Yesterday I wrote about my feelings of having lost some control over my eating (click here if you missed it). Everywhere you turn during this time of year someone is offering you a sweet treat or left some out in the office lounge. 90% of the time I’m great at saying ‘no thank you’ or just walking away. But lately, I’ve been helping myself to half a cookie or a bite of this several times throughout the day. Those small bites have turned into a lot of bites by the end of the day. Also, I’m left thinking about the food I just walked away from. I used to be able to walk away from it and not think twice about it. Now I walk away day dreaming about what it would have been like and this is NOT GOOD.
I’m ok with allowing myself small treats here and there. I had a piece of cake on my birthday even. BUT it’s the craving feelings that scare me. When my body is clean and healthy, I crave naturally sweet things like green apples and fruit juice. I ALWAYS have Trader Joes pineapple juice in the fridge. But now I’m craving candy and sweets all over again. That is something I’m not comfortable with. When my body is clean, I don’t really even enjoy sweets. I can taste how sweet it is and the sugar swimming in my body. I used to not finish things because they were too sweet. Now, I just want it all.
So how do I reset my system? How do I make those cravings go away? I’m going to make the food go away. I lay down a “NO CHOCOLATE” mandate in the house about twice a year, for a two week period, when I feel my control slipping. But, this year it just felt like one event after another, meet this friend for lunch, celebrate this holiday here…….so I felt like I couldn’t do it in the middle of the holidays. So I’m going to do……drum roll please…….No Sweets January!
For the whole month I will not be partaking in candy, cookies, muffins, ice cream or anything of the sort. I’m hoping by doing this that by February, I can enjoy my candy hearts and then through the rest of the box away and that I won’t be consumed by thoughts of chocolate. As I was talking to a friend about the ‘post Christmas yuck” he agreed to jump on board!
If you are considering making your first small steps or just looking to gain more control of your cravings, consider a No _______ January. Let those around you know to help keep you honest. Also, they won’t be offering you the things they know you are avoiding. Someone might even do it with you! If there’s a food or group of foods you are trying to cut down on, consider giving them up for a whole month. You’d be surprised to see how much your body recalibrates your cravings! If you haven’t already done it…..I’d recommend soda! Just look at all these benefits and tell me it isn’t a good idea!
Bye Bye Sugary Drinks: What Happens to Your Body When You Stop Drinking Soda
