The TV Diet

on May 23, 2011
in TV Diet

Welcome to another work week.  I’m definitely feeling the Moanday blues, especially coming off a long vacation. BUT – I have a plan to kick things into gear.

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But first – a wonderful breakfast!  I finally brought back the Grilled Banana Sandwich.  I think I burnt out on them for a while.  Now, I cannot wait for fall to return so I can find canned pumpkin my grocery store again and make Autumn Grilled Banana Sandwich.

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Alright – so here’s my plan for a productive work week.

 

I’m going on a TV Diet.

TV addict

We watch a lot of television.  I was a little afraid to calculate how many hours a day the television is on in our house, and it’s actually worse than I thought – the TV is blaring 3 – 4 hours a day in the Boyle home.  Yikes!  Usually, I’m multi-tasking during TV watching, blogging or doing emails at the same time.  But while we were on vacation, I realized how nice it is to just focus on the task at hand.

 

There’s other reasons that I want to give up mindless TV watching, too:

 

  • Mental Clutter:  Most of the TV I watch is totally banal, pop culture stuff that I really don’t need to waste time on.

 

  • Multitasking Means Half-Assing:  Keeping one eye on the TV and the other on my work is greatly reducing my productivity. 

 

  • TV Crushes Imagination:  There’s been several studies that reveal the passive nature of TV watching kills your imagination and ability to be creative,  even when you’re not engaging in television watching.

 

  • Keeping Me Up:  Last night, I stayed awake until 10:40 to watch Gossip Girl (so good) when I really should’ve gone to sleep at 9:30 or 10.  TV is the major reason I don’t get in bed early enough.

 

  • Stress:  A side effect of mental clutter, low productivity, less sleep, and lack of imagination, I think watching TV is actually adding to my overall stress levels.  I do not need to add to my own stress levels.  I need to be proactive!

 

So – what does the TV Diet entail?

 

  • Replacing Old Habits with New Ones:  I plan to fill up my TV watching time with 1) work; 2) long walks after dinner; and 3) reading.  I might work on the couch in front of the TV while the Husband watches, but I won’t watch (I’ll tell him to put on ESPN so I’m not tempted).

 

  • Limit to one 1-hour show a night:  I’m not sure I want to go cold turkey, so I’m going to limit myself to one 1-hour show (which will be about 45 minutes of TV watching thanks to the DVR) a night.  All about moderation!

 

  • TV as a Reward:  Instead of promising myself that I’ll work AFTER my show is over, I’ll say, “If I complete this task, I can watch some TV.”

 

Anyone else want to join me on the TV Diet?  My goal is to try it out for at least a week and then re-assess how less television makes me feel!

{ 142 comments }

 

  • Orla May 23, 2011, 8:24 am

    Funny that you have posted this as just this weekend I was thinking the same thing about watching way too much. I think that we watch way too much and it does drain my brain of energy. I will come home from the office with great intentions of doing things and get sucked into an evening of watching rubbish while telling myself -just 15 or 20 mins to unwind.
    I will also challenge myself to not watch TV for a week except as a reward – there is at least one hour long programme that I can reward myself with each night. Hope the transition from vacation to normal life hasn’t been too tough!

    • Food Babe May 24, 2011, 8:43 am

      I recently gave up TV for lent – it was the best thing I ever did! After Easter, I went back to try to watch my favorite show, and it really wasn’t that entertaining! My brain is so much more alive. I also was able to launch my blog “Food Babe” http://foodbabe.com which I had been planning to do for a year! Everyone should try a break from TV and see what happens – There could be an amazing revolution!

      Vani

  • Carla May 23, 2011, 8:29 am

    When my husband and I moved into our new house last year, we decided not to sign up for cable – it was one of the best decisions we’ve made as a couple. I get a ton more reading done, we get a lot more done around the house, and we spend so much more quality time together – eating dinner at the table and going for walks.

    We still watch tv – DVDs or downloads from Netflix – but now it’s deliberate; we watch what we want when we choose to – the tv’s not on all the time and we can’t surf 🙂

    • Vikki May 23, 2011, 9:55 am

      About 8 years ago now, I made the same choice (no cable) when I moved from Greenville to Columbia. I haven’t regretted it. I decided that I didn’t want to spend $70 per month only to find that there wasn’t anything on that I really wanted to watch anyway. 2 years ago, I took it a step further. I now no longer watch network TV either. Netflix Instant View and DVDs have made that choice more acceptable. I go days without turning on the television. It is great because I have so much more time to do other things now.

  • Kara May 23, 2011, 8:31 am

    I wanted to do this for Lent, but my husband vetoed that. We wanted to try it to see if we could give up cable and not have that 100+ bill every month, but that hasn’t worked either.

    I guess we love our shows too much 🙂

  • Mama Pea May 23, 2011, 8:31 am

    But the American Idol finale is two hours long! Does it count against your hour if you DVR a two hour show and skip through an hour of commercials and yammering?

    I’m going to miss the whole thing traveling) 🙁

  • Brittany (A Healthy Slice of Life) May 23, 2011, 8:32 am

    You have to forgive yourself for Gossip Girl- that show is too fabulous not to watch.
    I used to use TV as background noise, but now that I’ve cut the habit, I find it more distracting than helpful if it’s on.
    Now my only problem is going to be that The Bachelorette premieres tonight, and I somehow get sucked into the 2 hours of that awful/wonderful junk tv show..

  • Ally May 23, 2011, 8:32 am

    I really need to go on a TV diet. I watch way too much of it. It definitely stems from when I was a kid and wasn’t allowed to watch it a lot!

  • Katy (The Singing Runner) May 23, 2011, 8:33 am

    It’s weird. Since I started blogging in October, I watch LESS TV. Guess I spend more time reading blogs than watching TV? 😉 Gotta trade one for the other!

