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To Change Habits, Try Replacement Instead

nytimes.com

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Re: To Change Habits, Try Replacement Instead

#41

Post by ninjakeyboard »

tmuir wrote: post #24
darkerside wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I think I understand a lot of the general underpinnings, but I have yet to find the EasyWay to do anything else It's funny that the Easy Way to quit smoking actually discourages any kind of replacement for smoking. I tried to do it "right" and follow that direction, but eventually I started chewing gum. It felt like a failure at first, but it worked so no regrets. My realization there was, life is a series of habit…

I've read that Carr's business expanded to several other vices. The two I know of are alcohol abuse, and overeating. What I've read about them makes me think of the story from WWII, placing armor on areas of planes that were _not_ getting shot, instead of the areas getting shot. It is only the planes that came back to be repaired that got shot in superficial locations. Others got shot where it counted, but couldn't r…

Ya for me that book didn't resonate at all. I thought it was a piece of trash and don't understand how anyone could actually go in without some skepticism about the shit he's feeding you. I still vape, have to wear a nicotine patch at work to focus, etc, so obviously my attitude toward that book was the problem. IMO it's just a bunch of drivel but if people read it and believe it they swear it to be true. To be clear, I'm not knocking the book but just highlighting how my attitude differs and accentuating that to state that attitude and willingness are probably a big part of the success. vapes with cynical expression

Re: To Change Habits, Try Replacement Instead

#42

Post by jackgolding »

scarface74 wrote: post #12
evanmarshall wrote: post #9

I think attacking one problem at a time is the best way to go about (at least for me). I noticed that many people try to make drastic changes all at once and then fail at all of them. I'd recommend trying one thing and just doing that one thing above all else. IE, don't try to exercise and diet at the same time. Pick one and when you've firmly established the habit, start the next change.

I agree completely. I spent years as a fitness instructor and worked out regularly. Life happened, I stopped teaching and working out consistently for five years and everything went south, weight, blood pressure, strength, cardio, cholesterol, etc. I tried to "turn things around" and failed. First step first 6 months - I cut back on fried foods, salty foods, burgers, and sweets and kept a sane calorie budget. Along w…

I drank probably 1L of diet soda a day while loosing 90 lbs over 6 months, necessary evil I say!

Re: To Change Habits, Try Replacement Instead

#43

Post by jackgolding »

scarface74 wrote: post #16
Joboman555 wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Cutting out meat is not significantly associated with weight loss. Cutting out simple carbohydrates, especially sugar, is.

True. Cutting out meat was a red herring. I need to eat more vegetables and fruits. Honestly, my biggest concern is not losing weight at this point just being healthier.

I would replace this with cutting out processed meat or even just cooking more - ever tried to eat roast chicken without any greens on the side?

Re: To Change Habits, Try Replacement Instead

#44

Post by cnees »

fyfy18 wrote: post #38

Has anyone got any tips for how to stop biting nails? This technique sounds like it would work for some habits, but I do this subconciously without realising - usually when I’m deep in though on something else (not when I’m streased).

Someone I know switched to only biting one nail. I switched to biting more gently, not actually biting through the nails. Keeping your nails clean and trimmed may help.

Re: To Change Habits, Try Replacement Instead

#45

Post by fro0116 »

btrettel wrote: post #18

The linked article seems to suggest that you can replace bad habits with arbitrary other habits. Maybe that's true, but I think it's best to change your situation so that the right choice is the easiest to make. I've discussed this in the context of transportation cycling at HN in the past: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=16515129 > As a transportation cyclist, some people I know think I must have superhuman wil…

> I think it's best to change your situation so that the right choice is the easiest to make.

Lowering the activation energy required to do cardio by getting my own treadmill in the living room really helped me get into the habit of doing cardio more regularly.

Now instead of paying every month for a gym membership I rarely used, I end up doing a good 3-4 hours of light cardio every week, opportunistically, because it's so easy to get started, and I can play music and watch shows while exercising without worrying about disturbing others, making it a much more enjoyable experience overall.

