how do you avoid cravings?!

I usually get on computer, go outside, clean, anything to keep my mind off eating and avoiding cravings..

Me, too! If you figure it out, let me know! I've tried dark chocolate, but I literally eat the whole family sized bar (and then some) boo

Yup! Thats my favorite one! As soon as I discovered that it would take me about one hour of burpees to burn off ONE BAGEL, I said "EFF that ISH!"

First of all...let's just say that you're normal!! I think we all struggle with this. Personally, I would have gained sooooo much more than you if I worked in a bakery. All the things that I love!
First piece of advice - keep on exercising. That's your biggest weapon.
I give myself permission to eat whatever I want on Sundays, so sometimes knowing that I can have what I'm craving on Sunday helps me to stay strong and not give in that very minute. (And sometimes when Sunday rolls around, I'm not even hungry for that anymore.) Also, if I overindulge on Sunday and feel like a big turd the next day, I still make myself workout (even if it's at a slower pace) and then that usually makes me feel better.
This was already mentioned, but get out and do something - maybe take up a new hobby?? Get your mind off of food...easier said than done sometimes, I know, but it works.
This may also sound crazy, but I used to picture a switch in my head and after my pigouts on Sundays,then on Mondays I'd imagine myself flipping that switch to "off" meaning that the permission for fattening foods was turned off and no longer an option for the rest of the week!

This is what has helped me so far, and I get bad cravings too around that time of the month!

-I make it a must to workout in the morning that way its done and I feel 'healthier' all day and want to be good.
-Have your food diary open to at least your friends so they keep you accountable. I don't want to cry about not losing weight just to have someone say 'well if you would take a look at your food intake....!" Feel free to add me if you need someone to keep you accountable. I am not a perfect eater and 'cheat' my fair share!
-Quest protein bars are my new best friend. I work at the hospital and don't always have the chance to sit and eat a healthy something. I get to eat a quick bite here and there between patients. Quest bars are high in protein low in carb and sugars. I get them at GNC or online at Vitacost for fairly cheap. Plus I eat it with A LOT of water and try to eat it with fruit. They have sweet 'treat' flavors so that would be a great substitute for you. Have the cookie dough bar instead of a cookie!
-Protein smoothies are great! I like to make protein ice cream with it. Mix a scoop of protein powder 8 oz water (or milk if your calories will allow) and 6 ice cubes and blend! I can eat that while my husband has a bowl of ice cream. I am getting 24g of protein and 2 g sugar. And I don't feel deprived!
-If a substitute will just add to your calorie intake because you REALLY won't be satisfied then have ONE treat. ONE that is just calling your name the loudest. And while you eat it think about how you are feeling, mind and body. Is it worth it to finish. Can you be satisfied with a few bites. A few bites is less to work off then the whole thing. Savor each bite. Walk away after one bite and make yourself busy with anything that is consuming, like cleaning or a walk or go pick weeds! On the upside these activities will 'work off' that bite you just had. Most times I can forget about the craving if I have one bite and get busy with anything else.

What I do and I've found it to be very helpful is to just have a treat and work it into my daily goals. Like if I know I'm going to want chocolate or ice cream I go ahead and log it then plan the rest of my day around it. Then when the time comes to have it I get my one serving and put it on a plate or in a bowl and eat it slowly and savor it and enjoy it! It's much easier to control cravings when you're not eliminating the things you love completely, which will only set yourself up for binging later.

By the way, my Profile pic is when I was at my craving days! :laugh:

I give in to my cravings, but stay within my calorie limit. You have to be serious about wanting to lose weight and sticking to your goal or you will care more about eating 6 cookies instead of the 2 that will keep you below your goal. Drinking water, chewing gum, blah blah blah isn't going to help you if you aren't ready to buckle down and lose the weight. I've been there and I know how it is. You just have to make the decision to work hard.

Sorry if somebody has mentioned this already but I also have this problem and have been doing some research on things that may help... Apparently evening primrose oil is amazing for it (advised to triple dose for first month then the normal 1000) I've just bought some and going to give it a go myself x hope this helps x

Please do let us know how you got on with it. I can resist eating cookies during a day but the problem starts at night as I often get up half asleep and crawl to the kitchen to grab something sweet :P The way I'm fighting this atm is by saving on carbs and overall calorie intake during a day + gym so I have some reserve It seems to be working as I'm actually losing weight and quicker than I thought.

I also let loose on the weekends. For the most part it works! If I binge it goes on for a few days and then it's really hard to get back into the program. I like having a day to have whatever I want! It's great:) It's staying with the exercise program that is tough for me. If I feel I failed on my diet I will slack off on working out. Don't advise that!

Trader Joe's has 100 Calorie Dark Chocolate Bars if you want to give Dark Chocolate a try.

I eat what I crave...in a very small quantity, like one square of a chocolate bar, or one spoonful of ice cream. Also, going outside and going for a walk helps too (and burns calories!).