Habit is overcome by habit.

"A nail is driven out by another nail. 

Habit is overcome by habit."
Desiderius Erasmus

 

What is the best way to break a bad habit?  Focus on creating new good behaviors (habits) that replace the bad habits.  It feels much better to focus on doing something good then it does to focus on trying not to do something that you like to do or that you are used to doing.

For example: If you want to stop eating so many sweets, instead of focusing on NOT eating sweets... try focusing on eating more fruit & veggies - regardless of how many sweets you eat. As you start filling your hunger with other type of foods, your desire for sweets will decrease.