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Original poster

I'm too fat and addicted to my phone.

41 replies

DynamicK · 09/09/2023 17:47

Not living my life well, am I ?
Im on my phone constantly and snack a lot. What's worked for you if you've had this issue?

OP posts:

TooOldForAllThisNonsense · 09/09/2023 19:33

OP - Are you my husband???

Beenhereforever1978 · 09/09/2023 19:36

I feel personally attacked by the thread title 😂

You are not alone OP. I've made a goal with myself to walk up a local hill this week after work without my phone.

texy · 09/09/2023 20:01

The book 'Stolen Focus' might be a good starting point for some reading material. It's benefits are two fold - 1) something to read that's not your phone 2) can completely explain why you're feeling the way you do and explains why it's not your fault. You're not weak or lazy or any of those things....there's some very powerful influences at play that make our phones so addictive and it can easily happen. The Social Dilemma on Netflix also really helped me to visualise some of these little tricks.

SuspiciousLampshade · 09/09/2023 20:05

My people!

I have a very autonomous job and sometimes I scroll for several hours during the work day 😳 I still manage to get my work done but I just think how much better I’d be at what I do and how much more productive if I actually worked 8 hours a day…

Maybe we should start an MN support group (which is counterintuitive seeing as that’s also being on your phone) where we share non-phone wins and healthy recipes and workouts etc and cheer each other on…I’m not getting any younger and after 2 kids the mum pouch (hate that phrase) is proving very hard to shift!

TheGirlWhoLived · 09/09/2023 20:08

I have a new and radical idea….

let’s embrace it! I too am fat and spend too much time scrolling shite on my phone, but I totally enjoy it. It’s not drugs, or abuse, it’s not hurting anyone… yes I don’t come out with a beautiful cross stitch at the end of a hard month scrolling Instagram with wine and Greek takeout, but I am happier. So nerr

CuteAsDuck · 09/09/2023 20:13

Here for the tips!

I've found changing some of the setting for screen time (iPhone) have really helped me. App limits and downtime can both be switched on.

Original poster

DynamicK · 09/09/2023 20:42

Easy book is a good idea. I've got a couple that Are on my to be read pile that don't seem to be too long or demanding.
Thanks for the self help book ideas too.

I do go for walks. That's one thing that I keep up regularly. In fact, I've just been on one as it was too hot to go earlier.

I want to get stuck into some good tv too as I that's got to be better than crappy scrolling. The last decent thing I watched is Bad Sisters. Something has to really grab me as I don't have the focus for tv anymore either!

Yes to support group! I would love one and I'd find it inspiring.

Healthy food - I was having a think about this and I followed a dinner recipe for a black bean salad last week. It was bloody lovely and I'd much rather eat that than a cheese sandwich. So, my thinking was why don't I just prep a huge salad (mn cliche) and then it's ready for me to be able to eat a normal lunch for a couple of days?

You know what happens now, don't you?
I'll spend another hour googling salad prep ideas.

OP posts:

HoneyPotts · 09/09/2023 20:52

Make time to go to the gym everyday. You have to prioritise this. Make sure you get outside each day, even if it’s just to walk to work or the local park / shop.

Take up a new hobby. Read, paint, write, learn a new language, plan future holidays.

Delete MN and other social media apps.

ScottishBeth · 09/09/2023 20:53

I'm reading this book at the moment and really enjoying it. I only started it a few days ago but it has really given me stuff to think about. Over the past couple of days I've not been on my phone as much, and have been much more engaged when playing with my little girl. Yesterday there was a moment where she was playing independently and I didn't know what to do. I can't remember what I did but I found something! I also bought and read a newspaper a few days ago foe the first time in years. I'm hoping to do that once a week from now on. So terrify9ng to think how technology controls our lives!

Original poster

DynamicK · 10/09/2023 11:16

Todays aim - keep screen time limited to 4 hrs.
I'm at 2hrs already and I've been really trying!
I've already done some cleaning, had a discussion with a builder about some work, emptied the dishwasher, put laundry on and watched a film!
This is going to be hard.

OP posts:

SuspiciousLampshade · 10/09/2023 19:56

Good luck OP, let us know how you get on!! I’ve also tried to be on my phone less, including not bringing it in to the kids’ bedroom to mindlessly stare at while waiting for them to fall asleep. Currently at 2hrs 18mins and that includes using it for a recipe for tea 🥳

Original poster

DynamicK · 10/09/2023 22:42

Well done @SuspiciousLampshade that's amazingly low.

I failed abysmally. 7 hrs!!
But I did have to look for and purchase a birthday gift and all my family wanted to chat on WhatsApp today. I also did some baking so I had some recipes going and I've been trying forever to print some important document that's just not playing ball.
My social media usage was only 3 hrs

I went out for a long walk and read today.

I feel lighter and more fulfilled than I have done in a while so I'll take it as a win.

OP posts:

Tacocatgoatcheesepizza · 15/09/2023 20:34

I have deleted the Facebook app and only look at it on chrome. It’s so much less user friendly that I literally glance at it for 30 seconds instead of scrolling for half an hour!

3luckystars · 15/09/2023 20:36

turn your phone black and white, it gets fierce boring then!
Go into the settings and just do it, if you can leave it that way, you will be cured. Good luck.

piscofrisco · 16/09/2023 07:36

You are me. I've had some success at putting down the phone of late but only by deliberately leaving it upstairs when I go down in the morning. It's worked because I'm too lazy to go up and get it.

SheilaFentiman · 16/09/2023 07:42

Good tips so far!

If I am struggling to read, I re read an
easy old favourite, would that work?

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