If one of your New Year Resolutions was to lose weight through denying yourself treats like chocolate or cakes, you may be doing more harm than good.

Researchers at the University of Hertfordshire found that not only does trying not to think about chocolate make us more likely to give in to temptation; it means we’ll actually end up eating more.

This is down to how our brain computes things.

Let’s try a little experiment here to show you what I mean;

In a moment, I’m going to give you an instruction.

However, whatever happens I don’t want you to follow it.

Try as hard as you can to resist.

Seriously, no matter how tempted you are to follow my instruction – DON’T DO IT.

Did I make myself clear?

OK, here goes.

Remember; resist the temptation to follow my instruction.

Whatever you do, don’t do this………….. DON’T think of a dog wearing a pink skirt.

 

 

So what breed and colour was the dog?

It’s impossible not to think about the dog because our brain needs to think of it in order to delete it.

The same goes for chocolate and cake.

By trying to delete it from your thoughts all the time, it just makes you think of it more.

I’m a firm believer of “everything in moderation” and “a little of what you fancy does you good”.

By changing the way you think, combined with a balanced diet and increased exercise, you can still become slim and fit.

When we were growing up, if we finished our meal we would get a sweet desert as a treat.

Over the years most of our brains have hardwired that habit and we can often crave sweet things after a meal.

To trick and satisfy your brain try drinking a fruit tea or snacking on a sweet fruit such as strawberries, pineapple or grapes after your meal.