Coping with Temptation

Weekend is here again. Sometimes it's hard to avoid temptation-it seems to be everywhere. You go to the shop to pick up a bottle of water and hundreds of glossy, shiny chocolate bars stare out at you lovingly. It's as if they are willing you to buy them. 

Or, in the coffee shop, the person behind the counter asks if you'd  like something sweet to go with your drink. Meanwhile, the muffins, chocolates and pastries are almost jumping from the shelves. Are you strong enough to walk away with your head held high, safe in the knowledge that you made the right decision? Some days it's easy to be strong and on others it feels like the most horrible test of willpower you've ever faced. This is perfectly normal, in case you were wondering.  It's a battle many of us face on a regular basis. For some individuals , overindulging is an emotional response to a bad day-we are, literally, seeking comfort in food. For others, overindulging is the reward for a good day-we think we have earned the right to a treat. Remember that eating badly is not a reward. Whatever the cause of your overindulgence, here are some simple steps you can take both to rectify the situation and avoid it happening too often. 

Accept that they will always be temptation

We live in a world where advertising campaigns make food seem very appealing. At home, TV ads inform us about every kind of food imaginable. In our cars, we are bombarded with the same thing on the radio. In the course of our day, we pass billboards, posters, sweet shops, fast-food restaurants and bakeries. This is life and it's not something  we can avoid. All it means is that it's up to us to take charge of our life and  not constantly give into temptation. Think about the last time you overindulged, did you feel good afterwards? Was it satisfying? Chances are that you felt sickly, uncomfortable, bloated and miserable. But it's a vicious circle and many of us repeat the process time after time. You have to stop letting food consume your thoughts and find a way of breaking bad habits

It's not the end of the world if you've overindulged

Look at it this way-every minute is another chance to make amends. Go for a walk and clear your head. Often when we overeat we don't digest our food properly, which causes us to feel out-of-sorts. Walking is a great way to get your body moving again and it can also aid digestion. Make a plan for the next day that will include feeding your body with good foods-lean protein and fiber are what you need if you have been overindulging in sugary and processed foods. Another tip is to  drink herbal tea as it contains antioxidants and is great for cleansing your body. 

Be prepared for the temptations that lie ahead

Have your day mapped out in advance and have your food ready so that you won't be tempted by bad choices. Don't put yourself in situations where you will be confronted by the wrong foods. 

Listen to your body

This is what people forget when they eat too much. You need to learn to recognize when you are truly hungry. Eating out of boredom is pointless, but many of us do it. Really ask yourself what your body needs and then satisfy that need in the best way you possibly can with healthy foods. In the same way, become aware of when you are actually full. Being full is not a feeling that makes you feel unwell. It's about recognizing when you have had enough to eat. Eating is all about being in tune with your body and what it actually needs. Looking after your body means feeding your physical self and, in order to do this, you need to be eating well. You'll feel much better if you give your body the vitamins and minerals it needs to be healthy. Keep this in mind each time you feel tempted to overindulge. Your body deserves only the best.