow those snacks never seem to make it! As for cracking my back. That’s one I tend to do on my own.
Good luck back at school today!
I usually eat at meal times but sometimes I will graze late afternoon time. Love your blog and your way of getting your point across.
I am the opposite of you. My family, my boyfriend, and my colleagues keep on telling me to eat more. I really think I need to eat more because I am petite. I am hoping that when my boyfriend and I meet again, I already gain some weight.
I guess, no matter what’s going on in our lives, we’ve all got our own sets of challenges!
I don’t keep a food journal (sometimes my trick is browsing lots of foodie blogs, and have a feast!) Nope not recommended for all 🙂
I almost choked when I saw your eating pie chart!
I totally eat more when I work from home because all of my food is sitting right there, waiting to be grazed upon when I get bored and need a break! I just try to ask myself, “Will my enjoyment of this snack be proportional to the amount of extra calories it’ll add to my day? Do I want this more than I want a beer later?” Sometimes the answer is yes, but often, I snap out of it and realize that I don’t even want whatever it is I’m staring at!
Robin recently posted…How I Came to Be a Writer
That’s true! When I first started the Weight Watchers program, I would have this internal debate in my mind. And I’d ask myself questions like, “Is this worth it to me or do I want to save my points for a glass of wine?” I just need to get back into that mindset!
Yup, I graze sometimes. Especially when good food is in the house. Oops.
I hope your day back at school goes well!
Amber Myers recently posted…Hey, It’s Okay
I’ve always preferred smaller meals so I almost eat more like 6 smaller meals a day rather than full meals or grazing. When I’m bored I definitely start snacking though!
Sarah Jean Althouse recently posted…Why I Want To Be Worth My Weight in Salt
I wish I did yoga on a daily basis. I should! I typically have to crack my own back. I also don’t keep a food journal.
Tasheena @ SimplyTasheena.com recently posted…My Favorite Beauty Products of 2016
I probably eat about 40% of my day while I think about food for another 40% haha
I actually like that bite it write it. Since I have a food blog being in the kitchen is pretty much my happy space. The post it note NO is awesome.
candy recently posted…Peanut Butter Pie No Bake
LOL! My life = constantly distracting myself until I get to eat again 😉
GiGi recently posted…DON’T FORGET TO DO THIS…
I’m a grazer too! I try to have 4-6 smaller meals most days, but I struggle at times since I have a desk job. I tried to log it all on MyFitnessPal, but I still miss out on that a lot of days too!
Have fun going back to work!
Callie recently posted…Great Blogs You Should Be Following!
I’m definitely not a snacker. Keeping my fingers crossed for you to achieve the goals and give up bad habits.
I don’t keep a food journal. I’ve been working on changing habit, and that seem to be working for me. There is a sense of victory when you walk by the refrigerator and say to the food inside there.
“I eat you when I want you. Yo no have control over me! I have control over you. I no need you now! I am in control. Whose the boss? I am the boss of you!”
Yes my husband does think I am crazy, but he got used to the fact that I have started to talk to the food as well as the plants.
http://www.mauvewriter.com/lifetime-dieting-habit/
Sumudu recently posted…Celebrating my father’s birth date
My snacking and weight has been getting out of control but this week I have decided to nip it in the spud (as in potato chips lol) Wish me luck.
Kami @FaithfullyMeBlog recently posted…Blogger Connection Facebook Group
GOOD LUCK! Sending you healthy snacking vibes virtually 🙂
I don’t think you are crazy. I think you are doing what you have to do to maintain a healthier lifestyle. You have to do what you have to do to keep from overeating.
Oh hey! We do the exact same things on our days off haha 🙂 I am definitely a snacker, I eat several little meals all throughout the day and that kind of ruins my appetite for the actual meals. So I guess that offsets everything lol. I used to have this app that tracks my calories but it drove me insane so I deleted it!
I tend to stick to my main meals, but my problem is that I find it hard to throw away food that is left on my kid’s plates, so then I usually add their leftovers on to mine. I then end up eating more than I probably should. No room for snacking!
I feel like I’d do the same if I had kiddos of my own!
I have to do the same. I need to be healthier and yes, I really like your post!
I am definitely a grazer. I love snacking a little here and there, but I mainly do the 3 meals a day. The food journal is good if you are tracking anything or any points (Weight Watchers).
karen recently posted…Layering your Look to Stay Cozy & Chic in the Cold
I am a MAJOR grazer! Instead of trying to change my habits, I simply keep healthier foods accessible that I love like cucumber and hummus or avocado toast.
