BREAKING BAD (Habits.) What Are Some Bad Habits You've Been Able to Break, or Are Working On?

[seoulsearch]

Hey Everyone,

I tried to make the thread title a play on the show "Breaking Bad," but I have to confess that I've never watched it. Did anyone out there watch the show and like it?

We all have some bad habits we're trying to change. I've been in a lifelong battle with food, and it's funny how changes to our schedule and routines can make some things even more challenging.

I used to be on a fairly strict and structured schedule, and because of this, I wasn't much of a snacker. I'd eat at set times, and only have a limited amount of time because I'd have to get back to my obligations. These days, I have a bit more relaxed schedule (kind of like, "As long as the work gets done by a certain deadline, you can mostly set your own pace in getting it done.")

Because I have a little more time to eat than I did before, you'd better believe my inner glutton wants to take every advantage of it! I soon found myself grazing constantly, and there were some days I was eating those 10 oz. bags of M&M's in two days.

In an effort to curb this, I switched to things like Cheerios -- dry, and one at a time -- to slow myself down and try to make it a healthier option, but the next thing I knew, half the box of cereal would be missing in a day (along with my regular meals.) I know they recommend things like raw vegetables, but... YUCK. I force myself to eat vegetables at meals already, I can't stomach the thought of even MORE of them!

I tried only drinking liquids, but I had to cut down on coffee because I'm very sensitive to caffeine -- I also discovered that caffeine seems to contribute to my case of "munchies". It makes me feel more anxious, and this makes me want to eat. So I was experimenting with tea, but soon found out I'm sensitive to the tannic acid present even in herbal teas with no caffeine. (And I was only using 1 tea bag for about 8 cups of water.) So now I'm trying just chamomile, but man, does that get boring.

I used to just drink plain water all the time, but now chugging a lot of plain water makes me feel nauseous, so I am about ready to give up. Adding lemon, which I know is what recommended often, bothers my teeth and gums due to the acid. ARGH!! I feel like everything I try fails, for one reason or another.

I know I'm just going to have to learn to cut out any and all types of grazing and snacking altogether, but man, it's not going very well!!

I know I probably sound like a big wimp! But I've said all this to say, I know that breaking bad habits is HARD. I've read many testimonies of people praying and God instantly taking their vice away, but that's never been the case for anything in my own life.

How about for you?

* What bad habits have you successfully broken? What were the "secrets to your success"?

* What current bad habits are you working on now? What's working, and what isn't? Or did you have a relapse and are now trying again?

* What keeps you trying even when you fail, and has there ever been a final straw that made you quit trying altogether?

* What GOOD habits have you successfully picked up, and what's making you stick to it?

The one good habit I've been sticking to is putting a set of dumbbells in my bathroom. Anytime I go to have to visit the restroom or go there for any reason (wash hands, get a Kleenex, brush my teeth, etc.), I try to make myself do at least one set of arm exercises.

It certainly hasn't turned me into Arnold Schwarzenegger , but I like that I'm at least getting in a few arm reps every day.

How about you?

And if you have any tips on how to quit grazing/snacking, I'm all ears!!

 

[NightTwister]

I quit smoking 30 years ago. I used "the patch", but really it was just that I decided I was ready to quit.

I quit biting my fingernails about 25? years ago. I used the rubber band on the wrist trick. Every time I caught myself biting them I would snap the rubber band. "Pain heals."

I keep saying I'm going to put dumbbells under my desk, but they still aren't here yet... I'm also trying to walk 15 minutes every day, but I'm not there yet.

And no, don't even THINK talking about my coffee consumption.

 

[Suze]

I have up smoking about 17 years ago but , I didn't do it God did it . It was a nightmare , I did it cold turkey after 25 years of smoking about 18 menthol cigarettes every day . My main motivation was money , cigarettes r expensive in the UK . For the first two weeks I was insane , the following 3 months only half insane and the following six months just very over emotional . How hubby put up with me I do not know , I can only assume that God was giving him extra doses of patience . I was also having heart problems which massively reduced pretty much within 48 hours of not having a cigarette . So , it was up there with the top five things that I , by the grace of God , ever did .

