How I did it: I started a new job that I loved, and found it totally engrossing. Part of it was definitely stress, but I"ve been able to keep it off even when the stress decreased a bit. I realize that I often ate out of boredom! Once I was really into my job, I didn't have downtime to pick at sweets. If that is impossible for your situation, as it usually is, then the parallel would be getting involved in something - a sport, hobby, side business or social life - that is truly engrossing, and not centered on food. Also, when you fill your life with things that make you happy, you don't look for your happy in food. Corny, but true.

Lessons & tips: -Pack your food or snacks in the morning and keep them in your bag/purse. Turn down food offers from other people during the day- you have already decided what you are eating today.
-Eat some kind of protein at every meal. If you are tempted by sweets - eat some protein, it will cut the craving.
-Fruit is filling! So are vegetables!
-Walk as many places as you can - do all your errands during lunch, on foot.
-Drink lots of water, suck on Worther's Originals.
-Drink coffee (though this isn't the healthiest habit)
-FInd something you love - dive in! SERIOUSLY!
-Go to the gym - do equal parts cardio and weights. Weights DO not make you fat. They increase your metabolism so that you burn MORE calories.

Resources: -Healthy recipes from SELF magazine
-Body for Life exercise book (shows all kinds of weight-lifting exercises)
-amazon.com

Feb 26, 2009, 06:07PM PST | 0 comments | 2 cheers