Let’s talk about cravings for junk food – and what you can do to beat them.
You know what I’m talking about… you’re sitting at your desk at 2 p.m. and suddenly ALL you can think about are chocolate chip cookies.
Or you’re watching TV at night and feel the ice cream or chips in the kitchen calling your name.
Or you’re watching TV at night and feel the ice cream or chips in the kitchen calling your name.
These cravings are super common — and they can be caused by a lot of things.
- You could be hungry
- You might be stressed, lonely, or bored
- You’ve developed a habit of snacking around a certain time or activity
- Your hunger hormones might be out of whack from a bad night of sleep or because it’s that time of the month
- You might have a nutrient deficiency
Eating a special treat every once in a while is fine — and even encouraged! But on a regular basis, it can get in the way of your results (not to mention your health).
I’ve got a 4-point list to help you slay those junk food cravings and take back control!
- Plan ahead. Have healthier options on hand: fruits, cut-up veggies, nuts, etc. (PS: I know you already know this — but do you actually DO it? :) )
- Hide food offenders. If you have foods in the house that bring on cravings, keep them out of sight!
- Eat it. Allow yourself to snack on your favorites once in a while. This way they don’t become “forbidden foods” that make you crave them even more.
- Try mindful eating. When you do indulge, make eating that food your only activity. Turn off the TV, get off your phone, and savor every bite, noticing its taste, texture, temperature, etc. This can help you feel more satisfied with a smaller portion.
Plus it can help you decide whether you’re eating because you’re actually hungry… or because of something else (entertainment, to relax, bored, etc.).
Habits can be changed — they just take time!
Have questions about boosting your health & fitness?
Grab a time on my calendar to chat for just 15 minutes so we can see if one of my programs would be a fit for you. https://calendly.com/colleenriddle/coaching
Make it an amazing day!
Interested in ways to support your wellness with chemical-free options? Click HERE!
Here’s a fact: even if you love veggies, it can be hard to get the required amount (2 to 3 cups a day).
And that’s a shame, because veggies are packed with vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds that your body needs to function at its very best.
If this is something you struggle with, I’ve got some easy ideas to help you ramp up your veggie intake:
1. Chop them into tiny bits
… and stir them into scrambled eggs, soups, potatoes, casseroles, etc. When they are minced, you barely notice them!
2. Add them to every meal … one meal at a time
Start by finding ways to add them to the easiest meal (probably dinner), and then when you master that, move on to another meal.
3. Be intentional about it
Decide it’s not a balanced meal if it doesn’t contain veggies, and then get on it!
4. Make them tasty
Experiment with adding sauces and spices to your veggies. This makes a huge difference!
5. Be sneaky
Try adding carrot or pumpkin puree, spinach, and/or mushrooms to your burgers or meatloaf.
6. Fill in the Gaps
Add a scoop of powerful greens to your daily shake or juice. I use Ningxia Greens to get my extra dose of powerful antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. With over 60 nutrient-rich vegetables, fruits, herbs, algae and mushrooms I love the peace of mind as it supports my immune system, digestive health, and energy levels!
p.s.
If you haven't joined my private Facebook Group, Wellness With Colleen, hop over there now. Every week I offer fun challenges, healthy recipes, and wellness tips.
This group is perfect for you if:
✔️ You want daily inspiration to stay on track while you create your healthy lifestyle
✔️ You’d love to get your biggest nutrition and fitness questions answered by a real coach and other like-minded people who are on the same journey
✔️ And you like getting access to FREE recipes, tips, workouts, and more!
Interested in ways to support your wellness with chemical-free options? Click HERE!
Do you ever think about how much your core muscles actually do for you?
When most of us think about core strength, we think about how our core looks…
But the fact is, our core is responsible for almost every move we make — like walking, picking stuff up, and even breathing!
And something you might not know is that because your core muscles can directly impact your posture….
There’s also a link to your stress levels, digestion, and overall health, too.
(Although let's be real, having a strong, toned midsection also feels pretty darn good, right?)
However, if your core isn’t as powerful as it used to be, I’ve created a FREE guide to help you tighten, tone, and strengthen those major muscles.
GRAB YOUR COPY HERE: Core Strong Guide
Inside, you'll find 5 easy-to-follow workouts and exercises that target not just your abs, but all of the muscles in your midsection, from top to bottom, back to front!
Need some ideas for working these exercises into your daily routine?
- Pick an exercise to do during a commercial break while you’re watching TV
- Work your core while you’re waiting for your coffee to brew in the morning
- Or do them at the end of your next workout
A little goes a long way when you stay consistent!
