What do you do about cravings?

I started this process of changing the way I was eating and living just over a year ago, and too thought about the few things that I would crave. Now I plan these and work an exercise program into my week, to enable to have them once in awile. For example, Saturday night is "chip night" at our house and I will have them, and I have worked an exercise amount that will cancedl out the calories and more of the chips, I have a few more foods like this, but it does take planning.
so far this year I am down 109lbs, had lots to lose, but site really works for me. I find switching from coffee (sorry Tim's) and pop to water, (minimum 10 cups per day), has helped immensely.
cravings are always there, just takes moderation and planning,
PS my chips after a year, have become a craving for grapefruit, odd, huh......

To be honest, I usually just eat what I'm craving, because I can't handle it! The only way I have found myself able to ignore it is to literally walk away, like out of my apartment and go for a walk, so I'm far away from the food. Then, by the time I get back I forget about it and am more thirsty than hungry

What works varies from person to person. I tried moderation and I failed miserably at it. I either slipped up and pigged out on everything for a day or days or even weeks before pulling myself back together, or I was really irritable because I was spending too much energy resisting the cravings. So I cut all the foods I craved out and all the foods that triggered the cravings.

I see this as a last resort really. It makes for a very restricted menu. I do wish I could have a slice of chocolate cake now and then or a bag of chips but it just isn't worth the aggravation of my brain pestering me constantly afterward for more more MORE!

For the first two weeks I was cutting out my snacking I substituted tea, drowned myself in it. Working from home I used getting a snack as a way to take a break, so I needed something more than water. Spending time brewing the tea gave me several minutes away from my desk. After those really strict weeks I stopped being hungry so often, and could plan a small portion of dessert into my diet once a week or so - although I limited it to times when we were out at a restaurant or visiting friends so the temptation wasn't in my house.

Now I am doing a lot better and have brought desserts home for my husband. After a month and a half without desserts I really taste all the artificial flavors and the heaviness of them, which makes it easier.

I see how many calories I have left after supper, and allow myself a cookie, or a square of chocolate, or something similar, as long as I am within my daily limit. I manage to have one small sweet thing most evenings, and that gets me through.