Crafts & Hobbies Information
 
Web World-SuperSite

Pick Up Your Pen and Lose Weight!


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.


MORE RESOURCES:

Oh Baby: OB GYN offers up weight loss secret
Sioux City Journal, IA - 7 hours ago
Cheat -- even a little -- and weight loss wouldn't happen. Try to cook daily "and you're probably going to fail." The secret: Make your meals ahead of time, ...


Examiner.com

FDA alert: Weight loss supplements recalled
Examiner.com - 19 minutes ago
Many of the weight loss products found online can not only be ineffective, but also dangerous. The FDA has issued an alert to consumers about two dietary ...


Weight loss revolution a lifestyle change
The Saginaw News - MLive.com, MI - Dec 1, 2008
By October 2005, Garth was back on TV announcing a 55-pound weight loss. She's since dropped almost 30 more for a total loss of 85 pounds from the 200 ...


Examiner.com

Randy Jackson's soulful weight loss journey
Examiner.com - 3 hours ago
His new book titled Body With Soul, is a testament to his long and hard journey of weight loss. He shares his struggles with fad diets and solutions that he ...


Weight-loss Boot Camp winners
Mount Airy News, NC - 6 hours ago
She said she couldn’t be happier about her life-changing weight loss. “It’s just additive. Once you start seeing the weight come off, you want to do more ...


Three habits for holiday weight loss
Daily Comet, LA - 18 hours ago
Remember that calorie control is the most important component in weight loss, but if you want a license to cheat when you eat, you have to get off the sofa ...


Emmerdale actress in weight-loss op
The Press Association - 3 hours ago
Many women up and down the land envy Emmerdale actress Lucy Pargeter's good looks and trim figure. But what percentage would swap places with the stunning ...


RE Barber Ford employees shed pounds for weight-loss contest
HollandSentinel.com, MI - 12 hours ago
... last minute to be a part of the contest, not really expecting to win, but because he had gone back and forth about the idea of weight loss for awhile. ...


Natural News.com

Ginseng Found Highly Effective for Weight Loss and Diabetes Control
Natural News.com, AZ - 13 hours ago
Now researchers are adding to the traditional list, documenting ginseng as highly effective in weight loss and diabetes control. ...


2 Weight Loss Supplements Recalled
KSBW, CA - 16 hours ago
Monterey County public health officials issued a warning Monday to consumers about two weight loss supplements that are currently being recalled because ...

Weight-Loss - Google News

home | site map
© 2006