21 days?

daisymaiz · 01-05-2007, 06:24 AM

I heard on the radio this morning that it takes 21 days to break a bad habit. Anyone ever heard this before? Why 21? Any thoughts?

(it was during an ad for a weight loss program)

Xcali · 01-05-2007, 07:04 AM

Actually, I have. When I quit smoking, my healer told me if I could make it through 21 days (3 weeks) my chances of success increased to 95%. Something about the way we train our brains... I don't remember the actual explanation of it .. too much science and body chemistry stuff for me, but she was right. The habit of "reaching for smoke" at trigger times really faded once I got into that 3rd/4th week.

Weedydidi · 01-05-2007, 07:34 AM

I heard a version of it, but it was 23 I think to start a new habit.

Sharon · 01-05-2007, 07:51 AM

I've heard this many times in my life and I really believe it.

vwchick · 01-05-2007, 08:30 AM

I've heard it both ways- 21 to break a habit and 21 to form a new habit. I'm not sure how much I believe it though. If you google it, there are lots of results. I can't seem to find where it came from though.

Anyone know?

tyler43836 · 01-05-2007, 08:33 AM

It may take me 21 days to form a good habit....but less than a minute to form a bad one!

ixtapacheryl · 01-05-2007, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tyler43836

It may take me 21 days to form a good habit....but less than a minute to form a bad one!

Now that's a real good one - pertains to me as well!

I heard to break a bad habit you have to replace it with a new good one!

LeanLioness · 01-05-2007, 09:35 AM

When I took the Franklin Covey class it was told to us that it takes 21 days to form a habit.

Yes, I believe that.

01-05-2007, 06:24 AM	#1
daisymaiz MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Midwest Posts: 1,375 Gallery: daisymaiz Stats: pregnant! WOE: Atkins maintenance, for now Start Date: will start again after baby!	21 days? I heard on the radio this morning that it takes 21 days to break a bad habit. Anyone ever heard this before? Why 21? Any thoughts? (it was during an ad for a weight loss program)

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01-05-2007, 07:04 AM	#2
Xcali MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,111 Gallery: Xcali Stats: 203/132/128 (140 was original goal) * 5'8" * 41 * WOE: Atkins Start Date: 01/28/2000 **Recently changed goal wt. to 128 lbs.	Actually, I have. When I quit smoking, my healer told me if I could make it through 21 days (3 weeks) my chances of success increased to 95%. Something about the way we train our brains... I don't remember the actual explanation of it .. too much science and body chemistry stuff for me, but she was right. The habit of "reaching for smoke" at trigger times really faded once I got into that 3rd/4th week.

01-05-2007, 07:34 AM	#3
Weedydidi Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: May 2003 Location: Columbus Posts: 10,029 Gallery: Weedydidi Stats: 196/169/? WOE: Atkins OWL Start Date: April 22, 2003	I heard a version of it, but it was 23 I think to start a new habit.

01-05-2007, 07:51 AM	#4
Sharon Come join us on the Game Board Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: retired now - I ski 40+ days annually and do marathons. 1st TIME GRANDMOTHER 6/18/07 Posts: 105,296 Gallery: Sharon Stats: GO UCLA - BEAT USC WOE: STAY POSITIVE	I've heard this many times in my life and I really believe it.

01-05-2007, 08:30 AM	#5
vwchick MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,547 Gallery: vwchick WOE: Atkins	I've heard it both ways- 21 to break a habit and 21 to form a new habit. I'm not sure how much I believe it though. If you google it, there are lots of results. I can't seem to find where it came from though. Anyone know?

01-05-2007, 08:33 AM	#6
tyler43836 Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Jalisco, MX (formerly NY,NY) Posts: 14,120 Blog Entries: 2 Gallery: tyler43836 Stats: ugh WOE: Atkins Start Date: Restart 3/31/08	It may take me 21 days to form a good habit....but less than a minute to form a bad one!

01-05-2007, 09:35 AM	#8
LeanLioness Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Belleville, IL (St Louis Metro area) Posts: 5,720 Gallery: LeanLioness Stats: 240/237/120 WOE: Primal BluePrint Start Date: over and over again	When I took the Franklin Covey class it was told to us that it takes 21 days to form a habit. Yes, I believe that.