3 Steps to Crush your Cravings

f you've ever tried to lose weight by sheer willpower, you know it eventually blows up. Next time you have a craving, follow these steps and you’ll see why it's been so hard. STEP 1: Invite the urge in, get curious, acknowledge it's there.

Clenching your fists, gritting your teeth and diversionary tactics will not work.

The craving is here for a reason.

The desire to eat is your body’s way of getting your attention.

If you push it away you’re denying yourself deep access to you.. which is the ONLY place where you can change.

So, welcome it in..here’s a little dialogue you can follow-

“Hi, urge. I can see you and hear you, I know something's up. You can hang around with me as long as you like."

If it feels weird talking to a feeling like this, imagine all the other strange things you've said in your head…

Pausing here teaches your brain that the urge is not a problem and that you're always in control.

You don’t have to push against it or react to it, the craving can’t make you do anything without your approval.

Step 2: Getting beneath to what's really going on. You don’t just have one thought at a time, there's literally hundreds of layers.

When the craving says-

… let’s get some chocolate…

… a piece of cake sounds great…

… a biscuit and tea would be nice right about now,

and you repeatedly say yes, you're just securing the habit.

But these sentences are only on the surface, you need to understand why the craving is there.

To change the habit you have to dig deeper;

- What do I really want?..

- What do I really need right now?...

- Is there a good reason for saying yes? (there always is). Here are some common responses;

… I could stop working…

… Sweet things make it more fun…

… I wouldn’t be so bored…

… I wouldn’t have to deprive myself…

… I’d feel more connected to others…

… It would help me get on with my work…

… I could forget about what’s bothering me…

… I’d have more energy…

… I might get hungry later…

Questioning your craving skims off the top layer, it uncovers the deeper desire driving the habit.

Step 3: Mastering the skill of saying yes to YOU;

Gritting your teeth is exhausting and won’t change a habit.

Saying no..eventually fails.

Changing a habit forever only happens when you learn to say yes.

Yes to what you’re really craving, the real desire that lies underneath.

And it’s not as hard as you might think.

Saying yes is about getting honest with yourself;

... 'real' fun didn’t always mean eating.

… you can feel worthy without having to produce.

… boredom allows creativity to flow. … being hungry isn't a problem, your body knows how to access stores. ... eating more depletes your energy, fresh air, more sleep and water is better.

When you answer your desires, you really connect with who you are and what you want. So the next time you feel the urge to eat, practice these.

They’ll do more than just change your relationship with food,

they’ll change your life.