I've always wondered about that idea that habits form in 21 days (or 90 days or whatever). What does it mean exactly?

I think it's supposed to mean that it gets easier to engage in the habit -- that it becomes automatic. And I just don't know about that. I've been exercising regularly for about 2 years and it's still something I have to make myself do. Some days, I do find it easier, than I did 2 years ago. And it is easier to think of reasons why it's good for me. And I have a sort of "body memory" of my body feeling better after exercise. So, I feel like there's something to the idea of habits.

But I also think I could relatively easily slip out of this good habit if I'm not really careful. I have 39 years of sedentary behavior that a big part of me really wants to go back to. I wonder what the role of "habit" is compared to my commitment to this process...

From Dr. Maxwell Maltz's book "Psycho-Cybernetics"


"Dr Maxwell Maltz wrote the bestseller Psycho-Cybernetics.
Originally a Plastic Surgeon, Maltz noticed that it took
21 days for amputees to cease feeling phantom sensations
in the amputated limb. From further observations he found
it took 21 days to create a new habit. Since then the '21
Day Habit Theory' has become an accepted part of self-help
programs.

Brain circuits take engrams (memory traces), and produce
neuroconnections and neuropathways only if they are
bombarded for 21 days in a row. This means that our brain
does not accept ‘new’ data for a change of habit unless
it is repeated each day for 21 days (without missing a day)."
http://www.aristotle.co.nz/library/s...px?seriesId=61


He also noticed that many of his customers retained a poor
self image even after having surgery which improved their
appearance. This prompted him to work with his clients'
self image prior to surgery, and he discovered that he could
assist them to acquire an improved self image without surgery,
using the same 21-day period to create changes in their
mindset, and that surgery then became unnecessary for them.

I DID IT!!!!!!!!!! I did the for 1/2 hour. I got pretty sweaty.... One day down.... TWENTY TO GO!!!!
thanks for everyones support.....

Great job...just keep it going now

Don't laugh, but I have found a way to conquer this and I am going on my second successful week with my girlfriend in tow. We call it: "Military Style." It came to me while I was being a mope on my bed, I was flopped over my comforter, and winning to myself: "I should go jogging, it would feel nice... I would be that much closer to my goal. Why is it so hard to get out of the house? If someone could just get me there I could do the rest." I sat there thinking, what would it take to get me out of the bed and house? I got this mental image of a drill sergeant screaming at me, telling me to get my *** *SS out of bed and just do it. I drug myself up and drug myself out, kinda like crawling through the mud, and went on a 20 minute jog (from ****). The entire time I was jogging I was visualizing G.I. Jane kicking *** as she trains and buffs up to prove herself. Muscles. Power. Effort. Payoff. It's now my slogan, and Anna and I can totally pump ourselves up with visualizations like this and variations there of. Ninja-style. Stick-it style. Military style = Just do it style. I hope that helps.

reddalice:
What a FABULOUS idea. I can totally imagine my own personal drill sergeant!

On a broader exercise note, I personally find it difficult to do exercise that for me seems to have no goal per se (ie yoga or aerobics for example) Maybe I get bored? I don't know. . Anyways, it's much better if I take a dance class or even just walk home from work. I agree with the others, you just need to find the exercise for you.

REDDALICE: That is brilliant. Thanks. I will try that when I get home from school today.....

I do this also. I record lots of shows and save to watch my most favorite ones during a workout. Most of the time (hmmm--except for yesterday, lol) I'm so engrossed in the show I forget how long I've been working out. The Biggest Loser is one of my favs.

I go to the gym 4 days a week and swim 2 days a week. It's written in my diary and the only reasons I won't go are if I've had a sick day from work or if I've had to make an appointment with the doctor or dentist.

They're not negotiable - if I'm going out with a friend, it's after I exercise. If I had a hairdresser or doctor or dentist appointment, nobody would make a fuss if I said I couldn't meet them till after I'd been. What makes the gym different from those - it's another appointment to help me look and feel better...

That is really true. It should be something that I HAVE to do every day. Like take a shower or brush my teeth. I need to learn to schedule it in every day. Thanks.

Yay Dek!!!! WTG on exercising yesterday!!! Now keep at it! >_<

In someone's signature is a quote that talks about how long it takes to talk ourselves into exercising. Something like "If I started exercising when I started thinking about it, I would be done now." Nike's right on this one. Don't talk yourself into doing it. Just do it. And then be done with it and moving on with your day.

I've found that two things work for me as far as exercise go.

1. I go to the gym at 5:30, and the only reason I do this is because I'm not awake enough to argue with myself (plus I do classes, and I like the classes, for the most part, and that's when they're scheduled).

2. (and most important) I know that if I skip a scheduled exercise time, I'll be even less likely to get back on the wagon the next day and go, and so on and so on. That wagon speeds up out of sight pretty damn quick! I can miss a scheduled time once in a while, especially if I have a reason for it, i.e., I was out late the night before, I was sick, whatever. But if I just wake up and think to myself, eh, I've been good lately, I deserve a day off, it is oh so hard to get myself to go to the gym the next day.