KICKING THE BAD HABITS - FOR GOOD!

We all have them...let's identify the most common and come up with a plan to KICK those BAD HABITS FOR GOOD!

THE KEY TO KICKING BAD HABITS FOR GOOD IS DAILY PERSEVERANCE! Change isn't easy or we'd all do it without complaint. It would be effortless if it was easy. But it's not. Change can be very difficult for us and in the area of health and wellness, it is no different. We are seeking to change habits that have led to our less than stellar health, wellness and fitness levels. That can only be accomplished through daily persevering through the many obstacles that will come our way, the numerous distractions that can suck the life out of our best intentions and the speed at which life can thrust us forward without so much as a pitstop along the way. Every day will be a new adventure. Take it moment by moment and lay it all out there for the sake of making the necessary changes to achieve better health, wellness and fitness in 2010!

ADDICTIONS: Alcohol, illegal and prescription drugs, tobacco products, overeating, sex/pornography, workaholism, TV/Media, etc.

Addictions will keep you captive and are among the hardest of "bad habits" to tackle. So if you have an addiction, this will take careful planning and serious accountability to help walk you to freedom. Help/Resources: AA, NA, Celebrate Recovery, Setting Captives Free, Biblical Counseling centers, local churches, support groups, your doctor/medical professional

TOO LITTLE SLEEP/NOT ENOUGH R&R: Your body needs to have sound sleep for revitalization and healing. Are you keeping a regular schedule each day that enables you to go to sleep and wake up at the same time each day/night? Do you fall asleep working or watching TV or do you fall asleep after a relaxing "bed time" routine? Do you (as Pastor John Meador calls it) take an Annointed Nap on Sundays? Do you rest one day a week? Do you take real vacations once in a while? How are you going to change in order to keep a healthy amount of sleep and R&R in your life?

POOR NUTRITION: Create a plan to change your poor eating habits one thing at a time. Write the plan out and get someone to keep you accountable to making those changes.

TOO LITTLE WATER: Hydration is often overlooked...water is essential to a healthy body! Drink up!! Replace your alternate beverages with water! Carry water with you on the go! Sip wherever you are! Drink up after work outs to replenish lost water.

TOO LITTLE MOVEMENT: America is slowly coming to a physical halt! Make it your goal to move every day. If you have a desk job...take frequent get-up-and-move-breaks! Set aside time for vigorous activity that gets your heart pumping. This aids cellular healing and revs up your bodies natural processes and boosts your immune system! MOVE IT OR LOSE IT! :D

TOO MUCH STRESS: Life is busy and crazy for every average American and busier and crazier for the rest of us! But we can begin to make choices to simplify and de-stress our lives. What choices will you begin to make to help lower stress in your life? Say NO to something in order to say YES to your health! Cut out those time stealers.

SOCIAL DRINKING: Is it really necessary? Does the "glass of wine for the heart" really outweigh the negative effects on the rest of your body - e.g. your liver? Not saying you can't/shouldn't drink...just asking if it's really a good choice if you want to restore your health!

UNHEALTHY SNACKING: Plan for fresh fruit, fresh veggies and raw nuts to replace those sweet or salty snacks you've been existing on.

TOO MUCH NOISE: Does your brain ever get a break from the noise and busyness of life? Do you turn the noise (radio, tv, etc) off for a period of time each day? Do you have a time each day that is just peace and quiet? I recommend you lower the noise level and get some peace and quiet scheduled into your day.

EXCUSES: There are vulgar ways of describing excuses, but let's face it...we can all come up with them, but in reality, when we make excuses, what are we really saying? We are saying "I'm comfortable in my ways, even if they are detrimental to my health / perhaps those around me, and I don't want to change". Change takes effort and we are, by nature, lazy humans with a sinful nature that constantly propels us toward things that aren't good for us. So make up your mind - NO MORE EXCUSES. You HAVE time! You CAN do it! There IS Help! It's NOT impossible! It's NOT too hard!

RECOMMENDED READ: 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey

1) Be Proactive

2) Begin with the End in Mind

3) Put First things First

4) Think Win/Win

5) Seek first to understand, then to be understood

6) Synergize

7) Balance production / capability of production through renewal and continuous improvement.