Top 10 List – What Would You Rather do Than Eat?
In the quest for the best answer for weight loss I’m finding that it has nothing to do with nutrition or exercise or understanding food or any of that.
It’s pretty clear that weight gain is a result of food abundance and overeating.
The big question then becomes one of restricting food consumption. But this is very difficult because we all like to eat so much and now we eat for pleasure, stress relief, social events, celebrations, tradition and on and on.
The idea that we eat simply for fuel/survival is long lost.
So here is my challenge and I need your help.
I’m trying to put together a top 10 list of things to do besides eating, but I can’t even come close to getting 10 things.
Imagine that your favorite meal was sitting on a table perfectly prepared right in front of you and you were sufficiently hungry to want to eat it right now…
What would you rather do besides eat that food?
Sure there are some unrealistic theoretically things that could easily pull us away from our favorite meal: for example if I handed you a $10,000 and told it had to be cashed right away, I’m sure you’d leave that food right where it was and go straight to the bank.
Or if I handed you free tickets to an all inclusive vacation or shopping spree that needed to be used right now you’d probably forgo the food in a heart beat.
But alas unless we all win the lottery every time we’re about to eat these examples are pretty far fetched.
So I’m looking for practical answers. Realistic options that can actually be put to use on a daily basis.
I believe the answers that we come up with are the key to helping us all lose weight.
So I’ll start it off, but I’m stuck at three answers.
1 ) Sex
2) A Hot Shower – (but this one only applies if I have just come in out of a prolonged time spent in the cold or back from the gym or just got soaked in the rain)
3) A game of Hockey or Football with my buddies – (But this rarely happens since scheduling play time with adults seems next to impossible)
And now I’m stuck. I can’t really think of anything that would pull me away from this meal.
Can you?
Please put your answers in the comments section. And be honest. Really think about something you know for sure you’d rather do than eat that food (besides cashing the mythical $10,000 check)
John
41 Responses to “Top 10 List – What Would You Rather do Than Eat?”
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December 7th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
John,
I agree one hundred percent with your answers, and to add to them I’d say…
4) Take a nap. Nothing beats a good nap!
5) Hanging out with friends – if my friends called to go socialize and I had the option between my favourite meal and my friends, I’d choose friends.
6) This probably only applies to women. If I’m already dressed up in an outfit that shows off the hard work I put into my body, I would probably pass up crushing my favourite meal. Feeling sexy and attractive is just as good (if not better) as the feeling you get from your favourite meal. I don’t need the “feel good” from food because I already feel great! In fact, I use the “wear the outfit that shows off my body” tactic at dinner parties to keep myself from over indulgng.
December 7th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
good god, that one is easy!!!
If my favourite meal was sitting on my diningroom table (which rarely sees any sun) and it was a nice day out, where I could get a summer dose of sunshine on my balcony or a winter dose over on my bed (sun streams in the window in the winter, its like summer almost), I would forego the meal EVERY SINGLE TIME to go get some rays (and as a matter of fact, as I type this I’m sitting in the sun on my bed forgetting all about the fact that I’m hungry … cuz food is always there, but sun is not).
Nothing beats the feeling of vitamin D soaking in.
December 8th, 2009 at 12:02 am
1. Go out and find someone or call someone up to share the meal with you (or put half in the fridge and eat tomorrow)
2. A Book that you are really into
3. Some addicting TV series – the wire, lost, dexter, etc
4. Do 500 KB Swings in as little time as possible (so that you can earn the meal! haha j/p :p) throw up or feel nauseous, hunger is gone
5. FAST for 24 hours then eat the meal guilt free
6. Eat the meal guilt free then FAST 24 hours
John, Thank you for your help. With the Adonis Index and ESE since Febrary I have gone from 210 pounds to 170 pounds, not sure about my BF but my strength has dramatically increased in February I could barely do 10 pushups now I can easily do 10 pushups with one hand. From shoulder pressing 65 pounds (barbell) to 10 handstand pushups.
Working on the lifestyle aspect, but I have already been getting a lot of favorable attention from the ladies.
Take Care and thanks for all your help.
December 8th, 2009 at 7:37 am
Gotta agree with you on number 1.
2) Go hunting – this only works during a few months of the year though.
3) Play a favorite sport – i.e. basketball or racquetball
4) Hang out with a good friend….but usually this leads to eating something anyway (which is kinda the point of your post!)
5) Go to the beach
6) ?
That’s as many as I’ve come up with….I suppose eating the meal for me would depend largely upon what else I’ve done that day or plan to do that day.
