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The Only Person Who Can Change You Successfully
is YOU
Cravings are more of a
psychological addiction than a physical addiction, bearing
little relation to hunger. But fighting off those cravings
for food (usually high in sugar and fats) can be extremely
difficult.
There ARE things you can do to control them — you are in
control!
Identify the times when you crave foods
What could be triggering the cravings? Are you bored,
lonely, tired or anxious? Look at ways of dealing with the
emotions — if
you are tired, take a nap; feeling bored, take a brisk walk;
lonely, call a friend and make plans to get together and
give yourself something to look forward to. Plan to keep
yourself busy if you know the particular times when you
struggle with cravings.
Indulge in a little of what you like
Don't deprive yourself completely; it will only increase
your desire for the food. Instead, give yourself a little
bit, with self control, and move on. This way you can put
the craving behind you. Be careful though — sometimes, with
a food for which you know you can’t control your eating,
have the willpower to just say no and find a healthier
version of that food. Make sure that when you do indulge,
you add in a little extra exercise to make you feel good
again and to burn those extra calories.
Eat at regular intervals
Don't go for long periods of time without eating — this
causes your blood sugar levels to drop and increases your
desire for sweet and sugary foods. Look around for healthier
versions of the foods you crave — light hot chocolate or
light chocolate milk instead of a chocolate bar or maybe
chocolate covered strawberries instead of chocolate cake.
Control
Skip the king-sized versions and have a snack size instead.
Also, when you do have something you know you shouldn’t eat,
have only 1 serving. That will be plenty to satisfy you
while keeping control. It is not that single cheat that
sabotages our results; it is many and on several days.
Don't confuse thirst with hunger
Drink plenty of water to stop your stomach from feeling
empty. A good way to avoid eating too much is to drink a
glass of water before eating, keeping regular eating times,
eating 4-5 times a day, and controlling portions.
Enjoy life! Reward yourself
Reward yourself with something other than food. Go to a
movie, take a long hot bath, or buy yourself a little
something to reward your good behavior.
Remember, we all have good and bad days. If you happen to
have a piece of cake or miss a workout, don't be too hard on
yourself or dwell on it. Put it into perspective — how many
good days have you had? Pick yourself up and carry on with
determination to achieve your weight loss goals. You can do
it — Good Luck!
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