Dealing with cravings

I try the old tricks of: wait 20 minutes, brush you teeth, eat a dill pickle, drink a big glass of water, etc...
Sometimes I just give in....sometimes our cravings are our bodies telling us something. Best of luck to you!

Yup. I gave into my cravings yesterday. My biggest problem with finally giving in is that the next day after giving in I crave unhealthy foods even more!!! The day after is sooo hard. I'm having a constant fight in my head today trying to keep myself from going bananas in the kitchen again.
I won't give in again, but I hate dealing with the "day after" cravings.

I think everyone deals with them to some degree. I know during TOM (which for me is righ now) I seem to have the most... stupid hormones!! Stupid self-discipline!!

I also do the "wait it out and distract myself" routine usually. Is there a particular thing you are craving?? Chocolate?? Gooey cheese dishes?? Pasta?? Pizza??
If the cravings are for a certain thing, maybe you could do some research online and find a lower calorie recipe and make it yourself. That way you would have a go-to dish to make when the cravings hit. Even if its different foods all the time, think of how many dishes you could learn to cook!!!

Sometimes I don't want anything in particular.. I just feel the need to FEED.. and when I have figured that out, I use distraction like giving myself a pedi or mani. Going window shopping at a store where I can't yet fit into their clothes. Something like that.

I hope this helps a little. Feel free to add me as a friend. I log daily and comment as often as I can. OH!!! Another thing that REALLY helps me when I am craving nothing in particular is logging into MFP and catching up on everyones status and reading alll the forums and trying to reach out to someone else who is needing a cheer up or a helping hand. It really does wonders for you to feel like maybe you have helped someone or made their day a little brighter!

Nix :flowerforyou:

Nix,

I really enjoyed your answer to her question, gives me some ideas of how to beat my cravings also. I do have a question, how do you make someone your friend so you can follow or be followed for extra support.

Tina

Tina, just click on the person's picture and you will see a button to add them as a friend - do try to include a message with your friend request as some people decline requests with no message

I don't have cravings anymore. If I do have them, which is very rare, I usually give in and have whatever I'm craving... doesn't happen a lot.

It's more the foods that I'm trying to limit, like cupcakes and cookies and dishes full of butter and cheese. I mean, I could still have a little bit, but I have a hard time with self control, thus MFP.

I choose to plan a small portion of the foods I love but shouldn't eat much of into my calorie count for the day. I make sure I keep it separate from other foods in the house so I know that I will get that coveted last piece. This helps me have just a piece without over doing it. Anything else I love but shouldn't eat, I just don't have. I remind myself, "what do I want more: to lose the weight or that piece of ...?" This helps me keep my craving in perspective. It also helps me to keep busy, so if I'm craving, I go do something physical (like clean or do a craft). If my hands are full, I cannot fill my mouth! I also allow myself one "cheat" meal (only one meal) a week where I don't really count. It has worked for me so far.

I will eat just one serving. Sometimes I drink water, brush my teeth, distract myself to keep busy, go for a walk, do some housework, or something like that. I also try to consume enough fat and protein so that I feel fuller for a longer amount of time. I hope this helps. I wish you the very best.