Found an interesting article online about the power of eating habits and it includes some very important tips for creating new habits. This is especially important in relation to the frustration caused by how strong a pull unhealthy habits can have.
Bad habits may be hard to extinguish and lapses are common. It is not about character strength (even though you really LOVE to blame yourself!) ...it's much more about chemicals in the brain, especially dopamine. So set up the process of change correctly - you don't want it to be any harder than it needs to be!
So the key points are -
Rrepetition is important. Repeat the new habit over and over. Lifelong habits don't change overnight...but they do change.
Reward (esp. non food reward) is motivating.
Expect stress to cause lapses but remember, forewarned is forearmed.
And all types of change and novelty in our lives increases our ability to be flexible in our habits.
Enjoy.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40893205/ns/health-behavior/
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