Sometimes it's best to just read what people said. Here is a selection of comments from the many people that participated in our September 2009 survey.
"It helped me realize there were healthier alternatives to what I was doing."
Tawnya - Mellon, WI
"The encouragement and the daily reminder emails for the challenges. The challenges were interesting and made me aware of what I was missing out on and how important these changes could change my life for the good."
Shavon - Conyers, GA
"It showed me what kind of habits I had and how to quit them."
Sean - Nightdale, NC
"Because I knew I was in this for 42 days, I knew I'd keep getting emails every day and rather than quitting or ignoring them, I wanted to prove to myself that I could stick to it and end the 42 days having accomplished something."
Elizabeth - Astoria, NY
"In learning that I only eat when watching TV I make sure I am aware of what I am eating and the time of day I am watching TV."
Diane - Mesa, AZ
"I've become more positive in my thinking. Instead of saying I can't, I now say I can."
Sandy - Highland, IN
"I now eat smaller portions at each meal, have low calorie snacks in between meals, and check the calorie content of the majority of my food to make sure that I am not exceeding 2000 calories a day."
Curtis - Cambridge Springs, PA
"Enjoying food by eating slowly and not eating so much."
Denise - Houston, TX
"I followed the daily tips and they've started working for me by showing results."
Jason - Mew haven, MI
"It made me aware of my habits more clearly. As Dr. Phil says, "you have to acknowledge something before you can change it." By acknowledging my bad habits, I was more able to do something about them."
Julie - Hollywood, CA
"It especially helped when I went out to eat to have a different take on how I should be looking at a dining experience."
Jennifer - Plantation, FL
"I was able to change negative learned behaviors into much more positive behaviors concerning money and spending and in doing so have learned to apply more positive behaviors toward life in general."
Sherril - Lawrenceville, GA
"The program kept me on course, it kept me thinking about my habits and what I needed to do to change my actions."
Wesley - Colombia, MO
"By being aware of what I was doing and how to possibly change or do things another way enabled me to make changes."
Deb - San Antonio, TX
"It showed me how to control certain money costing habits and how to manage finances and time constraints."
Chris - La Plata, MD
"I started watching how much I ate. I learned portion control. I've started exercising more than usual. I've changed the types of food I ate."
Angela - Flushing, NY
"It allowed me to re-evaluate my self and my habits and gave me ways to change."
Florence - Bethel, OH
"I gave more thought to things I was doing, and chose to do those that were more important rather than simply easy or seemingly urgent."
Wayne - Holland, MI
""Kitchen Closed Challenge' has helped me with nightly snacking."
Nicole - Follansbee, WV
"I am now eating several smaller meals throughout the day, rather than my old habit of eating big meals and snacking in between. I am watching my choices and my portions."
Robin - Seattle, WA
"I always wanted to spend money no matter if I had it or not. This comes from my dad. He is the same way. Now I don't even think about spending it unless I have it."
Sandra - Saginaw, MI
"I've lost quite a bit of weight, due to not drinking soda, and cutting down on food."
Kelsey - Westville, IL
"It taught me how to actually see and change the way I am with the food I eat."
Mohammed - Elmhurst, NY
"Made me aware of foods that I thought were ok to eat that weren't. I am able to eat more meals during the day but eat smaller portions. I love this part."
Margaret - New York, NY
"Just calling attention to my habit made me realize it and help change it."
Laura - Jefferson, WI
"It made me think about what I was doing - not just falling back into the same habits without thinking about them."
Rebecca - San Clemente
"I have lost several pounds and I am better able to control food cravings."
Glynis - Plano, TX
"I pay more attention to my hunger signals and only eat when I'm hungry."
Rachel - St Petersburg, FL
"I am no longer turning to food when I am stressed or depressed instead I will go for a walk or talk to a friend and I have started to exercise more."
Misty - Anita, IA
"I'm just paying attention and being in the moment more."
Michelle - Palm Beach, FL
"It helped me to realize what I was doing against my own progress."
Eva - Springhill, TN
"I am now paying more attention to what I eat, and I am starting to eat healthier foods because of this."
Kristen - Landrum, SC
"I became more aware of self defeating behavior which I have changed and I am starting to save more money."
Phillip - Miami, FL
"I am simply more aware of money and how it does and does not affect my everyday life. I have tried to simplify my connection with money and realize that it is not the only thing in my life that is important."
Lynn - Missouri City, TX
"It pointed out simple things to do and changes that were easily done."
Jackie - Waconia, MN
"I am more conscience and aware of what I plan to eat, before I actually eat it."
Amanda - Sanford, NC
"It gave me ideas about what I shouldn't be doing, like eating at night and eating less portions .I am now not eating after 7 at night and I am eating smaller portions."
