Do you have any bad habits you know you should break but just haven’t gotten around to doing it?  If you’ve ever tried to break one before you know how tough it can be.  If it were easy, none of us would have any bad habits!  Read on for some advice to help you kick a habit once and for all!

Make a commitment.  Giving up something you enjoy requires making up your mind.  Even if you are just trying to cut back your soda consumption from 4 cans to 2 for example, this still takes a firm commitment.  Here’s a tip: Write down your specific goal and your reasons for wanting to achieve it.  When you are running low on motivation take out your reasons list.

Keep alternatives on hand. For example, if you drink regular soda and are trying to cut back on sugar, you could switch to diet.  Stock up on plenty healthier non-soda drinks as well.  To make water tasty you could add natural flavors such as fresh lemon or lime.  Focus on replacing your bad habits with good ones!

Gradually cut back.  Don’t think you have to quit “cold turkey” (congrats if you are one of the few who has no problem doing this).  Quitting “cold turkey” can lead to failure because often times our body and mind are not able to adapt so quickly to abrupt changes.  There is nothing wrong with making small changes over time. 

You don’t have to go at it alone.  Get help if you need some extra support and accountability.  For example, if you are trying to quit tobacco you could call the Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line to get set up with a coach to help you.  Or find somebody who wants to kick the same habit as you.  You can make a plan to check in with your “goal buddy” every so often.

Chart your progress.  Keep a journal or calendar to document how you’re doing.  If you have to check off every pop you drink or cigarette you smoke, you most likely will start cutting back.

Don’t let a slipup ruin your hard work. If there’s a potluck at work and you overindulge in a food you’ve sworn off, enjoy it then forget about it and continue working towards your goals.  Realize that nobody is perfect and slipping up is not a reason to give up. It’s what you do for the long haul that counts.

Wish me luck for cutting back on Diet Coke, I’m going to need it!  Have you ever quit a bad habit?  Do you have any tips to help?

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