from Dr. Nancy Tice
How to avoid cravings
1. Exercise.
Yet another reason to do a workout: Activity increases endorphin levels and relieves stress. You'll feel inspired and good about yourself, and you'll naturally decrease your food cravings.
2. Get a massage.
It may help relieve anxiety, depression and sleep problems.
3. Read biographies of people who inspire you.
Learn from their positive influence and behavior.
4. Use guided imagery.
Close your eyes and let yourself be whisked away to your favorite place for 10 to 15 minutes. It might be the mountains or the beach. Imagine everything you're seeing, hearing, smelling and feeling.
5. Listen to relaxing music.
Studies have shown this can decrease the production of a substance called cortisol, which can lead to carbohydrate cravings. Music can also increase relaxation, relieve stress and provide more clarity and vigor.
6. Take a bath with aromatherapy.
Oils of citronella, eucalyptus, sage, lavender and chamomile added to a bath can relax you.
7. Laugh.
See a comedy show or engage in activities that bring humor to your life. Seek ways to have more positive emotions in your life. Finding the positive always overrides the negative.
8. Get a pet and love it.
Studies show that pets add a sense of unconditional love to our lives and can reduce blood pressure and stress.
9. Find a passion.
Maybe it's photography, art, ceramics or football. Find something that inspires you and commit to getting out there and doing it.
And I'll add #10: drink more water. I believe that the cue to eat is really masking thirst. And no way to I drink enough water. I LOVE diet Coke. I really want to quit that habit but I love the taste, the feel, the boost. Meh! And I read recently (somewhere) that drinking diet coke creates cravings... your body doesn't recognize the sweetness and manufactures the desire for sweetness so that you overeat other foods trying to quell that urge.
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I was horribly "bad" in the last two days. A Tim Horton's boston creme donut AND a cinnamon bun.
Recommitting NOW.