Danny - Cambridge Springs, PA
"I'm saving and giving more. I learned to enjoy things with little or no money. I have enjoyed giving gifts and doing things with others."
Michele - Chapel Hill, NC
"It was successful in making me watch what I ate and how it was going to affect me and my dieting .I found this program to be very beneficial in my mental state of dieting."
"The emails were consistent reminders; they were uplifting and made you feel like you CAN do it, they gave helpful tips that you wouldn't necessarily have heard somewhere else."
Elizabeth - Astoria, NY
"The messages were very inspirational and focused on helping you work through any hesitation you may have. I can see this program helping many people if they stick to it. Even though the messages are sent out in mass they still feel very personal."
Jose - San Antonio, TX
"Not feeling so guilty about getting myself into this financial mess. I like the challenge of changing."
Lisa - Los Angeles, CA
"Daily alerts that included information to educate and help me change as well as a challenge for the day. The info is good, but if you aren't motivated to change then the program would be no good."
Tiara - Cincinnati, OH
"All of it, no real part was my favorite, the whole program was great."
Donna - Chelmsford, MA
"The inspiration to better my spending habits to better myself."
Kate - Martinsville, IN
"It really hit the nail on the head, it described my problems exactly"
Wanda - Exeter, RI
"I liked that I got small "bites" of information to help me do better each day."
Sarah - Rexburg, IN
"I was able to see the change in my diet and weight"
Rosemarie - Teaneck, NJ
"...almost every single step that was presented daily was based on common logical and sensible reasoning. The program really outlined a lifestyle that we should be incorporating into our daily life to help us achieve and maintain our weight."
Donna - Schererville, IN
"...the way most things felt positive, not negative or condescending."
Alice - Kennewick, WA
"...that there was a common goal amongst the users of this program and to be a part of something big."
Jer - Draft, VA
"The short small daily changes rather than overwhelming me with changes."
Debby - Waynetown, IN
"The inspirational text messages"
Michelle - Des Moines, IA
"Getting 2 daily text messages to remind me that I am not alone."
Marc - New York, NY
"The little challenges, even If I didn't do them, they made me think"
Joy - Pinnacle, NC
"I like the daily emails that make me focus on a habit I want to change. It makes sure that positive reinforcement is in the forefront of my mind."
Melanie - Peachtree City, GA
"It kept you engaged daily by email even if you didn't log on."
Angela - Mount Airy, NC
"The inspirational text messages were my fave."
Nancy - El Cerrito, CA
"Compact & manageable. No blaming or excuses, just directives for changing your approach and perceptions."
Paul - Atlanta, GA
"The daily challenge! Even though I thought some of them were stupid, they usually helped me."
Patricia - Eagle River, AK
"My favorite aspect was the way emails and program was written to give inspiration to continue."
Carol - Portage, MI
"Realization of previous influences on my view of money and how it effects current use or thinking."
Dorothy - Murrrells Inlet, SC
"The many helpful, little things we can do on a daily basis that seriously affect the results we can get."
June - Hernando, FL
"Looking back and checking off the goals I completed."
Teresa - Mount Vernon, NY
"The envelope program, it was a good start on seeing what and where you spend money."
Don - Chicago, IL
"It was in small doses -,daily - not too much info - but just enough."
Debra - Keysville, VA
"Learning about my attitudes toward money - especially to find some that are common and some that other people have trouble with that I don't."
Jeffrey - Chapel Hill, NC
"E-mails where here waiting for me when I signed on every morning, like a friendly hello - a bit of encouragement"
Lucille - Fort Lauderdale, FL
"The idea that you fail if you give up, but if you try, you just may succeed."
Arthur - Covington, KY
"Being involved with others like me."
Tracy - Watsontown, PA
"...how easy the hints are to accomplish."
Jill - Sterling Heights, MI
"Finding out my mental views of money and how it structures how I deal with it."
Donald - Charlevoix, MI
"The new perspectives on thinking about money."
Linda - Drexel Hill, PA
"The emails that inspire me everyday. I look forward to them. This is how I start my days now."
Vikki - Bassett, VA
"It really told the truth."
Roy - San Francisco, CA
"Encouragement. Never had these kind words before."
Vivien - Lebanon, TN
"The feeling of relief as my worries about money and money problems diminished."
Joseph - Springfield, MA
"The changes of thought patterns that were offered."
Sandi - Madera, CA
"It helped remind me and be goal oriented with the things I wanted to change about my day to day activities."
Sara - La Conner, WA
"My favorite part of the program was the way I could change some of my negative thinking patterns."
Linda - Bronx, NY
"It is so positive and really does make you feel better about money and how it can affect you"
Lea - Longwood, FL
"My favorite part of the program was making me realize the bad choices that I was making and correcting them."
