This week your challenge is to Cut Out A Bad Habit. Bad habits are the one thing that can hold you back when you are trying to improve your lifestyle. Whether it is an actual dependency, like smoking or just a unhealthy quirk like late night eating, your old routine can really stand in the way of your new one.

It takes about 30 days to create a healthy habit and yet it seems we can make an unhealthy habit in just one day. Breaking that habit takes a considerably longer amount of time. A major part of Habit Forming is association. There are certain events, activities, people or times that we associate with a particular habit.

If you have ever said something like, “I only smoke when I drink…” or “We always have pizza and wings on game days…” you are guilty (of habits) by association. This may actually be good news. All you have to do is associate good habits with certain triggers or stimuli and you will take control of the healthy habit forming process.

CHALLENGE: Replace an unhealthy habit with a healthy habit!

RD Fit: Week 6 - – What to Do?

First, select the habit that you want to break. Some habits (especially those that have a chemical component like smoking) will take longer than others that are more choice related like watching 3 hours of TV on the couch every night. However, by breaking your challenges down into small, achievable goals – - you will take steps toward breaking your bad habit.

Next, select a  replacement habit that can easily be associated with the same time frame, group of people, event, activity or feeling. For instance, “I like to relax on the couch and watch 3 hours of TV (3-6 shows) after a busy day” can be replaced by “I will catch up on my 1 or 2 favorite shows after work but to earn that relaxation time, I will do an activity during the commercials” (sit ups, push ups, folding laundry…etc).

Try your new, healthier habit 4 times this week.

RD Fit: Week 6 - – Where are you?

Let’s see where you are in the RD Fit: Lifestyle Challenge program.

During week 6, you are addressing the things you have done to negatively affect your lifestyle. This week can be a challenge both physically and emotionally. As a result, you may find that keeping up with your workouts and healthy eating is a bit harder this week.

To avoid slip ups – - use your healthy lifestyle and new healthy habit as something to focus on. It can be a great distraction from the unhealthy habit that you are trying to break!