Many of the reasons people have more weight on their bodies than they really want, have to do with the habitual behaviors they developed as they were being raised. Other reasons relate to the habitual choices they learned to form when they were young adults, possibly at college or in the military services.



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



It is time for something new.



First rule is to stop being attentive to people who say that habits are tough to break. Overindulging to the point of gaining excess weight is not in the same category as being addicted to cocaine. It is possible that for a very few people, food is actually an addiction in their lives. But in truth, that is not very many people.



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



Habit Change #1



Give up eating as you're watching TV. And no, don't even eat there if the TV is not turned on. Go some other place in your house where the TV set 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. Do not go surfing 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 television set. 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 return to read the rest of this article.



The goal is to pay attention to what and how you are eating. And it is really difficult to pay attention to your meal while your mind is far away in the television or in a funny cat video. The television will be there when you are 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 will be taking note when your stomach says it is full. Which is 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 wellbeing is important and your weight is important. And listening counts a lot.



Habit Change #2



Stop drinking your calories.



Decide on 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 idea 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 habit changes can make a large difference in the quantity of calories you consume during the course of a day. And by just making these small modifications in your habits, you will feel better and look better and your body will thank you.