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.
Obesity, once seen as akin to laziness and overeating, is... Read More
As parents who've had gastric bypass we face many challenges... Read More
Have you heard about coconut oil diets yet? People are... Read More
When we discover that we are heavier than we want... Read More
One of the biggest scams ever successfully pulled on the... Read More
Nowadays, so much of the public is obese (fat) that... Read More
Can You Lose Weight Where You Want?If you have excess... Read More
Our bodies only require a small amount of salt for... Read More
If you are about to begin a diet, the number... Read More
Learning the jargon is part of the weight loss journey.... Read More
Weight Loss Axiom Number ThreeInsulin and GlucagonThese are the two... Read More
Although many patients have few problems after bariatric surgery, there... Read More
Fat Loss Tip #2) Drink More WaterI know, I know,... Read More
In our mind's eye, we see our ancient ancestors as... Read More
"Unless that apple tastes like the best apple you've ever... Read More
5 Easy Steps to A Healthier WeightAlthough different people have... Read More
Dieting will continue to fail most dieters, unless personalized weight... Read More
You may not like what I have to say, even... Read More
When it all comes down to losing or gaining weight,... Read More
The average American eats about twice as much protein than... Read More
I was so embarrassed for her. After a grueling 45... Read More
The Zone Diet as a weight loss program has been... Read More
Have you ever worried about something so much it paralyzed... Read More
Weight Loss is something that many Americans struggle with. In... Read More
Diet drop out, a significant problem for all types of... Read More
Green Oaks limo rental ..I have put off writing a motivation article because of... Read More
Are you a 'look-and-lose' dieter? Have you studied every diet... Read More
When was the last time you focused so much on... Read More
It is important that the public not only understand the... Read More
I am embarrassed to admit how many different commercial weight... Read More
It's easy to lose sight of our goals, "Do I... Read More
The long marginalized San tribe of South Africa has suddenly... Read More
It is common for new WLS patients to ask, "How... Read More
A question from one of our readers:Dr. Mericle,With respect to... Read More
Negative calorie foods are said to use more calories to... Read More
Sometimes, just the thought of starting on a diet and... Read More
In the medical community, "obesity" is generally said to be... Read More
Lousy Reasons to Lose Weight"I want to be a size... Read More
Doctors prescribe Walking as the best medicine for weight loss.We... Read More
Fat Loss Tip #1) Train With WeightsWorking out with weights... Read More
If you knew when you were going to die, would... Read More
So your neighbor, office mate, best friend, whoever just lost... Read More
It seems everyone is looking for that magic bullet -... Read More
Yes it's true- and so unfair. As we get older... Read More
As the holidays approach, a frequent question from my clients... Read More
There are as many reasons you've given yourself to eat... Read More
Must We Gain Weight Every WinterIt's that time of year... Read More
A common question among weight loss professionals...If fad diets don't... Read More
The following are diet tips that can help you shape... Read More
Experts say obesity will overtake smoking as the biggest health... Read More
Weight Loss |