  • Khushboo May 23, 2011, 8:34 am

    I’m also a background tv watcher- it’s on but I’m not really watching it–> SOunnecessary! Recently I’ve started reading a lot more (tv off) and I am loving it, I feel so much more mentally enriched!

  • Jennifer Cook May 23, 2011, 8:34 am

    I think my whole family needs to go on this diet! Especially with summer break coming up, I don’t want my son to sit mindlessly in front of the tv all summer long! We’re going to implement some of these things starting tonight!

  • Amanda May 23, 2011, 8:34 am

    My fiance and I rarely watch TV. We actually leave the TV unplugged all summer. We spend a lot of time outside and gardening and honestly, it is wonderful not to need a tv on to do daily tasks. You get used to it pretty quickly too. In the winter, when outside activities tone down we use Netflix to catch up on some shows that we do like (like Dexter). Skipping the ads really saves time and we don’t have cable so it really saves money too!

  • Jessica May 23, 2011, 8:35 am

    That is so interesting that you just posted this. My husband and I recently moved and made the executive decision not to get cable TV for these first few months, just to see how different life would be without it.
    Can I say it is the BEST decision we’ve made in awhile?!?! We have time to go for walks at night, catch up on reading, and other such fun activities!
    I am interested to see what you think of cutting back!

  • Shellie May 23, 2011, 8:35 am

    My husband and I used to watch TV so much it was crazy. After I started to change my life, TV hours were cut a little. Our budget got tight so we had to get rid of cable and just never got it back! Sometimes we’ll watch a movie on instant Netflix through our Wii or let our daughter watch a few cartoon episodes. We still have our favorite shows that we watch weekly but we usually only watch 1 per night- at the max sometimes 2. I really don’t miss it at all! Well, the only reason I’d like to have cable now would be to watch informative shows like Dr. Oz and The Doctors since I can’t view those full episodes online!

    Good luck with the TV diet! It’s good for you… mmm! 🙂

  • Anna May 23, 2011, 8:35 am

    I don’t own a TV, mainly for those reasons you listed. There are rarely any shows on that I am really interested in (the few ones there are, I can catch on the internet the next day) and I think just owning a TV would “tempt” me into just slugging out in front of it on a free day and waste my time watching things I’m not even interested in. Not worth it 🙂

  • Carolyn L. May 23, 2011, 8:36 am

    I put myself on a TV diet while in college. I realized that my dorm room was set up with the TV as the main focal point. After about a month, I realized that TV was not why I was there. I took my TV back home and focused on schoolwork.

    That same mentality has followed me since I’ve been out of college. I allow myself 1 show a night (sometimes I don’t even want to watch them). And it’s helped my bills too, since I only pay for basic cable. You’ll soon realize you’re not missing much. Good luck!

  • Alayna @ Thyme Bombe May 23, 2011, 8:39 am

    My husband and I ditched cable for this very reason but somehow end up watching even more TV now that we can choose what we want when we want from Netflix. We’re working towards cutting it out again, definitely need a TV diet!

  • Emily May 23, 2011, 8:40 am

    I wouldn’t say I’m on an official diet, but I have been a lot more mindful lately about when and how much I watch TV. I do the exact same things–watch while I’m on the comp, blog, work, etc. Now, if I want to watch a show, I watch the show. If I wan to read or use the computer, that’s what I do and I try not to have the TV blaring in the background. I’m doing pretty well! I’m glad to see I’m not alone!

  • MK May 23, 2011, 8:42 am

    I’m home alone a lot so I like to keep the TV on as background noise, but, like you, I find myself getting sucked into mindless crap and don’t end up doing the things I want/need to do. This weekend, I turned on the music channels (the ones that don’t show videos), turned it up loud and was able to get the kitchen cleaned and laundry folded in much less time than if I was watching TV too.

  • gabriella @ embracement May 23, 2011, 8:43 am

    That’s a great idea that I should reallllly take part in. I’m really bad because I basically live alone (ie my roommate lives with her boyfriend 6/7 nights a week) and the TV is my form of company, which just sounded endlessly pathetic haha. I really just like have noise in the background even if I’m not paying attention to the words being said. But whenever I don’t have the TV on I breeze through homework, chores, reading, and am more inclined to use my empty time to just walk around Boston then watch a repeat of a Bravo show again. Maybe I’ll try it! Once the rain goes away….

  • Emily @ Perfection Isn't Happy May 23, 2011, 8:44 am

    Such a great idea! TV is my time away from reality, so this would be difficult for me! Last week I went on a “computer diet” though..I did not do so much as touch my computer from Monday to Thursday. It felt so good…I filled up that time with reading- it was so nice to read a book instead of staring at a screen for hours!

  • Katie May 23, 2011, 8:46 am

    i am planning to do the same thing this summer! i really want to read a bunch over the summer so instead of being lazy on saturday afternon and watching tv, i am going to get outside with a book and relax! so much better 🙂

  • Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine May 23, 2011, 8:47 am

    It’s funny, because I don’t have cable in my apt and rarely watch TV, but at home I’m glued to it. I never miss it in the city, but if it’s just there than I can’t help myself!

  • Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) May 23, 2011, 8:49 am

    We don’t watch much tv here. I used to, but I just don’t find it as interesting anymore. We do movie nights or watch documentaries…I think I just aged myself with this. I think it’s a great plan though!

  • sarah (the SHU box) May 23, 2011, 8:49 am

    i am a huge fan of TV diets/media cleanses! and i actually wrote a similar post yesterday about replacing habits (and things) that just taking up space in life: http://www.theshubox.com/2011/05/decluttering.html

    for me, the pull of the internet is even more powerful (and unlike you it’s not really part of my job 🙂 ).

