Controlling the Cravings!

Hi and welcome back!

Well the weekend is upon us again and with it comes for many of us the time to relax and enjoy ourselves away from work and with friends and family. Now if you are anything like me, many of these occasions also brings about the chance to eat! For me, the weekends are the most difficult time to stay on track with my fitness and weight loss goals and talking to many other Brides, the same applies for them, so I thought I would discuss an important tip in helping you prevent that blow out that you dread over the weekends.

It all comes down to motivation...how badly do you want what you have set out to achieve? If you want to achieve your goals REALLY badly, you will be prepared to make some sacrifices....such as the couple of extra glasses of wine, or the dessert you know you don’t really need, or the slice of cake with coffee on Sunday afternoon.

The other way to think of it, and the approach I generally tend to take, is to find all the benefits in not having what you want but you know you don’t need. I’m not talking about the long term benefits, such as ‘it will help me lose weight’, but the short term, immediate benefits. For example, if you know that eating pizza makes you feel bloated the next morning (it’s because of all the salt in the dough, the cheese, the processed meat....yes, it’s true!!) and that you hate feeling bloated, then remind yourself of that as you are scanning over the menu. Similarly, if you know that you will feel guilty for eating something you shouldn’t then remind yourself of that. However try to think of these benefits in a positive frame of mind. For example, instead of thinking “I won’t feel bloated”, think, “I will feel so much lighter tomorrow if I choose a salad”, or “I will feel really proud of myself if I decide to order only a cup of coffee”. Remind yourself of what it is you like about the healthier option you are about to choose. Is it the taste, the texture, the smell? Think of what you are gaining, rather than what you are avoiding or missing out on because the truth is that once the moment is gone, the decision has been made and you carry on with whatever social activity you are involved with at the time, you won’t feel like you missed out on anything. It is often our emotions that get in the way of making the best option on what to eat or drink.

The first time you try this you may find it tricky. Persist with it and carry it through to completion. Be determined. Order the healthier choice and remind yourself of all the benefits. Once you get through the event, reflect on it, ask yourself, “How do I feel knowing I had the determination and willpower to stay on track?” You should feel proud, relieved or perhaps happy. Either way, future occasions of using this technique will gradually become increasingly easier and soon you will find yourself able to stick to your plan with ease! Give it a try and let me know how you go!

I hope this helps many of you who find themselves in frustrating situations when it comes to eating, drinking and socialising. If you need any more specific help with situations like these, get in contact with me and we can find ways for you to overcome them.

Speak to you all again soon

Sharon