December 8th, 2009 at 9:52 am
Anything to help get rid of the mindset of eating clean (Paleo diet, etc.).
December 8th, 2009 at 11:31 am
For me, it’s not hard to stay busy, I pretty much always keep myself occupied. I thank God for my discipline and will power, I feel like no one else I know, has it. Everyone in my life is so unhealthy aside from my mom.
I’ll give it a try:
4. weight training/cardio/go for a walk
5. play an instrument
6. watch dvd tv series, this keeps you busy, especially hbo/showtime ones that are an hour each
7. read a book, like “eat stop eat”, which i just finished
8. sleep
9. go to a movie with friends, or girlfriend
10. shopping for clothes, or food, just don’t eat it
11. clean
12. go for a drive (just not near any fast food places/starbucks etc)
13. go through old pictures
14. read blogs/surf youtube/facebook/check emails
December 8th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
1) Sex
2) Getting a massage
December 8th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
1. Playing Xbox 360/PS3/Wii
2. Reading a blog about how eating less will get you abs.
3. Sleeping
December 8th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
So many things come to mind…
1. Get on a plane (to anywhere)
2. Buy new electronics
3. Take a walk down the beach at sunset
4. Watch the latest blu-ray movie
5. Hang out with friends and laugh
6. Go for a swim
7. Take a nap
8. Workout (of course)
9. Relax in the hot tub
10. Hop in the bimmer and go for a drive
December 9th, 2009 at 11:26 am
Well, if there wasn’t food in front of me and I really wanted to eat, I can think of many, many things to do to distract me from eating (go for a walk, have sex, call my kids, read a good book, watch a good movie)…however, since you state that the food is sitting right in front of me and it’s my fav…I’m not sure I’d have the willpower to ignore it.
December 9th, 2009 at 11:28 am
Many activities are more enjoyable on an empty stomach:
Weight training
Running, riding, skiing
Hot tubbing
Massage
December 9th, 2009 at 11:32 am
Being really honest about something that I’d prefer to the meal, I’m pretty much stuck at #1 on your list.
December 9th, 2009 at 11:46 am
Well…
1) Definitely have sex
2) Massage
3) Pedicure
4) Dancing
5) Cuddling
6) Going to the movies w/ friends
7) Taking a nap (preferably after having great sex! LOL!)
December 9th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
I think some of your might be missing the point. The meal is ready to go right in front of you, and its one of your favorites.
So I’m not asking for a list of things that you might do, or that are possible, I’m asking for a list of things you know for sure would pull you away from that meal.
And I’m also asking for things that can be done on a daily basis …I don’t think going shopping applies otherwise you’d be broke within days (unless ‘shopping’ means walking around the mall and not buying anything, in which case it could be one of the only applicable answers)
John
December 9th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
That’s a hard one – you’re practically at the point of no return there.
Honestly though, as a guy, and still being about 10lbs of fat away from where I want to be, I’ve started just whipping off my shirt. Sounds crazy, but try eating something you don’t think you should when you’re exposed like that, everything you dislike about your body and want to lose, or like about your body and want to keep, out in the open. It ain’t gonna happen. Obviously this strategy only works at home for the average person, but it’s surprisingly effective.
Another one might be, if you have a gym buddy, call him up and see what he’s doing. Maybe i’m cynical, but I assume everyone is in competition with me, even if it’s friendly, so if he’s not eating, it’ll dissuade me from eating as well, otherwise i’d be falling behind.
I haven’t actually done the second one, I just see it working. Maybe i’ll try it out later.
December 9th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
Dave,
The shirt off trick, now that is a good answer.
I actually used to tell people (who were trying to lose weight) to do something very similar. I called it “the naked truth”.
If you’re trying to diet down and feel like you’re going to cheat on your diet. Go to the washroom and take all of your clothes off and look at yourself in the mirror. If that doesn’t stop you, then try eating the food while looking at your naked body in the mirror. Not sure how many people ever tried it, but it would stop me from eating at that moment. Or at least force me to stick to my diet program.
JB
December 9th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
Honestly?? Are you kidding? Nothing short of a medical emergency or the house on fire would do it!!!
December 9th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
There are only two things I can honestly say would be more appealing to me than a spread of good food laid out:
A tennis match or tournament (I’m on a USTA team and play regularly, thank God)
An appointment for a massage or pedicure (unfortunately a more rare event – expensive)
December 9th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Bernice,
I love your honesty. I’m right there with you. This is a freakin’ hard list to put together isn’t it!
