What To Do When That Food Craving Strikes

“Much of the satisfying work of life
begins as an experiment;
no experiment is ever
quite a failure.”
Alice Walker

Does this sound familiar? You were following a diet, feeling good about yourself and then suddenly you find yourself eating again. What happened? It does not matter what triggered you into picking up the food. This is an everyday occurrence among those in the world of dieting. Please, please do not beat yourself up. There is a solution.

I remember the time I was on a diet for almost two months and the weight was coming off. One day after leaving a Networking Event, I walked past Duncan Donuts and saw all the donuts and muffins. I heard my mind saying, “You have been on a diet for almost two months so go buy yourself a small donut, it can’t hurt. My thoughts had a good time arguing among themselves. Before I knew it, I was in Duncan Donuts ordering a cup of coffee and a dozen donuts. I was too embarrassed to buy only one donut and had the idea I would bring them home for my husband and daughters. Guess what? The donuts never made it home. The only thing that arrived home was my anger at myself for eating them.

Let’s look at what you could have done differently if you were in that situation and your loud thoughts started drowning out your good intentions. Acknowledge the thoughts and thank them for helping you. Then say out loud, “I will eat something later and right now I deserve to buy myself a fun novel.” Immediately get into your car and go to the bookstore. The idea is not to make food an option and find other activities that make you happy. The most important thing is to start that activity right away instead of waiting for later.

Following are a list of ideas you could try instead of eating something:

1. Call yourself on the phone and leave a message bragging about how you are taking care of yourself by staying on your healthy eating plan and how much better you feel.
2. Have your nails done or get a pedicure.
3. Take a long walk and think about the things in your life that you are grateful for.
4. Call a friend and see if they want to meet for coffee and, if they agree, leave immediately.
5. While walking down the street make up positive stories about the people you are passing. I love doing this it puts a smile on my face.

Now it is your turn!
Leave a comment on the Love Yourself - It Matters! Blog bragging about the different steps you are taking and your successes. I love hearing from you and celebrating your new behaviors!

If you are struggling with food and have questions please leave a comment on the Love Yourself – It Matters! Blog and I will address them in my next article.

Do something nice for yourself today!

Helen