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.
Imagine this ... What if you could ?Increase the rate... Read More
What are the best fad diets? It's a question I'm... Read More
Why was the FDA trying to hide the facts about... Read More
It is very important for low carb dieters to stick... Read More
To lose weight and keep it off you need an... Read More
One thing I really must say at the outset of... Read More
Do you know anybody who does not wish to get... Read More
It can be intimidating to follow a weight loss plan,... Read More
Any true body transformation starts with self?discovery. It is an... Read More
Have you ever seen an overweight rock climber or yoga... Read More
Food cravings can be triggered by various things including low... Read More
Acupuncture for weight loss is a modern application of this... Read More
Essential Fats for Weight LossOver the past few decades, the... Read More
If you've been scouring the news, devouring as much information... Read More
WAHOO!!! for YOU!! You are the most AWESOME person alive!!... Read More
Sometime, during the phase of rapid weight loss after gastric... Read More
We all have an image of "fit" - lean, even... Read More
We hear it all the time?lose weight for your health.... Read More
Have you ever wondered why diet books always seem to... Read More
There are several theories on the origins of Valentine's Day.... Read More
As I was saying in my past articles, others have... Read More
I'm sure you have heard it before, but one of... Read More
My first article provided steps for fast healthy weight loss.... Read More
New Medical Research shows high-intensity exercise can increase the body's... Read More
A diet may be a fad diet or a healthy... Read More
shuttle from O'Hare North Chicago ..In twenty years of consistant exercising, maintaining a low percentage... Read More
You've heard them before and may even have believed some... Read More
The diet that worked for meI have had a lot... Read More
Have you ever just felt like you were doing everything... Read More
If I were asked, "what is the most difficult thing... Read More
Debunking The Ab MythAb training has been done to death... Read More
Are you considering a low carb diet? If so you... Read More
The following are diet tips that can help you shape... Read More
Like many people I've been on dozens of diet plans... Read More
There are tons of fad diets and weight loss schemes... Read More
According to the American Obesity Association, an astounding 64.5 percent... Read More
This Article was originally Published in The July 2004 Issue... Read More
The low carb diet craze has become extremely popular amongst... Read More
So many people are talking about how slow their metabolism... Read More
Going away for your holidays will also bring with it... Read More
Want an after dinner snack? Jealously watching your family consume... Read More
Fat does Not Make You Fat. One of the other... Read More
Losing weight can make a significant and life altering change... Read More
Carnitine is simply the safest and healthiest supplement you can... Read More
Dieters are often told ? drink water. Drink a minimum... Read More
I'm sick of all the fad diets I see people... Read More
Don't get discouraged. I, too, have found myself in this... Read More
It is much safer to your long term health to... Read More
If you are committed to the low carb way of... Read More
The most recent shocking news related to Atkins diet UK... Read More
Weight Loss |