1. Thou Shalt Not Wear Pants that Stretch

Your clothing is your early-warning system for weight gain. When it’s getting hard to snap your jeans, you know it’s time to be vigilant. Wearing stretchy clothes allows you to live in ignorance of how your body is growing, making it easier to pack on pounds without knowing it. From Jody: I have to admit that I did the stretch pants thing to allow myself more room! Heck, even nowadays, I do this sometimes! BUT, if you are trying to lose weight or control your maintenance, stay away from this!

2. Thou Shalt Not Keep Bad Clothes in Your Closet

When you keep the clothes you wore at an unhealthy weight, it gives you a back-up plan if the pounds don’t come off. Instead, force yourself to stay on track by 86ing your “fat pants.”  From Jody: This tells yourself you are NEVER GOING BACK! Read about Josie!

3. Thou Shalt Not Eat Meat That Walks on Four Legs More Than Once a Week

Meat that comes from an animal with 4 legs is higher in saturated fat (the unhealthy kind) than that which comes from 2-legged animals such as chickens, or animals with no legs, like fish. Plus: women who eat large amounts of red meat more than once a week have a 50% higher chance of dying from heart disease and have higher cancer rates. 

4. Thou Shalt Not Graze

Plan your meal before you open the refrigerator, get what you need, and close the door. Opening it throughout the day leads to impulsive choices and overeating. From Jody: I am a mini meal eater BUT I don't do this! I also portion control. I portion out my food & leave the container/package/box behind!

5. Thou Shalt Not Eat After 7:30pm

When you eat late at night you are more likely to be eating in front of the TV (when you won’t pay attention to how much you’re putting in your mouth) and you’re more likely to pick high-calorie snacks. From Jody: I don't follow the eating a snack at night rule BUT read what this says... this is the problem for most eating at night. It is the mindless eating! If you can portion out a small snack with about 200-250 calories & leave it at that, I think this is fine. It is when you lose control OR you starve yourself all day & then come home & start eating anything in site late at night. Work to find what is best for you. Some like to stop eating 2-3 hours before bed. I am not one of those as I do the mini snack described previously.

6. Thou Shalt Not Pile Food More than 1 Inch High or Within 2 Inches of the Plate Edge

Larger portions equal more calories. ‘Nuff said. 

7. Thou Shalt Not Chew Food Less than 20 Times Per Bite

Chewing allows your body to realize that you are eating food, prompting it to create a sensation of fullness at the appropriate time. When you don’t chew enough, you get ahead of that process, eating well past when you are actually satisfied. From Jody: I have said it before.. It takes 20 minutes for the stomach to register fullness. Plus, chewing your food more will help alleviate stomach issues like bloating & such. Sometimes if you don't chew the food enough, that can be a cause of stomach upset.

8. Thou Shalt Not Covet Thy Neighbor’s Plate

Spend your day nibbling bites on someone else’s sandwich or afternoon snack, and you will add on 1,000 calories easy.  From Jody: I have said this before many times! Too many posts to count on this!

9. Thou Shalt Not Carry Small Bills

Nothing loves a small bill better than a vending machine. When you have them at the ready, you are one step closer to an impulsive, calorie-loaded afternoon slip up. 

10. Thou Shalt Not Eat While Standing Up

Eating sitting down enables you to be aware of what you’re eating and eat it slowly so that your body can tell you your full before it’s too late. From Jody: I have done this standing up thing. This really makes sense! Sit down, chew & enjoy!