Lent/Giving up bad habits.

stanleypoobrick

I'm not Christian, so I'm not giving anything up for lent, but I did happen to be starting "theXeffect" today so at least I'm not on my own giving up bad habits :----)

The central tenet of theXeffect is that you write down a bad habit you want to lose (or a good habit you want to start) and you do it for 49 consecutive days. Because the cards are physical, you're motivated to carry on so you don't have to look at the ugly empty box without an X in it every day. It's really interesting reading all of the success stories.

The creator recommends setting 4 goals: one for diet, one for exercise, one for health (e.g drink 2L of water; get 8 hours of sleep) and one for meditation, and the goals are supposed to be simple (maybe 10 minutes exercise a day). You can do more if you feel like it, but the end goal is to increase your motivation and push yourself to do that 10 minutes on the days when you feel like doing nothing - rather than setting a huge goal that you'll only do half of the time.

The idea is that motivation is like a muscle, and once you start using it it becomes easy. Have a look for yourself and let me know what your goals are: http://www.reddit.com/r/getdisciplined/comments/1x99m6/im_a_piece_of_****_no_more_games_no_more_lies_no/cf9dz72

SGM_Adonis

If I were to try to start a good new habit, it would be meal prep for weekends. I'm currently diligent with meal prep for the week, but I slack off on Sat/Sundays and it's been killing me.

What is it you're planning on doing or not doing anymore?

stanleypoobrick

I'm in recovery for anorexia, so my "diet" goal is no restricting/binge/purging; exercise is 10 minutes stretching per day; life is 2L of water per day; and 10 minutes mindfulness (which is a meditation-based therapy) :----)

SGM_Adonis

I'm in recovery for anorexia, so my "diet" goal is no restricting/binge/purging; exercise is 10 minutes stretching per day; life is 2L of water per day; and 10 minutes mindfulness (which is a meditation-based therapy) :----)

Good luck with your recovery : )

stanleypoobrick

Thanks! It's really cool because you're encouraged to write your reasons for doing it on the cards so you can look at it later. What would you write as your reasoning?

I have "because I want to recover and be able to eat with friends"/"because I want to be more flexible"/"because I want to be hydrated and you know how accomplished you feel when your pee is clear" (lol)/"because I want to be more relaxed and not worry about the future"