Whether you're new to exercise, coming back after a long break from working out, or a seasoned athlete, this guide has something for everyone. (If you know anyone who would love a copy of this, feel free to share this email/link with them.)
Interested in ways to support your wellness with chemical-free options? Click HERE!
Have you ever noticed that foods that aren't exactly “good” for you seem to taste amazing?
It’s kind of like Mother Nature is playing a practical joke… but there are a few reasons this happens.
- Many “crave-worthy” foods are loaded with sugar, salt, fat, and empty calories.
- Our brains are hardwired to crave tasty, high-energy (aka high-calorie) foods because they help us survive when food is scarce. (Except for most of us, food isn’t scarce anymore — so we have to be careful not to overeat these foods.)
- Manufacturers spend a LOT of time and money making these foods as delicious as possible – and also on ads to entice us. It's no surprise that some of these foods are hard to resist!
So if you find yourself craving these foods, that’s by design!
I’m sharing this with you because I believe knowledge is power — and keeping this in mind helps me keep my own food choices in check!
According to the National Academy of Sciences, people eat too many calories, saturated fats, trans fats, and added sugars; too much sodium; and not enough vitamin D, calcium, potassium, or fiber.
Here’s the kicker: the top causes of death (heart disease, diabetes, some types of cancer, etc.) are strongly associated with our food choices!
Now, I am all for moderation (80%-90% healthy foods, 10%-20% “extras”) … but I also know that walking that tightrope can be a real challenge sometimes!
That’s just one reason I created the 28-Day Total Body Transformation program. If you want to know exactly how we do this and what's included, you can read my program breakdown HERE.
It’s time to discover just how GREAT you can feel!
Here's what one 28-Day participant said about the program, "
When I first heard about Colleen's program, I thought I didn't have "time" for another program. I read more about it and realized it was different and easier than most programs that are out there. I changed some major bad habits in just 3 days into the program that I thought for sure I wouldn't be able to do. I love the new habits I've created and still going strong; they are really lifelong changes. Who knew! Colleen did!"-Melissa G.
P.S.
Our challenge this week over in my private Facebook group is "No added sugar challenge!" Join us...especially if you are feeling sluggish after too many chocolate covered bunnies from Easter!
Interested in ways to support your wellness with chemical-free options? Click HERE!
This month we’re tackling a big topic: getting rid of what’s standing between you and your goals.
This could be what you put in your body (food) … what you focus on with your thoughts and beliefs … and anything else that’s cluttering up your wellness journey.
The first step is probably the hardest …
It’s getting REAL and identifying exactly what’s holding you back.
It’s a challenge because we can get into autopilot with our everyday life … and we don’t even notice what’s in our way!
I have an exercise you can do to help.
Grab your favorite pen and a journal – or open a Google doc – and start writing.
(Pro tip: The words you will write are for YOUR EYES ONLY and you can throw away/delete what you write later if you want!)
(Pro tip: The words you will write are for YOUR EYES ONLY and you can throw away/delete what you write later if you want!)
Make a list of ALL of the reasons you think you haven’t been able to achieve your goals.
Seriously, write down everything!
Maybe you hate getting up early … don’t like “healthy” foods … feel like you don’t have willpower or motivation … feel overwhelmed … feel alone in your journey … or maybe there are factors outside of your control.
Or maybe you think your goals are for other people – not for you.
Let loose and write it ALL down.
THEN, read through your list and look for common themes: time factors, mindset/motivation issues, confidence, support/accountability, etc.
Now it’s time to get into problem-solving mode and TAKE ACTION.
- Don’t have support? Find it! Think of the health/fitness-minded people in your circle and enlist them, search for an online community, and/or work with a coach (a real game changer).
- Not enough time? Get creative. Find ways to sneak fitness/health into the spare moments of your life. A coach can help with this, too.
- Mindset issues? Surround yourself with motivation – read self-development books, watch inspiring YouTube videos, and keep a journal to track your progress.
This is a HUGE area where a coach can help.
Imagine how great will it feel to finally ditch the obstacles between you and your goals.
INCREDIBLY GREAT.
And I'm here for you if you don’t want to do it alone.
If you are frustrated, exhausted, and feel like you are spinning your wheels in the wellness area, I know I can help you. Just respond to this email and we can chat and see if one of my programs is a good fit for you.
Have a wonderful Easter week. I'm headed home to Austin on Friday to celebrate my dad's 85th birthday! Looking forward to some fun family time!
Interested in ways to support your wellness with chemical-free options? Click HERE!
