It is good to see that other folks have challenges, and the ideas that are used to overcome them. I must say that the visualization technique for potato chips is rather graphic, and will use it if I ever have the need to do so. :)

I think my biggest challenge would be my cycle. I can usually figure it out as I want to eat an entire cake/tub of ice cream/pot of custard etc etc at that time. The last couple of months I have allowed myself to have sugar free cozy shack puddings. I figure eating chemical sugars once in a while is okay as it is not a regular thing.

Stress is bad for me too. Not because I overeat though, but because I can either forget to eat, else end up with the food going right through me which means I am constantly hungry and grazing. Most times though, I lose weight with stress..and not a good weight loss either.

I am also challenged any time I see sugar based cakes, squares, or goodies. It is real hard for me to resist them. As well, I work in a restaurant and have a hard time turning down saganaki, french fries, deep fried calamari, and mayonnaise. Those have to be my biggest weaknesses at work. I do better now though, restricting calamari to a couple of pieces, saganaki to a bite or to, and half a tablespoon of mayo mixed with ketchup with half a cup of ff every few days....keeps all my work cravings to a dull roar. Thankfully, I have no problems resisting baklava!

:)

Dolphinlvr, thanks so much for the encouragement! I started doing the treadmill and zone out with my ipod and find alot of times I can go longer than the time I alloted for myself just to finish one more song. I'm starting to enjoy it and it is nice to have an escape. I'm constantly surrounded by people, family, etc. and it's nice to have some "me" time which is something that has always been hard to come by.

I also like your suggestion about moving the junk food. My husband finally had a lightbulb moment last week and has had me start getting him healthy snacks to take in his lunch. This has helped me soooooooo much. I have also talked to him about not having to have a full blown dinner made every night. I hate cooking anyway and thought it wouldn't hurt him to make his own dinner once in awhile. So far he's okay with that. I think he's just finally willing to do whatever to help me lose weight. It benefits him too if I'm healthier and we both need to eat better. We're not spring chickens anymore, so it's easier to convince him to have heart healthy stuff around.

Again, thanks for the suggestions and encouragement, it's soooooo appreciated! :0)

Fighting the midnight snack urge...

AspiringButterfly
 

Carole:

Glad my suggestion helped you. See walking can be fun. You should join the 40's October chatter once in awhile. It's been really quiet lately and you can meet more people.

Hope to see ya there.

Karen