Diary of a Habit Changer: Introducing Nyssa

As I mentioned in my last post, we have a volunteer! An anonymous woman will email me about once a week and chronicle her attempt to change a habit. She will ask for advice and I will give it.

Calling her 'anonymous woman' would be strange and perhaps annoying. So, we have decided to call her Nyssa. It is a nice name. It is a great Doctor Who name, which is even better.

Here is Nyssa’s first entry:

I stumbled across your blog and it really connected with me. I have a whole collection of bad habits. Based on your advice last week, I decided to focus on just one—my unhealthy habits.

I have been an active person for most of my life. A few years ago, I got this great job and felt like a real winner. The only downside is that the hours are really long. I am soo busy that I find I don't have much time for eating healthy or exercising and, frankly, it shows. Since starting this job, I have definitely gained some weight.

I have tried numerous times to eat healthier and force myself to go to the gym. I might do well with the eating for a bit but then I always slip back. I haven't even managed to go to the gym regularly for a single week. It feels hopeless—like maybe it is just out of my control. Anytime I have done some of the right things—I don't see any results…it is pretty de-motivating. Habit Guy, any advice for how I could become a BIG loser?

Thank you, Nyssa, for sharing your thoughts with the world-at-large. Congratulations on the job!

A new job often means more work. Such is the case for Nyssa, and her body has suffered as a result. She wants to lose some weight by going back to her good eating and exercise habits.

I have two points:

1. Nyssa had better eating and exercise habits than she has now. This kind of ‘regression’ happens to a lot us. Life takes us in a new direction and our good habits are put on hold for ‘a while.’ Sometimes the good habits return and sometimes they do not. Nyssa’s have not. But there is good news: Nyssa had good eating and exercise habits. That means there is no doubt: Nyssa can have those good habits again. The same goes for a lot of you, dear readers. You had good habits and you can get them back. It gets even better: Knowing that you can accomplish something is the first step on the road to success. Science says so.
   

2. Nyssa hasn’t really picked one habit. Before I can give her any more advice, she’ll need to make a tough decision: Will it be the eating or the exercising? I know that she wants to get back to her old self. And she will. But to attempt to work on exercise and eating at the same time, two rather large and important life domains, would be to invite disaster. Nyssa wants an ‘orgy of self-improvement.’ Don’t we all? But, best to work on one habit at a time.
   

So, what’s it going to be Nyssa? More salad or more gym time? Another installment next week…