 

[Suze]

I quit smoking 30 years ago. I used "the patch", but really it was just that I decided I was ready to quit.

I quit biting my fingernails about 25? years ago. I used the rubber band on the wrist trick. Every time I caught myself biting them I would snap the rubber band. "Pain heals."

I keep saying I'm going to put dumbbells under my desk, but they still aren't here yet... I'm also trying to walk 15 minutes every day, but I'm not there yet.

And no, don't even THINK talking about my coffee consumption.

Most days I walk at least an hour . I guess it's a bit different here than the US , things r more spread out there .
Best way to walk more is behave as if u don't have a car , we actually don't have one so it's a bit easier for us .

Hey Everyone,

I tried to make the thread title a play on the show "Breaking Bad," but I have to confess that I've never watched it. Did anyone out there watch the show and like it?

We all have some bad habits we're trying to change. I've been in a lifelong battle with food, and it's funny how changes to our schedule and routines can make some things even more challenging.

I used to be on a fairly strict and structured schedule, and because of this, I wasn't much of a snacker. I'd eat at set times, and only have a limited amount of time because I'd have to get back to my obligations. These days, I have a bit more relaxed schedule (kind of like, "As long as the work gets done by a certain deadline, you can mostly set your own pace in getting it done.")

Because I have a little more time to eat than I did before, you'd better believe my inner glutton wants to take every advantage of it! I soon found myself grazing constantly, and there were some days I was eating those 10 oz. bags of M&M's in two days.

In an effort to curb this, I switched to things like Cheerios -- dry, and one at a time -- to slow myself down and try to make it a healthier option, but the next thing I knew, half the box of cereal would be missing in a day (along with my regular meals.) I know they recommend things like raw vegetables, but... YUCK. I force myself to eat vegetables at meals already, I can't stomach the thought of even MORE of them!

I tried only drinking liquids, but I had to cut down on coffee because I'm very sensitive to caffeine -- I also discovered that caffeine seems to contribute to my case of "munchies". It makes me feel more anxious, and this makes me want to eat. So I was experimenting with tea, but soon found out I'm sensitive to the tannic acid present even in herbal teas with no caffeine. (And I was only using 1 tea bag for about 8 cups of water.) So now I'm trying just chamomile, but man, does that get boring.

I used to just drink plain water all the time, but now chugging a lot of plain water makes me feel nauseous, so I am about ready to give up. Adding lemon, which I know is what recommended often, bothers my teeth and gums due to the acid. ARGH!! I feel like everything I try fails, for one reason or another.

I know I'm just going to have to learn to cut out any and all types of grazing and snacking altogether, but man, it's not going very well!!

I know I probably sound like a big wimp! But I've said all this to say, I know that breaking bad habits is HARD. I've read many testimonies of people praying and God instantly taking their vice away, but that's never been the case for anything in my own life.

How about for you?

* What bad habits have you successfully broken? What were the "secrets to your success"?

* What current bad habits are you working on now? What's working, and what isn't? Or did you have a relapse and are now trying again?

* What keeps you trying even when you fail, and has there ever been a final straw that made you quit trying altogether?

* What GOOD habits have you successfully picked up, and what's making you stick to it?

The one good habit I've been sticking to is putting a set of dumbbells in my bathroom. Anytime I go to have to visit the restroom or go there for any reason (wash hands, get a Kleenex, brush my teeth, etc.), I try to make myself do at least one set of arm exercises.

It certainly hasn't turned me into Arnold Schwarzenegger , but I like that I'm at least getting in a few arm reps every day.

How about you?

And if you have any tips on how to quit grazing/snacking, I'm all ears!!

