Trying to lose weight? Here’s some advice on dealing with cravings from the book “How to Lose 9,000 lbs. (or less)” (Hundreds of Heads Books, www.hundredsofheads.com, $13.95), straight from people who’ve done it:

“Go for a walk. You have to get yourself away from the things that you are craving, and unless it’s twigs and berries, you won’t find them outside on your walk.”

—Brittany Taliaferro, Meyersdale, Pa., lost 7 pounds

“I use a combination of water and computer chess: I realize this is a little out of the ordinary. First, drink as much water as you can stand. Then, you have to find something to occupy your mind. For me, the more I have to think about some other activity, the less I think about the food I want. So I get on my computer and challenge the chess program. There is no way you can think about chocolate cake when you’re worried about the computer taking your queen.”

“When I walk by a box of warm, delicious doughnuts in my office, I walk right up to the box and cut off just a sliver of a doughnut and relish the bite! I feel decadent, but not guilty, and if I get a sweet tooth in the afternoon, I can have a second sliver so as not to feel like I ate the whole box!”

—Samantha Phillips, Atlanta, lost 25 pounds

“When I have a strong craving I tell myself that if I really want those Doritos a half hour from now, I’ll have them. Nine times out of 10 when the time is up I’ve been distracted by another activity or a healthier food.”

—Veronica Lorson Fowler, Ames, Iowa, lost 18 pounds

“Keep yourself busy: Idle hands are the devil’s workshop! You’ll be surprised how quickly you lose interest in that food if you find yourself something productive to do. Clean your place, run the sweeper, clean out the fridge . . . well, you might not want to do that, come to think of it.”

Hundreds of Heads Books’ survival guides offer the wisdom of the masses by assembling the experiences and advice of hundreds of people who have gone through life’s biggest challenges and have insight to share.