Anyone who’s ever struggled to stick to a diet or to go to the gym three times a week knows how difficult it can be to build a new habit. But both science and common sense tell us that lifestyle changes can be the difference between suffering from serious health problems and enjoying our later years. That’s probably why we keep trying, in spite of our often dismal results.
When you don’t understand how habits work, creating and sustaining new ones can seem nearly impossible. And when you fail, you probably criticize yourself for being lazy or not having enough discipline. But once you learn the tricks of the trade, you can stop blaming yourself and start taking action.
As Adrian Gore, founder and chief executive of the Discovery Group, says, “Healthy habits can profoundly extend the quality and length of life.” He bases that statement
