How to Develop A Healthy Habit

An Apple A Day can be the start of something great

It is so much easier to pick up a healthy habit than to break a bad one. Why not start with something new and gradually let the old one go? Here's one way to cultivate a positive habit.

Things You'll Need

• A little persistence
• Three weeks' time

Instructions

1. Commit to try your new habit for three weeks. Experts disagree as to exactly how long it takes to pick up a new habit, but three weeks is time enough for something to become part of your regular routine, and short enough that you get to feel good about the progress you've made quickly! Give it that long to sink in.

2. Break your new habit into steps or increments. For example, want to start doing pushups each morning, but can't do one without face-planting into the carpet? Do several sets against the wall to start, then move to a high bench, then to the floor but on your knees until those feel reasonably easy. Now you should be ready to tackle the big guys.

3. Did you miss a day? So what? Dig back in and do it now. It's not worth getting bogged down in. Emphasize your progress and it will increase.

Tips & Warnings

• Gradual progress is the best kind. Don't wake up and chug eight full glasses of water before breakfast; you could actually hurt yourself that way. If you want to increase your water intake, drink two extra glasses the first few days, and boost the count from there. You have the rest of your life to be perfect; today just focus on being good.