I am a big fan of habits. I habitually brush my teeth. This is a good thing. I have tons of habitual behaviors that I do without thinking. They keep my brain from overheating with exertion. Habits can be our friend.
However, habits can also be our enemy. I developed a habit of putting this really delicious, silky smooth and loaded-with-sugar creamer in my coffee. Yum! Once I developed the habit of having it, I did not enjoy coffee without it. It was only when I was given information that inspired me to decrease my sugar intake that the lovely little treat that I so enjoyed became my enemy. Because I was habituated to it, it had the power to knock my calorie count out of alignment before I had even had breakfast, much less eaten three meals and a snack!
Lately I’ve been re-evaluating my habits. I’ve decided that I want to keep the ones that support my core values but relinquish some that are inconsistent with my values. A little coffee with a creamer that doesn’t fit my nutritional objectives has to go. I will miss her.
When I began my journey of eating realignment, I needed education, accountability, support and incentives. Habits don’t just disappear when we wish them gone! I understand that we do better with change when we replace habits, plan for change, and develop the patience needed for steady next-right-steps toward our goal. Grandiose thinking and change are not great partners.
For today, consider which of your habits you would like to change.