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How Habit Changer Helped Change My BehaviorTop
"It helped me realize there were healthier alternatives to what I was doing."
Tawnya - Mellon, WI
"The encouragement and the daily reminder emails for the challenges. The challenges were interesting and made me aware of what I was missing out on and how important these changes could change my life for the good."
Shavon - Conyers, GA
"It showed me what kind of habits I had and how to quit them."
Sean - Nightdale, NC
"Because I knew I was in this for 42 days, I knew I'd keep getting emails every day and rather than quitting or ignoring them, I wanted to prove to myself that I could stick to it and end the 42 days having accomplished something."
Elizabeth - Astoria, NY
"In learning that I only eat when watching TV I make sure I am aware of what I am eating and the time of day I am watching TV."
Diane - Mesa, AZ
"I've become more positive in my thinking. Instead of saying I can't, I now say I can."
Sandy - Highland, IN
"I now eat smaller portions at each meal, have low calorie snacks in between meals, and check the calorie content of the majority of my food to make sure that I am not exceeding 2000 calories a day."
Curtis - Cambridge Springs, PA
"Enjoying food by eating slowly and not eating so much."
Denise - Houston, TX
"I followed the daily tips and they've started working for me by showing results."
Jason - Mew haven, MI
"It made me aware of my habits more clearly. As Dr. Phil says, "you have to acknowledge something before you can change it." By acknowledging my bad habits, I was more able to do something about them."
Julie - Hollywood, CA
"It especially helped when I went out to eat to have a different take on how I should be looking at a dining experience."
Jennifer - Plantation, FL
"I was able to change negative learned behaviors into much more positive behaviors concerning money and spending and in doing so have learned to apply more positive behaviors toward life in general."
Sherril - Lawrenceville, GA
"The program kept me on course, it kept me thinking about my habits and what I needed to do to change my actions."
Wesley - Colombia, MO
"By being aware of what I was doing and how to possibly change or do things another way enabled me to make changes."
Deb - San Antonio, TX
"It showed me how to control certain money costing habits and how to manage finances and time constraints."
Chris - La Plata, MD
"I started watching how much I ate. I learned portion control. I've started exercising more than usual. I've changed the types of food I ate."
Angela - Flushing, NY
"It allowed me to re-evaluate my self and my habits and gave me ways to change."
Florence - Bethel, OH
"I gave more thought to things I was doing, and chose to do those that were more important rather than simply easy or seemingly urgent."
Wayne - Holland, MI
""Kitchen Closed Challenge' has helped me with nightly snacking."
Nicole - Follansbee, WV
"I am now eating several smaller meals throughout the day, rather than my old habit of eating big meals and snacking in between. I am watching my choices and my portions."
Robin - Seattle, WA
"I always wanted to spend money no matter if I had it or not. This comes from my dad. He is the same way. Now I don't even think about spending it unless I have it."
Sandra - Saginaw, MI
"I've lost quite a bit of weight, due to not drinking soda, and cutting down on food."
Kelsey - Westville, IL
"It taught me how to actually see and change the way I am with the food I eat."
Mohammed - Elmhurst, NY
"Made me aware of foods that I thought were ok to eat that weren't. I am able to eat more meals during the day but eat smaller portions. I love this part."
Margaret - New York, NY
"Just calling attention to my habit made me realize it and help change it."
Laura - Jefferson, WI
"It made me think about what I was doing - not just falling back into the same habits without thinking about them."
Rebecca - San Clemente
"I have lost several pounds and I am better able to control food cravings."
Glynis - Plano, TX
"I pay more attention to my hunger signals and only eat when I'm hungry."
Rachel - St Petersburg, FL
"I am no longer turning to food when I am stressed or depressed instead I will go for a walk or talk to a friend and I have started to exercise more."
Misty - Anita, IA
"I'm just paying attention and being in the moment more."
Michelle - Palm Beach, FL
"It helped me to realize what I was doing against my own progress."
Eva - Springhill, TN
"I am now paying more attention to what I eat, and I am starting to eat healthier foods because of this."
Kristen - Landrum, SC
"I became more aware of self defeating behavior which I have changed and I am starting to save more money."
Phillip - Miami, FL
"I am simply more aware of money and how it does and does not affect my everyday life. I have tried to simplify my connection with money and realize that it is not the only thing in my life that is important."
Lynn - Missouri City, TX
"It pointed out simple things to do and changes that were easily done."
Jackie - Waconia, MN
"I am more conscience and aware of what I plan to eat, before I actually eat it."
Amanda - Sanford, NC
"It gave me ideas about what I shouldn't be doing, like eating at night and eating less portions .I am now not eating after 7 at night and I am eating smaller portions."
Danny - Cambridge Springs, PA
"I'm saving and giving more. I learned to enjoy things with little or no money. I have enjoyed giving gifts and doing things with others."
