uforgot - I've found that to be a great way to get to taste everything, but still count my points and stay on plan. I did that very successfully at Thanksgiving and Christmas. The things I just HAD to taste, I gave myself a small dollop and called it a point.

Andrea - I agree with uforgot about the way of life comment, but I also understand what your point is - that it is difficult to be successful with a healthy way of life long term if we don't learn to both recognize our triggers AND listen to our bodies. ie. Asking myself - "why am I eating this? Am I really truly hungry?" If so, then I should eat something (even if it's not the potato salad, or whatever prompted the question in the first place). But when I'm not really hungry, I have to ask myself "well, Susie, what is it that's making you want to put food in your mouth right now??" Am I bored? Am I socially uncomfortable (This is often a big one for me. Nervous eating to have something to do with my hands, when at a party or in a group of people I don't know so well).

One of the gals here in my office also talks about "mindful eating". Being totally present when you're eating your food. Not reading a book, or cruising the internet. But rather, being engaged in your meals so that your's enjoying the food you DO eat, and are more able to recognize when you're satisfied.

I don't know if any of this helps, but believe me, you are NOT alone. I struggle with all this on a daily basis. Last night I was at a restaurant with a friend. I dutifully made a healthy meal choice, and got a to-go box delivered with my meal so that I could immediately put half of it in the box. That part was great. But the bowl of peanuts on the table in front of me were calling to me. My saving grace was that they were in the shell, so it slowed me down - I had to work at consuming those calories...

Yours in temptation,

Susan