Frustrated, I feel like I'm putting too much focus in the wrong places...

[LounorteTJ]

It's been nearly two months since I've made the committed decision to living a healthier life and improving my body. Progress has been minimal, but it's still there.

I've relapsed into bad habits several times now, and it's been quite upsetting. Sometimes I feel like I'm putting too much focus into what I'm not supposed to do. Don't eat this. Don't eat that.

I was reading an article that says it can be really counter-productive focus on our unwanted habits:

The unfortunate truth is that brain science has proved it impossible to delete hard-wired habits. The only way to manage undesirable habits is is to stop using them, stop thinking about them, and start forming new habits that weaken and suppress old ones. Unfortunately, it is common practice in the weight loss community to focus on the things you’re not supposed to do

What do you guys think about this? Do you think focusing on your bad habits can lead to relapses?

 

[mrxian]

I know I don't focus on my bad habits at all. I try to focus on my good habits and on all the good effects that my weight loss and exercise have already had. But it's not easy to break habits (or addictions), especially when they are a big part of your life. I think that that's the real reason that people fail with diets a lot - they think it's easy. And it's not.

 

[LounorteTJ]

Agreed. Breaking negative habits can be incredibly difficult. Focusing on the positive, as you've suggested, can be a powerful tool for reaching goals. Being positive is also quite difficult when your natural thinking habits are negative.