| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | Never give up. When you go off the rails, do not |
| One of my greatest problems with the control of | | | | despair, get a grip, do whatever is necessary to |
| my weight is the fact that so much self disipline is | | | | re-gain control, because you really must get that |
| needed to achieve any tangible results. Ah, but I | | | | control back. Try to practice restraint most of |
| hear you saying, "Whats new about that" We all | | | | the time, but do not get obsessed and |
| have that problem! Tell us something new! | | | | un-balanced in your weight loss approach. Think |
| Well yes we do all know that that is the biggest | | | | moderation and not total abstinence at all times! |
| problem is it not. Lets face it, eating is one of life's | | | | Exercise. This will increase the feel good |
| greatest pleasures, and we would be pretty | | | | endorphins that will help cut down on your |
| abnormal if this was otherwise. | | | | cravings. Try to get at least 30 minutes of |
| After all, most of us are "regular" people. How | | | | physical activity every day. I hear so many |
| many of us stick to the perfect diet all the time, | | | | people say that they just cannot fit in any |
| we all have our struggles with food to a greater | | | | excerise, believe me you can, we are talking |
| or lesser extent. If we can recognize an | | | | about 30 minutes here, at the worst, it will mean |
| awareness of this problem, and also make a point | | | | you will have to get out of bed that bit earlier. |
| of knowing a little bit about our health, and also | | | | An early morning brisk walk will do wonders for |
| proper food nutrition, we are then much more | | | | the spirit and the soul, and will help set you up for |
| likely to make wiser decisions about our choices | | | | the rest of the day! |
| of food. | | | | Use moderation. Instead of stuffing yourself with |
| Many people struggle with food "cravings," and | | | | every kind of food hoping that your cravings will |
| reasearch tells us that it is fairly common for | | | | disappear, eat 100 to 200 calories of whatever it |
| food "cravings" to occur at certain times, quite | | | | is that you happen to be craving for at at that |
| often around bedtime. Your guard may be down, | | | | particular moment in time, but you must stop it at |
| or you may have had an unusually hard day, and | | | | that! |
| off you go on your not-so-merry way, intent on | | | | Substitute with low-fat foods and complex carbs. |
| finding that tasty treat. Fatigue and stress often | | | | If you’re hungry for chocolate, eat non-fat |
| combine to take their toll on the best of | | | | chocolate yogurt or mousse, or try fig bars or |
| intentions, so please don't worry about it, rest | | | | raisins for a sweet craving instead. You will be |
| assured you are not alone. | | | | amazed at how this will help. |
| When food "cravings" are out of control, what | | | | You must try and never skip a meal. It is much |
| started out as a bedtime snack, quickly turns into | | | | wiser to eat something if even only an apple, |
| a full blown feeding frenzy...not something most of | | | | every three to five hours. Try six smaller meals, |
| us fully understand or appreciate. We head to the | | | | or regular meals with nutritious snacks in between. |
| kitchen and every other possible place where | | | | Try and remember that hunger cravings are very |
| food can hide, quickly clearing a path as we go. | | | | frequently stress related. Practice other ways to |
| Most food cravings are not about satisfying a | | | | cope with stress, a walk in the park for example, |
| nutritional need or imbalance. They seem to be | | | | spiritual connections, a cozy fireplace, or even |
| more emotionally related, or God forbid, are | | | | take a bath. You see, all of these stimulate |
| caused by plain old gluttony. Exactly why we | | | | neurochemicals that activate regions of the brain |
| over-indulge is not completely understood, | | | | which increases a feeling of well being. Relaxation |
| however our knowledge about this subject | | | | techniques really can be beneficial in reducing the |
| continues to grow. | | | | levels of stress which you may be experiencing. |
| These Are Some Of My Thoughts On How To | | | | So the bottom line is to try and substitute |
| Control Food Cravings. | | | | pleasurable experiences for comfort foods. |
| If the food isn't available, you can't eat it. Empty | | | | Beware of certain medications which can stimulate |
| the cookie jar and keep it that way! Keep healthy | | | | your appetite. Certain drugs which are used for |
| food choices on-hand. | | | | the treatment of depression and bipolar disorder |
| It is important to recognize the feelings and | | | | can be appetite stimulants. Other drugs, both |
| emotions that will lead to a food craving. Do you | | | | prescription and over the counter, may influence |
| have food cravings when you’re bored, or | | | | appetite as well. If you are on a medication and |
| maybe you are feeling lonely, or is it stress that is | | | | troubled by food cravings, discuss this with your |
| the trigger. If you can identify the trigger which | | | | doctor or pharmacist. You may well be able to |
| leads to that craving, then you are half way to | | | | find an alternative that doesn't send your food |
| winning the battle, because you will be able to deal | | | | cravings out of control. |
| with the emotion that is making you desire a | | | | Distract yourself. What's that old expression...idle |
| certain food. | | | | hands are the devils workshop, so get busy! Do |
| Sometimes, even recognizing that a craving is | | | | anything other than give in to your desire for |
| about to happen doesn't seem to help, but please | | | | food, and keep doing it until the cravings subside. |
| do not give yourself a hard time about it, what is | | | | One final thought for you. Take a look inside your |
| done is done, do not feel guilty because after all | | | | refrigerator and kitchen cabinets and do some |
| there is always tomorrow. Why not call one of | | | | general "house cleaning." Throw-out all that |
| your friends and share how you were feeling at | | | | unhealthy stuff that is waiting to sabotage your |
| that time, because it is a very good idea to make | | | | diet, and start shopping more wisely. A little |
| good use of your support network. | | | | forethought and careful planning will go a long way |
| Self-control and discipline by themselves will not | | | | for improving your chances of success. |
| cut it! If you depend totally on yourself for | | | | One of my golden rules is that I NEVER go |
| control, you will fail. Forming caring and supportive | | | | shopping when I am hungry! Absolutely fatal! |
| relationships is really essential, so if you do not | | | | So to conclude, remember that control is the key, |
| currently have a support network, start building | | | | eat healthily and in moderation at all times, but do |
| one TODAY. | | | | not forget that at the end of the day you are |
| Get enough sleep. When you are feeling really | | | | only human. If you do give in to temptation, don't |
| tired, you are more likely to crave things, and | | | | beat yourself up about it, tomorrow is another |
| with me personally, it is usually chocolate, possibly | | | | day, live long, enjoy your life, and most of all be |
| you are the same. | | | | happy! |