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This is a question I get asked quite often.

What do I do after dinner when all I want is chocolate or something sweet? It’s the end of the day, kids in bed and I feel like I need a little something!

The first thing I say is. ‘It’s just a habit!’

Did you know:

  • It takes 3 weeks to form a habit
  • They are easier to form than break
  • If you repeat a behaviour (Good or Bad) often enough your body & mind will get used to it
  • It’s time to make good habits and break the bad ones!

How to ditch bad habits:

  • Make a conscious decision to give up/change
  • Make a commitment to yourself
  • Think about the damage your habit can be causing
  • Understand it won’t be easy!
  • Replace what you are taking away with a healthy alternative
  • Start small if you need too
  • You need to know the benefits
  • Tell a friend – or the forum – be accountable
  • If you don’t succeed the first time, keep trying!
  • Remove the temptations
  • Think about how you feel when you have kicked the habit
  • Do it now, what are you waiting for?

The most common habits & solutions:

  • Snacking after dinner
  • Picking at your kids food
  • Making excuses about exercise
  • 3pm sugar cravings
  • Eating a block of chocolate vs 1-2 squares!
  • Coffee and alcohol

Snacking after dinner – Brush your teeth, go to bed, get out a few nuts and your tea as your snack, or do something else to keep you occupied! Ask yourself if you are actually hungry – could you be dehydrated? Try some water first!!

Picking at your kids food - When I prepare Chelsea’s dinner I usually have some raw carrots, cucumber, celery etc that I am cutting up ready to cook, snack on those sorts of things!

Making excuses about exercise – Think about how you will feel after your workout! Think about how you will feel if you don’t do a workout. Which one wins?

3pm sugar cravings – Did you have enough protein, good fats and carbs at lunch? Have a healthy snack, try some water

Eating a block of chocolate vs 1-2 squares! – Mmmm, this comes down to listening to your body again. Are you emotionally eating?

There will be times when cravings hit, ie time of the month – that is when you need to listen to your body. Do you really want that chocolate? How will you feel after you have it? If you make the decision to have it, which is fine, just a little bit. Enjoy it and move on. No guilt.

None of this means you will never eat chocolate again or never have another glass of wine again.

Once you get a feel for your body and learn to listen to it, you will know if you actually want a glass of wine, or a piece of chocolate and if you REALLY do, have it! Just in moderation! There are often so many times I would love a glass of wine, but I know that I would just be having it to have it. Not to actually really enjoy it!

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  • I like to cut up some fruit and slowly eat it. Maybe have a spoonful of peanut butter with it.

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  • Great article and great reminder that you can take small steps to stop a habit.

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  • I have my cup of tea each night after dinner with 1 choc tim tam

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  • Thank you for the advice, cheers.

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  • I absolutely agree chocolate is a habit and try not to have it in the house… but, when we do it does not last long.

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  • The 3pm sugar cravings l sometimes do,thanks for the aricle-good tips!

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  • This definitely sounds like me. Always reaching for the treats

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  • In the past when I would consciously diet – the glass of water trick did work where I felt that i was still hungry. I must admit that In the last 5 years or so I have been a lot lazier than usual and seem to make excuses not to exercise – likes it too hot, its too cold or its raining etc. I am actually an active person and trek in the mountains a lot so i have all the hi tech outdoor gear. So lets face it i have walked in some pretty dodgy terrain and weather – so really my excuses should not really fly. Now that I have had my first child I think I need to get moving again as I intend to get my daughter trekking as soon as we can. I hope I do not teach her my bad habits. Great incentive not to I think :)

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  • Emotional eating is a very big problem! Thanks for sharing this lovely article!

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  • lol a little bit never hurt either

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  • This was an interesting mini article. Thanks for posting!

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  • I feel this way every night. It’s such a battle to not snack after dinner, but I’m getting there.

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  • Brushing my teeth after tea really helps me…most of the time!

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  • I like chocolate a lot! Really interesting article! Thanks for sharing this!

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  • Loved all this advice! I am super guilty of quiet a few of these and are greatful for the handy tips! Thanks!

    Reply

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