Have you ever tried to quit a habit? Depending on how long it has been a habit, it can be quite a challenge! Don’t worry, I have a powerful tip to help you tackle this. Let’s say you want to stop nighttime snacking. The next time you find yourself doing it, STOP (at least momentarily). Then, ask yourself the following questions without any judgment involved.
Questions to Ask Yourself
- What was happening just before you reached for those chips/cookies?
- Where were you?
- What were you thinking about?
- What were you doing?
- What were you feeling?
These questions can help you unearth the ROOT CAUSE of your habit.
Understanding Habits
Nearly all of our habits serve a purpose. Or at least they did when we first started doing them. They may have eased boredom or loneliness, helped us deal with stress, or given us a temporary shot of energy. But now the habit isn’t helping. You’ve outgrown it!
Strategies for Change
When you can figure out the root cause sparking your habit, you are better equipped to find a new, upgraded solution (aka swap or stop the habit in favor of something aligned with your current goals). So, the next time you find yourself snacking after dinner, ask yourself, “What’s really going on here?”
Possible Solutions
Depending on your answer, here are a few solutions:
- Loneliness or boredom: make a connection, take a class, start a hobby. Basically, get out of your comfort zone and mix things up!
- Stress: find ways to burn it off that don’t involve snacking
- Tiredness: investigate your sleep, exercise, or nutrition habits
- Hunger from inadequate daily nutrition: look at your overall nutrition strategy.
Patience and Persistence
For most people, this probably won’t be an overnight fix — but those rarely work anyway. It WILL help you get to the core of what’s driving your habit, which can help you find ways to improve/eliminate the root cause.
Remember!
Almost every habit you have was created because it served a purpose (at least for a while) — and sometimes it just takes awareness to shift your actions.
Need Extra Help?
If this is an area you need help with, the WildFit 14 Day Reset gives you a step by step plan to help you change your relationship with food. You’ll get the extra accountability and support you need to succeed. Classes start soon. Reserve your spot here.
