FIRST- we need to get this out of the way. Answer this question:
Why are you craving something?
Are you feeling emotional? Are you simply bored? Or have you been limiting yourself so much lately you just feel like gobbling down an entire pint of ice cream? If you are feeling emotional you know what I am going to say… FIGURE OUT WHY! Do not sit there and eat your feelings away, that is going to do anything for you. There have been times where I have turned to different types of food or soda to make me feel better when I was feeling down. So yes, when I say it makes you feel like complete crap after... I know what I am saying!
You have two options in my mind: you can sit there and diagnose your feelings or you can get your butt up and get moving! GO EXERCISE! That is the best way to shake off a crappy mood… and it is far healthier than binge eating!
Give it 15 minutes
15 minutes is all I ask. What sounds better, the thing you just began to crave, or the lifestyle you have been longing for? Hold out, it gets easier. It is proven that the less you eat sweets, the less you crave them. Now I am not into the whole scientific “if you are craving this… you should eat this…” but honestly, if you are craving something, give it at LEAST 15 minutes…. And here are some ways how.
Distract your mind
Call a friend and ask them how their day is going. Go grab a piece of paper and write down the top 20 vacations you want to go on before you die…then research them all. Go grab some markers and construction paper and make cards for people you haven’t talked to in a while. Write a poem. DOODLE. Watch a funny YouTube video. Go watch some Orange is the New Black on Netflix. Go look up some funny pictures of pugs on Pinterest. Share those funny pictures of pugs from Pinterest with your friends. Send someone a funny joke text. Go for a drive. Listen to some new music. Send me an email. There are SO many things you can do to keep your mind busy!
BREATHE.
Take control of your mind. Take 10 deep breaths. Keep your eyes closed and your mind clear. Tell yourself “I can do this. I can overcome this craving.” Keep repeating, “This craving is only temporary, my lifestyle if permanent.” The more you fuel yourself with positive reinforcement, the more you will start to believe it. (This step could also help if you are going through something emotional… it will definitely help you calm down and get you to a better state of mind!)
Meditate/yoga
Get familiar with yourself. Learn more about yourself. Yoga and meditation are both powerful tools to bring you closer to your soul. Once you become one with yourself, you might learn to cherish yourself more and know that you are able to overcome this craving. I know so many people who swear by meditation and yoga; they swear it has changed their lives. I don’t practice yoga as often as I wish I did, but I know when I do practice it makes me feel WONDERFUL. It is also a great distraction tool. Go on Pinterest and look up beginner or intermediate poses and give them a shot! They are super fun to play around with; you can even call a friend and have them try it with you!
Get YOUR booty moving!
GO EXERCISE! Take a walk, go for a swim, do 50 crunches, do 10 burpees. GET YOUR BLOOD PUMPING! Once you feel the adrenaline from that little workout, you will not want that craving. Whenever I am craving something that my grandpa’s house on Sunday (he goes to the store every Sunday morning before family gathering, and buys donuts for everyone), I tell my dad we are going to take a walk! It is so much fun! I get my cousins together and we all go talk about everything and nothing… AND we are getting free exercise in! Once I get back to grandpas, the craving has usually subsided and all I really want is some water.
Speaking of water…. DRINK WATER!
Water is a miracle honestly. If you feel like you are hungry but you “aren’t sure what you are in the mood for”… that is usually code for *BORED EATING*. It is a trap! You are not really hungry; you are just thirsty… I know, our bodies like to play games on us! Try sipping on some water and I am sure that feeling will change. If water just really isn’t doing it for you, try adding some lemons or other fruit into your water! It switches it up from the same old taste, and it might even change your sweet tooth.
So now I am sure you are thinking, what do I do after the 15 minutes are up? If you have tried absolutely everything in your power to stay away from that craving and you still feel like you cannot do it, you might actually be hungry. Try making a healthy snack that mimics your craving. PINTEREST has so many different recipes! The Internet is at your fingertips... use it to your advantage!! I know you can overcome the craving. Hold out… your body will thank you later ;)
REMINDER: You should be eating to fuel your body… no other reason! You body does amazing things for you everyday; you should reward it by keeping it healthy and fit. If you want to reward your soul and make your mind happy… go do some yoga!
How do you get over your cravings?!