How To Use A Journal for Weight Loss
by blog on Friday, July 25th, 2008 | Comments Off
I suggested a food journal as a way to become aware of how much food you eat in a day. I recently came across these tips that talk a bit more of how to use a journal as an effective weight loss tool.
Improving Your Weight Loss Motivation: 4 Tips
By Kurt Schmitt
Making any kind of lifestyle change requires motivation but weight loss motivation, in particular, can be very challenging. There are a number of rules, however, that can simplify this process and help guarantee success. Let’s look at four of them now. Know the numbers — The first rule for weight loss is to know your numbers. Step on the scale, but not constantly, and not even daily; once a week is sufficient. It is also important that you know your measurements. Be as precise as possible and record the measurements for your upper arms, hips, chest, waist, and thighs. Repeat this process every 2-4 weeks and compare your results. A loss of even a fraction of an inch is something to celebrate! Log it — Keeping a journal is the second rule for weight loss motivation. This is the place where you will keep an accurate record of the numbers we mentioned above. In addition, you will record your daily food intake along with your daily exercise. This journal is essential to your lifestyle change in many ways. It is the perfect spot for you to keep track of the emotional aspect of weight loss. What are you feeling when you have the urge to overeat? Is there a behavior you could substitute for eating that would satisfy that need? Research it — One of the most helpful rules for weight loss motivation is to do your research! Read books about dieting and browse the Internet for appropriate websites. Learn the food pyramid guidelines and be able to recognize proper portion sizes. Your journal is an excellent spot for you to record the information that you learn. To experience continued motivation, you’ll want to review this data often, until it becomes second nature. Know your outcome — Finally, weight loss motivation requires you to have a vision. You must be able to “see” yourself the way you’d like to be. Spend a little time each day meditating or reflecting on how you would like to reinvent yourself. Visualize the smallest details. This is not about saying, “I want to lose 20 pounds.” This is about visualizing the journey to that goal. What will it take to get there? Following these four simple rules that we’ve discussed will help your motivation remain at its peak. The dramatic lifestyle change that
About the Author:
Gail M. Davis writes about improving your motivation for weight loss and other slimming topics. Kurt Schmitt has a self help website . This and other unique content ‘weight loss motivation’ articles are available with free reprint rights.
