Let it Go. Besides being the title to a popular Disney song, letting go is also an important step in forming new, healthy habits. It’s that time of year when we pick unhealthy habits and decide to make a change. Well here is mine…

I can’t believe I’m actually typing this… wine. Ouch! No, I’m not giving it up forever, but need to significantly reduce my consumption. My husband and I LOVE vino, in fact, we enjoy wine every night while catching up from the day, cooking and eating dinner. We also love hanging out with friends and family, having a few, ok maybe more that a few, glasses of wine. Unfortunately, this perpetual habit brought on serious weight gain in 2016. 10lbs to be exact.

Reflect. How did this bad habit start? Like most bad habits, it started at a time when I was experiencing a high level of stress. It was my coping mechanism. It also helps calm my jitters in social situations. Yes, I’m a high functioning introvert. Plain and simple, wine helps me relax.

Replace. Knowing that I drink wine to relax, means in order to successfully kicking this habit, I need to find other ways to relax at the end of the day. Whether it’s a nice bath, escaping into a great book or meditating a few times a day. I’m learning to just let things go.

Motivation. My gym is doing a 21 Day Weight Loss Challenge and I signed up. My starting weight and my progress will be posted on the wall in the gym. I’m going to see what happens if I eliminate wine for 21 days. If I can confirm that drinking less wine will help me lose weight, then it will motivate me to drink less

Accountability. Find someone who will hold you accountable. I chose my husband. This is so important, its human nature, we don’t want to let others down.

Breaking a habit that brings you comfort, can be down right uncomfortable. We hate being uncomfortable, so accountability might be the most important step.

1. Let it go- Make the Decision to STOP
2. Reflect- Why did you start the bad habit?
3. Replace- Find a positive habit to replace the bad habit
4. Motivation-Find something to help you kick the habit.
5. Accountability- Who is going to hold you accountable?

Keep Blooming!