Train The Mind, Change the Behavior!
In my last blog I reviewed the types of hormones that keep you locked in the cycle of sugar cravings, low energy, and weight gain. By making the simple shifts I suggested, I imagine you’re beginning to see improvements.
Building upon the information from my last blog, I want to talk more specifically about the types of sugar eaters I touched on in my class Sweet Tooth Sorcery: The Impulse Eater, The Emotional/Stress Eater, and the Long-Term Overeaters/SAD Eater.
Wondering which category describes you? Often, we can fall into multiple categories.
Let’s Start with the Impulse Eater. Here, I’m talking about eating the last piece of cake just because it’s there, mindlessly eating a whole pint of ice cream, or not being able to keep your hand out of the cookie jar. This type of eater does not have an eating disorder. They do, however, have some hardship with impulse control. For the most part, Impulse Eaters make good choices throughout day to day life, but sometimes the sugar takes over and an Impulse Eater mindlessly eats more than intended. Perhaps you’ve been clean from sugar for a while and decide to splurge on something sweet for a party or while out with friends, and then cannot stop.
Do this too often and it will destabilize your mood, throw off your focus and land you right back on the roller coaster of craving more and more sugar. The body thinks it’s in survival mode--adrenaline surges and cortisol rises. Your immune defenses lower. Perhaps these actions move you closer to becoming an Emotional Eater (stay tuned for next week’s email if where I'll discuss emotional eating).
How do you break this pattern?
First things first! Institute
Simple Shifts—make sure you drink enough water, sleep enough and are not skipping meals. This will make temptations far less appealing. When your bodies basic needs are met, it doesn't crave things it doesn't need. When your body is satisfied with the proper amount of food and hydration, your insulin, leptin and ghrelin (see Blog #1) move into balance. Your appetite stops controlling your decisions. When your body is well rested, it will not crave the quick energy-rush foods.
Bring mindfulness to what you do. Mindfulness is a buzzword right now, but it’s popular for a reason--It works! It is the state of being conscious or aware. Bringing awareness back to the body and the environment around you can go a long way in curbing food impulses. Start checking in with your body often and it will tell you what it needs. If you listen to it, it will tell you when you need more or less food, and what types of food.
Start paying attention to how you feel after eating. Are you satisfied, energetic and focused, or are you hungry, bloated and tired? Pay attention to your danger zones—the places you tend to overeat or mindlessly eat. Is it the car, the office break room, watching TV at night, or is it weekend binge-eating with certain friends? Being mindful of these danger zones can help you avoid them and even make better choices.
Last of all—after you’ve dialed in the Simple Shifts and started cultivating greater awareness, use the tools from the class, like the Emotional Freedom Technique! EFT can help identify the motives behind your habits and relieve the intense cravings.
Additionally, Sweet Change can help. This herbal remedy spray effectively changes the flavor sensation of sweets in your mouth, which will help you manage food cravings and addictions. It helps you make better choices that move you toward a more balanced diet. It mutes the taste of sugar, so your desire for sweets begins to diminish. It’s a unique tool that helps interrupt old patterns and create a window of opportunity. It’s also useful for many types of addiction, such as smoking, drug and alcohol addiction, and behavioral issues. Crave the change!
Ultimately, creating new, healthier habits will lead to a happier and healthier future. New habits will help bring the intended change into your relationship with food. Don't forget to go easy on yourself. Simple subtle changes to your mindset and diet are the best choice for sustainable health and wellness, and they are easier on your soul!
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