It's Habit Breakin' Time...

     Hey Fam...   So, I am on another mission, but in order to get there, I need to break a habit or two.  If I really think about it, I probably need to break a few habits.  Be honest, I'm not alone in this, am I???  So, let's examine this "habit" thing.

     According to the online Oxford dictionary, a habit is a settled or regular tendency or practice, especially one that is hard to give up.  From everything I read, it seems that a habit can be altered, replaced, or controlled, but it can NEVER be erased because of the mental association between the habit and enjoyable events.  In otherwords, because it makes us feel good.  Guess that's why it is easy to develop a negative habit (addiction), whether it be to drugs, alcohol, sex, or food.  Our brains have this chemical, dopamine that is released when we take part in the habit.  When we stop doing the "habit", the dopamine creates the craving to "do it all again".   So, sometimes, no matter how hard we try, getting over a bad habit is HARD. 

     Well, it's habit breakin' time.  Nope, it will not be easy.  Yes, we will probably stumble and fall along the way.  But you know my motto, is to NEVER give up.  There are a few suggestions for breaking a habit, but we have to understand, that TIME, REPLACEMENT, and WILLPOWER are the key.

     Everything I felt like reading about habits suggested that it takes approximately, 21 days to break a habit.  Yes, that's three (3) long weeks.  

• First, we have to identify the habit.  What's yours?  Eating fried foods, eating sweets, sitting and watching television for hours, playing games on the computer?  Now, if your habit involves the use or intake of chemicals or drugs, you may want to seek some professional help, as that type of habit is on a totally different level and may require a slow (tapering) turn of the events. 
• Once you have identified your habit, write down your goal.  Experts say that you should express your goal in a positive manner and the reason for wanting to stop the habit.  In otherwords, explain why you want to "stop eating cake everyday, so that you can start to meet your weight loss goals". 
• Plan to substitute the habit with something else.  If your habit has been to couch potato it up every night for hours on end, start the change by substituting that with 20 minutes of exercise every night. (Did you ever know anyone with a substance abuse issue?  Did you notice, once they got clean, they became obsessed with something else positive?  That's the bait and switch that needs to take place to insure that there is no time for the bad habit to raise it's ugly head).  Okay, at least that is my observation.
• Don't be afraid to let others know that you are trying to make a change.  Sometimes we need the support to get us through the rough times.  Tell Aunt Suzy, that you are trying to stop eating sweets, so that she will not make 4 pies and 2 cakes when you come to visit. 
• Remember when you do ellicit help from others, there are going to be haters, or at least some folks that will try to derail your progress.  Some people just want to see you fail.  They will suggest you have that second piece of buttered roll, when they KNOW you are on a low-carb diet.  Stay strong!!!

     Where am I going with all this?  Whew. I hate to tell you, but I am going to try this "clean eating" thing for ONE (1) month.  I need to know if I have the will and the ability to do it.  I will explain at the next post, the ins and outs of "clean eating" as I do some more research.  I am sure some of you are already, there.  I think I am almost there.  I just have a few vices that stand in my way.   So, here I go!!!  Come with me, pick ONE bad habit that you can do without and let's work this thing out together!!! 
(special thanks to fiu.edu, Examiner.com, newsinhealthnih.gov)