57 tips

(When you want to eat but "shouldn't")

Tips:

1. imagine what you'll look like at your goal
2. make a to-do list
3. clean out files, or school papers, or a desk, or junk drawer
4. plan a dream trip or romantic encounter -- even if it's not practical
5. leave the house -- go for a non-exercise walk or somewhere without food
6. daydream
7. read a book
8. exercise (only if not fatigued or dizzy, etc)
   
9. take a short nap
   
10. drink water. add lemon or drink tea if craving no calorie/sodium flavor.
11. if it's a late night craving -- go to bed. make a rule that you cannot leave the bed.
12. blog publicly or journal privately
    
13. find a hobby - i like beading, it's cheap, easy, can be mindless, and might make something pretty!
14. get paper, glue and magazines. make a collage.
15. do your nails
16. clean something dirty -- toilet, a pets cage
17. write a letter to your hunger/stomach
18. surf the web
19. make and remake weight goals
    
20. rub lotion over entire body
21. brush your teeth
22. chew gum -- but only if it doesn't make cravings worse!
23. take a few deep breaths
24. watch some television
25. play with a pet
26. go someplace fun where food isn't allowed (library, museum)
27. look at own pics at highest weight
28. take a shower
29. try a new hairstyle or makeup tip
30. count coins - depending how many you have it may take a while, and filthy coins leave fingers smelling gross and metallic
    
31. do a few sit-ups or squats
32. turn on some music and dance a bit
33. call a friend
    
34. write about a recent accomplishment, refer to it when feeling down, or bingey
35. arrange photos in an album (real or online) or scrapbook
36. go thru a old yearbook and look at the people who "were better"
37. play a board game or sport with kids (siblings, nephew/niece) or friends
    
38. tear paper into little bits, the smaller the bits the better. count the bits.
39. try on clothes, a swimsuit
    
40. wash your car, if you have one
41. take a warm bath
42. start a holiday/birthday shopping list
43. check your email, usual website haunts
44. create a mantra
45. start a project
46. do homework, or study any topic - even if not in school
47. try meditation
48. play solitaire
49. sew a throw pillow - especially good if you do not already know how to sew!
50. spritz on a body mist or light scented candles
51. progressive relaxation -- tighten and release muscles
52. organize big things (closet, room) or small things (knickknacks, bookshelf)
53. dust a room, or a house!
54. do gardening, sweeping, or other outside work
55. stretch
56. get crayons and a coloring book...
57. fix something that is broken
    

**If nothing works and you feel awful and hungry and out of control, maybe you really should eat something. A slight set-back one day, must be better than a giant binge-fest!