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Tips To Curb The Cravings

August 13th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed

Changing you eating habits can be tough especially if you can not remember the last time you ate ice cream out of a bowl instead of the tub or the last time you had a salad, but it is possible. Making permanent changes requires time and patience, there will be ups and downs and time that you completely fall of the wagon. Just get up brush yourself off and get back on, beating yourself up is not helpful just self destructive.

If you are having a rough time and you find yourself feeling hungry try a few of the following tips.

1. Drink lots of water. When we have neglected our body for a period of time we forget what the actual signals that our bodies are giving us mean. One of the biggest mistakes people make is they mistake thirst for hunger, if you think you are feeling hungry and it is not yet time to have a meal or a snack then have a large glass of water instead. If you are having a sweet craving then have a sugar free flavored water this is more often then not enough to kick your craving to the curb.

2. Sleep, you must get enough sleep, for most individuals six hours a night is sufficient but all of us have different sleeping needs. There are 2 hormones (leptin and ghrelin) that regulate our appetites and these are directly affected by how much sleep we get.

3. If you are feeling hungry or are having a craving then stop and think about why this is happening, there is probably an emotional reason behind it. Once you acknowledge what is really behind the hunger chances are it will pass as you are now able to see it for what it is.

4. If all else fails then do an alternate activity until the feeling goes away or your mind has moved on to something different. The activity can be anything from closing your eyes and doing some deep breathing to getting up and running around the block. Craving are usually very short lived.

Remember it will take time for your body to adjust to the positive changes you are making in your life, as you continue you will learn exactly what your body needs at any given time. Be patient (no one is perfect) and above all have fun.