Michele - Chapel Hill, NC
"It was successful in making me watch what I ate and how it was going to affect me and my dieting .I found this program to be very beneficial in my mental state of dieting."
JoAnne - Independence, KY
What People Liked Most About ItTop
"The emails were consistent reminders; they were uplifting and made you feel like you CAN do it, they gave helpful tips that you wouldn't necessarily have heard somewhere else."
Elizabeth - Astoria, NY
"The messages were very inspirational and focused on helping you work through any hesitation you may have. I can see this program helping many people if they stick to it. Even though the messages are sent out in mass they still feel very personal."
Jose - San Antonio, TX
"Not feeling so guilty about getting myself into this financial mess. I like the challenge of changing."
Lisa - Los Angeles, CA
"Daily alerts that included information to educate and help me change as well as a challenge for the day. The info is good, but if you aren't motivated to change then the program would be no good."
Tiara - Cincinnati, OH
"All of it, no real part was my favorite, the whole program was great."
Donna - Chelmsford, MA
"The inspiration to better my spending habits to better myself."
Kate - Martinsville, IN
"It really hit the nail on the head, it described my problems exactly"
Wanda - Exeter, RI
"I liked that I got small "bites" of information to help me do better each day."
Sarah - Rexburg, IN
"I was able to see the change in my diet and weight"
Rosemarie - Teaneck, NJ
"...almost every single step that was presented daily was based on common logical and sensible reasoning. The program really outlined a lifestyle that we should be incorporating into our daily life to help us achieve and maintain our weight."
Donna - Schererville, IN
"...the way most things felt positive, not negative or condescending."
Alice - Kennewick, WA
"...that there was a common goal amongst the users of this program and to be a part of something big."
Jer - Draft, VA
"The short small daily changes rather than overwhelming me with changes."
Debby - Waynetown, IN
"The inspirational text messages"
Michelle - Des Moines, IA
"Getting 2 daily text messages to remind me that I am not alone."
Marc - New York, NY
"The little challenges, even If I didn't do them, they made me think"
Joy - Pinnacle, NC
"I like the daily emails that make me focus on a habit I want to change. It makes sure that positive reinforcement is in the forefront of my mind."
Melanie - Peachtree City, GA
"It kept you engaged daily by email even if you didn't log on."
Angela - Mount Airy, NC
"The inspirational text messages were my fave."
Nancy - El Cerrito, CA
"Compact & manageable. No blaming or excuses, just directives for changing your approach and perceptions."
Paul - Atlanta, GA
"The daily challenge! Even though I thought some of them were stupid, they usually helped me."
Patricia - Eagle River, AK
"My favorite aspect was the way emails and program was written to give inspiration to continue."
Carol - Portage, MI
"Realization of previous influences on my view of money and how it effects current use or thinking."
Dorothy - Murrrells Inlet, SC
"The many helpful, little things we can do on a daily basis that seriously affect the results we can get."
June - Hernando, FL
"Looking back and checking off the goals I completed."
Teresa - Mount Vernon, NY
"The envelope program, it was a good start on seeing what and where you spend money."
Don - Chicago, IL
"It was in small doses -,daily - not too much info - but just enough."
Debra - Keysville, VA
"Learning about my attitudes toward money - especially to find some that are common and some that other people have trouble with that I don't."
Jeffrey - Chapel Hill, NC
"E-mails where here waiting for me when I signed on every morning, like a friendly hello - a bit of encouragement"
Lucille - Fort Lauderdale, FL
"The idea that you fail if you give up, but if you try, you just may succeed."
Arthur - Covington, KY
"Being involved with others like me."
Tracy - Watsontown, PA
"...how easy the hints are to accomplish."
Jill - Sterling Heights, MI
"Finding out my mental views of money and how it structures how I deal with it."
Donald - Charlevoix, MI
"The new perspectives on thinking about money."
Linda - Drexel Hill, PA
"The emails that inspire me everyday. I look forward to them. This is how I start my days now."
Vikki - Bassett, VA
"It really told the truth."
Roy - San Francisco, CA
"Encouragement. Never had these kind words before."
Vivien - Lebanon, TN
"The feeling of relief as my worries about money and money problems diminished."
Joseph - Springfield, MA
"The changes of thought patterns that were offered."
Sandi - Madera, CA
"It helped remind me and be goal oriented with the things I wanted to change about my day to day activities."
Sara - La Conner, WA
"My favorite part of the program was the way I could change some of my negative thinking patterns."
Linda - Bronx, NY
"It is so positive and really does make you feel better about money and how it can affect you"
Lea - Longwood, FL
"My favorite part of the program was making me realize the bad choices that I was making and correcting them."
Cherilyn - Lexington, KY