The Struggle Is Real

As the holidays are approaching, I started thinking that this is a really difficult time for those that are on their health journey. Especially if they are just starting out. There's so much food around. The parties. The booze. And as a girl, a woman who just wants to feel comfortable looking at herself in the mirror, it can be a HUGE struggle. A war within. The feeling of wanting doesn't go away. You just learn over time how to work through it. How to discipline and structure your day so that the cravings are down to a minimum. But around the holidays it can be very hard. Even for those that are "fit."

As a personal trainer, a fitness nutrition specialist, I'm still just a person. A person who might seem on the outside that the cravings don't happen. But they do. I love a good dessert or a good beer. Tater tots are my favorite carb! With lots of ketchup and salt. And, boy, around the holidays, the temptations are stronger than ever. Watching everyone have a festive drink, attend parties where there's food galore and sweets up the ying yang. Chocolate is one of my weakness. So what do I do when the temptation hits? I talk to myself. As crazy as that might sound, I do.

Giving yourself a pep talk is sometimes the best thing. It can help distract you from the food or drink you're focusing on. If you have the option to step away for a bit, maybe get out of the house, do it. If you can find 5 things that you can do when a temptation hits, it can help you. For example, if you feel yourself tempted to eat that cookie or chocolate cake, go to another room. Or maybe do some cleaning around the house. If you're at a party and you find yourself staring at the buffet table even after you've already allowed yourself a plate, turn around, find a friend that's not close to the table and engage in a coversation. Just get yourself away from the temptation. Begin to engage in some other activity. The focus tends to fade and so will the craving.

I know of some of your are probably reading this thinking, "yeah ok, Veronica, sure." I know it's easier said then done. I'm there with you. I, too, have to find things to do to get myself away from the extra food during this time of the year. It's hard. I'm not going to lie. I even have Advocare supplements that I take that help with cravings. But one of things you can incl