I have a large sweet tooth. In the past if I had one taste, I couldn't stop. But knowing this helps me not to have even one taste. I am training for a race and need to drop more than a few pounds, so to help me know I am making progress I have made myself a Sticker Chart. Yes, I have decided to use the same reward system I use with my children. Each day that I eat healthy, with out any treats or sweets (or fatty foods), I get a sticker on my chart. :) Then after 10 days - which I have been losing about 1 1/2 to 2 pounds every 10 days - I get to have one day to eat whatever treats I want. I still eat healthy, but I get to have a treat with every meal - or in between meals. Now, I only keep it to one treat at a time. For example, a Mocha Latte, or a large cookie from the bakery, or one package of peanut m&ms. It usually averages out to be about 3 treats in that one day. Then I go another 10 days of very healthy eating (1500-1600 healthy calories/day) and then get my reward again. This works for me so far. It did take a lot of will power the first 10 days - then it has become much easier. My kids and husband have also been eating healthier because we don't have treat options in our house anymore. Also, when I am at work, I am exposed to many treat options. What reminds me not to give in is knowing if I keep eating healthy I get a sticker! Hurray! - visual gradification! - but if I don't get a sticker that day, it takes me one day farther from my special treat day.

Whatever I am craving I give in a take half of it and pitch the rest. So that way I am satisfying my craving. and only eating a little.

I think about what I would really enjoy and that is a beer in the evening, therefore I won't eat any candies or junkfood.

The feeling of being healthy and fit is so amazing, I don't want to ever jeopardize it so I will walk by temptations.

For your house only buy the healthy food. Like the veggies and fruit, and dont buy the soda, but the fruit juice (natural stuff).
If you don't buy it it is not in your house and you cannot eat it.
When your out enjoy yourself just don't go overboard.

When you get the urge to eat, wait 5 minutes. If you still want to eat, wait another 5 minutes, and so on. Or say you're craving a brownie. Don't dash to the convenience store. Wait till you can visit a bakery and eat a real brownie. It's much more satisfying and healthier.

Know the difference between treats and snacks. Snacks are for when your hungry between meals, and should be real food. A treat is occasional, I take the kids to the bakery once a week, we can get whatever we want. Nothing gets taken home. We look forward to and enjoy our treat much more than eating some donuts out of a box every day.

I always have raw almonds in my candy jar. I snack on baked snacks instead of fried. I always buy whole grain breads and rice. Baby carrots in the 'fridge with hummus is a must for me.

LUNA bars!
Nuts over chocolate and peanut butter cookie flavors kick my bad habits of snackin on chocolate and peanut butter, now I have a "health bar" that tastes like a candy bar! :)

Keep the healthier stuff handy - I keep healty soups and no sugar cereals in my desk at work. Microwave soup beats a greasy hamburger when you don't have alot of time and the crunch factor of a good cereal like oats, bran etc can keep you out of the greasy potatoe chips.

I make sure I am never just starving. That is when I am my weakest. I eat every 2 hours. I try to have healthy snacks on hand. I don't make anything "off limits." Siince I'm never starving, I never stuff my face.

THE BEST WAY TO LOSE A BAD HABIT IS TO FIND A NEW ONE. Ha Ha Ha !!!

THE BEST WAY TO LOSE A BAD HABIT IS TO FIND A NEW ONE. Ha Ha Ha !!!

I read and understand labels. I keep most of the unhealthy stuff out of the house but when i do venture down the cookie aisle at the grocery store(stay away from the aisles and only shop the perimeter) I read lables....by the time I'm done looking and reading and drooling, it's easy to keep walking and bake my own when I get home. Make snack size portions and throw them in the freezer out of hands way.

I look at the serving size before I eat anything deliciously unhealthy. Knowledge is power & it's a lot harder to eat 12 handfuls of m&m's when I know that 2 is the serving size. Plus, knowing that I can have a treat for about 100-200 calories takes the guilt away. I only need to feel bad if I overdo it.

I try to incoporate small changes, like skim milk in coffee, or adding cinnamon and nutmeg to coffee grinds. And I add flax seed, wheat germ, hot peppers and other spices to different types of food to get some health benefits and speed up metabolism. Also, always take a mutl-vitamin.

I've learned from experience, and a lifetime of dieting, that if you really crave something, have it. But, just have a very small portion. It satisfies the craving. Putting it off usually results in over indulging later. I have also become extremely conscious of what I eat. Making several little changes really adds up, like low fat salad dressing; skip the cheese on tacos, sandwiches & salads; no fried foods; low fat butter, or butter substitutes; diet soda; and eating lots of veggies, they are filling with hardly any calories. You can still have normal food, just change the way you eat it and what you put on it. You won't feel deprived at all, and it really does work.

I remind myself of the old saying, "Nothing tastes as good as thin feels."
Usually that helps!

I never have seconds. If something is tempting me a second time, I pause and remind myself that I have eaten enough and that I can have it again tomorrow. So I have delicious leftovers instead of a double or triple portion size.

Ask my self "Does this just sound good to eat or do i truly feel hungry" and is it healthful?

Using substitution works for me. I often have a chocolate craving in the afternoon and have found that by eating a 100g of diet yoghurt, the chocolate craving passes. Having fruit for morning tea, instead of a piece of cake also helps keep the calorie intake down. I will normally have a glass of water when I think that I would like to have something to eat - it is hard for the stomach to distinguish the difference between thirst and hunger and by having some water, it will keep me hydrated and postpone the need to snack until real hunger strikes.

I've noticed that my bad eating happens when I'm socializing - I like to go out with my husband for a drink and a nice meal or dessert with my girlfriends. I'm also a foodie so I don't believe in completly eliminating entire food groups. So I'm trying something new: I'm trying to cook healthy meals for the entire week on Sundays, including snacks, so that when we're tempted to go out for a meal because we're too tired to cook, it's already done! I'm going to try and allow one meal a week or twice a month because there are sooo many good restaurants in my city. Also, the Starbucks trap is tough so I have an espresso machine and bought some nice cups for inspriation - I'll make lattes at home for breakfast with fruit and maybe eggs. Better than a daily croissant! This is a new goal so hopefully it will work!

For me, it's all about changing my mindset. I might be in the store and have a craving for something deliciously sweet, greasy, and sugary. Then, I pick up the drink or snack and read the label. If it is packed with high fructose corn syrup, sugar, or lacking in vitamins and nutrients.....I DO NOT FEEL SAD! I immediately feel grossed out that I would want to put this unhealthy substance into my body. If anything, I feel bad for anyone else that buys and eats the snack.

I, also, experiment tasting different fruits and vegetables. When I find something I like, I know that I can indulge in something that is healthy and benefits my body.

If I find myself craving something unhealthy I tell myself that I can have it the next day for breakfast. So if I REALLY want icecream then I have to eat it for breakfast. The craving is usually gone by the next morning and if it's not then I usually can only go for a small taste of what I had a hankering for in the first place.

I try to drink more than I eat. That way I feel full and eat less. I also try to eat out of very small plates so the portions are small.