Comments on: The 7 Keys to Breaking Bad Habits

By: Ari Koinuma

Ari Koinuma — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 02:45:06 +0000

Hi Evelyn,

Yes, that’s why strategy is important — think about a good alternative ahead of time, so you don’t replace one bad habit with another. Good point.

ari

By: Ari Koinuma

Ari Koinuma — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 02:42:30 +0000

Hi Barbara,

Glad you picked out that point. Boredom is surprisingly powerful, in a negative way. It can stress us and drive us to do all kinds of things that don’t feel good about doing.

Properly being stimulated is very important.

ari

By: Evelyn Lim

Evelyn Lim — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 08:55:39 +0000

Having an alternative is definitely important! Bad habits are hard to break and we would need a backup plan if we find ourselves tempted to give in. Nevertheless, it is crucial that we do not replace one bad habit with another! We need a healthier and viable alternative. Evelyn Lim´s last blog post..My Vision Board Tops Amazon’s Bestseller List?

By: Barbara Swafford - Blogging Without A Blog

Barbara Swafford - Blogging Without A Blog — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 09:19:00 +0000

Hi Ari - The part that really resonated with me was “Don’t underestimate the stress of boredom”. I find myself snacking when I’m not even hungry. When I stop and think about it, it’s because I’m bored. When dieting it’s important to ask yourself “why” you’re eating. Often it’s not because we’re hungry.

Barbara Swafford - Blogging Without A Blog´s last blog post..NBOTW - For The Love Of Words

By: Ari Koinuma

Ari Koinuma — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 22:04:29 +0000

Jennifer,

Exactly — and sad. It’s a deeply embedded habit, this feeling bad business. When that’s what you’re used to, you find ways to feel bad.

ari

By: Ari Koinuma

Ari Koinuma — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 22:03:13 +0000

Kim,

Thanks for sharing your success story with us! 30 lbs. is nothing to be ashamed of.

ari

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 20:42:31 +0000

Isn't it interesting how we crave for a way to lower our standards and then we we do we feel guilty about it. Jennifer´s last blog post..A Source of Huge Frustration

By: Kim Woodbridge | (Anti) Social Development

Kim Woodbridge | (Anti) Social Development — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 14:46:19 +0000

Yes, it was successful. My goal was to lose 35 lbs and I've lost 30. I've gone up and down a little but overall it worked for me. I also had a friend who was supportive and encouraging. He had also lost a lot of weight so we were kind of in it together. Kim Woodbridge | (Anti) Social Development´s last blog post..Stuff This In Your RSS - 11/11/08 - The Simple Dollar

By: Ari Koinuma

Ari Koinuma — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 03:29:37 +0000

Kim,

And I take it the attempt turned out to be a great success? Indeed, accountability is HUGE. It’s funny because it’s much easier to keep promises to others than to ourselves — so we have to put ourselves into positions where we have every reason to keep our promises. It’s hard if that’s the only thing we do, though, as changing is stressful and accountability can add to that stress. I’d combine that with the rest of the pointers, so you feel supported and satiated as you try to change your habits as well.

ari

By: Ari Koinuma

Ari Koinuma — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 03:27:18 +0000

Jennifer,

Yes, that’s what I was trying to get at with #1 — removing the reason, the motivator for bad habits.

It’s funny because some days, I would wish for bad things to happen to me because then I had an excuse to lower my standards and indulge in the habits I knew were not good for me.

When I changed my life to a place where I was less stressed over all, I didn’t have those sickly hurt-me tendencies.

Thanks for adding your insights, as always.

ari