Every day we have air to breathe is a day that food temptations exist. Whether we’re at an event or in our home, unhealthy foods are accessible. Our surroundings are filled with toxic foods that stimulate the mind.

Foods that we crave are often available, making it close to impossible to pass up. If you are trying to make a food change in your life, but your surroundings are filled with unhealthy restaurants, ice cream joints, and bakery shops, don’t cave into your cravings.

It’s easy to always do what you’ve always done, but that will only result in the same type of progress. If the food that you love the most is unhealthy, but it’s the food that’s most available, then you have no choice but to challenge yourself and say no.

Saying no to something you desire is hard, but saying no can give you strength to deny that food again!

There is no "Magic Pill"

If you’re in constant search for some magic to aid in your “junk” food escape you may be searching for a lifetime. There are a ton of special pills, whether it be over the counter or doctor prescribed, that will help curve the cravings, but how long do you expect those pills to make a difference? Yes, they will surely do their job by suppressing your appetite or significantly reducing your caloric intake to dangerously low levels; however, they will only do this job for so long.

Weight loss pills are wired to give you that jump start when trying to make a healthy lifestyle change — they’re not meant for long-term use, and should not be used as a crutch. They will give you a huge weight loss, and a quick one at that, but they don’t have the power to transform the life you’ve been living into a healthier one.

Weight loss pills don’t teach you nutrition, they don’t slap your hand when you go for the 6 cookies before bed, and they certainly don’t make you go to the gym. All these things must be accomplished by willpower. A pill may give you the courage at first to cease the high caloric food intake, but it won’t help you forever.

If you decide to take weight loss pills long-term, you could possibly run into health issues that could cause you more trouble than trying to lose weight.

Stop Waiting for Temptation to Disappear

If you’re waiting on the want and desire for certain foods to dwindle away, it’s time to stop waiting. The urge for your favorite junk foods will not go away by the snap of your fingers nor will they 100% leave you alone.

One day you’ll drive by your favorite doughnut shop or attend a party where your favorite cake is being served. There will be times when your co-worker makes her grandmothers secret family dish that appears to be loaded with fat and sugar, but you know will taste divine. Then there will be times when someone, if not you, brings your all-time favorite chips into your home.

It’s times like these that bring on the ultimate challenge, which is turning down these tempting foods.

Avoiding Food Temptation During the Holiday Season

Coming into the holiday season can make for an even bigger challenge when trying to cut down on the calories. Parties are at their peak and treats are everywhere. Holidays aren’t going anywhere, and neither are the celebrations that go along with them.

Life doesn’t go on hold when you’re trying to make changes, it will often throw something in your way. It’s up to you to dodge the temptations; it’s up to you to say no.

This doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy social gatherings or events with family or friends, attending these functions won’t place the food in your mouth. It’s your body, your brain, your control!

Keep your Holiday celebration to one day, and allow yourself a small portion of your favorite dessert. Indulging and over-indulging are two separate things. After having some of your favorite treat, resist the urge to go back for more.

Keep in mind: this is your cravings talking, and your body is not in physical need of food. Remember, nothing and no one can do this for you. It may get harder before it gets easier, but standing firm and resisting temptations gives you more power each day that goes by.

Take this time of year as an opportunity to change some of your bad eating habits and let your loved ones be your focus this Holiday season!