If you know me or have read my book Living Like the Future Matters, The Evolution of a Soil to Soul Entrepreneur, you will see that I am an addict. A foodaholic and a workaholic. Over the years, I have brought my life back into balance. It has taken me years of study, and working with health professionals and now I help others control self-destructive cravings.

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One of my greatest problems with controlling my cravings and weight is the fact that so much self-discipline is needed to achieve tangible results. Ah, but I hear you saying, "What's new about that" We all have that problem! Tell us something new! Yes, we all know that, that is the biggest problem, is it not? Let's face it, eating is one of life's greatest pleasures, and we would be pretty abnormal if this were otherwise.

How many of us stick to the perfect diet all the time? We all have our struggles with food to a greater or lesser extent. If we can recognize this problem and also make a point of knowing a little bit about our health and proper food nutrition, we are much more likely to make wiser decisions about our food choices. After all, most of us are "regular" people, and most of us struggle with food "cravings."

Research tells us that it is common for food "cravings" to occur at certain times, quite often around bedtime. Your guard may be down, or you may have had a tough day, and off you go on your not-so-merry way, intent on finding that tasty treat. When food "cravings" are out of control, what started out as a bedtime snack quickly turns into a full-blown feeding frenzy...not something most of us fully understand or appreciate. We head to the kitchen and every other possible place where food may be hidden.

Exactly why we overindulge is not entirely understood. Fatigue and stress often take their toll on our best intentions, so please don't beat yourself up. Rest assured, you are not alone. Most food cravings are not about satisfying a nutritional need or imbalance. They seem to be more emotionally related, or God forbid, are caused by plain old gluttony. However, our knowledge about this subject continues to grow.

These Are Some Of My Thoughts On How To Control Food Cravings.

If the food isn't available, you can't eat it. Empty the cookie jar and keep it that way! Keep healthy food choices on hand.

Recognizing the feelings and emotions leading to a food craving is essential. Do you have food cravings when you're bored, or maybe you feel lonely, or is stress the trigger? If you can identify the trigger that leads to that craving, you are halfway to winning the battle because you will be able to deal with the emotion that makes you desire a particular food.

Be kind and understanding to yourself. Sometimes, even recognizing that a craving is about to happen doesn't help. Give yourself a break. What is done is done, do not feel guilty because, after all, tomorrow is another day to get back on track. Rather than beat yourself up, call one of your friends and share how you felt then. It is an excellent idea to use your support network. If you do not have one, what is holding you back from finding the help you deserve?

Self-control and discipline by themselves will not cut it! If you depend totally on yourself for control, you will fail. Forming caring and supportive relationships is essential, so if you do not currently have a support network, start building one TODAY.

Get enough sleep. When you are feeling exhausted, you are more likely to crave things, and with me personally, it is usually chocolate. Possibly you are the same.

Never give up. When you go off the rails, do not despair. Get a grip, do whatever is necessary to regain control because you must get that control back. Try to practice restraint most of the time, but do not get obsessed and unbalanced in your weight loss approach. Think moderation and not total abstinence at all times!

Exercise. This will increase the feel-good endorphins that will help cut down on your cravings. Try to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day. I hear many people say they just cannot fit in any exercise. Believe me, you can. We are talking about 30 minutes here. At the worst, it will mean you will have to get out of bed a bit earlier. An early morning brisk walk will do wonders for the spirit and the soul and help set you up for the rest of the day!

Use moderation. Instead of stuffing yourself with every kind of food, hoping that your cravings will disappear, eat 100 to 200 calories of whatever it is that you happen to be craving at that particular moment in time, but you must stop it at that!

Listen to what is right for your makeup. Many experts will tell you to never skip a meal, that it is much wiser to eat something, if even only an apple, every three to five hours. Some say to eat six smaller meals or regular meals with nutritious snacks between meals, while others swear by intermittent fasting.

Test don't guess. Some of us do better on a healthy high-fat diet, whereas others might do better on a vegan diet. Some might consider substituting low-fat foods and complex carbs, while others would do better by eating more protein. Understanding how your gut works and what your DNA is can make all the difference in helping curb cravings. I will get more into this, give you resources in upcoming blogs, and have experts in the field speaking on A Dose of Positivity, so stay posted.

Reach for the right substitutes. If you're hungry for sweets, have some dark, dark, dark chocolate hanging around. A teaspoon of honey in a cup of tea works wonders for me. You will be amazed at how these tips can help.

Eliminate processed foods. Processed foods are highly addictive drug-like substances that can alter the brain. They are laced with addictive substances. Studies reveal that rats choose sugar and saccharine over cocaine and heroin. The morphine in gluten attaches to the same receptors as opium. The withdrawal syndrome from excessive salt is the same as withdrawal from drugs. With 15,000 different food additives in our food system, how are we supposed to navigate the cravings? There are professionals like Joan Ifland who is considered to be the world's leading expert in processed food addiction, who can help.

Hunger cravings are very frequently stress-related. Practice other ways to cope with stress, such as a walk in the park, spiritual connections, a cozy fireplace, or even a bath. Breathe. You see, all of these stimulate neurochemicals that activate regions of the brain, which increases a feeling of well-being. Relaxation techniques really can be beneficial in reducing the levels of stress that you may be experiencing.

Substitute pleasurable experiences for comfort foods.

Beware of certain medications which can stimulate your appetite. Certain drugs which are used for the treatment of depression and bipolar disorder can be appetite stimulants. Other drugs, both prescription and over-the-counter, may also influence appetite. Discuss this with your doctor or pharmacist if you are on medication and troubled by food cravings. You may well be able to find an alternative that doesn't send your food cravings out of control.

Distract yourself. What's that old expression...idle hands are the devil's workshop, so get busy! Do anything other than giving in to your desire for food, and keep doing it until the cravings subside.

Gather and share healthy handmade meals. Share love and food with people who understand that food is thy medicine and indulge in the bounty of the land rather than the shopping cart.

Look inside your refrigerator and kitchen cabinets and do general "house cleaning." Get rid of all the unhealthy stuff waiting to sabotage your diet, and start shopping more wisely. A little forethought and careful planning will go a long way to improving your chances of success. One of my golden rules is that I NEVER go shopping when I am hungry! Absolutely fatal!

So to conclude, remember you can take control. If you give in to temptation, don't beat yourself up about it, tomorrow is another day, live long, enjoy your life, and most of all, be happy! Eat healthily and in moderation at all times, but do not forget that at the end of the day, you are only human. The bottom line is you must be willing to take the time to self-indulge in self-care, figure out what works best for you, and never give up.