Although every dieter knows that keeping food records is a key to permanent weight loss, few understand the importance of also keeping an "emotional journal." In fact, one dieter lost 100 pounds, thanks in part to the insights gained through daily journaling.
Dieting for weight loss can be as simple as keeping that food diary, or (the more challenging) dipping into the dark waters of the psyche. For example, which emotions motivate, sabotage, side-track, or inspire? Which people are supportive, which ones undermine your focus with snide remarks or constant invitations to ice cream? All will be revealed inside your private journal.
Of all the journal exercises for gaining insight, a favorite is the "Letter to My Body." In this exercise, the dieter actually pens a letter to self, being as honest as possible. A sample might be "Dear Fat Body, I hate you, I hate you, I hate you. I hate your rolls of fat on me, I hate that my knees hurt, I hate that you'd rather have a Danish than let me feel good about myself. I hate that you've been good all day and I know that tonight you'll be a pig."
What does that type of letter accomplish? For many-instead of adding to an already huge portion of self-loathing-it provides a powerful way of recognizing and reversing trigger situations. In this example, when nighttime does come and the journaler heads for the pint of Ben and Jerry's, there's a good chance the letter will be remembered. And, an even better chance that instead of eating a pint, some or none will be chosen.
Journaling to lose weight also involves writing about how your food choices will make you feel tomorrow when you get on the scale, or when you sit down to journal again. And, as you write these letters to self, you'll quickly begin to connect the dots, and track the ways in which everyday life impacts your food choices.
Keeping a journal will also help with weight loss because it's almost impossible to get to know yourself on a deep, intimate level and then continue with self-destructive behavior. Fortunately, we're just not made that way.
So tonight, instead of settling in with a pizza and beer, take some time to write a letter to yourself and analyze what your hunger is really about. I guarantee you, it isn't food.
Patti Testerman is content manager at http://JournalGenie.com, the only online site that analyzes your writing and then gives you instant feedback. Want to discover self-defeating patterns, or find better ways to communicate in a relationship? Check out our site.
Mistake 1: Not changing your calorie plan as you lose... Read More
There is no need to worry too much if your... Read More
Losing weight and keeping it off is much more than... Read More
Diet Fads-Forget about 'EmAnother fad "best diet" bites the dust.... Read More
If You are sick of losing the same weight over... Read More
There is only one way to lose weightThere really is... Read More
Ever heard of the expression, "Getting up on the wrong... Read More
Wow! You must be on fire by now burning and... Read More
The story broke in the international press on October 4th,... Read More
You see it all the time; people agonizing over their... Read More
If you want to reduce your body fat, focus on... Read More
Just like any other diet, the Atkins diet can become... Read More
Americans have their French fries, the British have their chips,... Read More
As our country gains weight at an alarming rate, we... Read More
I know, I know. What a crazy question!Considering that we've... Read More
What the Diet Industry Does Not Want You To Know:... Read More
As hoards of low-carb proponents invade the nutritional landscape, the... Read More
I gotta confess: I'm completely addicted to crisps. Any kind... Read More
The vast majority of postpartum women will not return to... Read More
Are you weighted down with delusion, depression and on the... Read More
Why was the FDA trying to hide the facts about... Read More
For the person who wants to shed a few pounds... Read More
Quick weight loss is promised by diets all the time.... Read More
New Medical Research shows high-intensity exercise can increase the body's... Read More
Since gastric bypass weight loss surgery gives us a second... Read More
America loves fast food. Last year, consumers spent billions of... Read More
Not losing weight but gaining it is why we are... Read More
In December 2003, the FDA incorporated an ephedra ban making... Read More
Well we're at it again, trying to honor our promise... Read More
Maybe you losing weight comes down to the simple question,... Read More
I personally lost 60 pounds in 2003. Here are some... Read More
Okay, so you've read some of these articles, done your... Read More
Yes, there is more to the Mediterranean than sun, beach... Read More
Running For Weight Loss??.Slow DownYou may be out running your... Read More
While the gastric bypass may seem like the perfect solution... Read More
When you have started a diet in the past, how... Read More
Getting involved in Weight Loss Program can be intimidating for... Read More
A metabolism drug like ephedrine, has shown many people how... Read More
The debate about whether supplements for weight loss are healthy... Read More
1. Start Exercising first thing in the morning.As soon as... Read More
The Atkins diet can be boring because of the limited... Read More
This little known secret has been used by bodybuilders for... Read More
It seems there are two schools of behavior patients follow... Read More
IntroductionThe history of The Atkins Diet goes back to the... Read More
When we gain more weight than is good for us,... Read More
More likely than not a diet with end up a... Read More
Most people think of the Atkins diet when they hear... Read More
All of the things we tell sick people so that... Read More
Ever notice how your best friend can lose weight on... Read More
Sometimes it's good to just let the feelings flow. Take... Read More
Surprisingly, hair loss is one of the reasons female pre-operative... Read More
Unfortunately, obesity is reaching epidemic proportions, with over 60% of... Read More
Weight Loss is something that many Americans struggle with. In... Read More
The Dr Atkins Diet has been around for ages, but... Read More
Today obesity, diabetes, and heart disease run through us at... Read More
In the last 12 months or so, low carbohydrate diets... Read More
CancerCoronary heart diseaseStrokeOsteoporosisMajor Depression from Brain StarvationHeadlines.WASHINGTON, Jun 22, 2004... Read More
Cut the Calories, Bring Out the BikiniSummer's almost here and... Read More
Following recent reports of a South Dakota man weighing half... Read More
For people that are obese, losing weight quickly can seem... Read More
What a great world we live in. You want something,... Read More
WEIGHT LOSS:Nutrition and weight-loss researchers say that some supplements can... Read More
We all eat. But how mindful are we of every... Read More
If you are a mom at home on a diet,... Read More
If you've been scouring the news, devouring as much information... Read More
Have you ever wondered why some fat people can be... Read More
Weight Loss |