This week we're doing Better Than Nothin' Tuesday on Wednesday because everyone was preoccupied with the elections yesterday. Today, we act as virtual cheer leader and rah-rah you as you take even minisucle actions towards achieving your health goals like choosing a baked potato over fries when eating out next or taking the stairs instead of the elevator.
I used to get the worst night time cravings for...pretty much anything sweet, doughy, salty, crunchy, cheesy, warm, or cold. Sounds like almost every food out there huh? Well, my cravings were a beast, and it felt like that kind of presence was around me. So, you can imagine what it must have been like trying to conquer King Kong. You're shaking your head yes. Okay!
Let me share something I learned
Mentally, what quickly helped me feel like I had immensely more power was asking myself how I could "tame" instead of trying to "conquer" this cravings beast. As you can imagine, upon hearing this, the beast was far more agreeable and less unruly. Think about yourself. Would you want to be "conquered?"
By taming, you're acknowledging that the beast exists and that it is what it is, and that's important because who doesn't like acknowledgment and acceptance. Secondly, you're negotiating a compromise that can be mutually beneficial for both.
I found in many cases that if I just simply acknowledged my beastly cravings and said, "I see you. I hear you. I acknowledge you. Tell me what you need. Can we compromise?" The food cravings either went away or I was able to eat something in a much smaller dose just to satisfy a taste or choose something that was healthier like eating organic peanut butter on a couple Kashi crackers versus eating chocolate peanut butter cups.
Besides food cravings
Try the tame vs conquer approach with other craving type situations like shopping or over interneting. You can even use the tame vs conquer approach with challenging people in your life like family, neighbors, or co-workers. Try it and let us know how it turned out!
Have you tried the tame vs conquer approach, and did it work for you? Got any additional insight?