There really is ONLY one way to stop snacking . Hubby and I r natural piggies , we love food . If we ate what we wanted to we would b huge instead of what we r , which is slightly overweight . He eats two meals a day , breakfast and an evening meal about 6pm , I only eat an evening meal with him . We r allowed snacks BUT only fruit , absolutely no other snacks . Usually neither of us eats after our evening meal and often we don't have any fruit in the house so....no snacks . The only way is to not buy them in the first place , it really is as simple as that . If we had them in the house we would b constantly grazing also . Cut out the step where , u r looking at them , in your home and thinking to yourself ' I want to eat these now ' cut out that part by , when u r in the shop looking at them say to yourself ' I'm not buying those ' and don't buy them . It's the only way , u can't eat what u don't have . Don't buy them or , only buy fruit , absolutely nothing else . It works for us , it's hard , we still want to eat cakes biscuits chocolate crisps etc but , if we don't buy them in the first place......

 

[JohnDB]

The television series "Breaking Bad" is actually a good one....
And the thing about the series....no one is a hero. Everyone is a "bad guy". They started out as average people....and just go horribly wrong due to various reasons....mostly poor choices as led by watching other people's poor choices. That's the value in this. And its surprisingly good to watch how the real life simple mistakes can compound. The MC, Walter finally realizes that he has been living up to an ideal of himself and others with morality that isn't realistic and completely degenerates.....

But it's an excellent series to watch. Its 5 seasons. One of the few made in recent years I can recommend to watch. Good ending too.

As for myself and habits.....
I have a drinking problem....I do not consume enough adult beverages. I keep forgetting I have any...I get way too busy and planning for more work. And my body is worn out and wearing out faster....and taking a break with some adult beverages would provide some much needed muscle relaxation and rest I could really use. But I dont think in those terms until absolutely forced to. (Today my elbow is taking me out of doing much....cant really lift anything with my arm today....should a taken a couple of shots....but I didnt)

So.....maybe just a bit of cleanup is all I'm relegated to doing today. Bummer.....maybe a drink later would aide in some pain relief too.....

 

[seoulsearch]

I quit smoking 30 years ago. I used "the patch", but really it was just that I decided I was ready to quit.

I quit biting my fingernails about 25? years ago. I used the rubber band on the wrist trick. Every time I caught myself biting them I would snap the rubber band. "Pain heals."

I keep saying I'm going to put dumbbells under my desk, but they still aren't here yet... I'm also trying to walk 15 minutes every day, but I'm not there yet.

And no, don't even THINK talking about my coffee consumption.

Oh man, I'd forgotten I used to bite my nails something awful. Like all the way down to the nail bed, to the point where I'd have to wear Band-Aids on my fingertips. I tried that clear nail polish that tastes awful, but I'd just peel it off and go to town. I think I stopped in my 20's? I guess I got to the point where Band-Aid covered hands just weren't practical for work and school.

Kudos to you for quitting smoking -- I've heard that's one of the toughest addictions to break.

And... we'll try to stay quiet regarding the coffee consumption.

After all, we wouldn't want anybody here to get hurt.

 

[seoulsearch]

I have up smoking about 17 years ago but , I didn't do it God did it . It was a nightmare , I did it cold turkey after 25 years of smoking about 18 menthol cigarettes every day . My main motivation was money , cigarettes r expensive in the UK . For the first two weeks I was insane , the following 3 months only half insane and the following six months just very over emotional . How hubby put up with me I do not know , I can only assume that God was giving him extra doses of patience . I was also having heart problems which massively reduced pretty much within 48 hours of not having a cigarette . So , it was up there with the top five things that I , by the grace of God , ever did .

Most days I walk at least an hour . I guess it's a bit different here than the US , things r more spread out there .
Best way to walk more is behave as if u don't have a car , we actually don't have one so it's a bit easier for us .

There really is ONLY one way to stop snacking . Hubby and I r natural piggies , we love food . If we ate what we wanted to we would b huge instead of what we r , which is slightly overweight . He eats two meals a day , breakfast and an evening meal about 6pm , I only eat an evening meal with him . We r allowed snacks BUT only fruit , absolutely no other snacks . Usually neither of us eats after our evening meal and often we don't have any fruit in the house so....no snacks . The only way is to not buy them in the first place , it really is as simple as that . If we had them in the house we would b constantly grazing also . Cut out the step where , u r looking at them , in your home and thinking to yourself ' I want to eat these now ' cut out that part by , when u r in the shop looking at them say to yourself ' I'm not buying those ' and don't buy them . It's the only way , u can't eat what u don't have . Don't buy them or , only buy fruit , absolutely nothing else . It works for us , it's hard , we still want to eat cakes biscuits chocolate crisps etc but , if we don't buy them in the first place......

