By: Tayler Glenn
There’s no way around it: weight loss happens in the kitchen, not the gym. No matter what your workout looks like, you’re going to have a hard time creating those healthy habits and Finding Your Fit on a diet of refined carbs & candy! Both are plentiful this time of year, which is why you’ve got to be in the mindset of tacking your cravings to #FindYourFit!
What Are Cravings?
Different than physical hunger, cravings are an intense desire for a specific food, taste, or texture. We can crave sweet or salty the same way we can crave chewy or crunchy!
Cravings can be caused by either physical or emotional needs. Cravings are sometimes caused by emotions such as loneliness or celebration, totally separate from your body’s biological need for food, and other times can be triggered by being in a certain place or near a certain food.
It’s important to note that giving in to cravings isn’t always a bad thing! We don’t want to fall into the all-or-nothing mindset or ignore hunger cues, so make sure you know the difference.
Tackling Cravings
There are more than a few ways to go about tackling cravings, especially during the holidays! Here are just a few quick tips to have in your back pocket:
See If It’s Specific
Like we said, don’t ignore hunger! If you’re not sure whether this is true hunger or a craving, ask yourself “Am I craving something specific?”
If it’s a craving, only a specific food will do. If you’re hungry, you’re likely to be happy with a wider range!
Redirect Your Focus
Take 10 or 15 minutes to grab some water, take a walk, or do another task to take your mind off of food. Attention goes where energy flows!
If the craving persists, go ahead and reach for a balanced snack to satisfy the craving like an apple and peanut butter or a TLS® Shake.
Identify the Source
If you’re pretty sure it’s a craving, take a moment to check in with yourself. Are you feeling sad or stressed and looking for a pick-me-up? Have you recently accomplished something and are thinking of a reward? Is it a certain type of food that you usually crave when one of those emotions hit?
The next time you begin to a craving coming on, take notice of the mood and situation. The more you recognize these thought patterns, the better you’ll be able to cater to what you’re really craving in the moment and find something that helps you get what you’re after.
Make Sure Your Meal Plan Is Being Met
Cravings can also come when we’re depriving our bodies of the calories it needs to function. It’s easy to fall into the less-is-more mindset and cut calories too low. Your TLS® Meal Plan, whichever you’re on, will help to ensure you’re eating enough high-quality calories and eating frequently enough to keep your body well and blood sugar levels stable.
If you’re feeling
- Overly preoccupied with weight, food, or calories
- Overly preoccupied with body image, body size, or the number on the scale
- Anxiety or fear around certain types or groups of food
then please be sure to take a screening or reach out to a professional.
How are you tackling cravings in a healthy, sustainable way this holiday season?
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