We at Loving Earth are thrilled to be supporting FebFast-ers throughout the month of February as they change, not only their lives, but the lives of all those who are supported by YoDAA.
We finish up with our final five top tips on how to lead a happy AND healthy life.
Distraction
When in the grip of a craving, distraction is the name of the game. Go for a walk, brew a cup of tea, or phone a friend for a chat. Cravings are only going to last a short time, so have faith that you will come out the other side with a renewed sense of achievement.
Crowd Out
If you are full of delicious, healthy alternatives, you simply won’t have room for that secret square of chocolate. The premise is if you are satisfied and have given your body all the nutrients that it needs you won’t be able to fit another bit in. Try also finding new flavour combos, perhaps ginger and lemon, mint and cucumber, or even a handful of berries added to soda water can truly make all the difference.
Reframe reward
We tend to view alcohol or sugary treats as exactly that; treats, or rewards. If you can reframe how you celebrate or let your hair down after a long day, you’ll rewire that automatic reach for the biscuit tin or wine rack. Try running a bath, reading a book, baking some treats to take into work the next day, or even buying yourself or someone you love a bunch of flowers to enjoy.
Get some support
We can’t make lasting change by ourselves, well, we can but it is so much harder and half as much fun than if you rope in friends and family to help you reach your goal. Either enrol them into joining you so you have a ‘partner-in-crime’, or ask them to be your cheerleaders when you’ve hit some of your smaller targets, or simply a friendly ear to share how you are finding the whole experience.
Keep motivated
Motivating yourself to stick to your guns when the novelty of a new adventure has worn off can be tough. By posting up reminders either on post-it notes, as your computer screen saver, or even putting regular reminders in your phone. Having something to remind you of why you’re doing this in the first place is always inspiring.
Above all else though, it’s important to have fun. FebFast has created a whole community for you to get to know and share your journey with. Enjoy your every step and remember to be proud of all the good you have done for such an amazing cause.
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to comment!
Crowding out means fill yourself with delicious healthy food and you wont have room for any junk.
crowding out
I always have a bag of nuts in my bag and carry water flavoured with mint, that way I'm not tempted to reach for snack foods.
By having a shopping list and not shopping when I'm hungry means I stay away from the snack aisles.
I try and keep ingredients at home to make healthy treats and always make sure there is fruit and vegies around for snacking on.
The more wholesome and whole foods I eat the less I have the taste for sugary snacks.
crowding out means filling my mouth with so much delicious spinach, walnut and beetroot salad that there is no room left for crapola!!
Love the Febfast!! It's a great time to walk away from holiday vices as the new year really kicks into full swing. I'm trying it out by filling my work lunch bag with raw foods and homemade goodness. No pre-packaged or ready made allowed!
Crowding out filling your body will of incredible nutrients and you wont be able to eat any more. Fill yourself with goodness not junk.
Crowding out to me means giving myself more soul food so there isn't room for the bad ones. And by soul food I don't just mean what we put in our mouths. Soul food could be nourishing healthy food, could be indulging in some quality chocolate, but also means filling up with other foods. Like going for long walks, yoga, talking to a friend on the phone, meditating, reading, lighting a candle and writing in a diary, taking a bath, going for a boogy, seeing family, holding a baby, feeling the sand between your toes. So crowding out is doing more of those things and less things that don't nourish me :)
Crowding out simply means adding in more good things which support your wellbeing and vibrancy and just allowing the not so good things to fall away. Rather than attacking restricting and making yourself feel guilty for any foods emotions and practises that dont support you. This month I am going to eat more simple fresh wholefoods and crowd out my recent interest in crackers and refined corn products. Im going to make some yummy veggie soups and keep them in the fridge so when Im hungry there's something to go straight for.
Thanks for the tips! To me to 'crowd out' means having healthy options available whenever the cravings strike! Also to take time to fuel my body with nutritious and satisfying food so I wont go chasing down a sugar hit after meals. Would love to try some new ideas for flavouring water this month - although I can't seem to go past cucumber and mint!
I love the thought of "crowing out". The term is bang on!
Mindful eating is the way forward to change our eating habits, and I think the world is slowly heading that way. So crowing out fits in perfectly with that principle.
Our bodies know what they want, so if we educate to do things like crowd out, then we slowly learn what to put in our bodies, really listening to when and what your body is telling you it needs and when "that's enough".
Diet is the foundation of victorious holistic health. So in theory, crowing out should be a recipe for nothing but success!