Kudos to you as well, Suze, for quitting smoking!! I have some dear friends I worry about, but I understand that some people will never be able to break the habit in this lifetime. I greatly admire anyone who does!!

I agree that the best policy is to never buy snack food in the first place. When I feel especially anxious, I'll pace back and forth at the store in front of all the junk food I want to buy (and immediately scarf down,) but I try to force myself not to buy it.

I substituted Chex rice cereal or popcorn for potato chips and frozen berries for ice cream, cookies, etc. My current downfall is chocolate chips, because they're small and I tell myself I'll just count out a few, but we all know how that goes -- so, I'm working on cutting those down or out as well.

I enjoy walking when there are things to look at or a purpose behind it. I always used to park far away from stores to get extra steps in. Unfortunately, there are so many homeless here that you have to be careful at every turn. Many stores will have people outside begging for money. I live in the Pacific Northwestern USA, where politicians had the brilliant idea of defunding the police and decriminalizing hard drugs in some areas, and the results are bleeding out into all the surrounding areas.

I'm not trying to cut down anyone struggling -- it's just that you never know what drugs someone might be on, or what they might do (fentanyl is a big problem here, and for areas that do still have working police, it's said they won't go to some areas because of it.)

I personally do not feel it's safe to walk alone here (especially as a woman,) so for now, I'm stuck on a treadmill.

Bah humbug.

 

[NightTwister]

Oh man, I'd forgotten I used to bite my nails something awful. Like all the way down to the nail bed, to the point where I'd have to wear Band-Aids on my fingertips. I tried that clear nail polish that tastes awful, but I'd just peel it off and go to town. I think I stopped in my 20's? I guess I got to the point where Band-Aid covered hands just weren't practical for work and school.

Kudos to you for quitting smoking -- I've heard that's one of the toughest addictions to break.

And... we'll try to stay quiet regarding the coffee consumption.

After all, we wouldn't want anybody here to get hurt.

Interesting fact. Drinking a cup of black coffee lowers my glucose by about 25 points. So, I'm putting this into the "good habit" category

 

[seoulsearch]

The television series "Breaking Bad" is actually a good one....
And the thing about the series....no one is a hero. Everyone is a "bad guy". They started out as average people....and just go horribly wrong due to various reasons....mostly poor choices as led by watching other people's poor choices. That's the value in this. And its surprisingly good to watch how the real life simple mistakes can compound. The MC, Walter finally realizes that he has been living up to an ideal of himself and others with morality that isn't realistic and completely degenerates.....

But it's an excellent series to watch. Its 5 seasons. One of the few made in recent years I can recommend to watch. Good ending too.

As for myself and habits.....
I have a drinking problem....I do not consume enough adult beverages. I keep forgetting I have any...I get way too busy and planning for more work. And my body is worn out and wearing out faster....and taking a break with some adult beverages would provide some much needed muscle relaxation and rest I could really use. But I dont think in those terms until absolutely forced to. (Today my elbow is taking me out of doing much....cant really lift anything with my arm today....should a taken a couple of shots....but I didnt)

So.....maybe just a bit of cleanup is all I'm relegated to doing today. Bummer.....maybe a drink later would aide in some pain relief too.....

I do really miss the old emoji system, as I wanted to give an "Informative" reaction to this post.

Alcohol has always been a mystery to me. I never understood why people liked it, because apparently it doesn't give me the same feelings as it does for other people. All alcohol does is make me sick, so if you want me to start barfing everywhere, sure, try to get me to drink. I can sip on something slowly, but I'd rather reserve it for recipes. Sometimes I wish I had a "normal" reaction to it, because I'd like to see what all the fuss is about.

