words of wisdom to combat cravings NEEDED

[raw-siobhan]

Okay, I am making a real concerted effort this time to stay raw for more than 12 minutes! I will be blogging each day as a personal accountability thing. I welcome your comments and constructive criticism.

My main concern at this point is the fact that I fold VERY EASILY when the cravings hit. I want to add some clarification and give you a bit of background on me at this point in my life to kind of give you an understanding of what's going on right now (and trust me it doesnt take much to stress me out and that is when I run into eating problems):
I just bought a new house and moved in several days ago. I am a bit stressed out as I have no other adult to lean on with this as I am a divorced mom of 3 kids (3 great little girls). When I am stressed I eat for comfort. When things go really well then I want to celebrate with food. All big problems for me. Anyways, now that I have written all of this I realize my struggle is really no different from the struggles of others so lets dispense with my whinings and simply get to the point: I WOULD LOVE YOUR IDEAS FOR CRAVING DEFENSE TACTICS. What has worked for you? What has worked for your friends but perhaps not for you? Anybody failed a trillion times and then finally overcame their cravings? Tell me how you did it!

I am a sponge. I welcome your ideas. :)

[greenday]

I have a sign on my fridge as a daily reminder: GIVE IT UP: Alcohol, Meat, Dairy, Refined Carbs, Sugar, Soda, Cigarettes. Even if you don't do/ingest all those things...listing those "nasties" :eek: together has a powerful impact! Print it in big bold letters and stick it right on your fridge or pantry door!

[greenday]

Oh...and I have another sign on my fridge, too....in BIG, BOLD, COLORFUL letters: WASTE = WEIGHT. Think Raw Vegan. Stop Poisoning Your Cells. :D

[raw-siobhan]

awesome ideas, greenday!

[Morn]

I would make some great raw dessert recipes to have on hand. I occasionally freeze RP's brownies, raw fudge, etc. to have on hand when I want something. I cut them in individual squares and freeze them in little sandwich ziplocs. Then if a craving hits I eat a raw treat instead.

[StarFire]

well... it's really not a word ....
but I look pictures of my favorite 'body types' ... healthy ~ strong ~ athletic beautiful bodies... to remind myself what I am working toward...

and I remind myself - it will taste great for how ever long it takes me to chew something - -- that 's like what - 2 minutes... and then its gone ... and now it's cellulite on my stomach or thighs... great... :rolleyes:

then I just poop out the excess.... so basically - I look at the food and say - great... it's just poop and cellulite... do i REALLY want it?

sorry to be so graphic http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/blush-2.gif ... but it works for me! :D

[Veganforlife]

Two words: Green Smoothies

[shooting star]

Have you heard of EFT? It's really good for zapping cravings. You can download the manual for free at www.emofree.com (it's long but definitely worth reading). Yes it seems weird, but it really does work.

I'm going away for a few days but will post more when I get back :)

[trinity082482]

Craving tactics? lol :confused: hmm.. good question! :D

My tactics are: Stay away from all craving starters.. ALL the time.. don't even have a " little treat " ANY time.. for me.. once I have it.. I always crave it.. but if I don't see it.. don't buy it.. don't have it in the house.. I am less likely to crave it, want it or eat it. When I am super hungry after eating.. I wait 15 mins and see if I still feel the same way.. usually I don't feel that hungry munchie phase. :D

[rawnhealthy]

Just some thoughts:

Continue making food a celebration...just change out the foods you celebrate with. Allow yourself the most yummy, tasty, most delicious snacky foods.

Morn had some great ideas: desserts like pies, brownies, even ice cream- all raw of course:O)

Pre-make chips- corn or potato in a dehydrator(if you have one) so you can snack when the attack comes.
If you don't have time right now or feel too stress there are lots of great raw snack foods available online(rawguru.com)
When the stress dies down(ha, ha) it may be a little easier:)

Also like veganforlife said: Green Smoothies- start off the day with one and take it from there! (I just juice greens and apple and/or banana- I feel so much more energized now:O)

Oh and good luck. We're here if you need anything:)

[raw-siobhan]

I love all of these suggestions! I will use all of them. I am ready to do this. :)

[kiropa]

i haven't read any of the responses. but i too am the mom of three little girl (6, 5 & 3). it is busy, stressful, wonderful. that, i know.

my answer -- there is no one thing that helps all the time. collect an army of tricks and try each one. drink water, call a friend, take a minute to just breathe, knit, exercise, call a friend (this is a really good one so it's on there twice), post pictures of what you want to look like in your kitchen & look at it, post positive affirmations & read them, try on clothes, eat something raw, to name a few.

if all else fails, have a normal serving on a plate of whatever you are craving and MOVE ON. don't feel bad. there are no food police. one serving of one thing will not make or break anything.

honestly, it's the i've blown it & i might as well eat the whole thing because i'm weak mentality that gets you.

hey, if you're a single mom of three kids, you are NOT WEAK. start there! hugs,

kim

[Green Life]

This is a sticky note I keep on my fridge:
Look at ALL cooked food as cardboard.
WHY would you want to eat cardboard?
How are cardboard and cooked food the same?
They are both dead, superflourous non edibles.

[viva diva]

1. green smoothies, they really do work (and i am a new girl)
2. distract yourself xx

[Stina]

I can soar through the day eating fresh raw food knowing that there is a yummy creation waiting for me in the dehydrator. Today I got bananas going for the strawberry crepe recipe.

[raw-siobhan]

Thanks everyone!!!