Brush your teeth after right after every meal.

The toothbrush may be the most overlooked tool for weight loss. Afterall, nothing tastes good with toothpaste and Listerine. Equally important, tooth brushing moves you away from the table and the time it takes to brush your teeth (you should be brushing for at least two minutes) is often long enough to turn back that craving for more food.

-Charles

I'm definitely someone who looks to the toothbrush thing...Not only after meals, but when I have cravings too. Turns out the only thing that actually tastes okay after teethbrushing is water...and that's always good.

I'm new to the board but I wanted to add.

I have been a huge water drinker for years and the one thing that keeps me from Sugar. Especially Coke is my teeth and breath. It's important to flush out your mouth. And I fear what the sugar does to my teeth. Call it paranoia but it works! I rarely drink the stuff... Although I do enjoy my coffee but don't put sugar in it. Who wants rotten teeth and Foul breath! lol I always have a water bottle at arms reach.

One bizarre way to keep me on track is to have more sex. Not only sex burn calories, it also helps me to keep my mind of eating.

Another way is to drink water to suppress the appetite. Also, I treat myself with no-diet day on weekends to keep me sane. That means I binge on everything.

I like that "chains that bind", I feel like I am in a rut, I usually can pull myself out but not this time, the water thing is definaltly a problem, there is no flavor, so I usually end of drinking the flavored kind, not sure if that counts the same as plain water???

So very soothing to read positive motivating tips/thoughts, etc.

I am very new, and it really helps finding support here. My tip
is to log on!! Somehow even I, who can eat anything, anywhere
at any time......can't eat popcorn and type at the same time!!

Learning connecting with others is far more filling than stuffing
food in my face!!! Face the music.

Write your goals down...then rewrite them every single day as a reminder and affirmation. When you think you're going to lose all control, write them down again!

When you do write them down, make them specific and positive. This is what I write down every day....

I am losing fat.
I am becoming leaner.
I am beautiful and strong.
In __ days, I will weigh 165lbs and be in a size 10. (I have a countdown of days for myself)

What has been working for me is the bleach strips for my teeth.

My problem time is after all the kids are in bed, and it is just my husband and I. I want ice cream, cookies, whatever...

Anyway, I drink two large glasses of water, (because I recognize that sweet cravings are usually dehydration) and put some crest white strips on my top teeth... half an hour later, I remove them, and put the bottom ones on.

At the end of the hour, my sweet craving is gone, (usually) and I am ready for bed. I bought the cheapest white strips, and they may not even be crest...

Good idea with the white strips...sort of an extension on the teeth-brushing idea, but your forced to make it last an hour. Plus, the added benefit of nice white teeth!

I've alluded to this in my diary....

My latest little trick is to throw any tempting dessert (or anything really) right into the freezer. It makes is much less convenient to pick at or snack on (those pesky hidden calories...a bite here and a bite there adds up over time). This way, when the cravings hit, they'll likely pass by the time you actually thaw something.

Keep the tricks and ideas flowing everyone!

I keep all my meals and snacks at the table whenever possible. I don't wander to the television, or the computer, or my room or wherever. I try to focus solely on what I'm eating including the smell, taste and texture. By doing this, I'm more satisfied after I've eaten and avoid continuing to eat after I feel full.

I love this thread!!!

I have a 12 day calendar that I use to write down each day. I hang in on the fridge and I have a mini reward at the end of the 12 days. 12 days is just long enough that I can see some results (usually) and short enough that I don't loose track of each day. Every day counts!!!

Also, I love looking at the before and during photos. I'm SO glad I did this. I have felt discouraged all day, and I went back and saw the visual progress. It's enough to make me keep working. I WANT MORE RESULTS!

Last, I went to a guys site that posts on here (his blog is leanbodyquest.blogspot.com) and I downloaded his daily weight chart to have it chart out the average body weight. This has helped me a ton on those days when my weight fluctuates. I can still see that the average has dropped!

These are my tips, thanks for yours!!

Thanks for all the tips, everyone. I find myself employing so many already! Keep them coming...be creative!

Jen

I absolutely agree with this! If I wake up and immediatley do yoga I am prepared for an active and energetic day. A routine definately motivates me.

switch up your workout routine often...keeps it interesting to your mind, and keeps your body guessing.