Forming habits -- breaking old ones.

Basilin
Basilin Posts: 360 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Does anyone have advice on this?

It's been my habit to have an espresso drink in place of breakfast because it's fast, it's tasty, and it provides a high (caffeine). Yet, it's not healthy or a real food replacement; but I can get away with not eating for a long time because it so calorie dense and that's my excuse.

I've been trying to eat real, healthy breakfast but it's hard to get into the habit of it. I can do it for maybe a week or two before I get sick of eating in the morning or feel like I no longer have time to devote to it. I usually cave after being stressed out for a while. It never becomes a real habit.

How do you break habits and form new ones?

Replies

  • LoneWolf_70
    LoneWolf_70 Posts: 1,151 Member
    set a goal to do it for 21 days straight NO EXEMPTIONS...and I bet by day 18..you'll find it isnt hard anymore.
  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,603 Member
    Motivation. If you view your new habits as depriving yourself of something you like, it will be harder because you aren't really motivated; you're just going through the motions,

    If you view it as giving yourself something you want (like a better habit or healthier body), it will be easier. Don't think about breaking the old habit. Focus on developing the new one, It can be done and you can do it.

    But old habits ARE hard to break. It takes time and you have to stick with it.

    If you don't really want to, though, just don't bother. If you don't really WANT to do it, you'll just fail and end up disappointed with yourself for failing to do something you never really wanted to do in the first place. Total waste of time. Be happy doing the thing you really want to do, whether that's the old habit or the new one.

    Good luck, whichever way you go!
  • BigGuy47
    BigGuy47 Posts: 1,768 Member
    How do you break habits and form new ones?
    Here's a book on the subject:

    http://www.amazon.com/The-Power-Habit-What-Business/dp/1400069289
  • kcaitbpaitw
    kcaitbpaitw Posts: 14 Member
    I used to do something similar (you mean like a 400 calorie mocha latte type espresso drink, right?), eating in the morning isn't really my thing. What I do now, that doesn't involve any prep - I buy the Starbucks low calorie iced coffee bottles at the store (50 cals for the bottle), have a greek yogurt and a banana for breakfast. Get a little head start on the protein and fiber for the same calories, no cooking needed. It is a new habit that is realistic with my schedule.

    It doesn't sound like you have a problem forming a habit, it sounds like you hate the habit you're forcing on yourself. Find a compromise that you won't dread everyday
  • Basilin
    Basilin Posts: 360 Member
    Thanks for all your replies! Every single one is valuable advice.

    LoneWolf_70, per your words I resisted the temptation to go out and get a latte today and had breakfast instead. Thank you.

    Kalikel, I've not thought about it that way before.. basically keeping sights set on what you really want. I tend to only be motivated to kick a bad habit when the bad effects are really obvious (I think that's true with most people). In order to motivate oneself like you suggest there needs to be value placed on delayed gratification. Not a strong suit for most humans!

    BigGuy47: That book looks right up my alley! I feel like I'm controlled by a lot of different habits and understanding how they work would be a step towards more freedom in life. Thanks for the reference.

    kcaitbpaitw (that name is surprisingly fun to type!), you bring up a great point that dovetails with Kalikel's. I think I've been focusing too much on eating what I think is the right foods instead of what I would enjoy eating that is also a good choice. Figuring out the right kind of breakfast might help a lot, as well as correct timing and amount of prep work. I'm the same, I don't like eating a full meal early, I have to wait 2 - 3 hours after I wake up otherwise I feel sick if I eat too much. It makes scheduling meals difficult!
  • Grankakes
    Grankakes Posts: 128 Member
    I've had to do this with replacing diet dr pepper with water. I could literally drink my weight in diet dr pepper. but it was causing me to swell, and since I sit all day long, my legs were swollen more days than not, so I decided I had to quit. yep. cold turkey. it was rough. but now I only drink water. I'm trying to do the 3L of water a day challenge - so far, so good. GOOD LUCK! YOU CAN DO IT! :flowerforyou:
  • Basilin
    Basilin Posts: 360 Member
    I've had to do this with replacing diet dr pepper with water. I could literally drink my weight in diet dr pepper. but it was causing me to swell, and since I sit all day long, my legs were swollen more days than not, so I decided I had to quit. yep. cold turkey. it was rough. but now I only drink water. I'm trying to do the 3L of water a day challenge - so far, so good. GOOD LUCK! YOU CAN DO IT! :flowerforyou:

    Thank you! Good luck to you too, I know how addicting soda can be!! How long ago was that?

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