Total makeover.

Fighting Temptation

Dr. Gullo's tips for escaping food cravings

1. Avoid eye contact Just looking at food produces a neurochemical change in your brain that makes you hungry for it. Don't sit near the buffet; don't look at the bread basket. 2. Block your nose Scent induces cravings. Put Listerine breath strips or a Hall's sugar- free cough drop in your mouth, and you could be in a room full of pizza and not smell a thing. 3. Wait it out The average craving lasts 4 to 12 minutes, so talk yourself through it. Tell yourself, "This is just a feeling, and it will pass." 4. Learn to anticipate Most cravings can be prevented by simply eating something sensible every three to four hours, especially as you go into the later part of the day, when most urges hit. To prevent a 4 p.m. blood-sugar crash, eat a healthy snack, like an apple or fat-free cheese. 5. Plan ahead Stress often causes cravings. If you know you're going to have a tense day, decide what you'll eat. You'll make a better decision when you're anticipating anxiety than when you're feeling it. When the fire alarm goes off, you already know which way to walk. 6. Clean your cupboards Don't have junk food in the house, so when you need to crunch, you'll have nothing to reach for but green beans. 7. Dial a friend When you feel the urge to eat coming on, call someone and chat. In 15 minutes, the craving will be gone. 8. Get busy Food cravings are as much about the hands as they are about the mouth. Instead of picking, do needlepoint, knit, or draw. 9. Stay focused Remind yourself that buying clothes a size smaller offers a greater reward than eating potato chips.

Abigail Einstein, 27, chef

Status Report: "I'm proud of my progress, but there are still places where I have trouble. I'm not always able to beat my sweets ...