More or Less #1

I've had this idea rattling around in my head since before the new year. I alluded to it in my first post of this year. I did post about it on Facebook, in a tiny, likely-to-be-overlooked spot...a comment on someone else's wall. So here I am finally setting aside time to tell you my idea and make it a reality.

My resolution this year is to change one bad habit into a good habit each month. More of one thing (the good) for less of the other (the bad).

One reason I think people fail to kick their habits is because they just try to stop that habit without doing anything else. We can't do that successfully. Even if not consciously, we will replace one habit with another. Stopping a habit is like trying to dig a hole in the sand. The more we dig, the more sand slides into the hole. Digging a hole in the sand takes a purposeful effort and planning; usually, buckets of water help. My point is, to break a bad habit, I have to purposefully plan to replace the bad habit with a good habit.

My hope is that by the end of the year, I will have improved my life in 12 ways. Instead of setting myself up for failure by making a huge long list of everything I want to change, I am realistically setting goals and making manageable changes. Plus, most studies show changing a habit takes 21 days. By focusing on one habit per month, I allow myself time to fully adopt the change. I may work on other things one day at a time, but my goal is one permanent change per month.

I'm setting myself up for success. One change. One month at a time. Focused effort.

This monthy I've been trying to eat only when hungry...really hungry. My success rate is about 50/50. Where I failed was that I didn't create a backup plan for all the times I wanted to eat out of habit, but wasn't really hungry. (Hence, part of the reason for this post. Reflection. I want my effort in February to be much more intentional. But I digress...) So, today and tomorrow (and going forward), when I want to eat, but am not hungry I will pray and then have a glass of water.

Starting Wednesday, I want to exercise more and sit less. I think the best thing I can do right now is walk daily. I have to set out my clothes each night, get dressed when I wake up, after getting the kids off to school, I can go for my walk. The preparation eliminates excuses. Getting it done first thing in the day ensures I don't run out of time.

Bring on February!...More or Less #2: Exercise More, Sit Less.