  • Kaitlin May 23, 2011, 8:50 am

    This is going to be so great for you! I quit TV about 2 years ago and never looked back. My boyfriend and I don’t even own one– and let me tell you, life without cable is so cheap. With netflix and hulu, we can always keep up with a show or two if we’re really missing something, but otherwise my life has been so much freer! Especially when you think about how much time you waste staring at (or trying to tune out) commercials. Good luck! I’m excited to see where this takes you 🙂

  • Charise May 23, 2011, 8:50 am

    We cancelled our cable last month! We realized we were paying a LOT of money to not watch many shows, most of which are network shows we can get over the air. So now we use our computer as a TV tuner/recorder, and for the few shows on non-network stations, we stream them from Hulu or iTunes if we can’t wait until they come out on Netflix. It has been GREAT, although I am worried about college football and basketball seasons since we no longer get ESPN or Big Ten Network. We save $75/month, and spend more time reading or outside now that the weather’s nicer.

  • Holly @ The Runny Egg May 23, 2011, 8:52 am

    I do watch plenty of tv, but to be honest I haven’t watched much lately! I have no idea what is going on with the Real Housewives 🙁

  • Kelly May 23, 2011, 8:52 am

    I hate silence…hate it! So i always have the TV on just for background noise. It drives my husband crazy!!

  • Kristy @ Kristyruns.com May 23, 2011, 8:58 am

    We don’t own a tv and it was the best decision we are so productive now!

  • Paula @ Eat: Watch: Run May 23, 2011, 8:58 am

    You don’t have canned pumpkin in the store year round? We do here in Florida. I just bought some last week!

  • Victoria (District Chocoholic) May 23, 2011, 9:00 am

    If you’re willing to, a great way to do this is to drop cable. I don’t get cable, and this has limited me to turning the local news on as background noise in the morning and at night. Saves money, too!

  • Juli D. May 23, 2011, 9:01 am

    We canceled our cable about 8 months ago, and we couldn’t be happier with our choice. We never watched that much, but we’re down to an average of 1 hour a day. Good Luck – I don’t think you’ll regret your decision!

  • Britney May 23, 2011, 9:01 am

    I’m pretty good about not watching TV during the week unless it’s a specific show, but I get so much more lax on the weekends. I think I want to have more guided weekend viewing on the weekends – only watch certain shows and no turning on the TV just to turn on the TV. I need to figure out how to structure this, though. 🙂

    If it were up to me I’d cut the cable, but my roommate is addicted. I don’t really see the need to pay for TV when 99% of what I watch is either available online or eventually going to make its way to DVD.

  • Tami May 23, 2011, 9:08 am

    We only have 10 stations and days go by without the tv on. We do not let our kids watch any tv-as in zero. I highly recommend no tv for kids – it drives me crazy tv in the car, in restaurants etc

  • Colleen May 23, 2011, 9:13 am

    I like the idea of long walks instead of TV. I’m going to try it out this week too.

  • Halley (Blunder Construction) May 23, 2011, 9:15 am

    I like to keep the TV on for background noise, but it’s true that whatever is on I will wind up getting sucked into. We are planning to cancel the cable and use things like Hulu and Netflix to keep up with shows. Lately, we have been chosing music instead of the TV.

  • Katie (Sweet Tater) May 23, 2011, 9:24 am

    we gave up tv back in april and actually went so far as to cut the cable entirely. i don’t miss it at all and the cheaper utility bills each month is a nice bonus.

  • Carol May 23, 2011, 9:27 am

    Love this idea!

  • Eva May 23, 2011, 9:27 am

    I got rid of my TV over 6 years ago, and it’s probably the best thing I’ve ever done for myself.

    • Eva May 23, 2011, 9:29 am

      Also, it had a HUGE effect on my romantic relationships. We switched to spending the nights with each other rather than side by side staring at the tv. It was great! I don’t think there’s anything wrong with watching tv together, and I always have with my bf’s just on the computer for 1 show or something, but it’s amazing how many night time hours the tv can eat up. Was good for the sex life 😀

  • Lisa Fine May 23, 2011, 9:35 am

    We have a TV and DVD player, but don’t have cable or any access to television other than Netflix and recordings our friends make for us.

    This decision was made years ago, and Steve and I both love choosing exactly what we want to watch, and only watch (at most) an hour of TV a night. No TV during the daytime for me either. It makes is a nice way to unwind.

  • samantha (fresh n fit) May 23, 2011, 9:35 am

    uhm, i need the tv diet. bad. i’d totally do it with you! but it would kinda be cheating for me, since 90% of the shows i watch had their season finales in the last two weeks(: but what the hell, lets try it!

  • Allie May 23, 2011, 9:36 am

    A tv diet is a GREAT idea 🙂 I think we never realize how much tv affects us until we take it away and reap the awesome results!

  • Miranda @ Working Mom Works Out May 23, 2011, 9:37 am

    I’ve done this before. And the results were very unepected. I actually felt better about my life in general when I wasn’t constantly seeing unattainable images and lifestyles on television.

  • S May 23, 2011, 9:38 am

    For the past 9 months or so I’ve been ardently watching Korean/Japanese dramas…they are ohh-so-good!! previously it was school responsibilities that limited my time watching them but now work, household chores, and life deffo limits it….as a result, i’ve totally cut out American/Canadian shows and watch Asian dramas for an hour or so daily….the fact that they are soo addicting make me anticipate my hour of watching them! heh

  • Stephanie May 23, 2011, 9:42 am

    Yeah, I probably need to get on a TV diet too…but it’s baseball season! =) It’s funny that you tell hubs to put ESPN on so you don’t have temptation – ESPN is my drug of choice (even when it’s just Sportscenter over and over and over for 8 hours…that’s probably sad lol).

    • CaitlinHTP May 23, 2011, 11:59 am

      Hahah one woman’s trash is another’s treasure!

