Summer Success: Beating Boredom Blues

Summertime brings about hope. You now have two to three months to work on a healthier you. Summertime gives lots of kids and teens a chance to eat healthier and exercise more. It also can give kids and teens a chance to get B-O-R-E-D. Read this bulletin board post from someone on this website:

"Well, I keep trying to lose weight but it keeps finding me lol. I try over and over again but I just can't stick to a diet! I get bored...and then BANG there I am getting food again even when I am well over full. Ugh!"

Most overweight kids and teens report boredom as one of the hardest times not to overeat. A great part of this website is many kids and teens can let you know what has helped them. Here are some ideas other kids and teens have tried. These things have helped them to stop overeating when bored:

• Call a friend.

• Listen to music.

• Go outside and walk.

• Dance.

• Write poetry or journal.

• Watch TV to make your mind think of something else.

• Squeeze your hands together really tight until the urge to overeat goes away.

• Go online to this site. See if anyone is in the chat room or boards.

• Chew gum.

• Drink lots of water. Keep a water bottle with you all the time.

• Learn how to play a musical instrument.

• Read a book.

• Scream into a pillow or in your head.

• Volunteer during the summer at an animal shelter or hospital during your most bored times.

• Do not diet. Try to live healthier. Diets are boring. Eating healthier is not. Also, if you diet too strictly, it may make you overeat later.

Make this a healthy week!

  (Click here for past week's tips)