Tips and Tricks Thread

Since I was asked if there are any tips I can share, I thought it might make for a good on-going thread. Any tips or tricks you learn to help you along your weight loss journey, please post them here!


* "Three bites to total satisfaction"

My old WW leader would say that your taste buds are satisfied after three bites of a food and after that, it doesn't taste any better or have the same effect as it did during the first 3 bites. I use this trick all of the time. If I am craving something that is not so points friendly, I will take a small portion and make three bites of it. I will savor each bite. I normally find that I don't need anymore after that.

* Find points friendly foods that you like as much as not so point friendly foods.

Through trying lots of different items, I have found foods that I love and are points friendly. For example, for me, a serving of nonfat greek yogurt with honey is as delicious to me as a piece of cake.

* Stop looking at foods as "replacements" for others (unless of course they truly are.)

This might sound confusing, but I have had to start looking at every food for itself. I used to look at foods as replacements for others, which would make me feel deprived. For example, I would want full fat salad dressing and would replace it with something fat free that was rather good. However, because I really wanted the full fat dressing, I compared the fat free dressing to it and ended up feeling unsatisfied. Now I try to appreciate each food that I eat for what it is and stop comparing it to others. A veggie burger is never going to be a big mac, but in it's own way, it can be made to taste just as satisfying.

*If you want it, eat it- within portion control.

I spent a great amount of time avoiding "bad" foods by eating other healthier foods. After eating 5 less satisfying items to avoid eating the "bad" item, I would end up eating the bad item anyway. I have saved myself many calories by just eating a smaller portion of what it is I am craving, instead of trying to eat my way around it.


* Eat according to your lifestyle.

On WW, you get 35 extra points a week to use however you want. For me, I know I am able to be good all week, but go out to eat and like to indulge on the weekends. I never give myself a free day or weekend, but I use my flex points on weekends to eat what it is I want that may be on the higher end of the point spectrum. I find if you can treat yourself within reason according to your lifestyle and watch yourself the majority of the time, it has helped me to be successful. I never feel deprived.


I will post more as they come to mind . . . . Can't wait to hear everyone's tips and tricks!

Re: Tips and Tricks Thread

I don't have any tips or tricks, but thank you so much for starting this thread! I'm very interested to see the other responses!

Re: Tips and Tricks Thread

* One Plate Rule

On holidays, it is easy to become overwhelmed by the amount of food. I have been taught to limit myself to whatever will fit on one normal sized plate, (without piling things on top of one another ) This can work in any situation where there is wide variety of food, such as a buffet or a catered affair.

*Filling up before eating out

I have learned that when going out to eat, I am dangerous if I am famished. I normally will sit down and immediately order a club soda with lemon and lime. I try to drink as much as I can before the food comes so that I feel full and don't over-stuff myself with food. Other ideas for this is having a piece of fruit or other small snack before leaving the house, asking for a salad to be brought out before the other food ordered. You basically want to fill up on very little calories so that you don't over do the "bad" stuff.

Re: Tips and Tricks Thread

I have a few tricks that work for me and I really have to think about them and have the time to write them out. I will.

But I have to give this one...

Plan. Plan. Plan.

Re: Tips and Tricks Thread

-I know that there is some debate about this..
but I stop eating by 7:00 on weeknights. I actually like to go to bed a little bit hungry. This has helped me keep off 40lbs for 5 years now.

-Be naughty on weekends. During the week its easy to have a plan, eat on a schedule, etc. On weekends I let myself be free to eat anything I want for the most part.

-Break up your food... for breakfast during the week I have a banana and oatmeal. If I eat them both at 8:30 Im hungry by 10:30. If I eat just the oatmeal at 8:30 Im hungry again by 10:30 but I eat the banana then and it holds me off until dinner. I do this sometimes with lunch & it's sides or dinner and it's sides. Save some for later to beat cravings/hunger.

-Don't count things. Eat like a reasonable, normal person and you won't go nuts.

If I think of anymore I'll post them.

Re: Tips and Tricks Thread

Does your Marie's bleu cheese dressing count as a tip? I just had 2 Tbsp with some baby carrots and I am STILL like

I love everyone's tips I will have to think about it and come up with a list....

Re: Tips and Tricks Thread

Only tip I can think of is chewing gum, which I saw a lot on Biggest Loser. If you're craving something sweet, it helps hit the spot for a fraction of the calories. Or, it helps keep off hunger between meals/snacks.

Re: Tips and Tricks Thread

-Adopt the mindframe "dont be lazy"...do stuff you don't feel like doing just to burn calories (that is usually cleaning for me!)
-Gum definitely works for me
-Brush & floss your teeth
-Learn what a serving size is and practice it. Measure everything to learn what a serving size looks like rather than eyeballing it.
-Lots of water & fiber to fill you up (i've even turned to the chocolate flavored citrucel which makes a nice fiber shake in the blender with half a banana and some skim milk, water, and ice)
-Sometimes I can ward off an ice cream craving w/a peice of candy (like the creme savers candy)
-I'll drink a little caffeine (then lots of water)before working out for extra energy
-I count calories where I can
-I don't eat big meals (unless going out to eat, which is rarely anyway)...I usually graze but count calories so I know I'm not over grazing I find that if I eat small meals most of the time I get fuller/uncomfortable more quickly when I do eat a large meal, thereby eating less.
-Eat w/no distractions. Don't eat in front of the TV or computer
-Eat slower, chew more
-Wait 15 mintues before indulging in a craving. Then take 3 bites and wait another 15 minutes to see if your satisfied.
-Most nights after 7pm, I will only allow myself fruit if I have a sweet craving
-Pinpoint your biggest weakness and keep it out of the house (ice cream for me!)
-Cook. Cook full meals. Do most of your shopping in the outter isles of the grocery store only (veggies, dairy, meat) and prepare all your meals. Preparing burns calories too!

I've actually heard having more sex helps too (makes you feel sexy and wanting to look good, not to mention burns calories)

Re: Tips and Tricks Thread

*Eat breakfast! And don't skimp! This is my newest "Ah-ha" with WW. By looking at my weekly view on e-tools after a particularly high-point Wednesday, I noticed that the days I stayed at or under my points with no problems were the days I ate a good, filling breakfast.

*Always eat your points! I know above I said I stayed under - but it wasn't on purpose. I just couldn't eat my last two points! There was no more room!

Re: Tips and Tricks Thread

Posted by azoodie

Does your Marie's bleu cheese dressing count as a tip? I just had 2 Tbsp with some baby carrots and I am STILL like

I love everyone's tips I will have to think about it and come up with a list....

Re: Tips and Tricks Thread

diet/caffiene free green tea....it's a diarretic (sp?)....