    • Amber May 23, 2011, 1:19 pm

      Yeah, I think me and the bf could live without tv but we watch sports year round (baseball, football, hockey) and if we didn’t have ESPN and Comcast Sports Network we’d probably end up going to the bar all the time to watch the games. Definitely not a step in the right direction for trying to live healthy and on a budget.

      • Stephanie May 23, 2011, 1:29 pm

        You know, I hadn’t even thought of it that way, but it’s so true! 162 games a year…with, what, 140 at times I could get to a bar to watch them (evening/weekend)…3-4 hours a game. Phew! That would be a lot (nevermind football season, if there is one…).

  • Michelle May 23, 2011, 9:48 am

    It’s so sad but no, I don’t want to go on a TV diet. I <3 my mindless TV shows.

    I do have a 45 min subway commute every day so I get plenty of reading in that way!

  • Beth @ 990 Square May 23, 2011, 9:50 am

    We cut our cable three years ago and didn’t even miss it. TV is such a waste! We just ended up getting a very basic package back (we didn’t like not having local channels and it actually made our internet cheaper) and I can see my husband sinking back into TV habits. But it really just doesn’t interest me.

  • Carolyn @ eatlivebewell. wordpress.com May 23, 2011, 9:51 am

    Ditch the cable. Not only will you watch MUCH less tv, you will be richer as well!

  • Whitney May 23, 2011, 9:52 am

    I CAN’T do it! I do my work outs in the morning so I can go straight home after work and watch all my dvrd shows! I love my reality shows way too much (Hello Real Housewives!) 🙂

  • kalli@fitandfortysomething May 23, 2011, 9:54 am

    a quick fix would be to turn off your cable. we hated spending 10 plus dollars a month on cable tv and felt like it was a waste of money since most shows you can find on hulu now a days anyway. yes it takes a bit more work but it forces you to slow down on the tv becuase you can’t just flip from show to show…….

  • Annie@stronghealthyfit May 23, 2011, 9:55 am

    Good luck with your tv diet! I couldn’t do it- I had to just get rid of mine completely! Best decision I’ve made this year so far 🙂 I <3 NOT having a tv.

  • chelsea May 23, 2011, 10:01 am

    I need a tv diet too….ever since being self employed and working from home its gotten out of hand. I am starting a new job today and all I can think of is tha I will miss Regis and Kelly, Nate Berkus, Hoda and Kathy, Ellen, the News, The Today Show…..how sad is that?!?! Maybe I need to start my tv diet now! Except of course that DWTS is on tonight and tomorrow!

  • Baking 'n' Books May 23, 2011, 10:02 am

    Wow!

    I know TV is a time-sucker. Honestly, though it’s usually just on in the background while I’m on the computer (I need some kind of noise or feeling of “normalcy” since I live alone…).

    I find the internet to be a bigger distraction and waste of time actually!! – (ahem, blogs?) 😉

  • Michele @ Healthy Cultivations May 23, 2011, 10:05 am

    I’m in. Actually, I’m getting ready to give up cable and tv altogether. Cutting the cord so to speak. Details to follow.

  • Ashley @ the fit academic May 23, 2011, 10:06 am

    I think this is a great idea! I did it, myself, a few months ago. Since then, we’ve kind of slipped back into our old routine, but maybe it’s time for another evaluation and decision about how much to cut back,ya know?

  • Elizabeth@The Sweet Life May 23, 2011, 10:09 am

    This is a great idea–TV is a fantastic time suck and really prevents us from doing other more necessary or rewarding things. Good luck!

  • Cait @ Beyond Bananas May 23, 2011, 10:09 am

    Ahh the TV is always blaring at my place too! I definitly am not conciously watching it most of the time.. and am grading papers.. on teh computer..etc.. and not paying much attention.. but it is on TOO much.
    What I want to stop doing the most.. is EATING in front of rhte TV!

  • Amy May 23, 2011, 10:11 am

    I’m a teacher and summer break starts next week and I’ve been considering not watching TV over the summer in hopes of making a ton of time for working out, long walks, doing work for the school year ahead and crafting. I love this.

  • Dana May 23, 2011, 10:20 am

    I’m with you on the Moanday Blues! It’s times like this that I wish I was a Teacher and there was a light at the end of the tunnel…ugh!

    We watch a lot of TV in our house too, but I think my addiction is more the computer. I browse blogs, get on facebook, etc. I am on that thing way too much and I need to go on a diet from it.

  • Lizz (leadingthegoodlife) May 23, 2011, 10:24 am

    I gave up TV for a lot of the same reasons. One thing that really helped me was that my 2 favorite shows post full episodes online, so I can watch them at my leisure…but then I’m not tempted to stay on the couch and watch whatever is coming on next.

    I immediately found more time to do stuff around the house (time I thought I didn’t have.) It might sound weird that trading TV for chores made me happier, but I was no longer feeling guilty about my to-do list because I was tackling it. And it helped me focus on one thing at a time, which made me more productive.

  • Carlee May 23, 2011, 10:29 am

    When my ex boyfriend moved out in February he took his TV with him. since then I have been TV-less and for the most part I enjoy it. I watch a few shows online or on Netflix on my laptop and that’s it. I find i am reading WAY more books now. I am reading at least three a month now when before I was lucky to finish just one in time for my book club meeting. It’s not so hard to live without TV. You will be surprised how quickly you get used to it.

  • Megan @ Megan Mumbles May 23, 2011, 10:36 am

    When I moved in with my roommmates I tried to convince them we didn’t need cable. It didn’t work and I watch a lot more tv now than I should 🙁 Every morning while I am getting ready I watcht he news and end up late for work. Ooveyy

  • Maryea {Happy Healthy Mama} May 23, 2011, 10:39 am

    Don’t wish summer away!! I love fall, but summer is my favorite season. 🙂

  • Jen G. May 23, 2011, 10:42 am

    I just decided to cancel my cable yesterday. I was looking through finances and realized how much cable/DVR was costing. Like you, I work a LOT while watching TV (that’s when I do the tedious stuff), but realized that if I cut cable and renewed my Netflix subscription, I could save almost $80/month! That’s a lot of extra cash I could put toward retirement/emergency fund/travel fund (I’m still trying to decide where I’m going to put the money!).

