When it comes to beating old habits, it can be a challenge for some people. Knowing how to kick something that you’ve always done in the past can feel like something monumentally difficult to do.
When most people think about addictions they often think of cigarettes or alcohol. However, junk food is one of those silent killers that a lot of people don’t even realize they have an issue with.
Once you’ve recognized that you have a problem, it’s all about knowing how to beat your old habits. It may feel like a challenge at first, as you retrain your mind, however, building new healthy habits is entirely possible. It’s all about knowing how to train your mind into its new course of action. Here are some of the most effective ways to beat your junk food addiction and take control of your eating habits
Stay Busy
If you were jumping out of an airplane, speaking in front of a crowd of people, or cutting down a tree, the last thing that would probably be on your mind would be a bag of chips. In order to keep your mind off of your old habits that you’re trying to break, you should make sure that you’re keeping busy and your mind is on something else.
Try to keep your mind engaged in things that you actually enjoy. If you stay busy with activities that you aren’t passionate about, then things will become a chore and you’ll start craving ways to numb the boredom.
Work Out
Sometimes getting a good work out in is a great motivation for eating healthy foods. When you work up a sweat and get your heart rate up the last thing that you want to do is reverse the work that you’ve just put in.
Rather than allowing yourself to fall into old habits, transform your old habits with new ones. The next time that you feel like eating something fatty, put your running shoes on and get a sweat going!
Find a Healthy Replacement
Finding a replacement for your favorite snacks can be a great way to feel like you’re giving into your craving, but not too much. Depending on what your biggest cravings are will determine which snacks will be the best replacement.
If sugary sweets are your thing, try eating dried fruit or dark chocolate. For those people who enjoy a savory snack like chips, opting for kale chips or lightly salted nuts can be a great way to cut cravings in half.
The best way to snack less is to eat healthy meals three times a day.
Distract Yourself
Every time that you feel a craving coming on try to shift your energy to something else. Whether it’s reading a book, changing your surroundings or calling a friend.