Breaking Bad Habits

not any that i can remember now. ...when i decided to lose weight for my wedding i went cold turkey and changed EVERYTHING from day one! i needed to get fit, to slim down and i had no excuse! looking back, i slipped up more after the wedding than i did before but i think i broke all my bad habits. i haven't touched french fries or any deep fried food since Apr 2006...i haven't eaten cake except for my wedding last year in Nov... but for me losing weight is a lifestyle change. i didn't diet, i changed what i ate. and that's "easy" compared to having to follow a strict plan. yes, my self imposed plan is pretty strict but it helps a lot that i'm a picky eater

Upper body work. I pretty much hate all upper body exercises, except bicep curls. I tend to skimp on them at the gym. I have to keep a log of what I'm supposed to do or I could happily phase them completely out of my routine.

Keep a food dairy to check in between snacking . I have a bad habit of going in for a bit of this and a bit of that in-between meals. I simply could not stop myself. A little time back, I started keeping a food dairy (it was more like a food page). I would jot all the snacks I had during the day and paste it on the refrigerator. At the end of the day, I would calculate the calories I had consumed through those snacks. I did it for a while, and whenever I entered the kitchen to grab a bite - I would stare at that piece of paper with the calories staring back at me. When you eat a piece of doughnut consciously aware of the exact number of calories you are consuming in each bite, somehow - that takes all the joy out of it. I have largely gotten over my bad snacking habit now.

Comfort food. This is the worst and most difficult habit to break if you ask me. Certain times especially when you are seeking solution to a problem or confronted with an uncomfortable situation one does resort to food, though deep breathing exercises or running or the old Chinese proverb " When you are confused take a pillow and go to bed" is a better solution.

There is nothing wrong with snacking. I am actually responding to Swati S about snacking in between meals. Snacking is actually healthy, provided the snack are nutritious. Much evidence suggests these days that "Grazing not gorging" is the answer to good health. This keeps blood sugar levels balanced and even, which means feeling vibrant and alive. Cut out the rubbish snacks, and have some almonds or fruit. Forget your diary and enjoy your balanced blood sugar levels!

Observe the stress. While I don't have severe anxiety, I can get myself stressed and then react to the stress. I am trying to observe my stress without reacting to it, but it is not always easy. I suppose if I always were able to do this I would be the Buddha...but I am going to keep trying!