While many of us work painstakingly hard in order to maintain our weight by eating a healthy diet and exercising, sometimes it is easy to give in to temptation. Whether the enticement finds you by way of chocolate, French fries or a Frappucino, everyone has his pitfalls. What’s worse is that succumbing to food cravings can throw anyone’s routine (and pant size) off track; you have one day of “bad” eating, which then leads to “feeling fat” which in turn spirals into avoidance of exercise or the gym altogether (because surely everyone at the health club knows of the previous night’s Peanut M & Ms binge). Whether you are enticed by fattening and waist-line threatening foods only once in a while (perhaps the holidays are your hazard) or it is something you fight on a weekly basis, there are ways in which you can stave off that temptation so you can still like yourself in the morning.
Brush Your Teeth
On the verge of blowing your calories for the entire week on your snack alone? Try brushing your teeth. Brushing with a minty tooth paste and then flossing is a great way to ward off a food craving. Follow up by applying a refreshing and tingly lip gloss or balm (Dr. Dobbs Peppermint Lip Balm is a great choice) then pop in a piece of your favorite sugarless gum. A clean, fresh mouth is sure not to want to comingle with the likes of potato chips, or cookies. Yes, a freshly cleansed mouth will almost always eradicate those pesky cravings that are sure to ruin your hard work, your pant size and your self esteem.
Take a Walk
Usually when we want to blow our food intake by consuming enough calories to last us until the next millennium, it is almost never because we are hungry. Chances are it is because we are upset about something in our day (or in our life) and it manifests itself through the self sabotage of an eating binge. If a craving comes on, it is probable that you need to calm yourself; so breathe deep and collect yourself. Taking a short, relaxing walk can bring about the calm that you need in order to overcome that menacing desire to overindulge.
Drink Water
Not only will a refreshing glass of water help to make you feel full, but it will revitalize you and perhaps even give you a little extra energy- enough to take your mind away from the nagging craving which hounds you at that moment. The cool, thirst-quenching water will flush through your system and thus flush away with it your desire to eat all the wrong foods for all the wrong reasons.
Find a Role Model
Find someone whom you can aspire to be like physically. It could be a famous athlete, a personal trainer at the gym, or even a friend who keeps themselves in great physical shape. Whoever it is, just think of someone so that when you find yourself in a pinch, about to take out an entire gallon of ice cream in one fell swoop, you can remember that individual who motivates you to stay healthy and in shape just by looking at them. One caveat however: The goal is not to try to compare yourself or to be exactly like this individual so don’t make comparisons, but rather use their fitness and discipline as a means by which to motivate yourself.
Remember it is not about of never having another food craving again, and it is certainly not about being perfect. For doing so would mean never attending another Christmas party or celebrating another birthday with birthday cake again. It is simply about learning how to manage such cravings in a way that you can still maintain your health as well as your well being, both physical and emotional.
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