by Anthony Francisco

Created on: April 05, 2009   Last Updated: May 04, 2009

Let's face it, we have all been there before. Hours of effort and hard work, blown on one weak moment, a hiccup on the road to success. We have all suffered through this paradigm, the inability to control our cravings. Rep after rep, mile after mile, but results remain few and far between. I have seen it happen too many times and still fight the urges till this day. But I decided there was something more to this roller coaster ride. Something beyond first glance that I knew I could conquer. No longer will the thought of milk chocolate, French fries, and double stacked haunt my thoughts. I refused to let cream filled, deep fried, and sugar coated drive my actions. The plan was simple. By controlling my cravings, I will help maximize my workouts and allow my body to function at its best, while avoiding insulin spikes, fat storage, and hunger pangs.

Moderation is Key

Eating your favorites in moderation is a solid strategy that can produce progressive gains in both diet and exercise. Everything can have a place in your diet if you control serving size and understand when to eat what. Ice cream, jelly beans, and chocolate fit nicely into the post workout arena. Because your body is in rebuild mode, simple sugars will be used to replace glycogen stores and will not be stored as fat. If pizza and cheeseburgers is more of your thing, consider adding a cheat meal once a week. Use this opportunity to satisfy your deepest desires, while reloading on carbs for another week on the grind. These methods will not only keep your cravings at bay, but also allows for a psychological advantage against your inner beast.

Stay the Course

Knowing what to do is only half the battle in the fight against cravings. Action is the determining factor in what can be accomplished. It will not be easy at first, and there will be times when your will to succeed is heavily tested. Use these opportunities to apply your newfound strategies, while becoming stronger and more confident each day. Take each accomplishment in stride, building a resume of small victories focused on a bigger goal. If in the event you falter, for even a moment, take a step back to reassess the overall picture. Success will not be instantaneous, but the benefits of staying the course will always exceed a moment of short lived gratification. A steady, consistent effort is all that is needed for your body and mind to reap the awards of a healthier you.

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