What's your Weight Loss Secret Weapon?

Preparing your own meals.

I agree

For now at least, it's riding my bike. I just ride around the neighborhood for 20-30 minutes (plenty of elevation change involved) and it seems to fuel my loss... if I'm stuck, the day after a ride I start creeping down every time. I'm sure that won't last as I progress toward my goal, but for now it's kinda funny to see the correlation!

sunflower seeds shelled. if i get a strong craving i just pop a handful in my mouth and that usually takes care of it until i can prepare a meal. Also the same thing with almonds.

Keeping in my retainers...i can't snack if they are in. So i am forced to drink water all day. Have to chose between nice teeth or randomly snakcing due to being bored.

Well my secret weapon for those nights when I'm up late and start to get craving for something sweet is.... nail varnish! Noooo I don't drink it I paint my nails. It takes focus away from my craving, makes me feel good about myself to make my nails look nice and plus the smell of nail varnish is strong and off-putting. On top of that, with my nails drying I can't exactly go rooting around for food can I - I'd smudge my gorgeous nails!

Patience.

^^Love it.

As others have said... waterwaterwaterwater!

... but also dedication. My biggest motivation and key to success is to 'stay on the wagon' regardless of how some days are better than others. I will never give up.. & having that sentiment has changed my life! :-)

Planning/preparedness. For me, it's all about having the good, low-glycemic options available and then there's no temptation to eat stuff that's bad for me!

- I go grocery shopping 1-2X/week and make sure my fridge is loaded with lot's of fresh veggies and low-glycemic fruits. On Sunday nights I cut up tons of veggies (usually red/green pepper mixes and cucumber) and make "snack packs" with a sandwich bag filled with fresh cut up veggies and a cheese stick in each. This is a crunch/protein combo that satisfies me so much, and I have one of those snack packs as a mid-morning snack and one in mid-afternoon.

- Also, I cook every 3-4 nights and have leftover roasted vegetables, lean proteins (fish, chicken, turkey taco meat, etc.) available to throw together a quick dinner after a late night at the office or the gym.

- When I know I'm going to be out-and-about (running errands, at a movie, etc.) for a few hours, I keep a little bag with 12 almonds to kick the hunger.

- I keep a huge variety of green tea bags at work and use 2 bags/day (mixing up flavors/varieties) and constantly refill my travel mug with hot water throughout the day (using each tea bag 3-4 times so that I'm drinking flavored hot water by the end essentially).

As long as I have good options at-hand, it makes staying on my 1300 calorie target easy!! Plus, I should admit that staying with low-glycemic foods keeps me from getting massive, unbeatable cravings.

- Cravings are mostly based on flavor, not hunger, so low calorie drinks can usually satisfy them without doing any damage.

- Sleep. If you don't sleep enough your body will want more food to stay awake.

- Walking. It burns a decent amount of calories and reduces appetite a bit.

- Ice cold water.

Determination and drive.

^^^