One of my favorite bloggers (Gretchen Rubin, The Happiness project) has discussed several times the idea that there are abstainers (people who are more successful in dealing with bad habits by giving them up completely) and moderators (people who are more successful in dealing with bad habits by allowing occasional indulgences).
I’m most definitely a moderator - thinking I might never have something again is the best way for me to overeat, but if I know that I can have something if I really want it, I won’t eat much at all. (If you don’t believe me, ask my husband rjk about how much ice cream I get when I serve myself)
What’s your strategy with stopping bad habits? And how do you start good habits?