[LaBonita]

**Attention: Food Porn Warning**

I need a little support here. I've started my 100-day challenge of eating healthy and exercising, and want to be down to 130 by April 16 (the end of the 100 days). I've been doing GREAT. I got a membership to the YMCA and have been working out every day, as well as eating clean and in my calorie range. However, last night the cravings all of a sudden hit, and I got really hungry for some reason. I worked out twice, which could be why. I didn't go overboard, but I definitely ate more than I should have....I had 7 chicken wings (3 would have been better), and I broke down and had an IBC Black Cherry Pop. I swear it was calling my name in the fridge.

Now today, I had every intention of just getting a snack wrap for lunch. But what did I do? I went to the gas station to get a slice of pizza cuz that's what I was craving. I didn't get that though because I saw 3 chicken strips. I grabbed those, cool ranch doritos, and a mello yello (in a can, not a bottle...slightly better than a whole bottle). Now I'm at a little over 1200 calories for the day.

What can I do? This always happens...I do good for the first few days, then all of a sudden the cravings hit. But this time I don't want to be defeated. I want to overcome this. Any suggestions? What can I do to stay away from the junk the rest of the day and week and month, etc....?

[CLCSC145]

There are a few ways to handle it, I think. Either make room in your diet for the things you crave and eat them in moderation or learn to take control. By getting pizza because that's what you were craving, you are giving up control to the food and your cravings. The pizza doesn't leap into your mouth, you put it there. And that's okay if you budget for it, but not okay if you believe you are powerless over it. So either plan for it in small amounts on occasion or tell yourself no; either way you need to constantly remind yourself that you are in total control of everything you eat!

[JayEll]

Well, it helps to have a plan . . . you know what the healthy options are. And then you have to stick with them and not give in to the Naughty Girl within who wants to be a child about it.

Always, always check serving size on packages. Doritos are wicked. One of those lunch-size bags (not the really small ones, but the ones you find in convenience stores) contains 3, count 'em, 3 servings. So, eat a whole bag, and there go around 400 cals. You just have to find a way not to do it--not FOREVER but for now, that's all. One day at a time. One meal at a time.

It is hard, and you will have cravings. Have substitutes on hand! Baby carrots for the crunch. Celery. Green olives are also good, if you like them--not many calories, and they help the salt craving. And plan ahead for what you're going to eat. Track everything!

Well, that's all I can suggest for now . . . Good luck to you!

Jay