It’s easy to keep doing so-called ‘bad’ habits.
Why?
Well, we don’t see any negative until later down the line, right?
If I stay up late working and getting stuff done or more likely…scrolling on my phone..
I get an INSTANT reward
But tomorrow?
I get negative feedback..
I’m tired.
It’s why it is hard to do so called good habits (like get to bed earlier).
The short term is hard…
And you don’t often feel the benefit until later on (tomorrow when we wake up feeling energised…more on that later).
So how can you actually stop bad habits and create new, good habits?
Well, here are 5 questions that might help (we worked through these in a Q and A last week when someone asked about picking when they are not hungry)
1) What’s the habit you want to change?
eating when not hungry
2) What are the triggers?
I’m tired/ bored
3) What pleasure do you get?
Looking for energy, entertainment? procrastinating, avoiding pain e.g. when I am eating, distract myself.
4) What can I do to set myself up to win?
No food out on the side. have chewing gum / water/ protein shake handy, if I want something i will have that [insert planned high protein / veg / fruit based, nutritious snack
5) What are the downsides of eating when not hungry —>
gain weight.. frustrated then pissed off, lower quality sleep, grouchy with kids and family, waste energy, don’t get jobs I needed to get done. Less confidence, get ill more often..
Hope this gives you some reflection time to change your habits.
You could apply this to anything (like my scrolling habit after 10pm…)
Matt ‘far from perfect, but focussed on progress’ Fruci