Amy Culver - The Queen Of Lean


Holiday stress


Holiday season isn't all just about food


Plan ahead to stay on the right track


Prioritize this Thanksgiving


Choose treats wisely during the holidays


Starting a weightlifting routine


Healthy body has right signs


You need a livable food plan


Tailor your food according to needs


Plan strategies for when life gets hectic


Traveling can challenge eating habits


Parenting your own inner spoiled child


Long-term motives create long-lasting results


Interval training works for anyone


Check ingredients when eating out


Get out of the house for your workout


Lack of sleep may lead to weight gain


Cooking extra saves time and calories


Even small changes can make an impact


Swimming is a good
all-around exercise


Don't let slip-ups destroy your plan


Make your lifestyle and health compatible


A little exercise can yield big results


Food plans can help you eat right


Moderation is weight-loss key


Give your weight-loss plan time


Combat post-holiday blues with activity


Choose holiday calories carefully


Good kitchen tools make life easier


Enjoy feast in moderation


Start planning holiday meals now


Don't buy Halloween candy too early


Theaters offer healthy snacks


Try to avoid evening snacking


Tips to stave off hunger pangs


Stuck?  Reassess your routine


Avoid peaks and valleys in diet


Measure size of food portion to help tip scale in your favor


Learn to love being thin


Change your lifestyle; don't just diet


Fruity thoughts to keep fit


Water can ease cravings


Working a pool into your exercise routine


Stay focused, move forward


Delay caving to craving


Review of daily plan should include diet & activities


Holidays are never-ending


Measuring food is key to weight loss


Food-logging can help in weight loss


Find ways to make exercise fun


Reserve time for your exercise program


Substitutions for your holiday treats


Moderation is key to good diet

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Delay caving to craving

A reader wrote to me recently asking for some suggestions about dealing with sugar cravings.  Here are some of the ideas that I shared with her.

First, try to see if you can get past the craving.  Look at the clock and tell yourself that you can have whatever it is in 20 minutes.  Usually, by that time you will be involved in something else and will forget all about it. 

You can have a small treat in an appropriate serving size.  Plan to allow yourself this treat once or twice per week.  Make sure that you know what an appropriate serving size is, such as one large or two small cookies, not half a box.  If you can't be responsible with treats in your home, buy only enough for one serving at a time.

A good way to fight sweet cravings is to eat more protein.  I find protein shakes helpful because they taste sweet but aren't.  With vanilla shakes, you can add frozen fruit and ice, make it in the blender and it will be similar to a milkshake. 

Boredom and fatigue can cause cravings, too.  If you are too tired, your body craves sugar to give you energy.  Make sure that you are getting plenty of sleep.  If you are bored, look for things to keep you occupied, even if they seem mindless or useless.  Crafts, computer games and reading are all good options.  You can play solitaire with a deck of cards and a lap board.  A coloring book and crayons can make a nice diversion.  Michael's has nice coloring books that you can do with markers.

Try different options at different times to find out what works best for you.