  • colleen May 23, 2011, 10:43 am

    I am enforce a more limited TV time in the house come the summer. I don’t watch too much, but everyone else does and it needs to stop. The kids have toys and books that haven’t touched in a while and the weather is too nice to stay inside.

  • Johanna B May 23, 2011, 10:46 am

    About two months or so ago I started turning off my TV unless there was a special show I wanted to watch. I find I can’t read and watch TV at the same time anymore and for me reading is more important than TV. Exercise is more important than reading, too. So I am building a hierarchy to the activities with which I choose to spend my time. I just don’t multitask well anymore. I guess I’m getting older.

  • Kate May 23, 2011, 10:50 am

    I’ve been debating watching less tv for awhile. Maybe we could make it into a summer challenge. There isn’t really anything on right now anyway and the tv watching habit will be kicked to the curb by the time fall rolls around. (I’m always more tempted to watch tv instead of write when its dark and dreary outside.)

  • Katie May 23, 2011, 10:50 am

    I don’t have a tv, and I love how much it frees up my days. If I want to watch something, I have to go more out of my way to look it up online versus mindless channel surfing that I don’t really care about. I feel like it gives me a chance to be more productive and spend my free time doing more fun things that I feel good about rather than having that yucky, just-wasted-5-hours-letting-my-brain-melt feeling. Definitely important to let your brain melt sometimes, but I don’t like doing it every day 🙂

  • Tonyne @ Unlikley Success Story May 23, 2011, 10:52 am

    This is something I desperately need to do, my only problem is I’m alone almost every night because my husband manages a bar. So, I can entertain myself for awhile, but I almost always end up giving into the TV, which then leads to me giving into over indulging in snacks, staying up too late and other bad habits. I am going to try and limit TV exposure this summer, but I will never be able to cut it out.

    • CaitlinHTP May 23, 2011, 11:58 am

      You could go to the bar and booze instead…

      • Tonyne @ Unlikley Success Story May 23, 2011, 12:10 pm

        I did that the first 3 years of our relationship, then I got too old to keep up with that amount of booze. 😉

  • Melanie @ Trial By Trail May 23, 2011, 10:54 am

    What a good idea Caitlin! We decided to cancel our cable during the summer of 2009. We would watch one episode of House Hunters on hulu every night before going to bed by 9pm! It was summer so it was still light outside but that’s when I was tired. I was able to listen to my body much better without the TV blaring in front of me. I think I’ll join you in your challenge. One hour of TV per night this week!

  • Lindsey @ Morningstar Project May 23, 2011, 10:54 am

    I don’t watch a lot of tv but when my husband comes home from work he turns it on right away. My one rule is tv is never on during dinner time, not even on mute in the background. Conversation is just that much better without other distractions.

  • Katherine May 23, 2011, 11:09 am

    O, I am so joining you!

    I know that this might not be proper, but I am very desperate and I just am needing to reach out to the blogging community. Please read this blog-the second issue addressed-to understand. http://divinelyvegan.wordpress.com/2011/05/22/very-important-post-help-needed/

    • CaitlinHTP May 23, 2011, 11:57 am

      Good luck with your mission trip 🙂 I’m sure it will be fabulous.

  • Julie (A Case of the Runs) May 23, 2011, 11:13 am

    I rarely watch TV (maybe just a couple of hours on the weekend at most), and I’m not really sure why. I guess for starters, no cable. Second, I am too busy, or maybe just don’t manage my time well, but as a priority, TV ranks really low for me. So I don’t have much real advice on the issue. I value my sleep and would choose it over TV ANY day.

  • April May 23, 2011, 11:13 am

    So funny, this must be in the air…it’s been on my mind lately too. I’ve been so tempted to get rid of cable (it’s so expensive), but I like watching the local news on occasion and the Today Show as well as the golf channel and I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to get those if I wanted them using the internet.

  • Amber K May 23, 2011, 11:14 am

    My husband and I have come to terms with the fact that we are just simply TV watchers. We DVR stuff so we don’t have to worry about commercials or staying up too late. We watch a wide range of things from intellectual shows to reality show drivel. We multi-task while watching, which I actually have to do because I get way too bored just sitting and watching.

    We both have talked about our kids not watching as much TV as we do, but I think that’s just the way it’s going to be. We’re also active and can be active during TV as well, so I’m not really concerned about it.

  • Corrie Anne May 23, 2011, 11:16 am

    I’m so proud of you! I grew up in a house without a tv and, seriously, never even noticed it. I was always too busy reading, playing paper dolls, practicing piano, nerdy, I know! In my adult life, I’ve never had a tv in my apartment either with the exception of a roommate having one for literally a month or two. Even then, I don’t think we got channels. And I only remember watching a tv show once. I watch the BL or something like that occasionally on my computer, and I see how I could get sucked in. So I’m super happy, I’ve never gotten into the habit. Good luck!! You’re going to love it. That’s super fascinating about the creativity aspect of it all. Love that!

    • CaitlinHTP May 23, 2011, 11:55 am

      I want to play with paper dolls right now.

      • Corrie Anne May 23, 2011, 12:48 pm

        Hahaha. You crack me up. I had quintuplet babies and Geroge Washington’s extended family. Definitely some fuel for creativity!!! 🙂

  • Jeni @ stepping out May 23, 2011, 11:19 am

    This is a great idea. One of my goals for the month is to watch less TV because I’ve realized that it’s on more and more. I think I might do a TV fast this week, especially since most of my favorite shows are now on summer hiatus.

