Yesterday we talked about healthy eating mistakes and how they wreak havoc on the ability to stay consistent without falling off the wagon after 3-4 days. You can feel inspired that healthy food that’s filling, delicious and fast is not only possible – it’s necessary to make it sustainable.
And today is all about….ding ding ding:
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The strategy of walking by a box of donuts in your work kitchen WITHOUT breaking off piece or three . . .even though you have a bag of healthy nuts at your desk
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How it’s possible to survive the 3pm slump without searching for a lifeline in the name of a double chocolate-chip cookie to bring you back from the dead
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How to end the night WITHOUT experiencing vampire-like cravings that take over your body leading you helplessly to the freezer for Caramel Cone Haagen Daaz ice cream
I hate to admit this but I’ve struggled with ALL of these things many times.
I am much older & wiser now thank you very much and this is what I have found for myself and tons of people I have worked with. The best way to crush your cravings is to dig deep and understand what you really want – you’ll be surprised that it’s usually NOT really food you’re craving. Dig deep and figure out what’s going on consistently, passionately and unquestioningly!
This is one of my secrets to always getting the weight-loss and fitness results for myself and dozens of people I have worked with.
Take It
Use It
Sit back and reap the rewards
Cheers
I told you 17 simple food swap ideas yesterday that keep your food tasting delicious, filling and easy to make. Today, I’m going to help you get control over those seemingly uncontrollable cravings.
Day #3: 2-Question “Cravings Crushing” Quiz
Today I’m excited to dig a little deeper with you and help you get to know what is causing the uncontrollable cravings you may feel – they may come up when you’re stressed, need comfort, or are bored.
Sometimes the craving can be a nutritional deficiency like needing more iron when you crave salt, or magnesium when you crave chocolate. This is the easiest craving to crush – because you can add more of the foods that have the deficiency into your diet.
But cravings can be tougher to crack. A lot of our cravings are actually emotionally based. We might need something on a deeper level, but it’s just easier to grab for the first “comfort food” that’s right in front of us than figure out what’s happening in ourselves on a deeper level.
Today’s Challenge: Take a look at my helpful infographic to help you get to the bottom of your cravings: 5 Common Food Cravings and What They Reveal (Click to download file)
Then answer the questions in the “2-Question Cravings-Crushing Quiz”
Question 1: What are you really craving?
If you feel a craving today – for chocolate, bread, sweets, salty or crunchy or anything else – allow yourself to feel it.
Don’t give in to the craving””feel the craving. What is that your body is really aching for? Be patient. It can be buried deep and you’ve been covering it with food for so long. You are very likely to uncover something that may blow your mind.
While you’re in this moment of feeling your craving, ask yourself these questions to help uncover what you are really looking for.
“I am feeling this craving because”:
1. I really want :: (e.g. comfort, relaxation, de-stressing, a hug).
2. I don’t want to feel :: (e.g. stress, loneliness, boredom).
3. It may be a replacement for :: (e.g. love, a hug, excitement, calmness).
Refer to my infographic above for ideas.
Write down the answers or typing them into your phone in the notes app. Your thoughts are clearer when you get them out of your head.
Question 2: What else can you do to fulfill your needs?
Once you are able to realize what you really need (you may need 1-3 times to do this exercise)”” think about how ELSE you can give yourself what you need””not necessarily chocolate.
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If you need comfort try taking a warm shower with really nice soap, writing a handwritten letter to a loved one, or reading a stimulating book.
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If you’re looking to alleviate stress make a list of what you need to do, or take 10 deep breaths.
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If you crave physical comfort give your partner, best friend or kids a long hug and fill up on this very important expression of love.
By spending time learning about yourself, you can improve your life by digging into your real desires””and not covering them up with food.
At the same time, you will clear your path for a faster journey to weight-loss and getting fit as you’ll find you simply don’t need food to meet your emotional needs as much as you used to think.
Share your discoveries:
Share what you discovered about yourself and your cravings in the Busy Women Get Fit FB Group and read what others did. We all have our own issues to work through, and sharing with others can help us uncover even more, or just gain comfort in the fact that we’re not alone. It’s a great way to support each other.
Warmly,
Nagina
For past days go here: