Conference rocks::weight_control

    If I knew what a Hobnob was, I would probably have difficulty staying
    away from it!  What are they anyway??
    
    I have a real problem staying away from chocolate and any kind of
    pastry stuff.  When I am in certain places (like at my sister's
    house) I have a real problem staying away from ANY kind of food.
    Being there just makes me want to eat everything in sight.  I can't
    figure out why, she's not a very good cook and never has anything
    too tempting around.  It's weird.  But that's how I feel as soon
    as I walk in the door.  
    
    Susan

    Potato chips and dip. That's what I can't eat "just a little" of.
    It's all or nothing. (I try to choose "nothing") Also, any of the
    other salty/crunchy foods...
    
    Chocolate...only once in a while. Usually, I don't crave it, so
    it is easier to stay away from. 
    
    -Amy.
    

    ...and chocolate!
    
    Ali

re .1 (Susan)
    
    > When I am in certain places (like at my sister's
    > house) I have a real problem staying away from ANY kind of food.
    > Being there just makes me want to eat everything in sight.

What kind of "relationship" did you have with your sister when you were
younger?  Even though I am usually in control these days, when my sister
comes up to visit, watch out!  Maybe it's because we used to "cheat"
together and buy candy, etc, etc. when we were kids, and the old habits are
hard to break?  I don't know what it is, but if she ever moves up here some-
thing has to change!!

I saw an episode on Cheers (tv show) a long time ago where a guy and his
old girlfriend meet after years apart.  They've both lost a LOT of weight,
but when they start doing things together, they start eating heavily again.

I have the hardest time with candy and other sweets.  I'll be happy with a
reasonable portion, but if there's more around I'll keep eating it if I can.
I find the best way to avoid this is to limit the availability.  If I buy a
bag of Hershey's kisses I'll eat them til I'm sick.  But if I buy the same
bag, and give it to someone else to put in a candy dish on her desk, then I
can take one or two and be happy.  (or I can not buy it at all, or just buy
a small candy bar.)  I can buy a small ice cream and be happy with it and not
have a whole 1/2 gallon left over.

Jill

    
    Candy, ice cream, anything sweet (used to be donuts, when I could have
    them).  Nacho chips, cheese, popcorn peanut butter, and raisins do it
    too, but to a lesser degree.  It's the candy that really kills. Giving
    it to someone else doesn't help. Embarrassing as it is, I'll keep going
    to the candy dish for another piece.  I know everyone must think I'm a
    pig, but I can't seem to resist it. 

    Total abstinence seems to be the only answer, though eventually the
    pressure builds up and I start in again.  This last few weeks, I was
    eating candy and ice cream at what felt like a pig-out rate, but in
    retrospect wasn't that extreme.  I only regained 1.5 lbs. I also had a
    migraine for 3 days.  Not worth it, but I know it'll happen again. The
    best I can hope for is that in the "x steps forward, y steps back", x>y
    on a continuing basis.
    
    Beverly
    

    
    re .4
    
    Jill, you are sooooooo right!!!  I'm glad to see I'm not the only
    one like this.  This sister (I have 6 but this one's name is Laurie)
    and I have always been good friends, even as kids.  We are very
    close and love to do things together.  When we decide it's time
    to buckle down and do something serious about our weight, we can
    do it.  But if we decide it's time to PIG OUT,  LOOK OUT!!!  We
    can be dangerous!!  
    
    I agree that abstinence is the only answer for me.  Even if I get
    that bag of kisses and give them to someone else, if they are still
    near by, I can't leave them alone.  People probably think I'm a
    real oinker, but like .5 I can't resist.  So I try not to start.
    
    WW meetings on Saturday mornings really help me alot to understand
    that I'm not alone and seeing the s-l-o-w and steady progress I'm
    making is sometimes frustrating but always encouraging.  As long
    as I'm not gaining, I'll be happy.  When I get this 68 more pounds
    off, I'll be ecstatic!!  I just have to convince Laurie that it's
    time to get serious!
    
    Susan
      

    re .2
    
    Agreed, Amy!  Potato chips and dip, tortilla chips and salsa, salted
    nuts, cheese and crackers, buttered and salted popcorn, etc., etc.,
    etc.  As long as it's salty and oily, I WANT IT!  Even after a year
    and a half on Weight Watchers, these are still my Red Light foods.
    It's easier for me to stay away from them than try to control them.
    Maybe someday I'll be in control of these foods...maybe not.
    Meanwhile, I just avoid them.
    
    Lynn T.
    (who is losing again after gaining 12 lbs.!)

    I used to have a real problem between 12 - 5 everyday.  I could
    eat the most filling lunch you could imagine but would still raid
    the candy machine between those hours.  One candy bar or one package
    of KingDons was never enough.  On April 20th I had my cholersterol
    tested and found that my ch. level was 296.....I was told that I
    was a walking stroke....what to do?  I went to the book store (the
    salesperson was very helpful) I selected two books "Eaters Choice"
    and "8 Week Cholersterol Cure".  I took the books home and in one
    evening read both of them.  Since that time I have had no cravings
    at all (mind over matter?) In the past two weeks I have lost 7 lbs
    and am never hungry......I don't count calories but I do count
    cholersterol. I do not know why my cravings are gone but they are
    this is a whole new way of life for me.  I am 100lbs over weight
    and I think I've finally found the answer (at least I hope so).
    
    Anne