  • Susan May 23, 2011, 11:23 am

    Strangely enough, I’m planning on doing the reverse. I have a DVD out from Netflix (1st disk of Project Runway Season 1) that I’ve had out for weeks. Instead of watching it, I’ve been wasting too much time on the ‘net at night. So my plan is to actually watch the DVD’s – I’m wasting money by not! But I also plan on crocheting at the same time, so it’s not truely wasted time.

  • Hannah Hawley May 23, 2011, 11:43 am

    My TV consumption is way up too and this sounds like the perfect type of diet to embark on!
    I think I am going to edit it slightly for myself, the equivelant of one, 1 hour tv show a day, and one full length feature film. We are also movie buffs, so this allows us to get one in each week. Instead of waiting for the start of a week, tonight it is!

  • Alexa @ The Girl In Chucks May 23, 2011, 11:45 am

    Weirdest dream ever:

    I dreamt that I went to a restaurant that you owned that was in the exact same location as your husband’s clinic. I ordered something I had seen on your blog (which is impossible, as it had meat in it) and for some reason you were actually at this restaurant and I said I and told you that I was a reader. You were like, “Awesome! Enjoy your food!”

    Then I woke up.

    I find it kind of awkward that a person I’ve never met (and her husband) were in a dream of mine. Perhaps I should lay off using reader on my iPhone when in bed! 😛

    • CaitlinHTP May 23, 2011, 11:54 am

      Hahah you went to my dream restaurant in your dream! So cool.

  • Lu May 23, 2011, 11:51 am

    I’ll do it. We watch too much tv in the house. I think this would be a great way to get some stuff done. Your point about draining creativity struck a chord with me. I’ve been fighting some major writer’s block and I think this will do the trick. I’m going to do your DVR trick and allow myself to watch 1 hour a day. This will be an exciting experiment. I can’t wait to see what happens. This is a great idea!

  • Joey May 23, 2011, 11:52 am

    I’m in!!! I was actually just thinking of this last night.. Yay!

  • erin c May 23, 2011, 11:56 am

    Ahhh..I have been thinking about this so much lately..It is a major waste of time and adds unnecessary drama to my head….but the bachelorette is starting..and the real housewives of nj are back! And…this one hurts you I am sure..its vacation week on househunters!! Evil..must give it up. I gave up surfing the net on the couch though..babysteps..luckily I read your blog on my phone… 🙂

  • Dynamics May 23, 2011, 11:59 am

    About six months ago I canceled my cable and my beautiful DVR. I was just watching too much junk and trashy reality shows. (Although I really miss Jerseylicious HA) Not only did I cancel my cable service I had it disconnected. I then installed a TV Antennae for free TV. I love that I have so much free time. I actually read a book over the weekend. I would recommend this to anyone. Good Luck Caitlin!

  • Amanda May 23, 2011, 12:02 pm

    We don’t necessarily spend a lot of time watching tv, but we DO spend the majority of our time at home watching. My boyfriend doesn’t get home from work until about 9:00, so I’m working out / making dinner until then. Buuut, the majority of our time at night is in front of the tv and honestly … our sex life suffers since we usually drag ourselves up to bed once we’re exhausted. Might need to see how we can fix this!!

  • Beth (Well I'll Be) May 23, 2011, 12:04 pm

    I think we are so used to multitasking these days we don’t even realize we do it. I agree with you that work suffers as a result. So do our relationships and conversation. A long walk sounds like a great substitute for TV. Better in every aspect!

  • andrea May 23, 2011, 12:09 pm

    already conquered that diet…we moved to china for 3 yrs and my watching decreased to almost nothing. I may turn on the tv once a month? I dont even miss it.

  • zoe (and the beatles) May 23, 2011, 12:10 pm

    about a year and a half ago my roommate and i decided to get rid of cable. it turned out to be the best decision ever! yes, we still netflix-ed but our amount of time sitting in front of a screen dramatically decreased. i got to channel all that energy into other aspects of my life (like reading, cooking, walking, see friends, doing projects i always meant to do). it felt great! i recently moved in with new roommates and we have tv. we all agreed that after summer, we’re getting rid of it. television seriously rotted away my brain. the best thing about being tvless? no more advertisements! and i found myself less concern with what i should be doing, buying, and, most importantly, what i should look like!

    good luck, caitlin! i think you’re going to realize just how easy it is 🙂

  • Faith @ lovelyascharged May 23, 2011, 12:18 pm

    When I moved out of my apartment, I opted to wait on cable. I would really like to get some sort of connection (especially for football season – that is one thing I refuse to give up), but it’s been nice not plopping down to mindless tv as well.

  • Veronica (Run Write Repeat) May 23, 2011, 12:20 pm

    When I moved to my current apartment a year ago, the roommates didn’t have cable and for obvious reasons, I wasn’t about to pay for it myself. So I decided to go TV-less and not even by a converter box for network television. Sure, I miss out on a little, but I have SO much more time to write, work out, read, etc. It’s been great!

  • Mari @itsgoodno.blogspot.com May 23, 2011, 12:27 pm

    I was a Bravo reality TV junkie. Every night consisted of coming home from gym after work, making dinner and plopping on couch for nightly Bravo fixes. However,my bf who usually works pretty late, started coming home earlier one week when the work load lessened a bit and I noticed when he was home earlier I was less tempted to zone out on reality TV. Since then it really hasn’t been a priority for me and if I am in the mood I let my self indulge but it hasn’t been a nightly thing!

  • Joanna@ Drizzle of Sunshine May 23, 2011, 12:29 pm

    Cute outfit! I love those flipflops. Target right? And how cute is it that your puppy sleeps under your pillow! So cute!

