Secrets of Success

Vending machines & fast food

Around 3:30 at work and on the drive home, vending machines & drive-throughs were defeating me. I dream of travel (when I'm small enough to fit in 1 airline seat again!). I put "Travel" on an envelope and each time I want to get something, put the $ in the envelope instead. I've done this for just four days so far, lost 2 pounds, and have $20 in the envelope!

ER Chocolate

I keep a stash of 3 envelopes of instant no-fat, no-sugar hot chocolate mix at work for an afternoon when it's stressful so I don't visit the vending machines. One cup of hot chocolate sipped slowly usually does it.

Roast veggies

When I'm baking rolls for my family's dinner, I also slide in a little pan of vegetables to roast for me. I especially love blanched brussels sprouts with olive oil just spritzed on them, sea salt, and freshly ground pepper. Carrots are amazing roasted a bit, too, with some onion slices.

I enjoy them instead of the rolls and don't feel deprived! Extras go in a lunch baggie for work the next day.

Watch them start snitching "my" veggies...

Set a timer to postpone overeating

To help break the habit of overeating, set a timer for 15 min. and focus on doing something constructive until the timer goes off-- for example, something that's been weighing on you and that you've been procrastinating-- instead of overeating.