6. Take up something you can do with your hands -- crochet, knitting, puzzles, cross-stitch, sewing, playing piano, paint your nails and toenails, weed garden, do a little housework, look at a magazine for fashions you will buy when you're thinner... In other words, get your mind off food and onto a healthy hobby.

7. Don't watch TV. TV encourages snacking - you're sitting there, you feel like you should be doing something - so you go for snack. Also, most of commercials are about food. Stay away from TV, take up reading or another activity in number 6 above.

8. When you're finished with a meal or a planned snack, brush and floss your teeth - this will help you stay away from food for about an hour.

9. THINK - just take about one minute to think about what you are doing. Go look at yourself in mirror during this minute. Ask yourself, "Do I really want to eat this and PAY CONSEQUENCE?"

10. Use your NutriCounter - Every time you eat something - input it into your NutriCounter - This will help you keep track of what you've REALLY eaten. Snacking and nibbling can be death of a healthy diet. Here's info on NutriCounter: http://nutricounter.com

Last month, we had a fabulous testimonial from a satisfied NutriCounter user. Here's what he has to say about keeping track of what you eat:

"I already have a NutriCounter, it has done wonders for me. In April, I had my gallbladder removed (I'm only 33). I am 6' 4" and was 304 lbs., in pretty good shape. After my operation, I started to watch what I ate, doctor said it would be a good idea. Writing everything down was a real pain, although I thought it was working well.

Then I purchased NutriCounter. Wow! I was eating about 1200 to 1600 more calories and about 30 to 60 more grams of fat. Writing down info was not even close to what I really was taking in. The best news is I'm 251 lbs. now, I lost 53 lbs. so far. Just wanted to say thanks." Corey Susz -- PA

HOW DO I REQUEST A COPY OF MY RECORDS? Ask your doctor's staff, hospital records clerk or other appropriate person for a patient authorization form that allows release of information. You can also write a letter, just be sure to include following information: + Your full name and date of birth, date of treatment + Name and address of person or facility to which disclosure is to be made + The specific kind and amount of information to be disclosed, such as laboratory results, X-rays or doctor's notes on your chart. + The purpose of request, for example, "continuing care" or "insurance." + Your signature and date

IS THERE A CHARGE? It's likely you will be charged $.25 to $.50 per page, however, you can request specific information to help keep costs down. Your request cannot be denied even if you still owe your doctor money for appointments. If you are collecting them for a third-party, keep a copy for yourself so you don't have to pay for them in future.

WHAT IF I DON'T AGREE WITH THE INFORMATION OR AM DENIED ACCESS? The American Health Information Management Association has a sample for called "Request for Correction/ Amendment of Health Information" that you can complete and file at http://www.ahima.org/consumer/index.html . You can also locate your local state disclosure laws at Health Privacy Project at http://www.healthprivacy.org .