Are you also much too familiar with those nagging and dreaded voices in your head calling you to go and have this favourite chocolate bar, those salted caramels which you know are so bad for you but you find so hard to say no to or to go for another coffee or just one more of those delicious salty crisps won’t hurt; here they are again all too loud and clear: your cravings for particular foods …and even though you had promised to yourself that you would not give in this time, the dreaded food somehow makes it into your stomach??? Again!!! Just to leave you feeling horrible about yourself and seriously questioning your willpower and determination… you are wondering what is wrong with you??? And why on earth are you giving in to those so irresistible urge to go and grab something sweet and sugary even though you know it will leave you feeling awful and guilty after.
What if I told you that there is nothing wrong with you or your willpower but that instead you are subject to your hormones playing havoc in your body…What if I told you that your cravings are actually a blessing in disguise because they are trying to tell you that you might actually be lacking a particular nutrient which is vital for your precious body to keep functioning at its best. Or could it be that your cravings are caused by your crazy busy life. Not getting enough quality sleep and too much stress causes your blood sugar levels to soar. Our body’s way of trying to cope is to decrease the release of (leptin) a hormone that signals fullness to your body and increases your release of (ghrelin) another hormone that boosts appetite and hunger. Or are your cravings actually a signal for an unbalance in your life and that you are missing love, rest, a change in career or relationship or are simply not feeling fulfilled enough and bored. Grabbing one of those quick fixes snacks seems to fill the hole…at least briefly…until the next wave of hormones washes all of your determination and willpower away again…
So what can you do to change this? First of all stop beating yourself up about it. Remember how very unique your beautiful body is and that everything it does is with your best interest at heart…And instead of trying to punish yourself with being even harsher to yourself and restricting certain foods or food-groups, try the opposite and very gently and with lots of self-nurturing crowd those foods out and replace them with those that your body will thrive on, that your body is really craving and calling out for. Think of what change in your lifestyle can you do to feel more balanced. Take little, gradual steps, so you are not feeling overwhelmed but are actually empowering yourself on your journey to a much healthier, happier and more energised version of yourself.
I would love to support and motivate you on this journey, so please contact me for a more in depth complementary consultation on how to help you demystify your cravings.