I think if we could come up with a really honest list we would be well on our way to the best weight loss strategy ever, I just don’t know if it even exists!
JB
December 9th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Jan,
I’m with you on the sports one for sure. If I had a group of people ready to play (just about any sport) I’d almost always defer the meal for the game. I used to play tennis when I lived in florida…the weather made it very easy to always go outside and play something…and there usually was some people around who also wanted to play.
I think as adults we’ve lost much of the ‘go out and play’ mentality that kids have. And it sucks!
Nowadays its pretty difficult to get even one or two people to show up for anything besides dinner or drinks…let alone something like tennis or football or anything that requires physical activity.
JB
December 9th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
Wow. Just about impossible. Any tragedy of course (but we don’t want those, and I’d STILL probably grab a couple of bites on the way out the door.) Maybe some sort of aversion tactics like picturing a person who disgusts you hacking up a loogie onto the plate or maggots writhing around on it or some such. (I like the naked truth a lot too.)
December 9th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
If the meal is ready to go, i think there would be nothing i would prefer to do. Unless is sex with a really hot woman, but since im married, its not happening, and the wife can wait until after the meal LOL…..
December 9th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Well definitly NOT watching TV/dvd-series or movies since that always triggers a craving to snack on something, usually nuts or sandwiches.
Computer/video-gaming (preferably with a friend) on the other hand keeps my mind and hands occupied and is both enjoyable and doesn’t require the same effort as heading of to the gym or for a walk.
Trekking or hillwalking when the weather allows it. I love to explore new surroundings, I think the variation/change of the current circumstance is what I enjoy. Much the same as when eating out of boredome.
Reading comics. I loke books aswell, but to be honest, the require more effort to be enjoyable than comics.
Surfing the internet, reading interesting blogs, learning about nutrition/exercise/physiology.
Getting a massage, this always wins, every single time. Unfortunatly it requires a skilled friend or preferably a professional massour to really give the satisfaction.
Going to the movies with friend/s.
December 9th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
Mike,
Goddamnit that is funny.
For your sake I hope your wife doesn’t read this blog.
JB
December 9th, 2009 at 3:30 pm
Along the same lines as the ‘naked truth’, I like to go glance at a picture I leave aside of someone with the body Id strive for (Jessica Biel, myself in a leaner state).
These are good ideas, Im writing them down to refer to them next time I feel like giving in during a fast. Its easy to forget what your fitness goals are when that food is sitting in front of you…
December 9th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Well to be honest I’m 6’5 300+ lbs so not much is higher on my priority list than eating. Except, maybe, for spending time with a freaky chick..just being honest.
December 9th, 2009 at 7:10 pm
This is so difficult especially because I am a stay-at-home mom, which can be so conducive to meaningless eating as kids love to snack and being around the house so much. I find on the days we are really busy out and about all day, I eat far less. I don’t even really think about food unless I’m starving. At home, however, I begin to obsess about food because I want to eat it but don’t want to overeat or get fat, so I’ll resist and then just think about it. Eventually, I eat and I’m not even hungry which leads to guilt. A wicked cycle! If my favorite meal was in front of me I guess a screaming baby would distract me!
December 9th, 2009 at 8:04 pm
[...] Top 10 List – What Would You Rather do Than Eat? | JohnBarban.com [...]
December 9th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
4. Do a New York
Times crossword puzzle, preferably Thursday, Friday or Saturday OR the Sunday puzzle section. Unless you’re really good, it will take
December 9th, 2009 at 10:40 pm
apart from what seemed the obvious to me >>>SEX <<<<
things that i do that successfully keep me away from food
1) drinking water… i have a energy water treatment that i leave a 1 litre water bottle on while asleep and while at work , when i wake up ,and when i get home from work the first thing i do is sit down and drink the contents
2) i keep a white board in my lounge with all the things i want /need to get done and in time i can refer to it and always find something that i need to do . since a lot of eating has to do with needing stimulation ,once actively involved the "need " for food diminishes/disappears.
3) a lot of people (ESP men my age55 ) become disengaged form life in some way, so finding a way back to being engaged in living and therefore being nourished by satisfying contact is also valuable
December 10th, 2009 at 12:34 am
well, it would be hard to say. Yesterday I watched a couple youtube songs/music videos that had me sobbing, crying, etc. and that Always feels ridiculously good afterwards.
So I would say that if I *knew* I could do something instead that would get me that open, that emotionally expressed, then for sure I would do that, because that is much rarer for me than eating. So if I knew that something else that I could do would give me multiple times as much value as eating that burrito would, then I would leave the food in a heartbeat.
