When I am in a resturant, after I finish my meal, I sabotage my food. I pour salt, sugar or pepper all over the plate so I don't go back and nibble. Does anyone else do this? It does seem a bit strange but, hey, it works!

I don't go to that extreme, but I do ask for a togo container when I order my meal. Then as soon as I get my meal I put more than half of it in the container and set it down off the table. That way it out of my sight and I don't give it a second thought.

I'm not banded, but to control my portions I do something similar, and I'm sure I will continue with this habit after banding.

When I'm done I place my napkin over my plate. This lets the wait staff know to take my stuff - I'm done, it keeps anyone from having to look at my plate (how appetizing is a meal that has been picked, stirred, poked anyway?), it gives me a place to put my dirty napkin, and most importantly - I'm sure as heck not going to lift the napkin, so it keeps me from nibbling.

When cooking at home and I am tempted to taste whats left in a pot or pan (licking the spoon of batter etc) I pour dish soap into it right away so I wont even try.

Nup. I dont have any fear I'll eat so much as to make myself sick and if I want to eat more than usual because I'm out for dinner (which is not every night of the week afterall, more like once a month) and if I can fit it in without discomfort I will do so. Who cares? It's what you do 90% of the time that matters.

At home I serve myself up only as much as I can eat. I dont have trouble stopping when I'm full but its just that for me, prebanding, that full feeling obviously didnt come until I'd eaten more than my calorie needs. Now, judging by my weight loss its coming before. But I dont have much problem obeying it either way.

These are such great ideas! Thanks!

I order a kids meal and if it comes with fries or a bread stick I request that it be left off the plate all together, not substituted for anything else. I try to stick with grilled chicken or a burger with no bun. I can't eat fries or rice at all and don't do well with broccoli so I skip most side dishes. I will sometimes order mashed potatos with no gravy but for the most part I have the meat and maybe a bite of hubby's baked potato and I am done. If there is nothing good on the kids menu don't be affraid to ask for a half portion or ask the wait staff to wrap half before it comes to the table. I have also asked for a box or doggie bag before my meal arrives. At home, I have always dished meals in the kitchen and we eat in a dining room. I eat off of a saucer and never go for seconds. Everyone in the family is less tempted to over eat if the food is in another room. This worked when I was in OA and still works now. ~Mandy