Re: To Change Habits, Try Replacement Instead

#46

Post by tmuir »

UncleEntity wrote: post #34
darkerside wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I think I understand a lot of the general underpinnings, but I have yet to find the EasyWay to do anything else It's funny that the Easy Way to quit smoking actually discourages any kind of replacement for smoking. I tried to do it "right" and follow that direction, but eventually I started chewing gum. It felt like a failure at first, but it worked so no regrets. My realization there was, life is a series of habit…

> It's funny that the Easy Way to quit smoking actually discourages any kind of replacement for smoking. Which seems odd to me. I quit smoking after after (something like) 25 years by replacing it with vaping. Probably isn't all that healthy but also probably isn't going to kill me either and, meh, I like my nicotine. I've had exactly 2 cigarettes since I switched and that was in the first month or so, have no desire…

When you say that you like nicotene, can you at least agree with the general idea that you like the ability to end the general stress that comes from not being able to smoke when its on your mind?

Here's another thought experiment from the book: The author says that when he meets people for the purposes of doing seminars and speaking events, He asks smokers if they would pay $1000 up front, for a lifetime supply of cigarettes. He said that he has never once gotten anyone to take him up on the offer, and he did this for over 25 years before he died.

But if you offered a smoker that deal for things like food, or gasoline, or anything else they see themselves using forever, and $1000 is significantly less than the a la carte price for the lifetime supply, of course they would take the deal, assuming they could be sure it was legitimate, and assuming the $1000 could be secured.

The author uses this thought experiment to show that all addicted smokers wish they could quit, even if they can't admit it to themselves. Hes saying that the very fact you are unwilling to pay ahead of time is proof that you're making a calculation in your head that you envision your self quitting before you spend another $1000 on tobacco, or whatever the vice.

Re: To Change Habits, Try Replacement Instead

#47

Post by stenl »

fyfy18 wrote: post #38

Has anyone got any tips for how to stop biting nails? This technique sounds like it would work for some habits, but I do this subconciously without realising - usually when I’m deep in though on something else (not when I’m streased).

There is a thing you can buy at the pharmacy that looks like transparent nail polish but tastes extremely bitter. Basically makes it disgusting to bite your nails, but is invisible to others. Hard to get off too, so you’ll get a few days bite-free from one application.

Re: To Change Habits, Try Replacement Instead

#48

Post by ClassyJacket »

jackgolding wrote: post #42
scarface74 wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I agree completely. I spent years as a fitness instructor and worked out regularly. Life happened, I stopped teaching and working out consistently for five years and everything went south, weight, blood pressure, strength, cardio, cholesterol, etc. I tried to "turn things around" and failed. First step first 6 months - I cut back on fried foods, salty foods, burgers, and sweets and kept a sane calorie budget. Along w…

I drank probably 1L of diet soda a day while loosing 90 lbs over 6 months, necessary evil I say!

I can ditto this completely. I don't know what's up with those studies but calories in calories out worked for me while drinking tons of diet soft drink. Some of the time I was doing low carb.

It should be noted however that even sugar free carbonated drinks are bad for your teeth.

Re: To Change Habits, Try Replacement Instead

#49

Post by cmrx64 »

namuol wrote: post #6

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and if you are suffering emotionally/mentally please seek professional help. ---- My anecdote: I used to frequently suffer from (undiagnosed) anxiety and depression. For about a year, I would respond to sudden anxiety by seeking comfort in various forms of isolation/depressed behavior (watch TV as a distraction, try to take a "nap", etc.). The most insidious thing about this was how it s…

Seems you discovered mindfulness :). "eventually I learned to catch myself whenever I was seeking this form of comfort" is the hard part that a lot of people don't figure out on their own. go you!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mindfulness-based_cognitive_th...

Re: To Change Habits, Try Replacement Instead

#50

Post by ClassyJacket »

fyfy18 wrote: post #38

Has anyone got any tips for how to stop biting nails? This technique sounds like it would work for some habits, but I do this subconciously without realising - usually when I’m deep in though on something else (not when I’m streased).

If anyone could help me stop scratching my face, scalp, and arms until I bleed I would be forever grateful. The effect on my life is profound.
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