Stop Those Cravings!

 Hi all!! 
This week I am going to talk about how to avoid those cravings and help yourself stay on track! It seems like it is an on going battle for most people! Below is a list of things that you can do to help yourself!

• Avoid Your Triggers!
• Do not buy cookies and chips if you know you are going to eat the whole box/bag. Even if  its for your kids, husband, roommates, etc. Do not keep it in the house. Your house, your rules. Plus getting your family to eat healthier and teaching them good habits now will only help them later down the road. For those guilty feeling parents, let me share something with you. 
• You get all your fat cells in your adolescence. After that they only grow or shrink, so buy feeding your kids good, nutritious foods you are only helping them.  
• Another way to avoid triggers is to tell yourself and others, that you do not eat that. You don't have to share why, but if they ask and you don't want to share with the world you are changing your eating habits. Simply tell them you are allergic, that is all there is to that! 

• Destroy Temptation
• Lets say that the above does not work for you and/or your families life style. Here is what you do. Lets say you find yourself eating a cupcake by yourself in the kitchen, and you realize half way though that you have given in. The guilt sinks in and you figure you might as well finish it, right? Wrong!!! Pour some water over that bad boy, though it on the floor/ground, ruin that sucker! If you don't ruin it, that cupcake is going straight to those hips you have worked so hard to slim! When you ruin that cupcake/cookie/pizza, whatever it may be, you will feel a sense of accomplishment that you have beaten your binge.

• Eat That Health Fat
• When you are craving sweets, most of the time it is because you are not eating enough healthy fat! Yes, there is such thing as healthy fat, and your body needs it, don't deprive yourself of it. This will only lead you to a down ward spiral of binge eating. 
• Eat an ounce of nuts, 1/2 of an avocado, use olive oil for dressing or when you are cooking, and a tablespoon of just about any nut butter. This will dampen your appetite by changing your body chemistry. 

• Give Yourself Some Energy 
• Try sipping on some coffee (with non-fat milk of course) instead of reaching for something sweet. The coffee may not satisfy your craving, but it can quench your appetite and distract you from those sweets. 

• Don't Let Things Get the Best Of You
• Let it go, stress is a huge trigger for cravings. You need to learn how to deal with it! This can save you hundreds of calories a day! Like all things it will take practice. Try things like deep breathing, going for a run, write it down, or simply find a private area and scream if you must. The important thing is that you let it go.
• Remember, that moment has came and went, it is in the past. There is nothing you can do to go back and change it. Move ahead, learn from it, and move on! 

• Get Your Beauty Sleep
• Make sure you are getting 8 hours of sleep everyday! No more and no less! Your body needs it to run efficiently and effectively. 

• Keep Those Teeth Clean
• When you are craving something thing or cooking in the kitchen and want a little taste. STOP and either brush your teeth or get a piece of gum. You won't want to ruin that fresh breath, and it will taste a little funny too. 
• When I am being super strict with my diet, I have about 5 different types of gum in my purse/car. Anything from mint to apple pie! This really helps curb my cravings and then I don't think about it later. 

• Drink Water, Eat Protein
• Most of the time when we think we are hungry we are actually just dehydrated. Make sure you are drinking about 3 liters a day. Also, if that doesn't help, eat some protein (lean of course). This can also be a cause of hunger! 

• Cheat Meal
• Give yourself a cheat meal, once to twice a week (make sure they are 3 days apart). This will help you get through your week or give you a break in between. Also, it will reset your metabolism and keep it in full gear! 
• Remember a MEAL NOT A DAY!!!! Go nuts though have ice cream on your pizza!! Keep it to one meal though, and just because you are sitting in the same place for several hours does not mean it is the same meal!

• Plan or Avoid
• Change up your routine so you do not pass by your favorite bakery or pizza place. If you know you will be faced with your favorite guilty pleaser because you have an event you are going to, you have a couple options. Eat before you go, take some snacks with you, make sure you have your gum, drink water, or just simply calculate it into your calorie intake for the day. 

There you have it, 10 tips to keep you on track! I hope this helps, stick with it, you can do it! Have a great weekend and enjoy your St. Patrick's Day!!! Until next week!

Pistols...Out! 

Xo