How to Handle Cravings When You Want To Lose Weight Permanently

Cravings for… Chocolate, cookies, ice cream, candy, brownies, french fries, cheeseburgers, pizza, the list goes on and on. Are you trying to avoid certain foods because you know they are not good for you and will make it impossible to lose weight permanently? Do you eat them nevertheless- at least occasionally?

These foods can really ruin your weight loss program. For example, you’re trying to lose 1 pound per week. As a rule of thumb you should eat 500 calories a day less to lose 1 pound per week. Now imagine, you’re out with friends at their favorite pizza place, and you are having three slices of pizza and a soda. The calories can easily add up to 1000 calories or more… in less than twenty minutes you’ve ruined two days of weight loss!

So let’s look at 5 easy things to do which will help you dealing with cravings:

1. Create a diversion. Works with toddlers and adults likewise: When you are feeling the craving is building up, distract your mind. Go into another room, and do something non-food related. Cleaning is excellent or organizing paperwork. Just don’t let your mind go idle- and change your physical environment.
2. Use it to reward yourself. Sometimes, when you are really crave something, there is just no substitute that will do. So, give in, but under a condition: You first get something done that you’ve postponed, and then you get a bit of your favorite food as a reward. You will accomplish more, and give yourself a well-deserved treat too. Just make sure, that you do not go over your daily calorie limit.
3. Stop dieting. If you are following a very strict plan that limits severely what you are allowed to eat, you will develop cravings. It’s almost guaranteed. A good weight loss program will help you making good food choices, food you actually like to eat instead of forcing you to eat something you do not like. Some programs are very strict and might be too strict for you. A successful weight loss program adjusts to your situation and your personality.
4. Wait- and it will dissolve. I know, when you are having really strong cravings, then you need the food right now. But- if you can make yourself wait, you have good chances to win the battle. Make a plan and a commitment to yourself: Whenever I am getting cravings I will wait for a specific amount of time before I am giving in. The amount of time should be at least one hour- You will see: quite often after one hour the craving has gone. Important: During your waiting time you need to distract your mind- do something that requires your full concentration.
5. Handle emotional eating. Often cravings are caused by emotions and eating helps to deal with these. You need to be honest with yourself to find out if this is the case- as a start look for feelings of “being loved”, “being accepted”, “being cared for” etc. You will have to deal with these issues separately; they do not go away by eating. A good weight loss program will help you finding out if you are prone to emotional eating- for example my free, personalized “Lose Weight Permanently” program for women over 40:

Are you a woman over 40? Do you want to lose weight permanently? Signup for your free, personalized “Lose Weight Permanently” program. I answer your questions individually. Click here now.

Recommended reading:

• Women Over 40: The Top 10 Dangers Threatening Your Permanent Weight Loss
• Why Are You Hungry?
• Don’t You Love Some Unhealthy Foods? And How To Eat Them Nevertheless
• Dieting And Lifestyle

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