I was just thinking the other day, the only alcohol I have (besides vanilla extract) is a bottle of rum from back when I was trying to perfect a recipe for rum raisin ice cream. But that was about 7 years ago, and the bottle hasn't been touched since. The last thing I need is to be making ice cream, so I suppose I could mix it up as some kind of natural cleaning agent?

I'm like this with a lot of things in life. I zig when everyone else zags. And I can never get people to understand because they say my reaction isn't "normal." A while back, I was boiling ginger for tea as an alternative to coffee (since I'm sensitive to caffeine,) and I started feeling like my heart was going to pound right out of my chest. It felt like I was taking caffeine on steroids.

It took me a while, but I finally found a tiny paragraph in an article saying that about 1-2% of people (in how big of a population, I don't know,) have adverse reactions to ginger -- including heart palpitations. This is a common theme for me. 99% of people I talk to, including medical staff, say what I'm going through is impossible -- but it's only because they've never met the 1% that apparently know it's VERY possible.

This is why I've never smoked, done drugs, and have to be very hesitant about anything well-meaning people recommend, no matter how "natural" it is.

Knowing my luck, it's going to be something I'll either be instantly addicted to -- or will feel like it's gonna kill me -- or both, which, these days, seems more likely.

 

[seoulsearch]

Interesting fact. Drinking a cup of black coffee lowers my glucose by about 25 points. So, I'm putting this into the "good habit" category

Does this mean you're going to be able to write off your 240 coffee makers from your taxes as a "medical expense"?

 

[NightTwister]

Does this mean you're going to be able to write off your 240 coffee makers from your taxes as a "medical expense"?

Now there's an idea!

 

[JohnDB]

I do really miss the old emoji system, as I wanted to give an "Informative" reaction to this post.

Alcohol has always been a mystery to me. I never understood why people liked it, because apparently it doesn't give me the same feelings as it does for other people. All alcohol does is make me sick, so if you want me to start barfing everywhere, sure, try to get me to drink. I can sip on something slowly, but I'd rather reserve it for recipes. Sometimes I wish I had a "normal" reaction to it, because I'd like to see what all the fuss is about.

I was just thinking the other day, the only alcohol I have (besides vanilla extract) is a bottle of rum from back when I was trying to perfect a recipe for rum raisin ice cream. But that was about 7 years ago, and the bottle hasn't been touched since. The last thing I need is to be making ice cream, so I suppose I could mix it up as some kind of natural cleaning agent?

I'm like this with a lot of things in life. I zig when everyone else zags. And I can never get people to understand because they say my reaction isn't "normal." A while back, I was boiling ginger for tea as an alternative to coffee (since I'm sensitive to caffeine,) and I started feeling like my heart was going to pound right out of my chest. It felt like I was taking caffeine on steroids.

It took me a while, but I finally found a tiny paragraph in an article saying that about 1-2% of people (in how big of a population, I don't know,) have adverse reactions to ginger -- including heart palpitations. This is a common theme for me. 99% of people I talk to, including medical staff, say what I'm going through is impossible -- but it's only because they've never met the 1% that apparently know it's VERY possible.

This is why I've never smoked, done drugs, and have to be very hesitant about anything well-meaning people recommend, no matter how "natural" it is.

Knowing my luck, it's going to be something I'll either be instantly addicted to -- or will feel like it's gonna kill me -- or both, which, these days, seems more likely.

Alcohol is a relaxant...a depressant, and of course an antiseptic.

All natural.....been around a long time.

It's also a liaison capable of dissolving water soluble flavors as well as fat soluble flavors.

If your tongue is dry you cant taste anything. Because saliva provides the liaison.
But flavors can be brought out by fats like butter does for green and yellow vegetables.
However....not ALL the flavors are fat soluble.....some are water soluble even inside of fat soluble flavored herbs, spices, and vegetables..

For this....we use spirits.
Some spirits, due to their flavor, are used to round out the primary flavors they are dissolving.....like kahlua does with coffee and chocolate and rum....all rounding out and enhancing the flavor of chocolate.

