How to Stop Food Cravings With Willpower

It's a simple fact: we all know and love cheat day. But too much of a good thing can very easily become a bad thing. So you need to know how to stop food cravings and overindulging. You reap the physical benefits of training your body, so why not reap the mental benefits of training your brain? Willpower is all about understanding your cravings, safely feeding them and avoiding poor decisions. Use the methods below to learn how to stop food cravings and strengthen your determination.

Take five.

Stress is one of the biggest triggers for cravings. You need to learn how to deal with it in order to be a master of your desires. Try deep breathing or visualizing a serene landscape. Using relaxation techniques will help you control your stress and, in turn, control your cravings and the power they have over you.

Be smart about rewards.

Everyone deserves a pat on the back for successfully meeting and exceeding their goals. However, you need to be careful about how you reward yourself. Just because you accomplished a big goal, does not mean you need to celebrate with a big reward. As you learn how to stop food cravings with willpower, you'll recognize that your rewards should never outweigh your workout. Better than rewarding yourself with food, choose a nonfood item like an iTunes gift card, tickets to see your favorite band, or even upgrade your meal management bag to a new style!

Minimize temptation.

Temptation is everywhere. Some foods may be more tempting than others. If you have a major sweet tooth, Coldstone ice cream will always be calling your name. In order to avoid it, you need to minimize its ability to call to you. Eliminating or avoiding tempting foods is the best way to stave off your food cravings. The less present it is, the less it will call to you.

Go to sleep.

Making smart choices starts with going to bed at an appropriate time. Getting enough sleep increases your alertness. Not to mention, night owls tend to eat more calories than those who go to bed early.

The truth hurts.

Maybe not the truth, but over-exaggerating the truth can help you master how to stop food cravings. Exaggerating the effects of cheat foods can create a connection between "bad food" and "losing your shape." Imagine that you gain five pounds for every bite you take – surely that will help you say no more often.

Wait it out.

To be a true master of your food cravings, you must learn the practice of delayed gratification. Don't follow the mentality of "I can't have this." Instead, think "I can't have this YET." People who postpone or delay access to something they really want are more successful when it comes to avoiding the temptation. Don't forget that the ability to keep all your daily nutritional needs at your side – whether you love our original meal management bags, gym totes, gym backpacks, or whichever style fits your needs – in itself helps to stop cravings in their tracks, since you're always prepared! But if you need some extra advice, following these six suggestions is sure to leave you wondering why you ever wondered how to stop food cravings in the first place.