MMM12 Round-Up: Breaking Bad Habits

July 1st, 2010 - filed under: Furthermore » Monday Monthly Mission

vices1 * 2 * 3 * 4 * 5 * 6 * 7 * 8 * 9 * 10 * 11 * 12 * 13 * 14 * 15 * 16



Well guys, we made it! I know that for a number of brave readers this was maybe the most challenging mission yet. I want you to know that no matter how much you accomplished, I am so proud of you! Because you set a positive intention, and you held it, and you worked towards it. You made a choice to be mindful and that is a huge act of courage!

My goal was to eat less salt. And I’m thrilled to report that I did it! I had a few slips (Sundays were hard for me), but for the most part it was easier than I’d expected. I did it by keeping salt off the table, period. I wasn’t allowed to salt my food unless Damian insisted that it was appropriate (if food was very bland). In those rare cases I trusted his judgement and allowed him to salt my food, but only as much as he salted his own.

And that will be my plan from here on out. I still don’t totally trust my palate, so I’ll take my cues from my dining companions and only salt as much as they do. I think, with careful consideration and more time, I’ll really be able to beat the salt monster, ha!

So what about you my dears? How did your mission go? And have you devised a plan of action to keep your momentum?

I can’t wait to hear from everyone!
sign-off

  • http://twitter.com/erosan erosan

    oh damn… massive guilt trip. I came to your blog “to check if there was anything new”… and indeed, this post is new.

    but it reminded me I’m supposed to go to bed EARLY to accomplish my goal of waking up early.

    so yeah, major slip (3.45 am right now). I’m going to bed immediately. At least the rest of the month I did ok… and I’ll keep trying until I get it right.

  • Shelby

    I really wasn’t committed to this mission at first, I’ve always tried to cram more and more things into each day, pushing my bedtime back and waking up as early as possible. I always thought this was how successful people got so much accomplished, and I wanted to be successful too, so I’d pretty much sleep between 4-6 hours each night. Then I read that getting less sleep than you need is seriously bad for you and takes years off of your life! So now I’m much more focused on what time I go to sleep, and I already feel less run down!

  • Kat

    Your taste buds will adjust pretty soon. I cut back on salt a couple of years ago and these days I can’t eat store-bought soup or pasta sauce because my taste buds aren’t used to the incredibly high salt content anymore. My friends salt the hell out of my cooking but it tastes perfect to me (I use a ton of other spices though – pepper, garlic, hot sauce, etc.)

  • Stephanie

    I think I did a heck of a lot better at the end of the month than the beginning. I no longer feel like I *really* want a beer (or drink!) every night. I’ve taken up running, which is helping the process along even more!

  • Shango

    I certainly nailed it. I committed to not drinking any alcohol for 30 days and I did just that. I have been so happy with the results that I am doing another 30 just for kicks. Thanks for the support of the Bettering Ourselves attitude!

  • saundra

    well for all except maybe a weeks worth of days i got up and out of bed before 9 and it was great the kids and i actually made it to story time at the library, i’ve been able to get more housework done and generally minus the pms have been a happier person so going to bed earlier to wake up earlier has been great now if i can keep it up and get up even earlier by 6 30 7 is my goal i think everything might almost just fall into place thanks for this great challenge!

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com Sayward

    @ erosan – Haha, busted! But good that you’re aware, and you have the right attitude. Keep trying!

    @ Shelby – That’s great! So glad you’re feeling better. Sleep is so important – it changes *everything*!

    @ Kat – Oh I hope you’re right. I hope I hope I hope!

    @ Stephanie – yay, I was wondering about you. =) Glad to hear that you’ve had such a shift. That truly is a remarkable change. And exercise is so important. I’m still working on that one myself . . .

    @ Shango – AWESOME! Nailed it, that’s what I like to hear. =D I used to do that back in college when I was a bit of a boozer. I’d quit for the entire month of finals every quarter. Felt good to reset, take a step back. Let me know how the second month goes, k?

    @ saundra – That is wonderful news! Sounds like you are making great steps, moving steadily n the right direction. And it’s so great that you can see it’s positive effect immediately in your life – and in your kids’ lives!

    SUCH GREAT WORK everyone! I hope you all can keep it up. Feel free to keep checking in, because I’ll be thinking about all of you!

  • http://flightsofthevalkyrie.blogspot.com/ Valerie

    I’m having a hard time telling how well I did on this months mission. I am not getting up as early as I want, however I am only sleeping for 8 hours instead of 10 which is good. I have decided to change my bedtime and thus my get up time. Obviously, this monthly mission is going to continue to be a work in progress.

  • Kenna

    I kinda changed mine halfway through. Getting to the gym 4 times a week was too ambitious, but I did 3 times a week, so yay? I also added a “get up really early” goal, which I did too. I got to work consistently before 8am, and some days I was there at 7:30am.

  • Melisa

    Going vegan is still going slowly. I’m reading both “Becoming Vegan” and “The China Study” (after you recommended it, a person on Instructables did also!) but I’m struggling to resist comfort foods which are very unvegan. I know, I just need to nut up, but that’s where I am.

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com Sayward

    @ Valerie – I think this mission is a continuing endeavor for most people who participated. It sounds like you made a change that resulted in positive outcome, even if it’s not exactly what you imagined. I guess the important question is do you *feel* better?

    @ Kenna – That was ambitious, and 3 times is AWESOME. And totally realistic, and most importantly sustainable. Good luck with keeping it up and forming a permanent habit! (for both of your accomplishments)

    @ Melisa – Try making vegan comfort foods! What is it that you’re missing?

  • Melissa

    Well…I still have my short, ugly nails. Poop! I am going to keep trying though!

  • Melisa

    I just cross paths with too many sweets. (;

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com Sayward

    @ Melissa – You can do it, just keep at it!

    @ Melisa – Girl, we live in a non-vegan world! I hear ya!

  • Melisa

    I hooked up with the Vegan Society, and am pledging just ONE week (If I can make it a week, I can make it longer, I just know it!) with the help of not only their vast resources, but a personal mentor! So awesome!

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com Sayward

    @ Melisa – That’s so great! When does your week start? I bet a personal mentor will help so much, too. And it’s true, if you can make it a whole week it really seems much more manageable (have you read me story?) Good luck, and let me know if I can help!

Subscribe to my RSS feed Follow me on twitter Find me on Facebook Find me on Pinterest