For every craving, there is an equal and opposite cause & probably another craving right behind it.
Say what?
What do you mean that there’s another craving right behind it? I get the cause, that makes sense, but another craving?
Not fair!!!
The reason why cravings are so important to think about when you’re trying to get healthier is because if you don’t figure out yours, then you’re doomed to ride the craving roller coaster for life.
I don’t mean that to be so ominous, but it’s the real thing.
If you can’t figure out or don’t care to figure out your cravings, then you are always going to have to deal with them.
Forever.
Or until you crave something else or go on a crash diet.
Whatever comes first.
And it will.
I’ve already been there so I speak from experience.
So why do we have cravings?
I’ll give you the most common reasons why and then let you decide for yourself where you stand.
In no particular order, the most common reasons for cravings could be:
- Dehydration, lacking water
- Tiredness, exhaustion or boredom
- Stress, stress and more stress
- Emotional eating or as a result of emotional eating
- Too many foods or drinks with one quality, i.e. too many salty foods, too many sweet foods
- Lacking in primary foods, i.e. things that nourish us but are not exactly food like relationships, careers & spirituality AND that we are usually lacking or unsatisfied with
Of course there are many reasons why you crave foods, but these are my top favorites for the most common reasons.
Do any of these jump out at you?
Maybe more than one?
If you see yourself on that list, then congrats! You’re one step closer to figuring out this crazy cravings thing.
If you’re not at all on this list, then start looking at your cravings a little deeper.
If you’re still not sure, then drop me a line on my blog and let me know. I’ll be able to answer you from there and help you piece together your “why”.
Next time we’ll cover the hows of breaking cravings, so stay tuned!
Your Challenge, if you choose to Accept it!
So by now you’ve started working on the what and maybe even the when. How do we transition into the why?
“Why?” requires some thinking, perhaps some writing but most definitely a lot of honesty.
Use a journal, use a piece of paper, use twitter like I do or even grab a friend and talk through your “whys”.
Then start looking at your whats, your whens and your whys side by side.
Do you see any patterns? Are there any similarities or deviations?
You can also check back on Part 1 here if you want to take a look back at your whats & whens.
Comment on this article below and let me know your thoughts!