<3 https://alpluslex.com/
That’s really smart. I’m a big fan of raw veggies, I just need to make them more accessible!
I eat out of boredom too! Oh, the struggle. I’ve been doing intermittent fasting for a while though and it seems to be working. I don’t eat past 8pm and I don’t eat the next day until after 12pm, no exceptions. It was hard the first few days but giving myself a hard rule like that seems to do the trick! 🙂
I eat more when the temperature drops. I normally gain weight during winter time. Ooops!
I am way more of a grazer pregnant because I cant eat big meals. So I tend to snack all day long!
OMG I can’t stop laughing.. I spend so much time distracting myself from eating.. like ALL of the time!
That’s hilarious that you had to get your husband to use back-cracking as a bargaining chip! I don’t usually crack mine, but my youngest daughter is just the perfect weight for walking on my back, which is heavenly on the days that I can get her to do it. My older daughter was always more willing, but now that she’s gotten so big, she’s too heavy to do it without my tensing up against her weight. I miss her willingness!
Author Brandi Kennedy recently posted…Works For Me Wednesday: The Pomodoro Technique
I think I tried every diet in the book and then decided I’d rather have a few sizes larger jeans than worry about what I eat. Funny thing is, once I decided that I stopped spreading my waistline horizontally. 😁
Katja xxx
http://www.katnapped.com
I am so bad at eating when I am bored! I’m on Ww too and everyday I start off well having porridge and most days I manage a healthy lunch but then I gets to evening and I just can’t stop eating!!
Lianne @ www. Makesbakesanddecor.com
Drink LOTS AND LOTS of water!!!!! LOTS of it (: that will 100% help. My confession is that I still blog even when I’m suppose to be taking a break from it haha.
We got a little dusting of snow. It was so pretty seeing it all white outside, but by 10 am it was gone.
Saidah Washington recently posted…Spicy Penne Arrabbiata and Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
I used to keep a food tracker. I don’t anymore, took the joy out of eating…and made me want to eat just to have something to record. 😉
I don’t really eat anyway…it works for me to occupy my mouth with coffee, and my mind with work. 🙂
Shopgirl Anonymous recently posted…Bass Pro Shop Mission Statement
I’m defiantly a grazer, especially when I’m bored. Having a snow day (or days) and being stuck indoors would defiantly be a trigger for me. Hopefully you can stock up on some fresh fruits and vegetables to snack on. At least that way it would be healthy.
This is TOO funny! Love!
I am a food grazer. I don’t keep a food journal. Noone cracks my back, not me or anyone else.
valmg @ Mom Knows It All recently posted…DIY Valentine’s Day Craft – Upcycled Love Crayon Organizer
I can be the same way. I haven’t mindlessly snacked in a few weeks, but we inherited four dozen cooks with a cookie exchange. Those cookies are either going to go to waste, or must be eaten. Sadly I ate way more than I should have. One day the weight won’t stay off though.
I used to snack a lot/graze but I’ve uncovered a lot of the reasons why I was doing it in the first place. Now, if I want it, I eat it! 🙂
I eat a lot when I am stressed. I think it is a physiological reaction so that we focus on chewing rather than the stressor. I have to learn that stress eating is not healthy, and if I cannot avoid it, I will turn to healthy snacks instead.
I don’t keep a food journal. I just try to watch what I eat though. However, there are days when temptation is too great that I can’t resist but graze!
LOVE YOUR BLOG, YOUR HONESTY, YOUR BRAND! Yes!!!
I keep a food blog via My Fitness Pal. I track EVERYTHING. This helps me to see when I’m off track emotionally and am grazing.
LaKisha Riddick recently posted…November 2016 Weight Loss Update – Scale/Non-Scale Victories
I’ve never been a big snacker, but I am a big dessert eater! haha I need to apply your point system to my deserts.
Im a total grazer…..health-kick always starts tomorrow!!
I eat out of boredom all the time! I’ve just learned to keep all unhealthy things out of the house, or have my hubby (who has the metabolism I’ve only dreamed of) hide them from me. I love drinking hot tea at night to help curb my sweet tooth!
Rebecca Hicks recently posted…Spaghetti Squash Taco Casserole
I eat all the time when I’m bored, especially when I’m in school. The best tip I can give you is to change the snacks to fruit. Im a sucker for apples and it have worked pretty well for me.
