One of the best strategies for overcoming eating habits that keep you stuck in unhealthy ways is to find diversions. Hobbies that you love and give you a sense of accomplishment can fill the void that's keeping you searching for food in the kitchen rather than making progress toward your health goals.
I wanted to share a few of the things that have helped me over the last years and hope that you'll share with me some of your hobbies. Since it's summer, I've got more hobbies that are outdoors related, as most of us do. Between watering and weeding flowers and taking care of the vegetables in the garden, I found some time to finish a cedar planter. As you can see, I love fishing! Being on the water with the calm and quiet, I find it so relaxing, whether catching fish or not. Add in walking the dogs and work, and eating pretty much has to be scheduled into the day!
During the winter months, having hobbies can be even more important when we are less enthused to go outside in the cold. However, one of my favorite winter activities is snowshoeing. There's not many other outdoor activities where you can go anywhere; you can go into the woods without worrying about getting lost (there's always a trail to follow back - LOL). As for indoor activities, I like to sit with a good book, attend a good hockey game, and do house projects, like painting a room or working on decor ideas. Around Christmas, you can find me making some gifts. One year I bought wool sweaters and made mittens for friends and family.
There are many options for hobbies out there. Maybe it's scrapbooking, knitting, puzzles, Sudoku or, I don't know, repairing lawn mowers! That's the thing about hobbies, they can really be anything! The main thing is to find something that you look forward to.... and, that keeps your hands busy and away from unneeded snacking. And, let's not forget the mental benefits of hobbies. They can keep the mind sharp, reduce stress (when projects go according to plan), and give you the reward of a job well done at completion.
I'd love to hear what each of you do for hobbies. Join the InCourage Health FB group and subscribe to my weekly emails on the InCourage-Health.com webpage. I'm grateful to always hear from you all!
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