The List of "Insteads" Grows (Things to Do INSTEAD of Mindlessly Eating)

Lake Michigan beckoned me to its shores today, and that was a GREAT thing to do instead of mindlessly eating. Today was Friday, so you know what that means: Take Your Wife to Work Day. (Chuck insists on calling it Bring Your Beautiful Bride to Work Day; to each his or her own, right?) Chuck's office is just three short miles from Lake Michigan, and it is my favorite place to go when I want to feel like I'm at the beach in the midwest.

When I accompany Chuck to work, it gives us nearly three extra hours together between his lengthy commute and a short break for lunch. I love our shared time, and while he works, I entertain myself walking around the Prairie Wolf Slough (which is prettier than it sounds), going shopping, or going to the library. I get to read, write, and walk, so I'm happy. Occasionally, I've been known to drop by the local frozen yogurt shop, or get a snack from the vending machine at the library. 

Not today, though. It was another photo safari, and then I enjoyed the air conditioning at the library after having lunch with Chuck. My pictures from Lake Michigan are posted below, but first I want to brainstorm the things I want to try INSTEAD of snacking when temptation rears its ugly head.

After reading Dr. Melissa McCreery's blog Too Much on Her Plate, I'm realizing that there is no amount of food in the world that will satisfy my emotional and spiritual hungers, so I need to figure out the things I can do that will take care of me, soothe my cravings, and satisfy my needs that have NOTHING to do with food. Here are some of the things I have tried, or plan to try when I need to satisfy the hungers that eating won't help. Maybe you will find something here that appeals to you, and you might have ideas of your own that you'd like to share below. Please do!

Things to Do INSTEAD of Mindless Eating

• Pray. (I figure I can use all the help I can get.)
• Ask myself: WHAT DO YOU NEED RIGHT NOW?
• Set the timer for 15 minutes. If I'm physically hungry, I'll choose from my list of favorite healthy snacks after the timer goes off.
• Go for a walk.
• Talk to Chuck. If you don't have a Chuck, you can try talking to your favorite, trusted person.
• Listen to music.
• Soak in the tub.
• Paint my nails. (Thank you, Michelle.)
• Call one of our moms or one of our kids.
• Make a cup of tea.
• Reach out to someone. (Text, call, email.)
• Stretch/yoga.
• Try one of the bazillion things I've pinned on Pinterest.
• Journal how I'm feeling, what I'm thinking about, and any concerns I have.
• Practice guided meditation. (There are so many online, and I have some I like on Spotify.)
• Organize a drawer or a closet.
• Play the drums. (That might just be me. Or Chuck.)
• Go to the library.
• Look at old photographs.
• Go through my Happy Box. (A collection of cards, notes, and letters from Chuck, the kids, my parents, and former students; photographs; ticket stubs, etc.)
• Read something uplifting.
• And, on days like today, take my camera on a photo safari.