I am so good about making sure my toddler eats healthily, but I am not great at taking care of myself. Teaching online from home with a little person in tow means I have the opposite problem. I forget to eat! I get so busy, I just forget! It’s terrible! I need to carry healthy snacks on my person to remind me. Your post made me laugh and made me hungry. Both are good things!
Brittany Ferrell recently posted…How to Stop Losing Your Mind as a Mom
HA, looove this post! I’m not much of a grazer, but when I’m home on snowy days, my urge to snack really kicks in lol…
Melissa Blake recently posted…An Ode to Miranda Sings
I love that your hubs is willing to play along–what a good sport! Girl, I suffer from the same problem. I work from home and I have to be so diligent about the foods I put in my body, otherwise I’d weigh a million pounds bc I am an avid snacker. And sometimes I snack just to do something with my hands! It’s terrible. Nothing works but I am going to the gym more regularly AND walking in place on conference calls which also prob sounds a bit batty. Do whatever works!
Xo and always a pleasure to be here!!
Charlotte recently posted…Back again
I used to have a food journal! I am more of a grazer and don’t stick to a food plan like I used to it either lol. But this year I plan on changing that.
Isaly Holland | http://www.memoriesbyisaly.com
I like to have snacks throughout the day too otherwise im starving and end up eating more for my meals! I definitely will eat and eat if fries are on the table though–they are my favorite!
Heather @ Polyglot Jot recently posted…WIAW: 16 Weeks Pregnant
My current trick is to keep a bar of 90% dark chocolate by my side while I work and when I watch TV. I take small nibbles of this when I’m bored and wanting a snack. I can’t eat much of it, because it’s so strong, but it seems to take the edge off the craving, without too much damage (I think?!). Thanks for being so honest and real. It’s refreshing to know other people have similar struggles!
hahaha this is soooo me too!!! I try to stick it out if I feel like this to try and stop the habit. sometimes ill make hot tea. When I can’t resist, I usually go for foods low in calories and high in nutrients when I feel like munching – like celery sticks, brocolli, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, baby carrots, etc. I’ll season them will a little balsamic vinegar and/or liquid aminos. I know, doesn’t sound very exciting. But if it’s out of sheer boredom then you have to remember it’s less about the taste and more about the habit.
I’m such a grazer. I like cheese. Cheez Its, cottage cheese, cheese sticks… all my downfall. I like the post it note idea. It would make me laugh.
Terri recently posted…Ham, Egg and Cheese Breakfast Sliders-The Ultimate Breakfast Challenge
I am definitely a grazer, especially at night. I will eat light during the day, trying to not overdo my calories. But in the evenings, I’m like where are all the carbs?!?!
Kecia recently posted…7 Surprising Uses for Vicks VapoRub
Try and see if this is doable…………..
See if you want to get for yourself some retainers (from a dentists office or from on line).
Put those on your teeth.
The only time you will be able to eat is if you take them off.
You only take them off when it is breakfast, lunch and dinner time or maybe 2 snacks in between.
Try it and see if it works. Good luck.
I love your pie chart! Too funny! I love meals too, especially social ones. Lovely post!
Beth || http://www.TheStyleBouquet.com
Beth recently posted…Why You Must Use St. Ives Products!
Snacking is my downfall! I try to distract myself and drink water or exercise instead but ugh!
Rachel recently posted…Celebrating 5 Years of Blogging + Giveaway
Eating while bored is such a real thing! I always catch myself, even when I’m not hungry, wanting a snack! I’ve hid all my goodies at a really high counter I can’t reach hah!
Silvia recently posted…Whole 30: What is it and what to buy?!
I find I snack less when I actually eat breakfast and lunch! I would be a grazer otherwise.
I eat a bit too when I’m bored. It’s hard not to sometimes. However with writing down some new goals, I have more than enough to do. One thing that got me distracted was online gaming. I would get so engrossed in my game that I would go almost all day without eating!
Steven Goodwin @ MyFamilyOnABudget recently posted…2017 Goals: 7 Areas I’m Getting Focused On This Year
I hope you have a great day back at school and that you made the most of the snow days. It sure seemed like you did! Nikki
Snow days are fun, I have to be honest I was kind of hoping for one today but it’s nice to get back to life again too!! All good things come to an end, right?
I really should start WW. I forget to eat pretty often and when I do eat, it’s usually not something healthy. I’ve been eating more salad though the last few weeks, now to incorporate more exercise so I can actually see a difference.
