Secrets of Success

Write something on SparkPeople every day

Write everyday : a blog, a personal journal, on your SparkTeam message board, or elsewhere. Writing down your feelings and goals and successes really helps to motivate yourself.

Stove-top popcorn

Instead of microwave popcorn which often has a lot of fat, chemicals for butter-flavor, and is quite expensive, it's easy to pop corn on the stove. You don't need a special popcorn popper. Just a covered pot, two tablespoons of canola oil, and 1/4 cup of popcorn over medium-high heat. Remove from heat as soon as the popping almost stops. Salt and Enjoy !

Hard Boiled Eggs

I keep hard boiled eggs in the refrigerator at all times. They make a healthy high-protein snack for only about 100 calories. (But skip the mayo, of course)

Take a Walk

Whenever I get irritated, upset, or stressed about something, instead of saying something I'll regret later,or reaching for something fattening to eat, or a "drink", I take a WALK. By the time I get back, I've calmed down and cleared my head and I'm ready to start over. It works every time - and I get some exercise.

Avoid "diet" beverages

I avoid artificial sweeteners, especially "diet" soda or other "diet" beverages. I find they just trigger a craving for sugar. They don't satisfy my thirst and I want to drink more and eat more. I try to stick to black coffee, plain tea, and water with a lemon or lime.