These few tips are not traditional weight loss techniques but they can make it a little easier.  How much?  That will depend on how often you use them.   Use these few tips at will. They will indirectly help you lose weight.

Tip # 1:   Eat food using your non-dominant hand
Interesting huh?  Try it out to see how it can help losing weight. If you are right-handed it’ll feel strange using a spoon or fork with your left hand and visa-versa.

So why does this work to help loose weight?

The theory is this… you’ll take a longer time since you are not used to eating with your non-dominant hand.  This will therefore slow down how many calories you consume per minute.  You will then be giving your body more time to signal your brain that it’s full and stop eating.

You’ll be less likely to eat as much food as you normally do.  Try it and see for yourself.

Tip # 2:  Brush Your Teeth
Use toothpaste as a roadblock for cravings may sound a little odd – but it really works. It is well known that toothpaste makes even the greatest-tasting food taste plain “yucky”.

Think about it. If you brush your teeth before you go to sleep, it’s because you are done eating for the day. Even if you don’t go to sleep right away, you are less likely to eat anything simply because your teeth have already been cleaned and polished. Why not take this same philosophy, and use it to control those powerful cravings for all things sweet between meals.

Keep Dental Dots or a compact toothbrush and toothpaste handy when you are out or at your office. Try brushing your teeth after lunch to help avoid afternoon sugar cravings.

Tip # 3: Chew Gum!
A study conducted in 2007 showed that chewing gum not only helps control your cravings and appetite but it also can help reduce your calorie intake from snacks.   Although chewing gum is helpful, you’ll want to select a sugar free gum such as EXTRA if you are going to maintain a healthy weight.

Tip # 4:  Power Nap
Fatigue is a trigger for food cravings that can have one reaching for that jolt of energy from sugar mid afternoon. Shake off the sugar temptation or habit mid day and snooze instead.

When possible ditch the sugar itch and power nap instead. If at home nap where it is comfortable and quiet.  If at work take your break with your head on your desk or seek out a quiet place.   My colleague takes his power nap in the stairwell. 

Power napping as little as 10-20 minutes can also boost your memory, cognitive skills.