Many of the reasons people have more weight on their bodies than they really want, have to do with the persistent behaviors they developed as they were growing up. Other reasons have to do with the habitual choices they learned to create when they were young adults, maybe at college or in the military services.



Frequently, those habits, even though might have been perfect for the time we learned them, aren't helping us so much now. And if you're overweight to the extent that you are online to learn about ways to reduce your bodyweight, then it is probably due, in part at least, to the habits you already have.



Its time for something new.



First rule of thumb is to stop taking note of people who say that habits are hard to break. Unnecessary eating to the point of gaining extra weight is not in the same category as being dependent on cocaine. It is possible that for a very few people, food is actually an addiction in their lives. However in truth, that is not very many people.



Most times, it is a matter of learning to make some new habits.



Habit Change #1



Give up eating in front of the TV. And no, don't even eat there if the television is not turned on. Go some other place in your house where the television is not. If you have a television in every room in your house, that might be a different issue, and if that is the situation, just keep it turned off.



Second part to habit change number 1. Don't use the internet while you are eating your meal. Not the laptop, not the desktop, not your phone, tablet or anything. If anything, the internet is more addictive than the TV. As a matter of fact if you are looking over this while you are eating, start with that. Go away until you are finished eating and then come back to read the rest of this article.



The thing is to focus on what and how you are eating. And it is really difficult to pay attention to your food while your mind is far away in the television or in a funny cat video. The television will be there when you're done and so will the world wide web. They are not going anywhere. And if you pay attention to what you are eating, you will eat less of it.



Part of the reason is that you are going to be listening when your stomach says it is full. And that's a good time to quit eating. It is quite amazing how much less you'll eat when you eat meals this way. Just eat, don't do anything else.



You're important and your health is important and your weight is important. And paying attention counts a lot.



Habit Change #2



Stop drinking your calories.



Pick water as your beverage with your meals. Do not choose diet drinks or energy drinks or even milk. Simply drink water or maybe a cup of tea with nothing in it. There are hundreds of delicious teas in the world. And choosing one of those to drink along with your meal is a calorie free way to add some extra enjoyment to your life at mealtime.



Artificially sweetened drinks are never thirst satisfying and are often seen as a punishment. The thought is something like you really want a soda, but since I am on this horrible diet at least I can have a diet soda. Don't do it. Just drink water.



These types of habit changes can make a giant difference in the quantity of calories you consume during the course of a day. And by simply making these small modifications in your habits, you will feel better and look better and your body will thank you.