That rum raisin flavor....works with the flavors in the spices and sweetness of raisins and sugars....dissolving and adding flavor.

When a guy works hard physically....muscles hurt and are sore from tightness from overwork....a good stiff drink or a few beers and a good nights sleep can solve all those muscle aches.
Wine is all about refreshing your palate so that your next bite of food tastes like it's your first bite/taste all over again.

 

[HealthAndHappiness]

The television series "Breaking Bad" is actually a good one....
And the thing about the series....no one is a hero. Everyone is a "bad guy". They started out as average people....and just go horribly wrong due to various reasons....mostly poor choices as led by watching other people's poor choices. That's the value in this. And its surprisingly good to watch how the real life simple mistakes can compound. The MC, Walter finally realizes that he has been living up to an ideal of himself and others with morality that isn't realistic and completely degenerates.....

But it's an excellent series to watch. Its 5 seasons. One of the few made in recent years I can recommend to watch. Good ending too.

As for myself and habits.....
I have a drinking problem....I do not consume enough adult beverages. I keep forgetting I have any...I get way too busy and planning for more work. And my body is worn out and wearing out faster....and taking a break with some adult beverages would provide some much needed muscle relaxation and rest I could really use. But I dont think in those terms until absolutely forced to. (Today my elbow is taking me out of doing much....cant really lift anything with my arm today....should a taken a couple of shots....but I didnt)

So.....maybe just a bit of cleanup is all I'm relegated to doing today. Bummer.....maybe a drink later would aide in some pain relief too.....

Dead Sea Salt (very high in minerals) or pure MgCl.
I mix it in warm water and rub it topically into the area that's sore.

It won't get to the root of a problem, but often gives temporary relief without the harmful effects of Rx drugs or need to visit Walter.

https://media.tenor.com/cZpD7GPzPMEAAAAM/walt-walnterwite.gif

 

[Godsgirl1983]

* What bad habits have you successfully broken? What were the "secrets to your success"?

Soda consumption!
How?
1) A lot of prayer (like years worth)
2) It really was a will issue, combined with addiction.
That cherry pepsi and I had a loooooong on again off again relationship.
Like, I already that some health issues would likely improve just from cutting that out. But when I saw my new doctor about 6 months ago, he reminded me of this and was encouraging about how just small changes like that would make a big difference.
I want to say that I haven't had any soda since mid December, but I can not tell a lie I've had 3 maybe 4. And those were while dealing with stressful family medical issues (lack of sleep + stress = more prone to poorer choices), and 1 was the other day, not even a full sized drink, not even mine. My son had some Dr. Pepper at the Sam's Club cafe and I maybe half the cup if that. Later that night, I started getting that funny heart racing a mile a minute sensation which I haven't felt in a long while. Between that and the icky sweet taste I'm no longer used to, that was enough reminder of why I don't want to go back to that stuff.

Back in December I had told myself that I was going to cut this cold turkey, go back to that off again relationship. I knew I would be seeing my doctor again in a few months and wanted to show some healthier changes, no matter how small. I figured that come January I would no longer drink soda, you know, like so many of us say near January 1st. The convenience store I always go to (the place where the cherry pepsi on fountain is almost always the perfect combo) was running their annual 25 days celebration where every day from Dec 1-25 there was a free product (with your rewards account). One day it was a free can of Bubbl'r . That is, antioxidant sparkling water. Now, usually I don't like sparkling water, but since it was free I figured why not? (If nothing else I stick it in the little pop up tiny community food pantry outside the library). I read the ingredients, NO aspartame, or sucralose! So I figured why not be adventurous and try it! Wasn't bad, no funny, tingly, weird mouth feelings that sparkling water usually gives me. Bonus, I found it in a cherry flavor (It comes in several flavors) so figured I would swap one cherry drink for another. Now at first I wasn't used to it (sweetened with erythritol and stevia) it took me several hours to consume the 12oz can, but by the 2nd or 3rd time having it I adjusted. (Now there are days it's almost a craving!)

