To really get rid of a habit you need to pay attention to the triggers that set off automatic responses.
Did you just get off of the phone with your Mom and head straight for the ice cream like you always do? Do you get down to the last bite of the pint before you realize you just ate through all those feelings? 95% of our life is dictated by our subconscious mind, the part of our brain that runs on autopilot.
No matter how long it can take for you to break a bad habit (I believe it’s different for everyone), they can be quick to return. Life is filled with stressful situations, distractions, and feelings we can’t always express, and it makes it easy to fall back on old routines that require no thought or effort.
I also believe you have to be mindful when those feelings begin to surface and nudge yourself in the right direction. I love the saying, “ You’re not thin because you ate one salad, just like you aren’t heavy because you ate one fattening meal.” The weight creeps up when you least expect it and aren’t mindful about your habits. Here are 5 tips that I believe are a great way to begin RESETTING, which I talk about a lot in my book, The Reset Plan.
- Get the Gear It’s important to have everything you need to even get a fair chance at breaking old habits. Buy comfortable shoes and invest in a pedometer. People who wear a pedometer walk 27% more than those that don’t. Plus it’s great to feel accountable and know how far you walked! I also feel great when I get a new workout outfit. You don’t have to break the bank either to find cute ones!
- Get Rid Of Things You Don’t Need When you start to get rid of things that you don’t need and begin decluttering your space, you will find that your mind won’t be as bogged down, and you’re going to feel much more motivated.
- Start Small Set small, yet realistic goals, and build on them. If you want to run a marathon, start by walking. If you want to swim. Swimming for me is a great exercise because I have bad knees and it’s a low impact exercise.
- Reset Size In More Ways Than One This is one of the most important tips I have to share. Portion control is everything when it comes to weight loss. Head to TJ Maxx or a Target and reset your bowls and plate sizes. Getting kid size bowls and plates are much more proportionate to how much we should be eating. Be conscientious about how much food you are portioning on your plate before you start eating. If you still feel hungry after your meal, try waiting 30 minutes and drinking a glass of water. See if you’re still hungry then.
- Eat Those Veggies My rule when I fill my plate is that I always fill half of it with colorful veggies or a salad. The rest of the plate isn’t big enough for the other junk, so it saves you from being tempted to put too much of it on there.
- Out of Site, Hopefully Out Of Mind When putting away leftovers, wrap up the most tempting items in tin foil so they’re easier to put out of mind.
Feeling ready to Reset? It’s always a great time to get started on the right foot forward. For more inspiration, tips, and tricks to living a healthier life, check out my book The Reset Plan!
