Cravings Boss: The Real Reason You Crave Food and a 5-Step Plan to Take Back Control

By Natalia Levey CNC

What would your life look like if the cravings didnt control you? Before succumbing to yet another food splurge, bloated and full of regret, remember one thing: Your cravings are trying to tell you something. (And its not what you think!) While it may seem that your cravings are the ultimate enemy, once you understand their underlying messages, you will gain the upper hand and become the boss of your cravings. In a humorous manner, Natalia shares her knowledge, tools and personal experiences that have helped her clients manage their appetites and lose weight. Her unique five step plan to take control will leave you empowered and ready to fire those health-sabotaging cravings.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Balboa Press
• Release date: Mar 15, 2016
• ISBN: 9781504349956

Natalia Levey CNC

Natalia Levey is a professional chef and certified health and nutrition coach. She is dedicated to educating and guiding professional women to make behavioral changes resulting in improved nutrition and better energy, thus leaving them feeling confident and successful in every area of life. Natalia is the founder of Healthy Intent, www.healthyintent.com. In her free time she indulges her secret addiction to graphics through an online magazine—Healthy Intent {seasonal healthy inspirations}. Natalia has received her culinary training at the Art Institute of New York and is a graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN). She also received her certification as a nutritional consultant from The American Association of Nutritional Consultants. Her professional culinary training in combination with health coaching and nutrition has given Mrs. Levey a unique advantage to understanding her clients and helping them truly connect what they eat to how they feel. Natalia lives in Florida and loves getting creative in the kitchen for her family and friends while her dog is running under everyone’s feet. She’s an avid gym-goer, world traveler, and organizer.

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Copyright © 2016 Natalia Levey.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Disclaimer: Any information presented in this book is intended for informational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical help.

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

The author of this book does not dispense medical advice or prescribe the use of any technique as a form of treatment for physical, emotional, or medical problems without the advice of a physician, either directly or indirectly. The intent of the author is only to offer information of a general nature to help you in your quest for emotional and spiritual well-being. In the event you use any of the information in this book for yourself, which is your constitutional right, the author and the publisher assume no responsibility for your actions.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

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ISBN: 978-1-5043-4994-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5043-4996-3 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5043-4995-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016901775

Balboa Press rev. date: 03/10/2016

CONTENTS

Introduction

Termination Letter To Self-Sabotage

Potential Dangers Of Overeating

5-Step Plan To Take Back Control

Step 1. Pause

Step 2. Examine The Facts

Types Of Food Cravings

The Many Causes Of Cravings And How To Deal With Them

Step 3. Pinpoint The Trigger

Step 4. Promote Your Imagination

Arrange Your Environment For Success

Step 5 – Fire Your Cravings Action Worksheets

5-Step Plan Review

My Secret Weapons

Conclusion

Endnotes

Craving More?

Notes

To my husband, the only craving I never want to get rid of.

INTRODUCTION

If you are reading this book and you are anything like the millions of women who have struggled with diets, food and cravings, then you might be thinking, "I’ve tried it all—every diet, every program, every trick in the book, and yet I still find myself staring down the empty bucket of ice cream or into the vacant bag of chips as I realize that it was me who ate it all!"

Food cravings are like a cold—everyone is affected, and they can seem to come out of nowhere. But the more you know how to be prepared, the less often you’ll succumb to the lure of the chip bag. I am about to arm you with superpowers that give you the ability to resist any food temptation thrown your way. That chocolate lava cake you usually cave in to? No thanks. The French fries that come with your sandwich? Not a chance. You are the boss of your cravings now, and I’ll show you how.

I’m here to tell you that I’ve been there. I didn’t always have it together. My cravings began during childhood. I grew up in Moscow, and about twice a year my family would stock up on 20 packages of kukuruznih palochek (sweet corn puffs), that were only available at certain times of the year. These special treats were supposed to last us six months, but without fail, the first five bags would be gone in just three days!

Cravings such as these become ingrained in us from an early age, but when we recognize the cause, we gain the upper hand. To this day, about twice a year I buy a bag, but now one bag lasts me a few days. Sometimes I glance lovingly at the bag in my pantry as a reminder of my past and my ability to exercise freedom of choice. And sometimes my choice is to eat them. The smell they make drives my husband crazy.

Imagine yourself at a lavish party, looking your best, meeting interesting people, and having the willpower to turn down the handsome stranger who urges you to eat the indulgences on his beautiful silver tray. I’m not asking you to turn down caviar and champagne—that’s the Russian in me—but I am telling you that you can do this. Once you learn the REAL reasons why you crave food, you will have the confidence and motivation to make better choices. You may even discover a new hobby, like healthy cooking, growing your own food, or something totally non-food related.

Here is the thing: most nutrition and diet books merely present the facts. You get bogged down in details, and by the end of the book you have no energy left to actually implement the advice. I am not here to only teach you. I am here to empower you. I want you to take control of your cravings once and for all. I offer a different approach in this book. Your health is your business, and you are the boss. And when running a successful business, the best way to make a smart decision is to have all the information and facts in front of you. Do all the numbers add up?