Chelsea recently posted…The Songs I Listened to the Most in 2016
I never was a board snacker until I had my kid and then all of a sudden I started eating all of the time. I don’t know what it is. And since I stay at home, I have had to come up with creative ways to not snack all day… Like pretty much going outside no matter if it’s raining or hot or whatever.
LOL you had me cracking up with that post it! I tend to eat more too when I am home the past to months I have learned to control myself because working from home I can’t afford to be eating all the time lol not a good idea to reach my health and wellness goals <3
I usually crack my back before going to bed! its so nice after a long day sitting infront of the computer. lol well, it’s good to have someone to crack your back, we go to a massage spa to make that happen.
So great that you can be so honest… Do u hv more confession to make?
kylie cre8tone recently posted…Toss for prosperity at Dorsett Grand Subang
In the spirit of confessions…I am grazing right now!! It’s terrible, I know but sometimes I just have to do it. I am much better than I used to be. I think it’s great that you found something that makes you stick to tracking your points, and if it is that you won’t get your back cracked that motivates you, then so be it! Whatever works!
I do yoga and stretching, but I also like to pop my back, neck… My husband is wonderful at getting my back to pop. It’s always nice to get a little massage and back pop right before bed as it’s relaxing.
I’m pretty good at not eating unless I’m hungry, but there are times I snack just for the sake of snacking.
So guilty. I love to snack so much…I like mini m&ms and I just ate some at 2am in the morning. But then I will complain come spring so I need to cut back severely!
This post is too funny. You Crack me up. But honestly I can relate, I think your cravings are perfectly normal, the people that never get hungry & eat little amounts are the weird ones in my book. Lol. Oh & Crack my own back.
I am a big grazer, so I try and plan ahead and make sure I have lots of healthy snacks to eat during the day! I track everything I eat on my fitness pal and try to stay super accountable!
i have my days where i want to snack on all thing sweet and savory – its a viscous cycle. the whole keep yourself busy works for me although i try to sip on tea or water all day to prevent me from being hungry/thirsty.
dixya @food, pleasure, and health recently posted…Basics of Cooking Legumes
I am such a grazer too and when I try to diet that’s when it’s worse. That and when I’m bored. I started brushing my teeth when I want to snack – nothing tastes good after you brush your teeth.
I am a grazer as well, but only when I’m home alone. Not sure why that is, maybe the kids keep me to busy when they are home. lol Always wanting something. The only time I don’t graze eat is when I’m busy making products for my store, which you can find here, http://athomefeelin.com/country-cabin-store/. Right now I’m fairly busy with making a ton of new products so that seems to help, since I gained a few over the holidays. lol Great confession post!
i am a main meal person – if i started grazing i would never stop! I think it is easier to not even start doing it
amanda recently posted…A stroll through Melbourne’s Fitzroy
When I’m being strict with Weight Watchers, I usually only eat snacks that are a few points that way I can have a big dinner! It’s hard sometimes though!
Kristine-Bites of Flavor recently posted…Slow Cooker Jalapeno Popper Chicken Chili
Ugh – I’m a grazer, too! It’s crazy, isn’t it. I need to really get my will power going and focus on drinking more water 🙂 No back-cracking for me — just stretches – haha!
I’m not much of a snacker either, but I do eat out of boredom. I love your pie chart! LOL. It’s a perfect representation of some days.
Rachel recently posted…Minion Mentality: The Benefits of Teaching Your Kid to Lead vs. Follow
Gosh, I’m an unhealthy snacker as well! It’s really hard for me to keep my snacking habit in check in order to reach my goals but I stretch and follow an exercise routine so that I don’t have to suffer a lot! Good thing you find something to kee yours in check as well! ✌🏻
xoxo
Radhika
Radhika recently posted…Things on My To-do list for 2017
I snack at night time the worst time to snack. Its such a bad habit I’m trying to break and will need to if I ever want to get back to probably weight! Maybe I should start just drinking more water when I want to snack at night. iDK but its a habit that must be broken.
I eat when i’m bored – especially chocolate. My husband now tells me off. xx
Anna nuttall recently posted…5 Ways to Get Gorgeous Skin Without Spending a Penny
UGH!! I am a HUGE grazer. My guy works late one night a week and I catch myself nibbling, then nibbling again, then nibbling again while I am waiting for him to get home!
Bobbi | Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen recently posted…Cheesy Ham and Vegetable Chowder
I’m definitely a grazer and I get it from my mama. I don’t know what it is but we have a habit of snacking while working. But what I like to do is make sure that the snack is healthy, like grapes or carrots. But I will eat pretzels or low sodium chips, if I’m craving it.
