| If you are a woman struggling with emotional eating, | | | | * Hold a baby |
| take heart. Help is on the way. The following is a | | | | * Take a yoga class |
| partial list of things to do when you want to eat but | | | | * Smell samples in a bath store |
| you're not physically hungry. Emotional Eating is | | | | * Clean your refrigerator |
| consuming food in an effort to handle feelings of | | | | * Start a hobby |
| overwhelm or stress in your life. In my experience, | | | | * Go bowling |
| I've found that women who are emotional eaters, | | | | * Chew gum |
| tend to be very proficient at juggling many things | | | | * Read a biography of a hero |
| and taking care of the needs of others. As a result | | | | * Take a nap |
| of this extreme focus on the needs of others, they | | | | * Go to a gym |
| often tend to overlook themselves and as a result | | | | * Enjoy a workout video |
| they neglect their own needs over the long term and | | | | * Watch a cooking show |
| fall prey to the instant gratification that food can | | | | * Travel abroad |
| bring. If you are an emotional eater, there is a good | | | | * Buy new pajamas |
| chance that you haven't learned of a variety of | | | | * Enjoy nature |
| ways of coping with stress without food. | | | | * Learn a new language |
| I offer my clients the following list to use in | | | | * Start your own business |
| conjunction with various stress relief techniques that | | | | * Decorate for the holidays |
| I teach to help them to reawaken the inner nurturer | | | | * Take a day off |
| inside of themselves and to provide them with | | | | * Go on a cruise |
| choices and tools guiding them to take specific steps | | | | * Watch the leaves changing |
| to help them to cope with their stress and enjoy | | | | * Spend time with family |
| more of their life. | | | | * Listen to the ocean |
| * Use body lotion | | | | * Make love |
| * Take a bubble bath | | | | * Do some housework |
| * Get a manicure | | | | * Play in the snow |
| * Enjoy a pedicure | | | | * Visit historic sites |
| * Get a massage | | | | * Go camping |
| * Go shopping | | | | * Pick berries |
| * Buy a new lipstick | | | | * Visit a farmer's market |
| * Treat yourself to some flowers | | | | * Buy a new dress |
| * Cuddle up with a good book | | | | * Write a poem |
| * Watch a favorite movie | | | | * Go ice skating |
| * Go for a walk | | | | * Write your memoirs |
| * Look at the the sky | | | | * Learn to dance |
| * Visit a museum | | | | * Make your own jewelry |
| * Go to the park | | | | * Buy a necklace |
| * Call a friend | | | | * Volunteer your time |
| * Hug a tree | | | | * Give to charity |
| * Go hiking | | | | * Pray |
| * Hug someone | | | | * Go out to brunch |
| * Ask for a hug | | | | * Take a risk |
| * Tell someone you love them | | | | * Walk on a boardwalk |
| * Forgive | | | | * Smile |
| * Count your blessings | | | | * Make lemonade |
| * Make a cup of tea | | | | * Bake cookies |
| * Paint a picture | | | | * Go to church |
| * Fly a kite | | | | * Visit a pet store |
| * Walk on the beach | | | | * Make new friends |
| * Take a swim | | | | * Watch Public television |
| * Pack a picnic lunch | | | | * Go to a baseball game |
| * Gaze at the stars | | | | * Attend the ballet |
| * Watch the sun rise | | | | * Play an instrument |
| * Revel in a sunset | | | | * Read to a child |
| * Snuggle up with a soft pillow | | | | * Set aside time to imagine |
| * Jump in Autumn leaves | | | | * Take a walking tour |
| * Listen to the birds | | | | * Have a birthday party for yourself |
| * Sew a patchwork quilt | | | | * Go on a boat |
| * Dance | | | | * Go fishing |
| * Sing | | | | * Golf |
| * Watch a comedy | | | | * Play cards |
| * Write a letter | | | | * Go to a wine tasting |
| * Listen to books on tape | | | | * Take a car ride |
| * Go to the library | | | | * Buy a Harley |
| * Take a cooking class | | | | * Get a foot massage |
| * Redecorate a room | | | | * Buy a colorful umbrella |
| * Watch children play | | | | * Hang a picture |
| * Enjoy a guided visualization CD | | | | * Buy scented hand soap |
| * Write a book | | | | * Blow a kiss at your reflection |
| * Play a board game | | | | * Learn stress relief techniques |
| * Relax outdoors | | | | * Get more sleep |
| * Touch something soft | | | | * Clap your hands |
| * Buy new underwear | | | | * Go back to school |
| * Buy hair accessories | | | | * Say what's on your mind |
| * Change your hairstyle | | | | * Adopt a pet |
| * Ask a question | | | | * Make a dream mat |
| * Participate in a support group | | | | * Buy new shoes |
| * Give yourself a hug | | | | * Play a video game |
| * Make plans to see a friend | | | | * Wear a funky necklace |
| * Sit by a fire | | | | * Plan a dinner party |
| * Sit quietly and listen to your body | | | | * Make a phone call |
| * Meditate or visualize | | | | * Watch cartoons |
| * Take pictures | | | | * Buy a plant |
| * Jump in a Jacuzzi | | | | * Read the newspaper |
| * Take a road trip | | | | * Have a girl's night out |
| * Go to a concert | | | | * Prioritize your day |
| * See a show | | | | * Send an email |
| * Take off your shoes | | | | * Listen to motivational CDs |
| * Buy new slippers | | | | * *Listen to music |
| * Plant a garden | | | | * Ask yourself the question, "What do I really want?" |
| * Try a new recipe | | | | If you still feel stressed and notice that you are very |
| * Get out your old cookbooks | | | | resistant to the idea of doing anything but eating, |
| * Invite a friend to dinner | | | | then eat until your hunger is satisfied. Later on, when |
| * Visit the Aquarium | | | | you are feeling less tense, return to these resources |
| * Go to the zoo | | | | and begin to integrate more of them into your life on |
| * Take a trip to Disneyworld | | | | a daily basis. The key to your success in losing |
| * Write down your goals | | | | weight without dieting is to gently create new habits |
| * Buy a scented candle | | | | in your life that will change the way that you think |
| * Buy some potpourri | | | | and feel about food. This is most effective by |
| * Go for a bike ride | | | | combining stress relief techniques with a non diet |
| * Make a pot of soup | | | | approach to eating, which means "No more diets!" |
| * Do a craft | | | | Naturally this list is by no means complete. Have fun |
| * Learn Calligraphy | | | | adding to it and trying new things. Most of all, allow |
| * Take a class | | | | yourself to notice the many new things that you can |
| * Send a thank you card | | | | do besides eating. |
| * Pet a cat or dog | | | | |