 

[Suze]

Kudos to you as well, Suze, for quitting smoking!! I have some dear friends I worry about, but I understand that some people will never be able to break the habit in this lifetime. I greatly admire anyone who does!!

I agree that the best policy is to never buy snack food in the first place. When I feel especially anxious, I'll pace back and forth at the store in front of all the junk food I want to buy (and immediately scarf down,) but I try to force myself not to buy it.

I substituted Chex rice cereal or popcorn for potato chips and frozen berries for ice cream, cookies, etc. My current downfall is chocolate chips, because they're small and I tell myself I'll just count out a few, but we all know how that goes -- so, I'm working on cutting those down or out as well.

I enjoy walking when there are things to look at or a purpose behind it. I always used to park far away from stores to get extra steps in. Unfortunately, there are so many homeless here that you have to be careful at every turn. Many stores will have people outside begging for money. I live in the Pacific Northwestern USA, where politicians had the brilliant idea of defunding the police and decriminalizing hard drugs in some areas, and the results are bleeding out into all the surrounding areas.

I'm not trying to cut down anyone struggling -- it's just that you never know what drugs someone might be on, or what they might do (fentanyl is a big problem here, and for areas that do still have working police, it's said they won't go to some areas because of it.)

I personally do not feel it's safe to walk alone here (especially as a woman,) so for now, I'm stuck on a treadmill.

Bah humbug.

Defunding the police and decriminalising hard drugs !?!?!?! Wow ! Who is in charge of those decisions ?! R they an actual drug dealer ? That's a terrifying thought ! I live in a town centre in a very deprived area . There r quite a few homeless and the vast majority of them r on drugs or alcohol , they mostly don't cause too much trouble because......they don't want to go to jail . If u take away that prospect I dread to think how they would behave . I've lived here a long time and I've never had any serious trouble , been mistaken for a prostitute once or twice but not so much now I'm in my 50's . I know many of the homeless to talk to and we have beggars outside of the shops also . I don't give them money , I just say that I don't have any cash which is often true by not always . I don't want to b the person who gives them the money to buy the drugs that kill them . I will always buy them food stuff , if they want it . Most addicts do not want to get locked up because it means drug withdrawal and none of them like that so , they r mostly well behaved . It's safe to walk around here during the day and mostly safe at night also , if u stick to well lit populated areas u will b ok . Your situation sounds awful , not being able to take a walk without being hassled is very sad .

 

[JohnDB]

Dead Sea Salt (very high in minerals) or pure MgCl.
I mix it in warm water and rub it topically into the area that's sore.

It won't get to the root of a problem, but often gives temporary relief without the harmful effects of Rx drugs or need to visit Walter.

https://media.tenor.com/cZpD7GPzPMEAAAAM/walt-walnterwite.gif

Nobody dealt with Walter.....Jesse was the distributor. Walter just made the stuff. Even then, Jesse sold large amounts and it was his network of dealers that a person would go see. The "Chicken Man" was all upset about their operation due to the competition.

Jesse was a little unstable.

 

[JohnDB]

Once.....DECADES ago I took a jacuzzi bath....drank a beer while doing it. I fell in love with those little jets.
But....I owned that house for years but it was one of the few times that the jacuzzi got used. This house doesn't have one. It's got a cast iron clawfoot tub....plumbing leaks though so nobody uses it either. I haven't started on the plumbing yet. Got bigger fish to fry.

Bath? If I cant take time to open a bottle.....a bath is way beyond the threshold.

 

[YouOnlyLiveTwice]

For a decade, I was addicted to alcohol (beer, wine and hard liquor), drugs (marijuana, spice, ecstasy, cocaine, mushrooms), tobacco (hookah, cigarettes, cigarillos) and slept with a numerous amount of women. From 2004 to 2014, that was my thing; partying, going to clubs, bars and raves.

It started in Spring 2004 and ended in Spring 2014. In Spring of 2014, Jesus came to me through a friend, Joshua. He led me to Christ and told me what I needed to do and say...I got on my knees in my bedroom at the time, in the apartment I was sharing, said the sinners prayer, accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior, let him into my heart and was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Everything ended the moment I got saved and was born again. I've been celibate ever since I was saved, waiting upon marriage to give myself in a sexual manner.

