Two things are almost guaranteed when you are trying to be healthier and get fit. 1) There will be days that you don’t want to work out and 2). There are days when you start craving sugary, salty or high-fat foods bad. Really bad.
Doesn’t matter who you are, how fit you are or how bad you want to reach your goal. Food cravings are unavoidable, and to deny their existence will make you more vulnerable when they attack. But you don’t need willpower or more willpower. What you need is a few tricks in your back pocket so you can slay that monster when it rears its chocolate covered head.
***NEW TO YOU***Tip #1: Rule Your Cravings with an Iron Fist, Literally. Sometimes it’s less about craving a particular food and more about general impulse control. The next time you are hit with a diet-busting craving, clench your fists as you tell yourself that you will not indulge. Research has shown that the physical activity of clenching your fists can help you assert control and be conscientious in your decision making. Try it.
Tip #2: Stop Cravings Before They Start. Cravings often occur when your body is missing some nutrient or type of food that your diet has been lacking. But if you’re eating whole foods every 3-4 hours, your belly will stay relatively full and your blood sugar level. Without dangerous dips in your blood sugar, you’re less likely to crave quick fixes like simple carbs or bad fats. And you don’t have to eat some huge gigantic meal every time. A very small snack of 200 calories will do the trick and takes only a couple of minutes to eat.
Tip #3: Distract Your Taste Buds and Yourself. Sometimes cravings hit because you’re stressed or bored and your mouth needs something to do. A great trick is to pop a piece of sugarless gum or a breath mint. The burst of flavor will refocus your palate and nip that craving in the bud. I also like to eat something spicy when a sweet craving hits. You’d be surprised at how quick a sweet tooth goes away.
You should also give yourself something else to do when a craving hits. Fold a load of laundry (that’s usually always there to be done) unload/load the dishwasher. Take your dogs for a walk. But give yourself something else to do, anything else other than eating and a lot of times the cravings will subside.
And If All Else Fails……
Sometimes you just gotta have IT. This is a lifestyle built on moderation not deprivation so if that piece of cheesecake or that side of fries is calling your name with a megaphone no matter what, remember: Sharing Is Caring…For Yourself. Try splitting one serving with a friend. There are three reasons why this strategy halts the damage cravings can inflict on your fitness goals. First, you’ll get a satisfying taste, preventing you from feeling deprived and possibly opening yourself up to a dangerous binge later on. Second, by splitting the portion you instantly cut down on the calories and bring your treat down to manageable levels of sugar, fat, and sodium. Lastly, you get instant support in your healthy decision from your like-minded friend. Just make sure you and your cravings-buddy split a single portion – not an entire extra large everything pizza.
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