The Sneaky System to Kick an Unhealthy Habit
Recently a mom emailed me asking how she could kick her Diet Coke habit.
She knew it was an addiction that was doing her no good, and that an afternoon walk would be a much better choice to bolster her energy…but she just couldn’t make that healthy change.
Listen in to hear my advice to her…and not only for Diet Coke habits, but for many other unhealthy habits we have too.
Quick Points Summary
Have an unhealthy habit that you know would be better swapped for a healthier choice but can’t seem to make the trade?
Instead of restricting your unhealthy habit–combine it with a healthy one at first.
In this video I share about a mom who emailed me regarding her 3 pm diet coke addiction. She said she knew a short walk at that time would give her way more true energy, but she couldn’t drop her Diet Coke.
So I encouraged her with a three step plan to baby step her way off Diet Coke— that started with combining a walk and her Diet Coke. Seems simple, but so often we get stuck in an all or nothing rut and end up never making strides toward the life we really want to live.
Can’t give up that cup of joe, Diet Coke or after-dinner ice cream? At first just combine it with something healthier- something that is filling the real need it is compensating for.
If coffee is filling a need for energy… for every cup of coffee you have, drink a tall glass of water with it… (or better yet, only have that cup of coffee with a healthy, robust breakfast!)
If that after-dinner treat is filling a need for reward and pampering… after dinner, take a nice long bath with soft music and have your scoop of ice cream in the tub.
Build up true foundations of health under your unhealthy habits and shedding them will be easy and smooth.
If you liked this video- please share it with friends and others that could benefit.
And let me know in the comments what unhealthy habit you struggle with the most!
Great tip… this makes total sense!
Thanks Brittnie 🙂
Mine is soda too. My BFF calls me a “soda whore.” I used to get by with one but now I find myself having three! I’ve gained 20 pounds in the last year and a half and though I’m sure there are other contributing factors, soda is a biggie. I just HAVE to have one with lunch. Have to. Thanks for the concrete tips to help me break the habit!
Stephanie…let me know how it is going for you!
That is a great tip! I tend to be an all or nothing person- so this makes sense to me. Also, thanks for including the Quick Summary- I don’t always have the time to watch the video (they take a long time to load where I am)-so I often just skip them. Now I have the meat of the video quickly. Thanks!
You bet, glad you enjoy the quick summary.
I’ve recently found a sneaky way to get over bad habits (and establish good ones). I noticed that for me it took just 2-3 days in a row for a new bad habit to begin taking hold. However, I also found that not doing something I always did for just 2 days in a row made a big difference. On the third day I would feel like I had a choice again, rather than automatically reaching for whatever.
Wonderful!
My husband doesn’t like to watch TV alone in the evening. Lately, I’ve acquired his habit of snacking on while watching TV.
Nydia…could you choose to snack healthier when watching TV? What if you already had a plate full of chopped up veggies…would you miss your old snacks as long as you had something sweet and crunchy in front of you?
Oooh, I have Nydia’s problem. At night after son is asleep and when hubby wants to settle in with a TV program I get this COMPULSION to snack. I am not sure what other practices I need to build in because I am not sure what the habit is truly about. I am good with eating enough and hydrating enough ahead of time but I still crave the snacking at night. Chewing gum doesn’t cut it. Eating something spicy doesn’t lessen it. I do notice that if I am reading instead of watching TV I don’t have as strong an urge, but I don’t want to ask hubby to give up the TV as part of our bonding time (at least not yet). Any insights?
Hi Allison, I’d suggest the same as Nydia…could you try prepping a plate of crunchy/sweet veggies before hand- think sliced red pepper, cucumber slices, baby carrots, cauliflower. If it is ready and in front of you, you may find yourself happily crunching away on that.
Perhaps you could BEGIN by making a deal with yourself- first finish the plate of veggies and then if you still want something else, reach for your old snack second.
This makes sense, but for some people cold turkey is the only way to quit a bad habit.
I agree, Emily– there are certainly times when the addiction is strongly enough rooted biochemically, that a cold turkey break may work best. But I also think that requires having space and time in your life in order to support yourself as you detox. Important not to try to do it in the middle of a busy life with little or no supports for how you will react while going off cold turkey.
Yup, diet Coke is my vice of choice as well! I need to try this.
Let me know how it goes, Jess!
I thought your video was very helpful and informative. You made it seem doable and at the same time you very encouraging in someone doing baby steps.
This was my first visit to your blog, by the way.