That same year, i broke up with the girlfriend I was seeing to pursue a relationship with God, I abandoned my "friend" group, I was given enough money to buy a car, and my family inherited my great grandmothers home in Long Beach, California, which gave me and my family stable living conditions fo rthe first time since I was 5 years old. I also was given a dream like job testing video games that same year for a company called Digital Hearts.

So not only was there a huge transformation but God gave me my family back and all this other stuff, which i was very thankful for at the time.

Since then, I have back slid in a few categories, especially when visiting with old friends but have been really great at remaining sober.

When it comes to current habits I'd like to break, well, definitely sugar. i'd love to stop eating sugar and start eating healthier or at least food from scratch...eh um *cough* @CarriePie *cough* *cough*

I'd also like to continue my morning walks daily, except for Sundays with @CarriePie and daily morning bible study with @CarriePie as we have been doing.

I'd also like to lift weights 4 times a week. 2 days upper body, 2 days lower body and have days of rest in between. i have been lifting weights since the beginning of december but not as much as i'd like to, so that is definitely what I'd like to build a habit in.

Also, a work schedule habit would be great as well.

 

[Tall_Timbers]

I drink a lot of diet pepsi. About the only other thing I drink is Propel. I guess all that carbonated artificially flavored water is probably not a good habit. Thing is, when I lived in South America for a couple of years in the jungle I got sick a lot from drinking the water. Amebiasis. Those experiences have combined to give me something of an aversion to plain water. So I'll just keep on keeping on with my beverages of choice without burdening myself about it. Something is going to kill me. Might as well be diet pepsi.

I've cut 99% of sweets out of my life. The only sweets I've consumed in recent history are maple iced donuts that an organization I'm a part of provides on Saturday mornings from January to approx the end of April. I'm not usually a fan of donuts, but wherever these ones come from the real stuff is used for flavoring and that maple frosting is just to die for. Cutting sweets out of my diet was fairly easy for me because I prefer salt and peppered foods anyway. Meat, potatoes, etc.

I guess the worse habit I have right now is spending way more time on the internet than is necessary. I waste a lot of time that way. But, I'm retired, I'm old, so in the big picture it doesn't really matter. It just means I'm not as productive around the house as I could be.

I don't smoke, don't do illegal drugs, should probably drink more alcohol but am not overly attracted to that. I try to jog 25 miles a week to stay healthy. My only real vice is the diet pepsi.

 

[Lanolin]

How about for you?

* What bad habits have you successfully broken? What were the "secrets to your success"?
I used to be addicted to Reddit on my phone, possibly cos I was bored and it seemed a way to find out peoples opinions on anything. I never posted on it but would read, and unfortunately since threads can go on forever, the scrolling got insane. Finally I decided enough was enough it was kind of taking over my life and blocked the website, and now never give a thought to reddit anymore.
CC on other hand...lol

* What current bad habits are you working on now? What's working, and what isn't? Or did you have a relapse and are now trying again?
My routine got disrupted after caregiving for so long, and self-care took a backseat, so I am back to looking after myself, and getting up and doing things in the morning, rather than just procrastinating and leaving things in a mess. I keep a diary and plan things now.

* What keeps you trying even when you fail, and has there ever been a final straw that made you quit trying altogether?
I figure God is helping me keep in good health, and after caring for others and being around the ill and dying for so long, I am now determined to live my life and do the things I want to do before I die and not have any regrets.

* What GOOD habits have you successfully picked up, and what's making you stick to it?
now I am doing the grocery shopping I have lists and stick to them, and I have a budget. I can't afford to buy processed junk food and not healthy fresh food. I find cooking a good/fun thing to do rather than just eat stuff straight out of packets. Even making popcorn for a snack is more satisfying than grabbing a packet of chips.
Baths - I started buying more essential oils and epsom salts, and having more relaxing bath times on a regular basis. I just feel better after having a good soak, rather than a slapdash shower. Must be the baptist in me.