    I love your tips on watching less TV. Hubs and I spent ALL of Sunday in front of the TV and I had so many things I wanted to get done, but 90210 was calling my name. I had to see Kelly and Dylan break up AGAIN. I never thought of multi-tasking being half-assing…but you’re totally right. The boobtube really does suck your brain power. I need to be more aware! A great post for a Monday…great day to make a new week’s goal!

  • Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife May 23, 2011, 12:34 pm

    We hardly watch any tv at all….so I guess we’ll do it with ya 😉 I am a book worm, so that is how I take my eyes away from the tv. I do love a good movie, though!

  • Crystal May 23, 2011, 12:36 pm

    Omg, I JUST talked to my husband yesterday about cutting back on tv. Ours is on when we’re not even watching it–can you say energy waster? We’re actually going to cancel our extended cable package and just keep the basic channels…no more “real housewives” shows for me, like I need them anyway. I think what you’re doing is great!

  • Aimee May 23, 2011, 12:37 pm

    Your vacation looked so relaxing. I learned to live without television when I lived abroad. We have one tv in our home. People are always picking on my husband because we don’t have a television in the bedroom. They assume that it’s all my doing! It was a mutual decision though. He still watches tv, mostly soccer and news. I watch the Amazing Race online when I have time. We occasionally catch House Hunters International together. Our four year old is allowed to watch PBS, Disney and Sprout here and there. I read a lot more, sleep better and spend more time outdoors. It’s been a positive change for me. If it weren’t for my husband’s love of soccer I would definitely get rid of cable.

    Good luck!!

  • Mac May 23, 2011, 12:38 pm

    I’d join ya, but I already don’t watch very much tv… it helps to be really busy, oh yeah and only have basic cable 🙂 Good luck!

  • Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman May 23, 2011, 12:48 pm

    Yeah, I totally need to go on a TV diet. I stayed up till 1:30 last night watching TV. Kind of super exhausted today…

  • Lisa May 23, 2011, 12:49 pm

    I purposely don’t own a TV so I fully support your TV diet! When there’s something I really want to see, I go to my gym and use their TV. (I.e The Ellen Show). I also watch my one and only show (Make It or Break It-a gymnastics based drama) on Hulu the next day.

    But really, between working full time, taking classes to change careers and become a registered dietitian and training for a marathon, I don’t have much free time anyway.

  • Krista (kristastes) May 23, 2011, 12:49 pm

    I don’t have cable and barely watch tv…jersey shore is my only boob tube guilty pleasure but I can catch up online woot. good luck with your challenge!

  • Ash @ Good Taste Healthy Me May 23, 2011, 1:00 pm

    I totally hear you on this one. We probably have our tv on for the same amount of time. It’s awful! I keep telling my fiance I want to watch less TV. I know with summer coming we’ll be out and about more and not as prone to watching.

  • chelsey @ clean eating chelsey May 23, 2011, 1:01 pm

    I don’t really watch that much TV, but the Husband does. I gneerally watch 1-2 hours a day while multi-tasking on other things. I usually sit on the couch around 7 to blog with a TV show on, then do other things such as making lunches, cleaning up, etc. When the clock strikes 9, i’m in bed with a book – NO excuses!

  • RhodeyGirl May 23, 2011, 1:24 pm

    We try to do a TV diet all the time and fail miserably. My biggest thing I’d like to implement is no TV while in bed or while working, but even that is hard!

    Also, what do you mean you watched GG last night? It was on on a Sunday?!

  • Teacherwoman May 23, 2011, 1:26 pm

    I think that sounds like a great idea. I might have to join you. However, if the tv is on ESPN in my house, I watch it. LOL. Time to replace that time with packing for moving and cleaning house!

  • Sam May 23, 2011, 1:33 pm

    This is something my fiance and I have been talking about a lot lately. We definitely watch way too much television and I have been wanting to severely cut back. He’s not as gung-ho as I am, but I think I am rubbing off on him. I’ll definitely be joining you on this “TV diet”.

  • ashleigh May 23, 2011, 1:36 pm

    I watch way too much TV! It’s always distracting me but I live alone and like the noise

  • Sammy May 23, 2011, 1:48 pm

    )-: I’m the total opposite–I love tv. TV is my number one de-stresser. If I’m sick, or not feeling right, nothing is more soothing to me then to have the TV on in the background. I still read, think and have a very creative brain–but I like to sit down at the end of the day and turn the tv on and zone. I go to bed at 9:30pm on weeknights, and there’s plenty I want to watch after that hour–BUT I know that whatever it is, I can probably watch it on demand, hulu, or catch it the next 50 times they play it.

    I actually got rid of cable for a year and when tv came back to me we agreed we’d never part again. (0: To each their own!!

  • Rachel May 23, 2011, 2:23 pm

    A year ago, I was living with my boyfriend with a 52-inch TV (his purchase, despite the fact that our apartment was tiny!). In the summer, we broke up and I went to grad school in New York. My roommates and I never got around to buying a TV. I never thought I could live without a TV, but I’m so glad I did! I’m pretty sure it’s the reason why I was able to do a Master’s program in one year! I kept my Netflix account, and now I watch shows and movies as rewards. I also watch a lot more documentaries. I thought I would get a TV once I finished school, but now that I’m done, I don’t want one. I’d rather do other things with my time. My only issue now is that an internet addiction is taking over my former tv junkie habit!

  • Rachel May 23, 2011, 2:27 pm

    My TV diet is that I try to only watch things I really WANT to watch, and I don’t do anything else while watching TV. I like shows with long plots, so I get way more out of it if I actually focus, instead of being on the computer at the same time. It works most of the time. 🙂

  • Cassie @ Back to Her Roots May 23, 2011, 2:36 pm

    I totally, 100% need to go on a TV Diet, too. But I’m waiting for all my favorite shows to end for the summer (terrible, I know).