I don’t ever crack my back. It freaks me out! I do work out and stretch so that definitely helps.
Kaitlyn
http://www.mypostpartumlife.com
I feel like I FORGET to eat on my days off. I’m so distracted by working out, cleaning, or reading…
Nicole recently posted…How to Create a Home Gym
Yes , I eat more food when I work from home. I eat something even when I work.
Oh how funny! I think I’m guilty of the eat and wait ratio, especially when I’m cooped up indoors.
I’m definitely a snacker. I was in peak physical fitness last June for an epic adventure I was going on – it was fantastic, and then when I came home I had loads of work to catch up on, I started snacking loads without exercising, and well, I’m now calorie counting so I can shift off these extra pounds I’ve put on (and there are quite a few of them!).
Elizabeth recently posted…DIY Porridge Sachets for Bikepacking or Camping
I stick to my three main meals a day and I keep a food journal as well. The journal is a great tool!
Sondra Barker recently posted…JFAT Opens in Brea and Dinner is Just as Good as Brunch!
I stick to my three main meals a day and I keep a food journal as well. The journal is a great tool!
Sondra Barker recently posted…JFAT Opens in Brea and Dinner is Just as Good as Brunch!
This is such a funny post! I’m so guilty of boredom eating. I always have to try and distract myself when I’m working from home – if I’m sat doing nothing then I always turn to chocolate haha 🙂
Courteney recently posted…2016 Highlights
Since I became a mom 8 years ago, I became a grazer. It’s actually awful for me, as my body craves real meals!
Oh you’re a girl from my own heart! This is exactly what my free days look like! I think about all the delicious things I’m going to eat and try not to eat ALL DAY LONG.
Brittany recently posted…Samosa Hand Pies Recipe
I am such a mindless snacker, too! I’ve been tracking my calories in an app and WHOA does that help me stay accountable! No one wants to calculate calories for the ten goldfish I just swiped from my kids snack.
Very entertaining blog post! Bloggerholic I am too
I love reading confession posts, I feel like you learn so much more about the writer! I for one am becoming quite obsessed with it all but I love it!
This post was hilarious (and a bit relatable lol)! I wish we had a snow day around here. I’d love to stay in PJs for an extended period of time.
Food is the best thing ever. Why would I want to forget on a day I have nothing to do but Netflix and chill? Haha!
I have the same problem! if I’m not doing anything I have to eat. What helped me though was an app called my fitness pal where I put in everything I would eat in a day and it would tell me how much more of that I can eat for the rest of the day. After just a couple of weeks I had lost 6 pounds
That was such a fun post to read! I used to think about food all the time too and then I realized that I just never ate enough! I became vegan last year and I’ve been stuffing my face up with all the carbs and fruits and veggies and I no longer think about food at all! And I’m not getting hAngry when I don’t eat for a long time! I also lost some weight while doing so even though I haven’t tried doing so!
I don’t keep a food journal at the moment, but I did last year. I try not too obsess about calories too much now since I’m expecting my third. Instead, I try eating more wholesome foods.
Great solution to stop yourself from snacking! I also struggle with it! And I also feel so much more motivated and distracted when I’m constantly busy or get up and dress up for the day.
I definitely eat and drink when I’m bored, but also as a past time. It’s become habit, to the point where I crack open my laptop at night and I need some popcorn and a glass of wine! Opps! 😉 xx Adaleta Avdic
Adaleta recently posted…Best Eyeshadow Palette Under $40 FT. Persona Cosmetics
I am a constant snacker too. I try to only snack on popcorn and suck on mints. Sometimes that works.
My issue is more of the opposite I tend to eat too little, I don’t really feel hungry…ever. I do eat sometimes out of boredom but I figure with how frequently I eat it’s probably a good thing. One bad food habit I have is that I night eat (not like evening eat) I literally wake up half way through the night get out of bed, make toast, eat it and go back to bed (this is usually around 3-4am)
There are so many ways to keep track of what we eat and to eat healthier and we just really have to find what works best for us. I think it’s nice that you’re doing what works for you.
Carol Cassara recently posted…The difficulty of being human
It’s tough when your mind is on vacation but you’re required to go back to work. I would normally need a few days to adjust and go back to the daily routine.
I am definitely a grazer. I keep cheese in the refrig at all times since I will usually grab for that first. Well it is better then the candy that sits with me near my computer (sugar free or not!)
Michele recently posted…Sunday Stroll Giveaway Linky 1/22/2017 – 1/29/2017