Quitting Bad Habits: Cold Turkey vs Moderation

At first, it tickled me that my quest to stop drinking soda is one of the Top 10 most viewed articles on this site. Upon reflection, learning how to quit drinking soda affects every part of my life; that it’s so popular only makes sense–it’s changed my life, of course it will be appealing to others. You will see benefits in all areas of your life by identifying some small things to change and then making those changes happen.

Folks go about quitting things in all different ways. Some quit cold turkey, others try to wean themselves away, many are convinced they can have “just a little more,” while others turn to aids or counselors. Marketers pass out samples of Nicorette gum on street corners in New York City.

What do you need to quit and how will you do that?

I needed to give up soda. I gave it up for a solid ninety days; I know even one exception would have completely derailed all my progress. After, I allowed myself to drink soda with no rules. I notice if I’m starting to ramp up and try to cut back again. Now that it’s no longer my go-to drink, it is easier.

I also need to eat less take-out and spend less time goofing around on the Internet. My mom reminds me that “a dream without a plan is only a fantasy.” In formulating plans, I have come to realize that “giving up” is not enough.

Subtract the bad, add the good

In order to eat less fast food, I need to eat more healthy food. In order to spend less time on the Internet, I need to spend more time in productive pursuits. In order to lounge around the house less, I need to be active more. This is the exciting part: the possibilities are endless! We can do just almost anything we want to. Whether our goals are fitness, financial, business, spiritual, or just plain fun, as we get rid of the stuff that holds us back, we get to find exciting new adventures to fill the void!

Thinking of the six-pack abs I will soon have is a great motivator to not only get off the couch but to get to the gym. Designing a website or editing a movie makes Facebook that much less appealing.

Debbie Downer is not invited

Be on the lookout for two distortions: self-righteousness and self-depravity. Now that you’ve figured out how to quit some of your habits, it may be tempting to judge others for not doing the same. Don’t do it. It wasn’t too long ago that you were right there. And you know what?, just because something is bad for you, does not mean it’s bad for everyone. Get over yourself for just one second.

You may also trade your addiction to things for an addiction to deprivation. Do not fool yourself into thinking that getting rid of everything you can possibly imagine is the key to success, happiness, or righteousness. Jesus proclaimed he came that we might have life and have it to the full. Gandhi encouraged us to be the change we wish to see in the world. Is starving ourselves or refusing to have any fun really the change we wish to see?

A professor at Hope College suggested that liberation for her was being able to send her kids to a school where they would get a good education, having clothes that fit well and looked nice on her, eating foods that nourished her, paying for and receiving good service. Putting on the trappings of deprivation does no good–it is not just, it is not sustainable, it is not the change we wish to see, it is not inspiring–she said. Rather, we should strive to live balanced, fulfilling, and just lives while encouraging, supporting, and enabling others to do the same.

Cold Turkey or Moderation, just get started!

Whether you decide to go cold turkey to kick your bad habits or use moderation to substitute good habits for the bad, just get started. eHow says you will need to do something 16 – 21 times before it will become a habit. If that is the case, you better get started today!

What bad habits do you need to quit? What new practices will you introduce to your life? What small things will you change? What big dreams will you dream? Where are you on your current adventure?

Image by fuzzcat