I was posting this as a comment on a blog of a Sparkie who is struggling with a particular food item, and thought it deserves a blog of its own. This is a true story.

Many years ago when I was a lot younger and slimmer, I had a problem with a chocolate coconut biscuit called chocolate roughs. I truly could not have a packet in the house because once open I would eat the lot. Maybe a pack would last two days but seldom longer than that.

How I got over this is quite interesting, because it busted my sweet tooth pretty much forever. Though I am still partial to coconut...

What I did was buy a whole lot of packets of chocolate roughs, and I mean a lot of packets in my trolley.

I stuffed my fridge and freezer with packets of chocolate roughs. While I was shopping for them and putting them away I really looked at them and allowed myself to feel the deep satisfaction of having all the chocolate roughs I could imagine. I told myself if I ran out I could go to the shop and buy as many more as I wanted.

I assured myself that they were all there for me, I didn't have to share and I could eat them at will.

Whenever I opened the fridge, there they were. It felt strange and wonderful to have them all at my disposal. And when I wanted to eat them, I could have as many as I liked.

And I did.

I ate a lot of chocolate roughs, but fewer than I thought I would.

It didn't take long before I had admired and appreciated those chocolate roughs just as much as I wanted. I had sated my desire for them by allowing myself to have as much as I wanted until I no longer wanted them.

From then on I could have a packet opened in my fridge and only have one every now and then. I kept a packet in the freezer. I would smile when I saw them, reflecting on how strange it was that I used to feel so out of control over them, and recalling the nuttiness of that time.

Their power over me had gone.

They don't make chocolate roughs any more.