But, it is almost impossible to get certain if something will give me that much more value. Hell, sex might be worse than that burrito for all I know!
but for me some feasible alternatives would be: hug somebody, go outside and gaze in awe at the snow on the trees. And ideally I could perform with my guitar to an applauding audience
December 10th, 2009 at 2:08 am
Well, from now on the number one thing for me to do will be to read this article
December 10th, 2009 at 2:34 am
Other things to do:
Go to the beach and have a swim
Take a trip to the snow
have a party with really close friends (no food ahhhh)
see a good movie
do some gardening at the best time of the day
December 10th, 2009 at 9:04 am
Pat: you are the winner in this blog spot. Nice answers. indeed the dicipline gene seems to get passed over most of the time in our generation. Well done on your 10!!
December 10th, 2009 at 9:26 am
Wow Megan. You hit the nail right on the head with that. I thought I was the only person who felt that way. It’s funny b/c when i’m out if I do think about food I’m like I’m not paying money for that. How many chemicals are in that thing? I can buy an apple & a pack of almonds and be satisfied. At home…that’s a whole different ball game.
December 10th, 2009 at 9:39 am
i live in switzerland. so …
summer: friends suddenly appear at the door in cycling gear and say they’re heading up the next alpine pass. i’d be there.
winter: friends suddenly appear at the door and shout “fresh snow!”. i’m gone.
December 10th, 2009 at 10:37 am
I think you might be asking the wrong question. It’s not the meals I eat when I’m genuinely hungry that are the problem – it’s the food I eat when I’m not hungry.
If I am at a restaurant and my favourite meal is in front of me, I’ve generally been looking forward to it, and have allowed myself to get properly hungry. If I have bothered to prepare my favourite meal for myself, and it’s sitting there in front of me, then it usually means that I’m feeling good, am taking care of myself and am also truly hungry. It’s the food I eat when I’m not really hungry, only emotionally hungry, that causes weight gain, and prevents weight loss.
In that situation, which is usually evidenced by a sudden urge for food (never by the slowly increasing hunger which denotes that I need fuel) I reach for a variety of foods, some good (nuts, fruit, dried fruit) some not so (bread and butter, cheese, sweetened yogurt). They are all surplus to my fuel requirements, and that’s when I need a distraction, because I’m only emotionally “hungry”. SO distractions could include:
Stripping off and talking nicely to myself about what I see
Taking a hot bath or sauna
Playing games online
Trying to figure out what the issue is by writing about it
Taking photos of the food on my phone before I eat it and trying to decode whther I really want to add that to my list of eaten, or resisted for that day
These three are instantly available at home, so require less effort than all the other virtuous things like exercising, taking a walk etc., which I know would be a good idea, but can’t manage to do when I’m suppressing some emotion. Still, it’s a short list even so. And I’m interested to see what others come up with.
December 10th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
That is exactly what I was thinking! All of these lists mention things that I do enjoy and would do on any day with free time, but to actually turn away my favorite meal? I dont think so. I can just as easily eat that favorite meal and then get up and go experience all of those activities…aside from working out.
December 12th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
It seems like everyone’s trying so hard to avoid the food! Personally if I’m hungry and ready to eat, and I have food prepared that I enjoy eating, I’ll eat it. If I’m not hungry or ready to eat I won’t. But things that can and have distracted me from eating food that I’m hungry and ready for..include
sex
kissing
dancing
an engaging phone call
an impromptu invite to go somewhere/visit
needing to pray about something urgently
an emergency
needing to go and pick up a parcel before closing time
Spotting someone I need to talk to
Did I say kissing?
As someone said earlier, the question is probably not quite worded right, maybe could read what are the things you could regularly do to pull you away from a favourite meal that you were not really hungry for and didn’t need, but would eat anyway because of the taste?
December 13th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
Hi Jon, you’re right. It is definitely hard to come up with something I would rather than eat good food but I can come up with a few things that might take me away from it for a few hours:
1) Foreplay which is better than sex for me LOL
2) Salsa Dancing – I absolutely love to dance until my feet hurt
3) Karaoke singing
4) A game of pictionary with some very good friends
5) Cuddle with my husband
6) Read a really engaging book which somebody already mentioned
I am totally out now…
Good luck narrowing it down
Anna
December 17th, 2009 at 9:16 am
[...] Barban is on the look-out for 10 things he’d rather do than eat his dinner. He got stuck after three, being sex, a hot shower and playing hockey/football with friends. [...]