Weight Loss without Worry

This is how it starts…

You wake up in the morning and tell yourself you are going to stick to “good” eating today no matter what! You do great until…the cookies show up :-( Now your mind is fixated and all you can think about is having a cookie.

Cravings can be maddening! Unless you understand them and know how to manage your body’s natural physiology to control them. Here are some things you need to know about how to be in the presence of junk food without giving in to your cravings.

1. Cravings can be linked to your hormones. Your hunger can be stimulated by changing hormone levels, and no I am not just talking about “that time of the month”. Both men and women get hunger signals due to changing hormone levels. For instance if you get too hungry and your blood sugar level drops your brain receives a hormonal signal that says EAT! Therefore don’t skip meals or get too hungry and you will manage your cravings much better.

2. Cravings can be linked to habit. You are a creature of habit and you can get a strong desire to eat just because of the situation you find yourself in. Ever go into a Movie Theater and instantly get hungry for a big tub of buttery popcorn? Breaking habits aren’t fun but you can do it. Try just having a diet soda or chewing some gum to keep yourself occupied and stay focused on the movie.

3. Don’t tell yourself a food is forbidden. As a human being you naturally want what you cannot have so what happens when you try to deny yourself a craved food? You want it more! And if you continue the denial you are likely to eat everything else in sight hoping to fulfill the craving. Instead of saying NO, say later and tell yourself that you will allow yourself to have the treat later if you still want it.

4. Do you crave something sweet after a meal? This is a common problem but there is a simple solution. The act of eating will stimulate your hunger. This is one of those genetic traits that was useful to our ancestors who never knew when their next meal would come, but is not so useful in the modern world where fast food restaurants stay open till 2 a.m. The simple solution? Use a Stopper, this is food, drink or activity that interrupts the eating process long enough for your brain to get the message that you are full and shut down your appetite. I like to use a piece of gum or a few breath mints right after a meal- works like a charm!

5. Avoid extremes. When you diet too hard or restrict your eating too much for too long you will fire up your cravings and make life very “un-fun”. You cannot lose a lot of weight and keep the weight off if you feel like losing weight is torture so avoid extremes and instead keep your eating and blood sugar levels even during the day.

If you want to get inspired and learn how dramatically your life can change when you learn how to curb your cravings, then I recommend you watch this video about Roger Troy Wilson he lost 230 pounds about 15 years ago and kept it off by learning how to manage his cravings. Great things are possible!

Any questions, comments or thoughts about how to curb cravings? Add them in the comment section below and I will be happy to respond!