Friday, March 23, 2012

The Power of Habit

I started reading a new book...The Power of Habit, Why We Do What We Do In Life and Business by Charles Duhigg.  I bought it with the hopes of discovering some light bulb moment for how I can change my own habits around eating, exercising, etc...all those things I don't do well but I'm working on improving.  It's an interesting read so far...mainly because I thought I could just CHANGE and it would become a habit...but I'm realizing as I read the book is very correct -- habits cannot be eradicated, instead they must be replaced.  And the Golden Rule of habit change:  If we keep the same cue and the same reward, a new routine can be inserted.  However, the piece I think I've been missing (and probably many others miss) in order for a habit to stay changed -- I must believe that change is possible.  Belief.  And most often, belief emerges with the help of a group.  So, I am on the road to weight loss by finding an alternative route...and I've committed to a group at work, Team Teal in our Biggest Loser challenge.  I'm not "dieting" -- I'm really eating WELL and as such, I'm eating less.  I'm not obsessing (as I typically do) and overextending myself with exercise but m incorporating exercise into my daily habit.  I get home from work, change my clothes, head to the gym...The reward of my workouts is the rush I feel at the accomplishment of running that mile, mile and a half, 2 miles...pushing my body to lift those weights and feeling the rush.  And I've got Team Teal to help me believe I can.  Together, we are changing habits and believing in ourselves.

1 comment:

Lori said...

I believe you can also! Good going cuz, I love your commitment and drive!