Do You Keep Looking in the Refrigerator?

Do you find yourself frequently getting up to look in the refrigerator or kitchen cabinets … even though you know you keep minimal food in your apartment? Not only are these  kitchen visits distracting, but they can also promote weight gain. I find myself doing this when I’m home, especially when I’m working on the computer. I know I keep minimal food in my apartment. So why do I get up every 20 minutes or so to look in the refrigerator? Do I think someone secretly stocked my kitchen with homemade chocolate chip cookies?  Watch the video of my kitchen visits and learn some tips on how to put the brakes on this habit.

So why do I keep looking in the refrigerator?
I mainly do it when I am working on the computer versus reading or watching tv. I thought about why I get up so frequently and I came to several conclusions:
– I’m procrastinating from working
– I feel overwhelmed with work
– I feel distracted from working on too  many projects at once
– I am frustrated that my old computer is extremely slow …
– It is just a habit

Tips to cut down on “Kitchen Visits”
I bet a lot of you can relate to my video. So why do we do it and how can we cut down back on this habit? The first step would be try and figure out why you are doing it. Are you legitimately hungry? Are you procrastinating like I am? Is is just a habit? Emotional eating? Whatever the reason, try some of these suggestions:

1. Make sure true hunger is not the reason. Eating balanced meals that include adequate protein and fiber will help keep real hunger at bay

2.  Keep trigger foods out of your apartment. Chances are if you know these foods are there, you’ll keep thinking about them and will be more likely to keep getting up. For example, I watch my father go to the kitchen every 15 minutes and come back to the tv with a handful of “goodies”. I have strongly encouraged him not to keep these foods in the house! (DAD – are you reading this???)

3. You can have healthy snacks in between meals, however the key is to plan your snack … and not to engage in a continued snack fest! I often suggest an afternoon snack or evening snack of 100-200 calories (this depends upon your total caloric needs. Men can usually eat more than women.). Check out my free Snack Survival Guides for suggested snacks.

4. If you get the urge to snack, try calling a friend instead. Talking with a mouth full of food is not so appealing to the person on the other end.|

5. Try reading a book versus watching TV. You may find you are less likely to snack if your mind is involved in a good book … and it’s more educational than watching NJ housewives!  (pic)

6. If you need to keep tempting food in the house for other family members, at least keep it hidden or in a closed container. Studies have shown that the less you see of it, the less you will think about it.

7. Keep cut up veggies in the refrigerator. No one ever gained weight from eating too much celery!

8. If you feel the urge to get up, pour yourself a glass of water or make a cup of tea. If you have already had your snack, tell yourself liquids only – no food.

9. Organize your workload. Try to finish one task before starting another. If you feel overwhelmed with work, you’ll be more likely to procrastinate by making kitchen visists. Break your work down into smaller goals. This is something I am always working on!

10. Keep your home office neat and clutter free. The more clutter I see, the less efficient I am at working.

11. Lastly, I bought a new computer last week. It is super fast! I already feel less frustrated and feel it will help me control my kitchen visits. There is nothing worse than when your computer is in slow motion…..