How to curb your food cravings, tip 8: Use an aromatherapy fix
Place two drops of essential oil of grapefruit on a handkerchief. Inhale when you need a deterrent at the sweet counter. The Institute of Aromatherapy in Toronto suggests this curbs cravings for sweet treats.
How to curb your food cravings, tip 9: Set short-term goals
Take things one day at a time, focusing on getting through the next 24 hours -- if this seems overwhelming, then the next hour -- without succumbing to temptation. Whenever worries about tomorrow or next month come to mind, bat them away and return to thinking about today.
How to curb your food cravings, tip 10: Remember that treats matter
Reward yourself with a small treat for being good, such as a new lipstick or book, a plant for the garden or extra minutes in bed, but to keep momentum going, build up to a big pat on the back, maybe a shoe-shopping session, or a visit to a day spa.
How to curb your food cravings, tip 11: Stay away from temptation
Remove easy temptation from your daily routine. Change your route to work if you can't pass the corner shop without buying chips. If you usually binge on cocktails at a girlfriend's house, invite her out to a movie instead.
How to curb your food cravings, tip 12: Go for healthy pick-me-ups
Try one or more of the following healthy treats, which not only taste great and are something of a foodie treat, but contain valuable amounts of nutrients and health-enriching plant substances: heritage variety of apple (some taste like champagne), a handful of collagen-rich cherries, fresh or dried figs loaded with minerals including calcium, antioxidant red guava.
How to curb your food cravings, tip 13: Practise visualization
When reaching for that snack bar, imagine your arteries furring up, your skin becoming more sallow and fleshy, your brain finding it harder to make connections. Then picture a shower of tropical rain pounding down on your scalp, washing away these pictures. Sense a feeling of cleanness and vibrancy inside and out.
How to curb your food cravings, tip 14: Repeat affirmations
Repeating motivational words or phrases helps reset your default. Persevere even if it makes you feel silly. Find a word or phrase that instils self-confidence and a sense of purpose, such as, “I am in control”, “I want to stay young”, “I love food that's good for my body”. Repeat it on waking and go to sleep with it echoing in your head.
Read about the 5 kitchen tools that will help you lose weight.
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Excerpted from 1001 Ways to Stay Young Naturally, copyright 2007 by Susannah Marriott. Excerpted with permission from Dorling Kindersley Limited. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced except with permission in writing from the publisher.
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