So you decided to make a change and start eating differently. You want to start keeping track of those things that you're putting in your body and you're tired of living like you are a freshman college student who eats like the worlds about to end. You have made some changes in your life and it seems like things are going well, and then you are out with your friends, or maybe even sitting at home alone when a craving hits you. Your mind starts to race, your tongue hits the floor like you are in a Tex Avery cartoon, and next thing you know you start to justify the cravings and bargaining with yourself like you're doing hostage negotiations.
Cravings can be tough to deal with, but not if you have a strategy. Here seven tips to help you with you next craving attack.
Cravings can be tough to deal with, but not if you have a strategy. Here seven tips to help you with you next craving attack.
1. Plan Ahead - If you know you are going somewhere that there will be treats and temptations, i.e. a party, restaurant, or special outing, bring your own version of a treat with you and as soon as the sweets get passed around you will be ready to stand tall with confidence. Sugar free chocolates or the low carb energy bar can save your day.
2. Create a Mantra - it sounds silly, but I found that actually speaking the words "I don't need _____" works well. For example, "I don't need pizza" or "I don't need cake" out loud helps me get in the right mindset. Sometime you just need to make the decision out loud to help you stick to it.
3. Get Some Good Support - If you are out, and temptation strikes, it never hurts to be with a friend who can talk you off that ledge. You may have to ask them for your help. For me it is my wife. She often will see when I am craving or being tempted with a sweet and remind me that its not worth the few seconds of gratification. You can even call your special someone and let them know you are having a rough craving.
4. Eat on Time - Having a schedual you can stick to helps. If you don't eat on time, you may get hungry and then that may lead to snacking, and usually snacking leads to more snacking. Better eat to fulfillment with a meal than to put little things in that keep you in a state of hunger.
5. Exercise - Believe it or not, exercise can help calm cavings and clear the mind. Get a routine for yourself down. And if it is outside of your routine and a craving strikes. It doesn't hurt to go out for a short walk to get the blood flowing. You may find that when you get back you body doesn't even want to think about food.
6. Find Substitutes - Want a hot fudge sundae? Well, how about some Low Carb Vanilla ice cream with sugar free fudge? Want a cookie? how about a low carb tortilla with some peanut butter inside. There are a lot of options out there that can help you to get by. So many companies are catering to all the diet needs now. Find something that works for you that will get you through it.
7. Run! - All this to say, there is something to be said for the old approach of getting the heck out of whatever situation is giving you a hard time. Surrounded by cake and treats at a friends party, maybe its better to check out early. Is dessert staring you down at grandmas, make a trip to the restroom to get your head straight. Make a wrong turn at the Vegas buffet and found the desserts, Run!
Look, these aren't the only ways to handle cravings but its good to have some ideas and a plan before you enter battle, and let be honest, getting a new lifestyle for eating can be a battle for some for us. It's always better to be prepared then to not.
2. Create a Mantra - it sounds silly, but I found that actually speaking the words "I don't need _____" works well. For example, "I don't need pizza" or "I don't need cake" out loud helps me get in the right mindset. Sometime you just need to make the decision out loud to help you stick to it.
3. Get Some Good Support - If you are out, and temptation strikes, it never hurts to be with a friend who can talk you off that ledge. You may have to ask them for your help. For me it is my wife. She often will see when I am craving or being tempted with a sweet and remind me that its not worth the few seconds of gratification. You can even call your special someone and let them know you are having a rough craving.
4. Eat on Time - Having a schedual you can stick to helps. If you don't eat on time, you may get hungry and then that may lead to snacking, and usually snacking leads to more snacking. Better eat to fulfillment with a meal than to put little things in that keep you in a state of hunger.
5. Exercise - Believe it or not, exercise can help calm cavings and clear the mind. Get a routine for yourself down. And if it is outside of your routine and a craving strikes. It doesn't hurt to go out for a short walk to get the blood flowing. You may find that when you get back you body doesn't even want to think about food.
6. Find Substitutes - Want a hot fudge sundae? Well, how about some Low Carb Vanilla ice cream with sugar free fudge? Want a cookie? how about a low carb tortilla with some peanut butter inside. There are a lot of options out there that can help you to get by. So many companies are catering to all the diet needs now. Find something that works for you that will get you through it.
7. Run! - All this to say, there is something to be said for the old approach of getting the heck out of whatever situation is giving you a hard time. Surrounded by cake and treats at a friends party, maybe its better to check out early. Is dessert staring you down at grandmas, make a trip to the restroom to get your head straight. Make a wrong turn at the Vegas buffet and found the desserts, Run!
Look, these aren't the only ways to handle cravings but its good to have some ideas and a plan before you enter battle, and let be honest, getting a new lifestyle for eating can be a battle for some for us. It's always better to be prepared then to not.
what are your tricks to escape those p
