Tom Luxsox Coins

Junk Read

Sometimes it seems like our cravings are running the show. We haven't figured out how to break the wily alliance between junk food and our brain's pleasure center. Of course we want to look as hot as the background extras on Burn Notice's glamorous Miami set... but fast, flavorful food tastes so good!

Well, with summer fast-approaching, you want to get in shape and you're ready to tame your love of junk food. It's actually simpler than you might think. You just need to understand where your cravings come from.

The Trigger

There's a reason we love trouble foods so much, and it's not the taste. Foods filled with saturated fat actually trigger the brain to release chemicals that tell you to ignore your feeling of physical fullness and keep eating. That's why when you "cave" a little, you usually end up caving a lot.

But can't we control how much we eat? If we know the food is fattening, can't we cut ourselves off at half-portion, even if we still feel hungry? Well...

Cravings Get More Complicated

In response to a new policy working its way into the fast food industry, Wellsphere author Bruce Friedman asked this question: "Will posting calorie counts in fast food restaurants help curb obesity?" Ultimately, he doesn't think so. Neither do I.

Indeed, seeing the numbers might motivate some to scale back their orders, the New York Times explains, but is it enough? So far, Starbucks' calorie-posting stint whipped up only a small change: customers cut calories back by about 6%.

That's right: they ordered a low-fat muffin or no food at all, but stuck with their Venti Caramel Frappuccinos.

Is it really enough to know that fast food is loaded with fat, salt and sugar? Apparently not. They're our old friends, after all. We stand by them despite their flaws, and no matter what other people have said about them. The food is still cheap, tasty and easier than a home-cooked meal. Plus, we're addicted.

Why Dieting is a Double-edged Sword

Maybe you've managed to tame your cravings, saying good bye to old friends sugar, fat and salt. But how long can you hold out?

"Binge eating is a seductive beast," writes Scale Junkie, who uses her blog to talk candidly about her weight loss challenge. She has experienced the vicious feast/famine cycle.

Almost everyone knows this scenario: we resolve to eat right and get off to a strident start. No more ice cream! Then one wrong turn - we have a little cone - and it's all over. Bummed about indulging in the forbidden dessert, we stress out, get mad at ourselves, and seek solace in another scoop. Now we're hooked, even more than before.

Getting to the Root of the Problem

Maybe you already know that cravings are evil and self-sabotage seems inevitable. But I wanted to drive home the reasons why adopting a healthy diet is so hard. It's not simply a matter of rational decisions based on facts. If it was, we'd all look like Gabrielle Anwar.

The elusive root of cravings, addiction and self-sabotage lies deep in our subconscious. It's hard to see or control the workings of the unconscious mind. Hence, we often feel prey to, rather than in control of, our cravings.

So how can we skip fast food joints, when the truth about what we're eating doesn't matter?

How can we start eating healthier for good, rather than bouncing back and forth?

The answer lies in changing subconscious thought patterns. The most powerful way to make lasting positive change is to delve deep into your mind to make the adjustment. Ready to master your mind? Test-drive self-hypnosis for weight loss and take control of your cravings.

Chelsea Bush writes for the Ask Fitness Coach team. She is dedicated to helping people achieve their ideal figure and feel fabulous. Have a burning fitness question? Stop by Ask Fitness Coach and we'll answer it!

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