Cravings attack without warning and there's almost nothing we can do!

"Almost" is the key word and "willpower" is your new weapon of choice. Sometimes it feels like it's near impossible to fight back your sweet tooth or to tame your cravings for salty snacks, but it can be done!  We put together few tips to help you arm yourself with enough willpower to overcome any craving that may attack.

1. Spend Time Thinking About Absolutely Nothing - Some people call this meditation but the point is that it works. When you have so many ideas and to-do's running through your brain you start to do things, like snacking, without really making the conscious decision. Take about five minutes a day to clear your head and think about nothing. This will actually make it easier for you to be conscious of all of the decisions that you make. 

2. Outthink Yourself - Think ahead to all of the points in the day that might cause you to break down. The 2 o'clock snack attack, Happy hour after work, donuts on the break table etc. Once you identify all of these traps, create a better alternative. Bring some healthy snacks to counter any temptation at work and schedule  a workout or activity with a friend for happy hour. 

3. Weigh Your Consequences - Every time you're faced with a craving or a temptation, think about your goals and how much work it will take to keep you on track. If you eat that jumbo cream cheese muffin you're going to have to go back to the gym tonight or cut your dinner down to almost nothing. When you see the negative consequences it's easier to say no. 

Find more fitness and health tips here. 

Don't forget to connect with us on Facebook and Twitter for more health recipes and nutrition tips!

Sometime's it's almost too overwhelming to go at your fitness goals. Working out every day and eating healthy every day are harder to do than most of us think. That's why we put together a few easy ways to shave off some extra calories here and there to help you make big changes over time. 

1. Switch to natural peanut butter and drain the oil off of the top. Per serving you save up to 20 calories and 2-3 grams of fat. That makes a big difference over the span of a year. 

2. Switch out your favorite pretzels or crackers for low-fat popcorn. It has more fiber so it keeps you full for longer and it has less empty calories. 

3. Dance as often as possible. Dance around the house while you do your normal chores or go out an dance for an evening. One hour of grooving can burn up to 500 calories. 

4. Switch it up at the gym. Break your normal routine by using heavier weights for a set or targeting different muscle groups. It helps you to burn more calories overall. 

5. Don't eat after dinner. Add some more veggies to your nightly meal and call it good. This is an easy way to drop 5lbs quickly.

6. Go for the crunch! Eat foods like carrots and apples that take more work to chew and longer to digest. They also fill you up more quickly and for longer. 

7. Eat slower. Give your body the time it needs to realize that it's full and you will eat less overall. It sounds simple but it's actually a lot harder than you would think. Try using chop sticks or utensils for everything you eat and try taking smaller bites. 

Don't forget to connect with us on Facebook and Twitter for more fitness, nutrition, and health tips.