33 Explore.
See the world or try out a sport. Move beyond your comfort zone every once in a while. It will do you good. Adding something new and pursuing something worthwhile will help keep you active and alive, as it breaks the usual humdrum. Open up to new experiences and be more accommodating to new changes. New experiences will lead to deeper self-‐discovery and more meaningful life.
34 Don’t confuse thirst with hunger.
The human body has difficulty differentiating thirst from hunger. So when you are starting to feel hunger pangs, avoid indulging in food right away and instead drink a glass of water and check if you are still hungry.
35 Eat at a leisurely pace.
Enjoy your food and chew it thoroughly. It will usually take 20 minutes before you feel full so it’s important not to gorge down your food, lest you overindulge. A number of studies have confirmed that people who tend to eat slowly consume lesser amount of calories, enough to help you lose as much as 20 pounds per year. The brain takes time to register fullness of stomach, which means that by eating slowly, you have more time to realize you are already full.
36 Avoid stress eating.
A lot of people become unwitting victims to this pitfall. If you feel the need to binge, ask yourself what trigger it. It may be from feeling a sense of adequacy, agitation or depression. Properly identify and confront your emotions instead of taking out your frustration on food. It may help to write down what you feel or engage in activities that will distract you. Awareness is key when combatting emotional or stress eating. This is because a lot of people actually tend to end more by simply not paying attention to what they put into their mouths. Eating without full awareness will lead to overeating, making poor food choices as well as the inability to truly enjoy food.
Whether you are working or lounging at the comfort of your home, avoid having food around areas that you can readily reach and eat mindlessly. Every time you feel urges and cravings, determine where it comes from. Practice restraint instead of succumbing to temptation.
37 Avoid eating while watching TV or going to the movies.
Many people don’t realize how much food they consume while they are focused on their favorite movie or TV series. Avoid having food nearby or if you really need to snack, prepare something healthy like carrot sticks.
38 Teach yourself to control cravings.
One of the common downfalls of any diet programs is not the diet itself, but the individual’s attitude towards food. Self-‐discipline is a very important trait you need to cultivate so you don’t constantly cave in to temptation.
39 Get support from family and friends.
If you are following a special diet or a health regimen, let people who truly care about you know what you are into so they can understand and adjust accordingly. A support group is very important to help you start motivated and provide the affirmation and encouragement when you need it the most.
40 Beat temptations through distraction.
Every time you find it overly difficult to resist temptation, keep yourself busy so you don’t have to dwell on the thought. Allowing yourself to be lured in indulging on one cookie will most likely lead to another one.
41 Keep a diary or journal.
It helps to write down your thoughts and feelings as it helps put things in perspective. It can also be a great way to track your progress if you are trying to lose weight.
42 Don’t overlook the importance of emotional fitness.
Your emotional well-‐being is as important as your physical fitness. If you feel the need to vent or talk to sometime, seek the company of trusted friends or family. You can also consider taking therapy sessions.
43 Don’t indulge too much on one thing.
Anything of excess can be a bad thing. Be smart on your choices and keep your food intake to a minimum. Eat to nourish and nurture the body and not become a glutton. Your overall well-‐being and health should always be given priority.
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