Breaking old habits. NewFysic hormone and nutrition coach Michelle den Hollander: "It's really possible, as long as you take the time for it.
Over the years you have acquired certain habits. By doing something more often, repeating it over and over again and perhaps linking it to certain situations, you have created habits. In many cases very useful, such as learning to walk and ride a bike when you are small. Later in life, however, you may have added habits that may be less convenient, healthy or desirable. The more often you have done something, the more powerful that connection is in your brain. If you happen to have taken a cookie with your afternoon tea a few times now, it is easier to break that than if this has been "tradition" since you were little and you were already sitting at the kitchen table with the family having a cup of tea with a cookie. Then you still connect that cup of tea with a cookie now. Unfortunately, it often doesn't work to change such an ingrained habit overnight. It takes time. So don't be disappointed if you do fall back into your "old" pattern, just pick up the thread the next day. Some people will be able to get used to new habits faster than others, but you can see for yourself how you can make this easier. For example, you can learn a new healthier habit, such as having a piece of fruit with your tea instead of that cookie. This may be easier for you than having nothing with your tea. Of course, this is a simple example, but secretly we do this all day long. Rewarding ourselves when we have done something right or taking something when we are not feeling well: an "excuse" for a sugary snack is easily found, especially in today's society. So now that you've started the NewFysic program, that's already a big step! This may also go with some ups and downs, but give yourself time to really convert your diet to a healthy lifestyle. Enlist the help of your (online) coach when you need it and together see how you can break that habit. Here are a few tips from coach Michelle:
- Breaking habits is easier if you are very clear about why you want this. So when the "craving for a cookie" overwhelms you, think about your end goal and how you will feel then.
- Habits really can be learned and once learned they are easy to stick to, so worth the effort! The more complex the habit, the more time it will take, but for example eating breakfast differently will take between 20 and 30 days, so keep at it.
- Habits benefit from short-term rewards. So chop up your goal into pieces if necessary and reward yourself with each step you have achieved, with e.g. a good book, a massage or an evening of Netflix :).
