Originally Posted by Dara

I just read something really cool in my new Allure magazine (March 2005). It's part of The Thin Commandments Diet, but it sounds like it was written for WLS patients!

1. Strategy is stronger than willpower. In a restaurant, resist temptation by popping a breath strip before the bread basket appears.
2. Think historically, not just calorically. One Milano cookie plus a past history of eating half the bag can easily turn a snack into a binge.
3. The problem may be in the food, not in you. Simple carbohydrates trigger your appetite. Quell hunger with protein, such as light cheese.
4. Structure gives control. Planning when and what you'll eat prevents out-of-control snacking.
5. Separate mood from food. A bag of M&M's doesn't relieve stress or frustration. Go for a walk instead.
6. Take control of your favorite foods. Keep the Haägen Dazs out of the house; you can't eat what isn't there.
7. Slips should teach you, not defeat you. Never say "I blew it," and let one doughnut sabotage the rest of your day.
8. Stop feeling deprived. Avoiding problem foods isn't punishment; giving in to cravings and being unhappy with your size is.
9. Treat your calories like dollars. Don't splurge on junk every day. Save it for special occasions.
10. Losing weight is half the job; keeping it off is the other half. Stick to a maintenance plan--religiously.