Want to Break an Old Habit? Create a New One

Monday, October 12

Experts say we don’t actually do away with a habit.  We simply replace it with a new one, a new behavior. 

Eating is a behavior.  You can change the habit of making a not-so-healthy choice at breakfast like sugary cereal, juice and toast and replace it with a healthier option like a vegetable omelet or some sardines or leftover salmon (or good quality smoked salmon) with cucumber, watercress, tomato and dill.          

Another new habit to implement is to start packing your lunch rather than eating out.  Typically, this should be leftovers from dinner the night before.  Don’t like leftovers?  Make chicken salad from the leftover chicken and stuff half a Haas avocado with it.  Pack an ounce or two of mixed nuts and a piece of fruit for a between-meal snack.

If you’re on the sofa watching TV after work, make it a new habit to exercise while watching your favorite show.  Decide that you won’t watch that show unless you are exercising.

Then enjoy your post-exercise quietude with a beautiful dinner like rack of lamb with sautéed spinach or asparagus, or a steak and a salad. 

Then do it again tomorrow, and the next day, and the next…….