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.
Want an after dinner snack? Jealously watching your family consume... Read More
As a weight loss coach I speak will people regularly... Read More
Diet pills have met with many different fates, and come... Read More
Diet PillsTaking diet pills is definitely not an effective weight... Read More
1. Start Exercising first thing in the morning.As soon as... Read More
On the market at any given time, there are hundreds... Read More
I thought I could avoid this when we moved to... Read More
When Instant Results Take TimeYesterday I decided to "get back... Read More
Contrary to common belief, your weight is not really the... Read More
You have decided that you want to lose weight and... Read More
Losing weight is a tough and demanding task for most... Read More
Did you know that what you're eating could be making... Read More
Are you feeling down and out? Do you feel even... Read More
If you were going to travel to the other side... Read More
Your blood cholesterol level is affected not only by what... Read More
Since gastric bypass weight loss surgery gives us a second... Read More
In life, various factors contribute to weight gain. Be it... Read More
There's nothing more fun then being creative with food and... Read More
LivingAfterWLS reader feedback indicates snacking is the single biggest problem... Read More
Saboteurs are people and thoughts that are going to sabotage... Read More
No One I Know Looks Like a Bathing Beauty, so... Read More
Ever heard of the expression, "Getting up on the wrong... Read More
Are you overweight? Then you probably want to lose some... Read More
I believe that water not only helps with weight loss,... Read More
Our bodies only require a small amount of salt for... Read More
Antigo wedding limo ..Everyone who has ever tried to lose weight has hit... Read More
There have been endless numbers of fad diets over the... Read More
Browsing one of the Russian websites I have recently found... Read More
Self-acceptance and body love can be tough concepts to grasp... Read More
If you are a fan of horse racing, you are... Read More
Millions of people spend billions of dollars, hoping to achieve... Read More
Why Walking Could Be the Solution to Your Fitness Dilemma.Walk,... Read More
After patients have had gastric bypass surgery comes a very... Read More
While the gastric bypass may seem like the perfect solution... Read More
Why have I allowed myself to get into this shape?... Read More
Do you know this year Florida will go through a... Read More
These fat burning tips can help you discover a fat... Read More
If you find this article helpful, please forward it to... Read More
Much has been written about obesity and globesity. Obesity is... Read More
Zero Calorie Diet Sodas: Good Or Bad For Weight Loss?Calorie-free... Read More
You are the GREATEST, aren't you? You are focusing on... Read More
WHAT DOES BEING FIT REALLY MEAN?The "INSIDE-OUT" approach to fitness... Read More
This is the second article in the series, Weight Loss... Read More
Humanity is always in search of a wonder drug that... Read More
After weight loss surgery it is important to include as... Read More
There is no need to worry too much if your... Read More
Make sure you check out the meaning of many common... Read More
Everyone from politicians to parents is talking about fighting the... Read More
The South Beach Diet was not created by your typical... Read More
Control that sweet tooth. Remember that sweet things generally mean... Read More
Weight Loss |