Mamma Said: Keep Your Fingers Out Of Your Mouth

Watching television exercises our eyes but nothing else. Unfortunately, it doesn't require us to do anything with our hands which leaves them free to grab something to eat. Then there are the food and restaurant commercials where everything is colorful and perfectly cooked. Don't even think about watching a cooking show: the temptation to snack or get up and cook is totally irresistible.

How can we break this self-destructive cycle? Any diversion may work for a while but loses its strength with too many repetitions. The secret is to have multiple alternatives available. If one doesn't work at any given time, try another. Mix and match as your likes, preferences, and moods dictate.

KEEP YOUR HANDS BUSY

When your hands are involved in a task, it is difficult to eat. Finger foods and dull television are inextricably bound together like flies in a spider web. Some activities to tie up those hands include: sewing, knitting, giving yourself a leisurely manicure (wet nail polish is a sure fire defense against eating), water the plants.

Turn the television off and try such pursuits as model making, card playing, videogames (that require both hands on the controls), sending e-mails, embroidery, and all kinds of crafts.

PREOCCUPY YOUR MIND

To bar thoughts of food from entering our heads and whetting our tastebuds, we have to keep our minds engaged, and our attention focused, in other directions. Clear away snack foods and dig into a riveting novel -- you won't want to leave the story for anything as mundane as fixing a snack. Start a daily journal and write about your thoughts and feelings and aspirations. Tackle one of those time-consuming chores you skip in your weekly clean-up: clean out drawers, work on the car, clean the BBQ, set aside stuff to go to Goodwill or storage, restring broken necklaces or re-organize your closets. All will help to keep your mind off food and no mental image of food means no consumption of food.

PRIORITIZE THOSE AROUND YOU

Play with your kids or help them with their homework. Go for a walk with your significant other and really talk about what is going on in your separate lives. At a long, safe distance from anything edible, call your parents or an old friend.

Do these techniques work? Sometimes. With regular effort and multiple task changes to maintain interest, they can be effective. For those days when nothing seems to work and the food cravings are overwhelming, we need to bring in the "big guns" which we will discuss another time.

Virginia Bola is a licensed psychologist and an admitted diet fanatic. She specializes in therapeutic reframing and the effects of attitudes and motivation on individual goals. The author of The Wolf at the Door: An Unemployment Survival Manual, and a free ezine, The Worker's Edge, she recently completed a psychologically-based weight control book: Diet with an Attitude: A Weight Loss Workbook. She can be reached at http://www.DietWithAnAttitude.com

---

Dieting and Exercising ? Results all the time!

Dieting and Exercising ? Results all the time!To be successful... Read More

Tired Of Struggling To Lose Weight?

There are many factors that cause us to increase body... Read More

From Fat to Fit: Read One Womans Amazing Weight Loss Story

An Interview with Success Story, Caitlin JohnsonIf you don't know... Read More

The Public Stoning of Gastric Bypass Patients: When Things Get Ugly

Recently a woman went public in her online diet community... Read More

Do Diet Pills Really Work?

You've seen diet pill advertisements? You have read the testimonials... Read More

Free Tips on Losing Weight

Here are a few free tips on losing weight that... Read More

Weight Control Tool: A Food Journal

All the weight control experts recommend keeping a record of... Read More

Too Many Calories

How many calories do you need? Well, that depends on... Read More

South Beach Diet - South Beach Diet Plan Information

Perhaps you've had them too, nightmares about rice cakes, granola,... Read More

3 Simple Changes In How You Eat That Will Make Dramatic Results In Your Ability To Burn Fat:

1. Increase your water intake to at least 1 gallon... Read More

Weight Loss - Sustained Success through Simple Steps

Weight Loss ? Basic Lessons for Sustained SuccessWeight loss is... Read More

Will I get faster results with a Personal Trainer?

If you pick the right personal trainer?you'll most definitely see... Read More

What Obesity Debate?

This is a perfect example of how on-line weight loss... Read More

The Effect Of A Low Carb Diet On Your Insulin Level

The underlying principles of low carb diets are based on... Read More

Binge Eating: Will This Cycle Ever Stop?

Here's a letter from my email:Dear Carol,I took your teleclass... Read More

Summer Dieting Tips

Cut the Calories, Bring Out the BikiniSummer's almost here and... Read More

Confessions From A Fat Doctor

I never intended to get fat! I am not exactly... Read More

Advanced Body Acceptance: The Secret To Weight Loss Success

Self-acceptance and body love can be tough concepts to grasp... Read More

Motivation the Key or the Curse?

"Life would be perfect if only I was thin." That... Read More

How to End the Food Cravings with EFT

Breaking Down Cravings One at a TimeI know you've heard... Read More

The Diet Debate Ended

Which diet is the best? ALL of them and NONE... Read More

Dieting Will Never Be the Same! A Review of How to Make Your Diet Work

According to the American Obesity Association, an astounding 64.5 percent... Read More

Drinking Green Tea May Help You Lose Weight

Green Tea Also Has Anticancer PropertiesGreen tea, which has been... Read More

The Fail-Safe Weight Loss Formula

Yes Virginia, the fail-safe weight loss formula exists.It's so simple,... Read More

Atkins Diet -- The Final Verdict

Supporters of the Atkins Diet claim that a low carbohydrate... Read More

Walking: A Key to Weight Loss

Doctors prescribe Walking as the best medicine for weight loss.We... Read More

Know How Many Calories To Cut For Permanent Weight Loss

It is not recommended to lose more than 1 pound... Read More

Exercise Bike Program - How to Lose Weight

Your pants are a bit tight, you can't seem to... Read More

Weight Loss Doesnt Work

Your brain has this really interesting system that is kind... Read More

Results Not Typical

I had 14 weight/health-oriented newsletters in my inbox this morning.... Read More

How to Exercise and Lose Weight on a Busy Schedule

In my fitness consulting business, I get the opportunity to... Read More

11 Tips for Easy Weight Loss

1. CUT THE SIMPLE CARBS.It's unfortunate that the majority of... Read More

Fat Lady in a Thin Body: WLS Patients Feel Like Imposters

Every weight loss surgery patient I've met said they at... Read More