I had just spent 9 days in Alaska where the state bird is the mosquito. I got two bites on my index finger. Mosquito saliva overload — my finger swelled up and became insanely itchy. I tried anti-itch cream. I used the kind that was nearly out at the store, figuring the locals knew better than I. It didn't help.

This tactic works pretty well for NOT doing things as well. When faced with a diet-busting temptation, I will ask myself in the moment how many points will it take for me to walk away. I negotiate a number (often with a certain reward in mind), and easily avoid temptation without deprivation.