Jonathan Karp's journal
(CNN) -- Like his four fellow "New You Revolution" participants, Jonathan Karp is recording regular journal entries documenting his efforts to break bad habits over the program's eight-week run.
Karp's challenge, unlike the other participants, doesn't revolve around his overall fitness or diet, but rather his persistent and possibly dangerous nail-biting habit. Below are excerpts from the 28-year-old New Jersey resident's journal. (Profile; E-mail Karp)
February 8-14
I've been real proud that I haven't bitten [my fingernails] in over three weeks.
I've been eating lots of fresh fruit.
I went to the movies with [my fiancée] Erika. For the first time I can ever remember, I was able to open a plastic sealed box of candy with my own nails and without having to use my mouth or ask for help.
Ok. My nails are getting soooo long! I have been filing them down so they don't irritate me, but today I had to file one of my nails down a little bit further than normal.
I couldn't stop fidgeting with it, so at first I tried to dull the corners. Next thing you know, I had to take off 1/16th of an inch. Not too bad, and now it doesn't bother me.
Today I felt like biting my nails more than I have in the past four weeks. [They were like] filet mignon -- my nails are so long, soft and tempting! Luckily, I had my filing kit or otherwise I would have been in major trouble.
February 1-7
I didn't bite, and I feel great. I am getting used to my new regular routine.
I have been applying coats of a healthy nail product to help my nails grow stronger. It is helping keep my cuticles clean and moist with no cracking or need to trim.
I feel fine, but my cuticles need to be tamed.
Erika's friends have all watched to show on CNN and have told me how great my nails are looking and to keep up the good work. They also said I looked great on TV. My biggest accomplishment was not biting at all and showing my hands off to Erika's friends.
I didn't like the fact that I was picking at the clear coating on my thumbs. So I quickly remedied the situation by filing off the layer and buffing the nails back to their original luster.
(Editor's note: Jonathan had a manicure the day before)
January 25-31
My fingernails are starting to show white tips, and are becoming irritating because I'm unused to the length.
I need to buy a nail file to keep my nails feeling smooth.
I have been working out and trying to lose my gut, plus my second and third chins. I've been laying off fried foods and eating more fruit.
I have done some minor picking at my nails, and actually put my fingers in my mouth at times. But so far this week, no biting at all!
Full steam ahead.
January 18-24
My goals were to work out, keep the stress down and don't bite anything!
I feel good about the progress I'm making on my nails. I didn't bite my nails at all on Thursday. On Tuesday, I bit my left thumbnail. And Wednesday, I bit my right thumb too much and made it bleed.
I squeezed my left ring finger and left thumb -- a technique I learned from the makeup artist -- to avoid biting.
I didn't like the fact that I looked fat and unshaved on national TV -- more reason to work out and diet!
