Breaking Up is Hard to Do

Bad habits... we all have them. Whether it be fast food addiction, repeatedly skipping our early morning workouts, regular late night snacking or a few too many glasses of wine at night, our bad habits can destroy even the best intentions of health progress.

Here's some of the tips that I have learned to use to help defend me against some of my bad habits:

1. Identify them and what it is that triggers your desire to to engage in these bad habits. Personally, I know not to even store sweet treats or salty snacks in my apartment because if I see them, I will eat them.

2. Change your perspective. Instead of looking at the bag of chips your coworker is eating and begin to feel bad for yourself for not being able to enjoy the same type of indulgences without feeling guilty, see the challenge as an opportunity. We all know that we will be faced with challenges daily. And each of our temptations are different. If we choose  to look at each tempting opportunity to engage in our bad habit as a challenge, that we can get stronger from, facing these daily choices becomes easier and easier each time we say "no".

3. Have a vision. What is it about these habits that are truly self destructing to your health? Imagine what your life would look and feel like if you could just conquer these bad habits. In college, I made a vision board. It was a really fun project that I had seen on Oprah, in which you cut out articles, images, words from magazines and newspaper and place them on a large poster board. The idea, is to choose photos and words that inspire you, motivate you, and then place the board in a spot where you will walk by it multiple times a day. In the very middle of the board, choose a photo or word that represents your main goal.

4. Surround yourself with positivity. You may as well choose a positive attitude for yourself, because going about any task with a defeatus, can't do attitude is going to get us no where. But it can also be helpful to surround yourself with positive people, who understand your goals and sincerely care about you reaching them for better health. Other ideas are to place quotes or positive images in your office space, bedroom, on your bathroom mirror and the fridge to remind you of what's most important when cravings or urges hit.

5. Ask others to hold you accountable. Make your goals and desires known to your family, friends and coworkers. Ask your spouse to choose a healthier night time snack than a bowl of ice cream when you are around and your coworker to check in with you daily to see if you made your morning workout.

6. Use your resources! Pick up the phone and call your friend who is a fitness freak and ask them to give you some new ideas to spice up your routine at the gym. Look up healthy dessert recipes on Pinterest. There are so many books, blogs, websites, etc, that exist simply to inspire. Another resource that I like to use? God. :) Whatever faith you may have, use that to increase your spirituality and up your overall wellness defenses to take on your cravings, bad habits, whatever it may be- head on.

Throw your bad habits out like the trash on Thursday!