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!
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 I want to focus on one of the MOST IMPORTANT THINGS you can do when it comes to getting ACTUAL results.
And this one thing will also help:
- Your health
- Your workout/sports performance
- Up your energy levels
- Reduce painful joints
- The quality of your skin and hair
- Your heart
- Your brain
- How you feel now and into the future.
Big stuff, right?!
It has to do with what you EAT. If you've known me for a while, you've probably heard me say, "You can't out train a bad diet!"
Because there’s a direct line between your food intake and EVERY one of the things on that list (plus a lot more).
This isn’t groundbreaking news. But …
There might be something specific standing in your way of putting it into action.
FACT: There’s a type of food specifically engineered to make you crave more of it.
And this food product is also crammed with some of the worst things for your body that you can eat: added sugars, unhealthy fats, salt, and loads of extra (empty!!!) calories.
→ It’s “Ultra-Processed Food” – cookies, chips, donuts, candy bars, sweetened cereals, sweetened granola bars, fried chicken, white bread, mashed potato flakes, etc. – and many scientists agree it’s ADDICTING.
And even if it’s not ACTUALLY addicting, studies have found these “foods” stimulate the reward pathways in your brain the same way some drugs do.
So, not only is this “food” NOT GOOD for you, it makes you crave even MORE of it.
This is a huge area of research right now.
I put quotes around “food” because it actually bears very little resemblance to real food. It has basically been stripped of its nutrition (fiber and micronutrients).
I have a LOT of great info coming for you about these “foods” and shifting away from eating them.
BUT FIRST … it all starts with AWARENESS.
Start paying attention to what you’re craving (and what foods you are eating). Keep track!
Write down what you’re craving, and also when. Documenting all of this will help you find patterns - and it’s also a great way to start taking back control.
So that’s your mini-assignment for the next few days – notice the who/what/when/where/why of any cravings you have.
No judgment! Just pay attention and keep track.
Are you up for it?! Email me back and let me know.
PS: Ready to take your results to the next level? Check out my upcoming 28-Day Transformational Challenge. Begins Sept 7th... I can help you make it a reality!
Interested in ways to support your wellness with chemical-free options? Click HERE!
