| You know the situation, you arrive home from a | | | | Another effective method is to remove temptation. |
| very stressful day at work and you notice something | | | | This has proven quite successful with smokers who |
| on the table. A delicious bar of rich dark chocolate is | | | | use it as part of their program to wean themselves |
| inviting you to rip it open and devour every last, | | | | off cigarettes. You do this by not buying chocolate |
| delicious, comforting morsel. We know we should not, | | | | and leaving it all over the house. If you have |
| it will make us fat and we will regret it if we do. But, | | | | chocolate in the house give it away or else throw it |
| same as the night before the temptation is | | | | out. Replace the chocolate with healthier alternatives |
| unbearable and we give in to it. Everyday many | | | | like fruit and nuts. If you cannot bear to completely |
| women encounter this chocolate craving dilemma | | | | rid yourself of the chocolate you can limit it to one |
| whether, its work related stress or coping with | | | | bar only and hide it in a place where it is difficult to |
| pregnancy. The thing is, dark chocolate is actually | | | | get access to for example, a locked draw. Use this |
| good for you as long as it is taken in moderation. | | | | chocolate bar as a treat and promise yourself you |
| However, when it is used as a comforting food to | | | | can only eat it when you have accomplished a goal, |
| relieve stress it can become addictive. | | | | such as avoiding treats for a week. |
| If the chocolate cravings become uncontrollable you | | | | Another cause of chocolate cravings is boredom, |
| need to do something about it quickly. A simple and | | | | having too much time on your hands will make you |
| effective way is using distractions to refocus your | | | | think about chocolate. You need to fill this vacant |
| mind from thinking about chocolate. This requires | | | | time with activities that are going to get you outside |
| awareness and forward planning to identify the | | | | and active. This can involve walking with a friend or |
| situations that trigger your chocolate cravings. For | | | | the dog, painting the bedroom anything, that will |
| example, rather than reach for the chocolate after a | | | | keep you moving. Another way to reduce your |
| stressful day in the office go to the gym instead. | | | | cravings is to eat healthier food that will give you the |
| Sign up for a gym membership as this gives you a | | | | same satisfaction for example, low fat chocolate or |
| reason to do it. Alternatively, you can buy an | | | | oat bars dipped in chocolate. The point is not to |
| exercise machine for the home or even a new pair | | | | remove the chocolate completely as this will make |
| of running shoes. Anything, that gives you a reason | | | | you crave for it even more, but to eat it in |
| not to slump on the sofa and munch on a chocolate | | | | moderation. |
| bar. | | | | |