*sigh* Today is my first day back to work and I'm having a hard time. I'm used to snacking all day at my desk and now I don't know what to do with myself or my mouth (no nasty comments please! lol). It's not that I'm hungry I just want to chew on something. Gum helped a little but it's not the texture I'm looking for if that makes any sense. Does anyone else have this problem? Any words of wisdom? Thanks!

Lots of people have texture "issues"....like I would only eat soft-serve ice cream, never the stuff in cartons. Think about the foods that you used to snack on, the textures.....was it sweet? crunchy? Then scout out possible alternatives. Fruit (dried fruit might meet the texture thing if sweet is what you crave). Veggies might handle crunchy but would depend on the texture thing.

I love the chew thing, the texture thing and it hits me at night. Celery sticks or carrots work but lots of chewing needed. I have a coffee like drink to keep me in line. If I use Swiss Miss I go with half water and half skim milk with a little freeze dried instant coffee. Coffee tastes makes my hunger go to sleep, don't know why it works. Before the band I woud just make coffee, but I must have cream and lots of sugar so I had to make this change. The Mini Delights (Rice Cakes) from Quaker Oats in Popcorn flavor if things don't settle down the way I need or if I am craving salty. They are about 90 calories a pack.

Part of it, and I think it is the most difficult part, is just moving away from the habit of eating. It is hard to readjust your mind to the changes.

Gum helps but some of us are told not to use gum. I bought some very low calorie sugar free hard candies and used tic tacs as well during the early days. I only had to do this in the beginning.

I have since replaced this habit with sipping on Water all day which is a plus-plus kind of behavior since it helps with weight loss and keeps my mouth busy when I need it to be, lol.