Paralegals & Legal Secretaries

• Take a brisk walk at lunch time. "It'll relieve stress, revitalize the body and renew the mind."


• Team up with a colleague for support. "Two is better than one for accountability and encouragement."


• Read health and fitness magazines during lunch.


• Bypass vending machines by bringing your own healthy snacks to work.


• Banish the candy dish from your desk.


• Don't eat while you are working. "Think about what you're eating while you're eating it so you aren't mindlessly consuming calories."


• "When you're tempted to eat but not physically hungry, chew a stick of gum or brush or floss your teeth."

I'm guilty of eating at my desk, even for entertainment while summarizing less-than-scintillating documents. But flossing my teeth when I experience hunger pangs is a new one for me. Actually, the thought of flossing my teeth instead of having a cookie works as an appetite suppressant.

Following a recent health scare, I've had to give up many of my stress-eating favorites, including coffee and chocolate, but have discovered that bringing healthier food choices from home helps me avoid junk food (even though I still miss it).

But I confess to occasionally sneaking out to the Sonic drive-thru for comfort cheese fries on days when celery and fruit just won't provide a brief, blissful break.