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.

---

Loss Your Weight

WEIGHT LOSS:Nutrition and weight-loss researchers say that some supplements can... Read More

The Great 8 Eating Tips for Fast Weight Loss @ Body Perfect Fitness

Low Carb, Low Fat, More protein, Eat all the fat... Read More

Can Water Really Help You Lose Weight?

I believe that water not only helps with weight loss,... Read More

Emotional Eating

Yesterday, out of the blue, without any foreboding gossip or... Read More

Dieting? Mental Activity is as Important as Physical

Activity means both mental and physical activity.Mental activity is similar... Read More

What You Need to Know Before Starting a Low Carb Diet

In the last 12 months or so, low carbohydrate diets... Read More

Lose Weight and Exercise Now ? Or Face the Music Later!

My responsibility as a high profile fitness expert lies not... Read More

Diet Tips ? Common Sense Rules

We, as a society, are always trying to lose weight.... Read More

An Introduction to Gastric Bypass Surgery

Obesity, once seen as akin to laziness and overeating, is... Read More

Top 5 Most Popular Diet Programs Reviewed

There are many subscriber programs available both online and in... Read More

Look On Aisle 5

Have you ever stopped to calculate how much time you... Read More

Get Started Exercising Now, But Take It Easy!

So you're overweight, "fat"--to be honest--and you want to start... Read More

An Interesting Look at Mini Gastric Bypass Surgery

Gastric bypass surgery has many forms and can involve stapling... Read More

Finding a Weight Loss Program

Getting involved in Weight Loss Program can be intimidating for... Read More

The History of Tumescent Liposuction

Liposuction is also referred to as lipoplasty, suction-assisted lipectomy and... Read More

Weight Loss Information -- Setting Effective Goals

Weight loss information is often confusing and misleading. The more... Read More

Mamma Said: Keep Your Fingers Out Of Your Mouth

Watching television exercises our eyes but nothing else. Unfortunately, it... Read More

Diet and Exercise Evolution: Adaptation (part I) -- Theory

Adaptation is the most important concept I teach. The human... Read More

Theres Still Time for Your New Years Resolution and Lowering Body Mass Index

This year, we all made some of the typical New... Read More

4 Surefire Ways NOT To Lose Weight At Your Health Club

Everyone has their own individual reason for joining a health... Read More

What Cows Know About Weight Loss That We Have Forgotten

I want to talk to you about cows and what... Read More

Go for Scientific Weight Loss

Considering the US Center for Disease Control's advice is a... Read More

Top 10 Weight Loss and Fitness Myths

WARNING: Don't weight train until after you've lost weight! No,... Read More

7 Tips for Dieting Success

There are lots of dieters, trying every sort of plan... Read More

Taking Control of Your Subconscious for Permanent Weight Loss

From the moment of birth your first emotional experiences establish... Read More

Why You Should Burn Body Fat

Are you overweight? Then you probably want to lose some... Read More

Weight Loss Success with the South Beach Diet

The South Beach Diet was not created by your typical... Read More

Do Low Carbohydrate Diets Lead to Weight Loss Success?

So your neighbor, office mate, best friend, whoever just lost... Read More

The Psychology of Weight Loss ? Getting to the Roots of the Matter!

The Psychology of Weight Loss ? Your Approach!We have missed... Read More

Are Your Co-Workers Making You Fat? Avoiding Unexpected Treats

Taming the See Food Eat Food ResponseWhat happens when you're... Read More

Diet: Are French Fries Really A Vegetable?

The government, nutritionists, doctors, and dietitians implore us to eat... Read More

The Ultimate Weight Loss Red-Flag Guide

Weight Loss Red Flag GuideDespite claims to the contrary, there... Read More

The Simplest Diet Plan Ever - 3 Easy Steps to Healthy Living

You've heard the popular advice on weight loss diets. Cut... Read More