7 Mental Tricks That Shed Pounds

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It's No Fun Without Food

THE LOGIC: Movies just aren't the same without a family-size box of Sno-Caps.

It's amazing how many activities are paired with food -- candy at the movies, margaritas on date night, coffee and doughnuts while reading the Sunday paper. It becomes a classic Pavlovian response. "When you combine a certain pastime over and over with eating, you eventually stop listening to hunger or fullness cues and just eat on autopilot whenever you engage in that activity," says Tara Gidus, RD, a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association in Orlando, Florida.

Change your mind: Disentangle food/fun associations by altering your routine, says Gidus. If your evening ritual is a bag of chips in front of the TV, relax instead with a book on the patio. "Just switching rooms or chairs can help break the pattern," says Gidus. Rather than dinner dates, plan active outings. And as for the movies, think about how much money you'll save just by avoiding the inflated concession-stand prices.

Next: I Deserve It

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a3984502 wrote:

Right now I am following the Diet Plan for You blog by nutrition specialist Kate Hill. Kate helped me lose weight in a healthy way in few weeks, without starving! If you want to lose weight, just visit Kate's blog at: http://dietplanforyou.blogspot.com

1/31/2012 02:52:02 AM Report Abuse

rebekah131 wrote:

Excellent advice! Very good suggestions on how to change the way you think about different situations.

4/18/2011 12:07:58 PM Report Abuse

lovingbears wrote:

Very good advice on all 7 categories!! Several of these are major pitfalls for me. Keeping this in mind will help me on day to day, special occasion,vacations, etc. thanks so much!

4/5/2011 09:36:31 PM Report Abuse

LINDA3777431 wrote:

I accept something I can carry away,then give it away.In a hospital there are plenty of people looking for I snack I sure don't need!

2/21/2011 09:19:05 PM Report Abuse

Niks wrote:

One thing that I've done that has made a big difference is to incorporate an activity that I enjoy into my weekly workout schedule. I found a local co-ed volleyball league and its one of my favorite parts of the week. I highly recommend that you do this and you'll be more likely to stick with it. Here is the steps that I've been using to continue to lose weight. http://www.mysomeday.com/Niki/someday/Health-Wellness/weigh-what-I-used-to-in-high-school Good luck, Nikki

10/10/2010 11:12:25 PM Report Abuse