  • Erica May 23, 2011, 2:38 pm

    In January we got rid of all cable and we don’t even have local channels. We have a TV and Netflix subscription and it is the best thing! It’s so refreshing to come home and NOT plop in front of the TV. Plus we save $150 a month!!

  • Sara @ OurDogBuffy May 23, 2011, 2:42 pm

    Semi-ashamed to admit that we always watch TV while eating. We didn’t last night for the first time (we were grilling and it was easier to eat at the table). It felt nice. I think we waste a lot of time watching TV w/ dinner. Because after we finish eating we keep watching or say (let’s watch one more!–we don’t have cable, we just watch old shows on Netflix or Hulu Plus). And I KNOW we go to bed later at night because of the TV. I actually fall asleep every night watching TV. I told my husband to shut it off and wake me up or if he notices I’m falling asleep to turn it off! So we’re trying 🙂 Good idea!

  • Moni'sMeals May 23, 2011, 2:43 pm

    love your honesty! I don’t have this probnlem so much but boy… do some people I know do, I am sending them over to this post asap!
    You will do great. 🙂

  • Emily May 23, 2011, 4:11 pm

    We don’t watch TV in my house. We have a big TV but it is for watching movies on – it isn’t plumbed in for actual television. Movie time is a big social event in our house, which is really nice. We do it maybe once or twice every two weeks.

    I watch some television shows streamed over the internet. I am watching three shows (less than three hours) a week at the moment.

    I went to stay with my mum over the weekend who has a TV and it nearly drove me insane. I’m much happier without it!

  • Kristin May 23, 2011, 4:32 pm

    I never watch Tv, The only reason I even have cable was for my roommate and now that she’s moving out and my boyfriend has moved in I feel like I still need to split the cable bill because 100.00 is a lot for one person to spend on cable. I should just get over it though, because 50.00 is a lot for me to spend to never even watch the thing. bah!

    I love the idea of never having the tv on during dinner, going for walks instead and reading in silence. It is so hard to do when the other person alllllways has it on. boo!

  • Tina May 23, 2011, 4:51 pm

    Ugh… you caught me. I’m watching Oprah and procrastinating on my “work from home” project by blog reading. You’re right. I would focus so much better with the TV off. So, I’m game. The TV is going off (the Oprah mega finale wasn’t that good anyway) & I’m gonna be productive!

  • Vaala â—ª May 23, 2011, 5:03 pm

    No TV is great. In some of my flats we haven’t had one and in my latest place we have a TV but no TV connection so we just use it to watch DVDs. It is really cool and any show I might really want to see I can always watch on demand through my computer.

  • Casey @ Chasing Casey May 23, 2011, 5:05 pm

    I’m totally on board for the challenge. Starting now! (so i can stop procrastinating studying for my microbio final!)

  • Kristi May 23, 2011, 6:07 pm

    I love this idea. I feel like I spend way too much time watching TV. My sister doesn’t have any TV at her house and she gets so much done. I wish I could completely quit watching TV. I don’t think that would happen, but I could cut back.

  • maria @ Chasing the Now May 23, 2011, 6:27 pm

    We don’t have cable in Japan, so I’ve really evaluated our TV watching while we’ve been here. We’ve even tossed around the idea of not having cable when we return home. I’m content to catch up on TV shows we like online (we usually wait until Friday nights to do this together) and enjoy movies through Netflix.

    I think I need an Internet Diet, though!

  • maria @ Chasing the Now May 23, 2011, 6:27 pm

    We don’t have cable in Japan, so I’ve really evaluated our TV watching while we’ve been here. We’ve even tossed around the idea of not having cable when we return home. I’m content to catch up on TV shows we like online (we usually wait until Friday nights to do this together) and enjoy movies through Netflix.

    I think I need an Internet Diet, though!

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin May 23, 2011, 7:03 pm

    This sounds like a good plan! I actually don’t really watch much tv, but when I do, I’m usually multitasking too. It’s so distracting!

  • Amy @ Love4Living May 23, 2011, 7:11 pm

    Ergh, I know we have the TV on way too much here and what is worse is that we have a tv in our bedroom. Unfortunately, my BF has a teenager so sometimes our bedroom is our place to HIDE!

  • Ashley @ Ashley's Adventures in Alaska May 23, 2011, 7:20 pm

    I’m already on a TV diet! We decided to not get cable when we moved, so we have 4 basic channels and an amazing view of a glacier, the entire town and bay, and bunnies moose eagles and more. It’s been really good for our relationship and bodies to have such little distraction from each other and the outdoors!

  • Evan Thomas May 23, 2011, 7:37 pm

    I would starve to death, and I type this with an extreme cake building show playing in the background.

  • Mary May 23, 2011, 7:38 pm

    I dont even have cable. It’s so much better and less $$ to have internet. Honestly… I don’t even miss the TV. I subscribe to Netflix and just watch movies when I need a fix. plus, having pandora on as white noise is better anyway 🙂

  • Kristen @ The Concrete Runner May 23, 2011, 8:39 pm

    I recently told my husband that we needed to start watching a little less TV. We are both teachers, and with the summer coming up, I know that the TV will be turned on much more in the middle of the day – when there is absolutely nothing to watch. Last summer, we would run in the morning, come home + fix breakfast and eat it while watching the World Cup. We wouldn’t get up again until lunch time, a good 4 hours later. No wonder our house didn’t finish getting painted! So, we are going on restricted TV watching – a TV diet if you will! Hopefully our summer will be much more productive!

  • Katie May 24, 2011, 9:50 am

    I am totally going to join you on this! I’ll often watch tv while cooking,nursing my baby, playing with my toddler, etc – I’m not completely engaged because of it. I’ve been searching for the motivation to kick the habit and this is it! Thanks Caitlin!

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) May 25, 2011, 1:22 am

    I usually only watch 1 hour per day, so I am in on the diet! LOL – not that I will have to change much!

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