I always think 20 minutes ahead. If I want to binge, I imagine how I will feel 20 minutes later (trying to give myself additional excuses to keep on binging). If I scarf down food and I still want more, I sit there for 20 minutes and see if I am really hungry.

I really dig the idea that was earlier suggested where you imagine overeating sweets and chocolates til you're sick as a way to fight the impulse for it.

One thing I have found to curb my appetite which works for when I'm really hungry is, I cook a big meal of my favourite foods. In the time it takes to cool it, and something about the smells during cooking is an enjoyment in itself. When I'm done cooking, I don't really want to eat it anymore. The downside to this though is you have to find someone who will before you get second thoughts later on. But it's also somewhat satisfying watching someone else enjoy all of the things you would crave.

I cook less. If there is something already made I am more likely to eat between meals, so when I want to snack I have to really evaluate if it's worth the trouble to cook something. When I make meals, I only cook enough for that meal, so the leftovers aren't tempting. Plus, it keeps my portions in control because in order to over eat I would have to literally take the food from my children or husband.

I time my meals. I make myself stretch it out at least 15 minutes.. measured in a 15 minute radio program or playlist of music that I listen to while I'm eating.

I also intentionally surround myself with distractions while eating.. usually I eat at my desk while browsing the internet. Common advise is to avoid distractions so you don't eat mindlessly, but I find that if I were to sit at the kitchen table with my meal, out of boredom I'd scarf it down very fast so I could get back to doing something else.

So, my breakfast time might look for instance.. me sitting at my desk, listening to a 15 minute radio news program, and taking bites of my meal in between reading posts on 3fatchicks. :D

I bake a ton. I am surrounded by sweets all day and by the time I am done, I am kind of sick of it. Then I give it away!
I've also been doing that with cooking too-made fried rice and stuff, and I just say, "oh I ate it right away so I don't need any" lol. I love to bake and cook to get better and better and getting feedback from people.

Ooh, me too!! Are you doing leangains? I didn't start leangains until after I lost all the weight, so it wasn't part of my "journey" per se, but I've found it to be the perfect lifestyle for me to maintain. I like not having to worry about food all day and do lots of planning, and I also like being able to eat bigger meals, especially dinner. I usually eat three times (at 1-ish, 5-ish and 9-ish; though sometimes only twice), and that's it. My body has become used to it and only expects to be fed in the afternoon/evening --I will never go back to eating tiny meals/snacks all day ever again.

I haven't lost more than a pound or two doing this (though in fairness I haven't been trying to lose any more weight) but I've gotten a lot leaner. My strength gains are pretty good too!

I loooove lean gains. I did it for a long time, now I am back to eating breakfast and dinner (multiple dishes), but I want to switch back. I found that I did that method in some way or another whenever I was able to lose-just having a few meals instead of 6 smaller ones. His pics inspire me lol. I like how simple it is.

I saute with water! If I need an oil for a recipe, I use leaf lard (AMAZING for pie dough!!). I sorta cook Asian style, which doesn't go so great with olive oil. I get my fat from meat and egg yolks.

I do a "would if i could but I can't so I won't" approach to cravings. If I were to eat junk food, I would only eat the full fat version, but I won't dare do that (I can't stop myself if I start) so I don't eat it at all.

If I buy 'treats', I make sure they're super expensive. That way, I know I won't eat them just because. Things like good dark chocolate, cheese, etc.

My New Year's resolution was to eat a salad every day. So when I get munchy, that's the first thing I have to have. More often then not, I'm fine after that and don't even think about whatever it was I wanted before.

I often make myself make everything from scratch, including basics like salad dressing and bread, mayo, pasta, etc. Not only is it healthier and delicious, as I control the ingredients and quality, but it is more work and thus I have to REALLY want the custard to spend the time making and cooling it!

High five to both of you! IF is excellent, as are the accompanying techniques (I'm looking into leangains for maintenance, so your comments are very helpful to me :) ).

I think of my Mother. She's been obese most of her life.

I think of her emergency gall bladder surgery, where it was discovered she had 3 blocked arteries in her heart, I think of her heart surgery, I think of her high blood pressure, the drops she has to use because of the affect of diabetes on her eyes, her cellulitis, her joint pain from being obese forever, that now has her addicted to Vicadin. She now, because of the gall bladder surgery has issues, of certain foods, causing immediate, explosive diahreah, so it's hard to take her anywhere!

And the list goes on and on, of health issues, all preventable, with a decent nutritional plan and some exercise.

It doesn't have to be perfect, but jeez, just a little effort, could add so much to life!

Everytime I start to get lazy, I put my hand on my belly and think "Oh yeah" and keep going.

Suck on a Halls menthol cough drop. It ruins the taste of everything. LOL!

Not sure if this is unconvetional, I am sure it's not but when I want something "sweet" I eat one premade sugar-free jello (10 calories) with 1 tablespoon (put directly on top) of fat-free/sugar free cool whip (7.5 calories). I get a sweet treat for 17.5 calories.
Also, I will throughout the day imagine myself healthy and thin - remember the times I was that way and how good I felt. I do this when I walk on the treadmill too, I imagine I'm already thin.
Another thing I do is I make sure I get dressed up each and everyday. I start to pretend I'm already "thin". So weird I know, but it keeps me motivated and makes me evaluate my own self-esteem knowing it should not be all put on what I "weigh" but that I deserve to feel good and look good and be treated with respect no matter what size I am - that way also when I get to my goal weight I will already have the right mental attitude about myself.
I also look daily at motivational videos, maybe not daily but several times throughout the week I watch the Medifast Youtube videos of other successful users of the Medifast product (that's what I am on).
I also split my 1 lean and green meal into two meals of equal sized proportions so it feels like I am eating twice a day instead of once.
Just little things that make a difference.
DRINK YOUR WATER.